Erica Lynn Photography

Best of 2011!!

erica — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:45:20 +0000

It’s almost 2012! Can you believe it! I can’t!

It’s been an amazing year of growth for me and my photography business and I have enjoyed every minute!

Part of the reason it’s so amazing is because of the fabulous people that I get to interact with.

It makes me so happy to be entrusted with the privilege of being able to capture moments.

Moments together as a family, laughing, playing, and exploring.

Moments together as a couple, falling in love, getting married, and K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

I get to be a small part of it. And I cherish each moment.

Looking back through 2011 reminded me of all those good times.

It was SO difficult to pick 1 from each of the sessions this past year but I have my reasons for each picture.

So, are you ready to see the lineup?!

In the comment section vote for you favorite picture (if you are just dying to choose 2… well, go ahead).

Then tell your family and friends and facebook acquaintances (be honest, you have them) to vote for their favorite.

And guess what, if your family’s picture is chosen, you’ll get a digital copy of a collage from your session!!!

(TRUST ME, It WILL be good…YOU WANT TO WIN)

This collage will be designed specifically for you from Creative Portraits!

Their work is amazing!! I have one of their collages in my house.

In order to vote you must go to Creative Portraits Facebook Page and “like” them.

Then come back here and comment on your favorite picture of 2011!!!

On to the pictures:

One of my first pictures last year was of sweet Caleb. I did his 6 month old pictures. Oh so sweet!!

#1 Baby Hom

Next up, is another adorable little fellow! I got to take his Momma’s pictures while he was still in her tummy.

I just love his almost smile here.

#2 Baby Hesselberg

Up next is ANOTHER little guy! (winter is mostly about newborns and there were plenty! Mostly boys for some reason.) This little guys was AWAKE! I love those big eyes!

#3 Baby Lackage

I enjoyed an outdoor wedding this summer that was absolutely perfect! Weather was perfect, colors were perfect, props were perfect, and of course, the couple was perfect!!

#4 Schultz Wedding

Maternity sessions are always a blast. The evidence of anticipation is written all over this HOT Mama’s face. I love this picture because she was rockin’ that maternity thang!!

#5 Nelson’s Maternity Shoot

Oh sweet little boys. Here is another cutie pie. I love this picture because he just couldn’t let mom and dad have their privacy. He had to watch them get their smooch on. And it’s adorable.

#6 Bandstra Family

I think this next shoot was one of my favorite shoots of the whole year. I had SO much fun with this family! We walked through the park. We rolled down hills. We played with squirt guns. OK, who am I kidding? The term “we” is used loosely. I was there for it ok? I had to protect the camera. I would have done it too.

#7 Hengels Family

Time for another wedding shot! Ok, this picture is sort of different. You can’t even see their faces, but it’s a favorite of mine anyway! What do you think?

#8 Griffin Wedding

I decided that this year I found a new passion. Senior girls. I love taking their pictures. They are just so darn cute!! Maybe it’s because I remember when I was that age. Life was SO complicated.

Studying. Boys. Parents. Shopping. Sigh.

Ok, I’m back. I love this picture because… well, she’s GORGEOUS. No explanation necessary!

#9 Nicole

This little girl, in this picture, well she’s just perfect. And maybe she reminds me of my girls.

#10 Nakama Family

Oh this couple is adorable!! As we get older it SEEMS like being affectionate is more embarrassing in public? So I was proud of this cute couple being willing to show a little PDA in front of their adult children at this shoot.

#11 Belck-Olsen Family

Yay! Finally a newborn GIRL!!!! I just love the colors and her sweet little face!

#12 Baby Wetterman

Back to the baby boys, look at that cute squishy face!!!!! I love all my newborns but this little guys is perfection!

#13 Baby Payne

Remember the cutie with the tie at the beginning of this LONG post? Well, he turned 1 this past summer. I had a crazy idea about putting him in a bucket of water outside among the tall grass. Well guess what… Mom went for it AND baby liked it! Win Win!

#14 Baby Hom

Well, I may be just a tad biased but my niece was born this summer. And she’s perfect! I got a LOT of practice in with her. I could show you pictures of her all day… this is just one of my MANY favorites of her.

#15 Baby Ella

Ok, this shoot was fun because it was impromptu and in Michigan! New locations are always a lot of fun. She could be a model. See for yourself.

#16 Lauren

Another baby girl!! This shoot was outside. Natural light is fabulous especially at the golden hour when the sun is setting. This little beauty was ready for her shoot. She SMILED!

#17 Baby Brown

Another fun family shoot. I really like this picture because it shows how much this family enjoys each other. Love that!

#18 Schneider Family

I just love this sweet little girl’s face. This just makes me giggle when I look at it and I just love it!

#19 Schapmann Family

Sometimes there are some close-ups that are just beautiful. (No close-ups of me!) And this is one of them. Just beautiful. I love how bright her eyes look. And of course, the sun in her hair is a must!

