Miller Family | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Miller | Family

Meet the Miller family! They are a very fitness family-of-five now, thanks to their latest addition of their son Zeke. Check out some of the highlighted photos from their session.

Football | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Jalen & Ethan | Events

Had a very quick session out in the park with Jay and Ethan two young football players. Love the light from the setting sun and the very cool navy and white uniforms.

Current Running Specials '13


Renaissance Fair | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Renaissance Fair | Events

I've never been to a Renaissance fair before, and being a fan of this historic period, it was one of my goals to actually go and experience this fantasy reenactment. So here is some of my favorite images from my journey through time.

Lenka | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Lenka | Glamour

I had the awesome opportunity to photograph the very lovely Lenka. Lenka is a native from Czech Republic and is currently visiting in the US. I got to know her during the Simandl wedding shoot and she just lit up for some of the images I captured at the wedding. A short while later, we started scheduling her glamour shoot lol. Here are some of my favorite images from her session.

Simandl | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Simandl | Wedding

What are your name(s)?
> Martin & Jen Simandl

Peyton | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Peyton | Maternity

What are your name(s)?

>Peyton (Mother), Khloe (soon-to-be born daughter)


 How far along are you in your pregnancy and when is the babys due date?
> I am 7 months along and her due date is 10-13.

Taylor | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Taylor | Family
Getting to know the Taylors; Winners from our Picture Perfect Love Contest.

 What are your names?
> John, Stacy, Keagan & Kenzie Taylor

Summitt | Chicago Western Suburb Photography

Summitt | Senior

Foreman | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography


Foreman | Children

5 Ideas to Make Your Easter More Colorful!



Easter Deviled Eggs













Don’t just dye the outside of your eggs, do the inside too!  This can be a fun (and easy) way to include deviled eggs (another Easter tradition) into your bright new celebration! And the kids can help!  Here’s how…

What you’ll need:

1. Food coloring
2. White vinegar
3. Boiled eggs
4. Water

I bought the neon variety of food coloring at my local grocery store, I wanted my eggs to turn out really bright.  (You can find food coloring in the baking aisle). 

What you’ll do:

1. Remove the shell from the eggs, cut them in half, and remove the yolk to make the filling like you normally would when making deviled eggs. 
2. Get enough glasses for the number of colors you want to use.  Or, if you want to make clean-up REALLY easy, use plastic cups!  Fill them 2/3 full with cold water. 
3. Add 1 tsp vinegar to each cup, and then 3 drops of food coloring (or more if you want!)
4. Place egg whites in the cups until they are the color you want.  Trust me, the vinegar does NOT make them taste funny…I was skeptical too!
5. Remove the whites from the dye and let them dry on a plate with a paper towel. 
6. When they are dry, fill them with your yolk mixture.

So cute!!! 

I made these for my daughter’s 2nd birthday party, and they were a big hit.


Paint Sample Garland














 Another one for the kids (and adults)…and it’s free!  Pretty self-explanatory…

What you’ll need:

1. String or ribbon
2. Paint sample cards in pretty Easter colors (can get them from any home improvement store, Walmart…)

You simply thread the string through the eggs, or you can tape the string to the back of the eggs too, or you can even tape 2 eggs back to back and put the string in between so it’s pretty on both sides! 

To make it even easier for the kids, make an egg template that they can trace and then cut out from the paint sample cards. 

Or more…try different shapes!  Maybe a cute bunny head, or a little ducky!

   









Ombre Easter
















Okay, we all know ombre is the big thing right now.  I’ll admit it, I love it too!  Hair, curtains, clothes, even walls, EVERYTHING is ombre.  So, why not Easter?  I love this trendy take on an Easter tradition.  This would look great as a centerpiece or on a mantel.  Here’s how to get your ombre on this holiday…

What you’ll need:

1. Easter egg dye- your choice for color!
2. Boiled eggs (I like to do at least 8 for a really cool effect)

What you’ll do:

Simply leave the eggs in the same container of dye- for different lengths of time!  Works best if you time it…obviously, the darker eggs will be left in longer.  Vary the times by at least a few minutes.  For example, leave the first egg in for 10 minutes, the next- 8 minutes, then 6 minutes, etc….

They look really cute if you set them on some white Easter grass, or tissue paper.  Love it!!


