Celebrating "50" | Turning 50 Photo Session

Turning 50 is a reason to CELEBRATE

We often get caught up making sure we capture our children’s milestones from newborn, 3 month, 6 month, Birthdays, Sports and High School Senior Photos for a few. Life is full of moments we treasure. Some milestones we have visions for as we wait for them and some just happen and leave us the gift of memories. If COVID has taught us a few things, one is our “vision” of a milestone celebration has changed as things have been very limited during the pandemic and another is to treasure the moments you can.

My friend turned 50 in during 2020 and booked her own birthday photoshoot, as she annually does sessions for the kids birthdays, yes outside of the annual school picture and the sports pictures. Her kids sessions highlight them and a few of their favorite things. Her 50th birthday photo session, (or 600 month or 18,262 days young) was the same as she had props to celebrate including her roller skates. While this was my first 50 year celebration photo shoot, I truly encourage more to people to come out and celebrate your big day in a way that makes it special for you. And as adults there are very few pictures we have ourselves, I am included. If a “styled” photo session is not your thing, gather your besties or your family for a fun casual session which is not selfies and everyone can be included. Celebrate YOU.

Cheers to 50 and may the next 50 bring as much love laughter and happiness!!

Wild One First Birthday Studio Session | Frankfort | Christina Bailitz Photographer

It’s been a wild year since this sweet boy entered the world last winter.

It is time to celebrate his first year with a WILD ONE first birthday photo session. He loved exploring the studio, showing off how fast is moving around. I always say after they learn to crawl, photo sessions become a little busier getting them to be in the frame and facing a camera angle. But with the help of mom and dad we make it happen. I love the connections I see each session between babes and their parents - as much as I want to say they are smiling at me, often it is mom/dads voice that is working.

We ended this session with a smash cake session! I LOVE these moments, as being a mom of three, I know how fast the first birthday parties go and this is a way to get some pictures and enjoy the moment when not being a host. Some dive in, some don’t touch the cake, and some explore trying to figure out what this is. And this session by the end we had cake on our clothes, face, floor and hair - it was his party time.

First Birthday Photoshoot was a success and documented for the books!!!

Flying into Four Years Old | Orland Park Photographer | Christina Bailitz Photography

I think I was just waiting to meet this little newborn and then I blink and it has been 4 years!

I remember that January day waiting in the hospital waiting room to capture this sweet boys Fresh 48 photography session and I have been honored to capture his milestones and birthdays each year. He came running in ready to tell me all about being four years old and Spiderman. Winter birthdays may be hard to get outdoor sessions in Chicago, but no worries, studio photography sessions capture their special day and are just as much fun!!

Class of 2021 Seniors | Tinley Park Photographer | Christina Bailitz Photography

Class of 2021

The class that has learned how to roll with ever changing times.

When they all came home as juniors for a break as COVID was emerging, they never imagined that in the fall, they would start their senior year remote learning or on a hybrid routine and not with their whole class. It has been realigning of plans and throughout it all they are remaining hopeful to end their high school years together and in the meantime thankful for the moments that can happen in any capacity.

Senior pictures are truly a moment where it is normal and their time to shine! Make their senior pictures an experience they remember and highlights their personality and style. And this is a little gift for parents too, a session where after 17-18 years, your baby has grown up! It is the last school pictures you get. So make it a special one.

First Birthday Studio Session | Tinley Park Childrens Photographer

ONE whole year of fun and memories!

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First birthdays come up faster than any parent ever imagines.

It seems just like yesterday you were meeting your sweet little one for the first time and the newborn days were long days but it all went by fast! So much has happened in the year as your little one went from snuggled perfectly in your arms to starting to wanting me to be moving and on the go….

This sweet girl is on the move and ready to keep up with her brothers for sure!

We had so much fun capturing ONE in the studio.

Studio sessions are perfect for milestones and birthday sessions!

A Decade of Growth | Chicago Photographer

Back in 2009, a dear friend wanted pictures of her beautiful daughters and asked me to take them. I was excited and nervous, as could I really get her pictures she was happy with? But I had a newer DSLR camera and I was learning, so we set a session date and time.... and I remember she brought me a beautiful flower basket to say thank you.

Well to be honest, me back in 2009, I thought I nailed it….. and I am choosing some of the better ones to share : )

And now here we are in 2020, which has been a year that will stand alone in words for many, and now it is senior photo time and this sweet girl has grown up to an amazing beauty inside and out, my photo skills have grown quite a bit too I will say. And that session started the discussion with more friends to take their pictures and here we are 11 years later thanks to my family, friends, clients and referrals - Christina Bailitz Photography !

Over a decade of photography for this economics major and tax girl who had a creative side that could be so big - who knew!?!

Over the last decade I have learned so many things:

• There is always room to grow. Looking back at pictures I am thankful people have treasured each stage of my growth and always tweaking and learning to provide better images and sessions each season.

• How much I have grown to love newborn sessions. When I first started they scared me, but over time they have stole a piece of my heart. And I love the time I get to spend with fresh new babies and their families.

• The art of candid pictures as families connections are just as important as smiling looking at the camera. I always try to capture the between moments I can in a session.