#20 Johnson Family

I had a blast with all sorts of families and this next family was game. They were dressed all nicely in their slacks and dresses. And guess what I asked of them? (after the nice pictures were taken of course) I asked them to go in the water. Of course I did. Why wouldn’t you go in the water dressed nicely. But they are brother and sister so they jumped at the chance to splash each other!

#21 Limberg Family

I don’t get to do a lot of engagement sessions so they are special to me. I mean much easier could my job get. Take pictures of people in love. Piece of cake when they are in love and engaged! Remember those days? Those sideway glances. The giggling. The hand holding. (I still do ALL those things with my hubs but you know what I mean about that engagement period.)

#22 Seabloom’s-to-be

I had a special request to photograph a group of high school friends. That was something a little different and a whole lot of fun! They were a neat group that really got along. I was going for serious amidst the fun.

#23 Friends Shoot

This senior girl had a fun jeep that she happened to drive up in and well, it became a prop! She looks beautiful!

#24 Jo

I got to go to FL to shoot a wedding. It was H-O-T! But the bride and groom were good sports as we traipsed them around in the heat. They were naturals.

#25 Murray Wedding

Can you imagine being a mom to 4 kids? How about a mom to 4 BOYS!?!?!??! Well this momma did it gracefully and she is definitely a hot mama!! I almost picked her picture as my favorite from the shoot but she would have killed me. So, here are 2 of her 4 boys.

#26 Ramon boys

Another close-up. Well deserved. She looks stunning!

#27 Mel

This picture is all about the looks. The facial expressions. Those glances at daddy. Be still my heart adorable.

#28 Ohm Family

Sun flare. We all know I’m obsessed. And this senior was the victim of my passion. But I think it was for her benefit don’t you?

#29 Meme

Once again, this look is priceless. Look at all those teeth! So cute!

#30 Knitt Family

I love this picture. I love the colors. The sun. The family. This picture was my most popular picture that was seen by the most people on my facebook page. I guess other people like this fam too!

#31 Castelluccio Family

This little girl is SO adorable and I had been dying to take her picture. Finally it was my chance!! Ain’t she a cutie?!

#32 Carlson Family

Oh this picture makes me smile. I love the colors, the look, the smile, and umm… the HAIR!!! YES PLEASE. So fabulous. And such a fabulous girl!

#33 Birmingham Family

Once again, sun flare obsession. This is one of my ALL time favorite pics of this past year. So love.

#34 Nord Family

I am seeing a slight trend in favoring the youngest child. Which is funny because I’m the oldest child. But he won my heart in this picture.

#35 Brenner Family

I just really really really love everything about this picture. Purple is on of my favorite colors and it looks perfect in this picture. It was a really cold and windy day in this picture but the colors were perfect!

#36 Hunter Maternity

This picture is so sweet. I still LOVE tea time. The locations was perfect and the light was to die for. Absolutely gorgeous.

#37 Maggie

I love when mom’s take the initiative and find cute props. Especially because it makes their pictures unique. Oh just wait until you see this little dude.

#38 Tiojanco Family

I just love those little lips and her little gypsy hat. But especially those lips!!!

#39 Baby Hunter

One of the best parts of my job is capturing a moment. A precious moment. A moment that maybe no one else saw. This next picture was one of those moments. It was during a wedding. The father of the groom had just gotten out of the hospital to be at the wedding. It was a sweet moment in time that is captured forever.

#40 Forbes Wedding

And lastly, I was asked to capture a proposal. Another moment in time that that couple will most likely never forget. It was an honor. And a joy. Nothing like love.

#41

Phew!! That’s it for now.

Now go tell your friends!! (and vote!!)

The last day to vote will be Mon. Jan. 9th 2012

Thanks for a GREAT year.

**************VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!! CONGRATULATIONS AUDRA OHM!!!********************

Newborn Pick

erica — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:26:48 +0000

How could I choose just one picture from the WHOLE year?! It’s so hard. Wanna see which one I chose?

This photo was included in the Inspire Me Baby Best of 2011 – Inspire Me Baby

Florida bound…

erica — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:45:55 +0000

I have always thought that it would be SO DREAMY to shoot a wedding in an exotic place.

How could the pictures NOT be awesome? It’s too beautiful!

I sort of got to fulfill that dream. Does Florida count as exotic? Well, I’m counting it because there are palm trees. I don’t know what it is about the palm trees, but they scream VACATION to me. Of course, I live in dreary old Chicago so palm tress are exciting to me.

Anyway, as exciting as it was to shoot by the lovely palm trees, it was HOT! We had the BEST bride and groom who were willing to stand out in the heat while we traipsed them all over the place.

The venue was to-die-for! It was an old mansion with huge, white pillars in the front.

It was a small, intimate wedding. My favorite kind. I felt like a guest at the wedding.

And you know what the best part was? I got to photograph it with a dear friend of mine. It was our first time working together and it seemed like we had been shooting together for years. What could be better than “working” with friend? I had so much fun!

