I have been a photographer for the better part of a decade now but at the end of last year I made the decision to change course in my career and set some new goals. I wanted to take my work in a new direction.

My mom was the first person I told about these new photography endeavors and, ever the supporter, she told me that she thought I’d be great and that she was proud of me. Typical mom things to say!

So over the past several months I have been hard at work here setting up my brand new Chicago photography studio and preparing to launch my revamped photography business full time! 

In the middle of March, I decided to invite my mom to Chicago so that she could be the first person photographed in my new studio! I wanted her to see what I have been up to and experience what I have been talking about for months.

I gave her the whole experience. Hair, makeup, champagne - the whole 9 yards! We had a girls' day and it was a blast. My mom is not the girly type and I can’t be sure, but I think that she was hesitant when I asked her if I could take her portrait. She said yes, but I don’t think she really knew what to expect. 

She let me be my artsy self and listened to all of my directions. I guided her through poses. She changed outfits and I changed backgrounds. We laughed and talked and turned the music up loud. 

By the end of our photoshoot she said the best possible thing I could hear. Better than, “I know you can do this.” Better than, “I’m proud of you.” 

She said, “You made me feel so beautiful.”

Those simple words let me know that I did my job and I am on the right path. I’m so glad that she was my first “client” in my brand new space and our photoshoot solidified my goal to help women and men feel like the best version of themselves.

Our day together has already become a special memory and the best part of the experience is that I have beautiful portraits of her that I get to keep forever.

I want everyone to experience this with me, because it’s incredible.