Easy Easter Wreath

 














What you’ll need:

1. 10-inch foam wreath form  (here’s an added bonus- you can cut in half, and get two wreaths out of one, each with a flat back…so they’re easier to hang! Bonus!
2. Yarn, ribbon, whatever you want to wrap your wreath with (tulle, fabric, etc.)
3. Wreath decorations of your choice (flowers shown above, but you can use colorful plastic eggs, or even Peeps!)

What you’ll do:

1. Start with a dab of hot glue where you’ll start wrapping your wreath (on the back, of course!)
2. Start wrapping!  (Boring…you might want some music!)
3. Add a dab of glue every few inches or so for security, and then finish it off with a dab too.
4.  Add your embelishments and enjoy!  Tie a string around the top to hang.

Hint:  If you want to keep it hanging, use flowers or something that’s more Spring-y, rather than Easter-y.

Easter Printables

So not everyone is as crazy as I am, or maybe you don’t like crafts, or your DIY muscle still needs a little exercising.  Here’s some quick Easter printables for  those busier (yet equally stylish!)  people to simply print and hang for a colorful, uplifting Easter!  (If you copy the image and paste it to a new document, you can change the size…)

 
          




 - Andrea Peacock

Picture Perfect Love Winners 2013! | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography

A HUGE thank you to everyone that entered the Picture Perfect Love contest!!

You've all sent in so many touching and romantic stories that it was VERY hard to pick a winner. The decision finally came down to two specific stories and we have decided... to have TWO WINNERS!!

Congratulations to our winners; Stacy T. and Cici K.!!!
You have both won a free session and free printed photos taken by MP Generations Photography~
http://mpgenerations.blogspot.com/2013/01/picture-perfect-love-contest.html

Annalee and The Boys | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography


Snow Day from the Past | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography

Today after what has to be so far the most snow-less winter in Chicago, I finally see a few fluffy flakes drifting down.  This reminds me of a photo session we had outside in a back yard.  Although it was a normal back yard, the huge amount of snow that fell quickly made the area look like a wilderness.  

Annalee | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography





It all started during the fall sometime when I (Nick) was taking photos for an outdoor wedding shoot, I was clicking away on my camera at the guests, while they mingled and laughed about the new couple and old times past. Then it happened..

This smooth sultry singing voice kicks in, and the entire wedding party is vibrating with even more positive vibes. I start thinking to myself, "Wow, I wonder who this is singing on this CD they sound really good!". As I continue my coverage of the wedding, in the distance I look towards this huge tree, which is done up all in white lights for the event and I see this woman sitting there with pretty much a chair and a guitar. I thought this will make a really nice photo, and I aim for the shot. When I bring my camera into focus... I see that this woman is singing and that the incredible melody I heard earlier was from her!

This is is how I met Annalee. 
Annalee is an acoustic jazz musician keeping jazz alive in Chicagoland. She has been performing since she was a child, and when it comes to her performance; it is a definite head turner that pulls you in when you hear the impactful voice coming her. I highly recommend anyone in the Chicagoland to definitely check her out!

The images here are from the Cellar Bistro in Downtown Wheaton. For more images from this venue shoot you can see them at mpgenerations.com, under Artist Portraits. If you would like to find out more about the music of Annalee you can go to annaleejazz.com.

- Nick Peacock

Double Trouble.. | Chicago Western Suburbs Photography

During the holidays, one of our clients got an unexpected surprise visit from her son and family with their 3 month old twins. Now as you can guess, trying to take care of two very active and alert babies can really keep you busy. Too busy to take pictures other than quick snapshots from your cell phone.  So when they came to see her, she called us immediately and ask could we possible fit them in for a portrait session.  We did and we had an absolute ball!  These boys were so very alert and strong for their age. Their personalities was as different as night and day, but overall very friendly. I just love that age.We took several pictures of them, alone and together in various positions and outfits.  My favorite were the tastefully nude ones of them showing their chubby little dimpled backsides.  I always try to include at least one of those.  I tell the mothers it is great to have when they are grown and you want to embarrass them if front of their girl friends.

After the session, we played around with some of the pictures and I came up with this idea.  From the moment I saw them in the tub together, i thought of the nursery rhyme, rub-a-dub-dub, 3 men in a tub, but in this case 2 men in a tub.  I thought it came out great and only wished I had put sailor hats on them at the time. Enjoy!

- Diane Miller
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