I am not sure who was more excited, the bride, or the flower girl!

Sweet sister time.

Um yes! This is her MOM, not her sister!

I think she is so pretty!!I hope I look that good when my girls are getting married!

Ain’t she adorable?!?!?!

To see the rest of the pics click on the thumbnail to make it larger.

Nic and Jen, I really enjoyed our time with you!
Thank you for making us feel so welcome!

Favorite newbies

erica — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:49:02 +0000

A walk in the park…

erica — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:09:05 +0000

Since I am mainly a family/children/senior photographer I do not often get a chance to do an engagement session.

But I REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy them.

There’s something about a couple that is excited for their new life ahead.

The way they look at each other.

They way they laugh with each other.

Sigh.

I’m such a romantic.

I got my chance at another engagement session last weekend.

Ryan and Janae are getting married next year.

Janae is my kind of girl.

She had ideas.
Creative ideas!

She even brought her own couch… TO THE SESSION!

Can you say HEAVEN?!

I will TRY not to overload you with pictures… but they are just so DARN cute together!

(click on the picture to enlarge it)

Thanks Ryan and Janae!

I hope you LOVE your pictures.

I had a BLAST hanging out with you!

Can’t wait for your big day!

Since we have been having fun with “which is your fav?”

Let’s keep playing…

I like to hear from you!

Annnnnd now he’s 7!

erica — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:33:15 +0000

Well, it’s official.
I have a 7 year old, a 6 year old, and a 4 year old.

Sigh.

Why do they grow so fast?!

I’ve been complaining about this fact to my son.

He told me it’s my fault… because I FEED him.

I guess growing is my fault then because I plan to continue to feed them.

Anyway, I am still taking advantage of the fact that my boy will let me do a photo shoot.

I’m sure those days will end sooner than I would like.

He is interested… for a second.

And the mosquitoes ATE US ALIVE.

But a photo shoot is worth it right?!

Are you scared yet?

He’s our protector when my hubby is on business trips.

He takes good care of us girls.

He’ll make a good hubby one day.

I just hope she can live up to ALL my expectations… because my list grows on a daily basis! Melt. my. heart.Happy Birthday to my most favorite 7 year old in the whole world!

She’s 6!

erica — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:16:51 +0000

Well, it is that time of year, when my oldest 2 children are the SAME age… only for 3 days.
She loves it. Because for 3 days they are twins… almost.
He hates it. He reminds her: I’m STILL older!
I am amused because people will ask how old they are and when I get to say that they are the same age… the look they give me is priceless.
Nope, they aren’t twins.
Yes, that’s possible.
And on and on it goes.
it also means that I get to do their yearly pictures.

Ok, let’s be honest… YEARLY may not be the right word because we all know I take a bajillion pictures of my kids.

But you know what I mean, right?

Well, as I thought about our theme for our shoot, it came to me. Instantly. As soon as I saw the dress.

She got it as a gift from her Grandma. And she LOVES it.

Tell me, is this dress not PERFECT for the theme?!

I love you, my not-so-little girl!

The Results!

erica — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:16:12 +0000

WOW!!

Thank you for commenting on Lauren’s pictures!

Apparently it was hard to pick 1 or 2… because some of you picked 5!

It was fun to add up the total so I could figure out which one was THE picture.

What I thought was interesting about the results is that everyone has a different favorite.

Photography is so subjective.

MY 2 favorite were:

I just love those purple flowers!

Are you wondering which was everyone else’s favorite?

Well there were 150+ comments… so we’ll do a top 5:

#1#2#3#4#5

Thanks for helping me!

Check out Lauren’s mom… she has a GREAT blog…here!

Megan gets the credit for all the comments.

Beach Shoot

erica — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:28:39 +0000

We spent the day in Michigan with some friends at a great lake house.

Oh the possibilities for a photo shoot!!!!!

It was unbelievable!

How lucky for me… there just happened to be a willing model.

I don’t use that word lightly… Lauren is BEAUTIFUL!

She could be a model. Seriously.

I just shot.

She made it EASY.

As I went through these pictures I picked out MY favorites…

and I thought it’s obvious, there is 1 picture that is better than all the rest.

But then I started wondering… which one would be Lauren’s favorite?

Or her mom’s favorite?

Or YOUR favorite?

So I’m curious… will we pick the same one?

Which one is YOUR favorite?

I want to know!

I numbered the pictures so you can leave a comment and tell me which picture is YOUR favorite!

(click on the thumbnails to see the full picture)

(Ok, I lied, I have 2 favorites… but I love them all!)

Baby AJ

erica — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:39:38 +0000

I am VERY proud to debut an adorable new little girl.

She was difficult to convince to come into the world but momma says she was worth it!!

Her full head of hair is every so sweet.

I can’t wait to introduce her to you!

Click on her name:

Abriella Jade Lilliana Rocha