Session Spotlight: A Special In Home Family Photo Session

Around the holidays I did a really special family photo shoot here in Chicago, in Lincoln Square. This family told me they had a two and a half year old son, and daughter that passed away shortly after she was born in early 2022. They wanted to include their daughter’s photo and a container with her ashes in our photo session… and of course, I said we could absolutely do that…I thought it would be great to honor her in that way.

Baby Alice was born with a critical congenital heart defect and passed away at 40 days old following complications due to surgery to repair her heart. It was an honor getting to capture her and her family. Her big brother was happy to take pictures with her…while I was photographing him with her picture I would say “isn’t she so cute?” and he would look at the picture and smile and agree with me…it was so sweet and he was obviously very proud of his baby sister.

We did some holiday photos in front of the Christmas tree, some family shots in the bedrooms, and a few shots outside. They had fun tickling each other and laughing while I captured it all. We included the picture of Alice throughout the session. I treated this like any other session…photos together, photos separate, photos with one parent and then the other. Photos of both siblings together.

There were so many emotions during this photo shoot…love, joy, sadness…even some humor. There were some tears but also laughter. I really loved capturing these photos for this family…and I hope they treasure these photos forever. Alice is a part of their family and I think it was really important to have her in the photos with them.

This family has gotten involved with fundraising and advocacy work through the Children's Heart Foundation. They are an organization which funds the most promising congenital heart defect (CHD) research, including that of the surgeon that operated on Alice at Lurie Children's Hospital.  They are the country's leading organization solely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect (CHD) research. To date, through 2021, The Children’s Heart Foundation has funded $15 million of CHD research and scientific collaborations— driving breakthroughs that have improved survival rates, longevity, and quality of life for individuals living with CHDs in dramatic and life-changing ways. In the past two decades, death rates from congenital heart defects have dropped by 37.5 percent. As a result, the Foundation is now supporting research on the developmental, transitional, and lifelong care needs affecting the millions of Americans with CHDs who are living longer lives than ever before. 

Donations help fund research breakthroughs that can help save or lengthen lives of people living with congenital heart defects. Please click the button below if you would like to donate.