• The importance of getting mom & dad into pictures - not just pictures of the kids. The kids want pics with mom & dad too!!

• The importance of LARGE family sessions. Yep a total pain to schedule between multiple families most of the time, but truly a gift for all to treasure.

• Weather is truly ALWAYS changing and causes more changes to schedules than I ever knew and I have become much better at radar watching over the years. So thankful for open communication with clients and flexibility when needed.

• Scheduling is an art. From a mom to a business owner to thinking of clients and best lighting for pictures. And it is best to look at the BEARS schedule before setting Sunday dates in the fall in Chicago for happy Dads.

• Editing definitely is an art and believe it or not, it is where more time is put than the time shooting the session. Editing the details makes a difference in the final product.

• I truly LOVE watching my clients families grow and grow up. It is a gift to watch these moments happen in a family and how lucky am I get to freeze them for you.

• Little did I expect this little photography world would bring me so many new friends…. yep totally blessed to have many relationships be more than a client I worked with.

• Word of mouth referrals truly are a gift. Getting a new referral is like Christmas morning for me.

• And while I was an economics major, a tax consultant, bookkeeper and payroll clerk - all these work titles have filled a part of my life, somehow it has led me to photographer.

• Photography makes my heart and head happy. Gives me flexibility with my family. Fulfills a part of me outside of wife, mom, sister, cousin, friends etc. and truly count my blessings to have this opportunity.

So after a decade of Christina Bailitz Photography posts, I am so thankful for the growth involved in each season. The clients that have trusted me to capture a moment(s) and welcome me into their family. Know I take each session to heart and look forward to bringing you images to treasure for a lifetime and for the next generation.

Pictures truly are a piece of OUR story and history.

XO - Christina

Class of 2021 Senior Photography | Chicago Photographer

The Class of 2021 
is starting their senior year summer.

Senior year is filled with so many memories,
make senior pictures ones you capture.

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Questions I most often get asked about senior pictures.

Which session is best for senior pictures? 
This depends on how many outfit changes and location types you are looking for. Some like to bring something casual, dressy and then a sports type uniform. Some prefer one outfit. There is no right or wrong to the number of outfits as everyone's ideas are different on pictures. This is something we can discuss.

When should I take senior pictures?
When you are ready! 

We can take pictures in any season but depends what you are looking for. Some love the summer with warmth, colors and some sun. Summer brings more flexibility with less activities and homework and longer days with daylight. 

While others love fall colors and attire better, sessions are limited to after school/weekends. Fall is a busy time of year for photographers so booking early is better. 

Some prefer to do them right before graduation. Spring weather in Chicago can be all over waiting for things to bloom and not be rainy. Make sure you consider the turn around time to get your images back if need them for a senior slideshow or graduation announcement.

What to wear?

I always say make sure to wear something that is comfortable and matches your personality. Also while wearing something trendy is an option for one image, you often want something more classic, as these will be the pictures you look back on. Keeping it simple focuses on the graduate.  Also wear something that move well and you can sit comfortably in. So if you do not love the outfit and feel comfortable don't bring it to this session!
Where should we take pictures?
Over the years I have taken pictures at the high school, your home, local parks, local downtown areas to downtown Chicago. These are the last big pictures they get so I usually say ask them for ideas too. 
 

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First Birthdays are a BIG Celebration

ONE FULL YEAR OF MEMORIES

365 Days of moments to treasure and milestones achieved. In the beginning, the nights seem to last forever but the days go fast. Being a newborn and child photographer I love getting to watch these babies grow up from squishy newborns to walking little toddlers.

Now let’s talk about First Birthday Smash cake sessions…

I LOVE capturing this time for parents. Yep for parents… as during the first birthday party it is often a busy moment and getting pictures and enjoying the moment is hard. So a smash cake session let’s mom & dad sit back and watch their little one explore the cake and get messy.

Chicago Golden Hour Beach Family Session | Chicago Photographer

Our gorgeous Chicago skyline is the perfect backdrop

Golden hour is a beautiful time to capture your family with the beautiful Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan. If you are a family that enjoys the city, this is a bucket list photo shoot or if you are coming into Chicago for vacation - vacation is a great time to take family pictures and capture your adventure! Truly we are blessed with an amazing lakefront just a car drive away and some great restaurants to visit after your session!

This summer Christina Bailitz Photography will be offering beach sessions so watch the schedule for 2019 Beach Golden Hour Sessions.

Class of 2020 Senior Photography | Chicago Senior Photography | Tinley Park

Class of 2020

“This is your time“

Class of 2019 Providence Catholic High School Graduate Senior Session in the city on the Chicago Riverwalk

Senior Picture Sessions are built based upon your vision.

This session was done on a weeknight in the city on a beautiful summer evening as we started at the Riverwalk and headed to Michigan Ave and stopped along many Chicago landmarks and ended our session in the loop on LaSalle Street. It was super fun!!

Some senior sessions prefer a small local session and some prefer a trip into the city with multiple outfit changes and locations. Some prefer sessions the summer before senior year , some prefer a fall session, and some prefer to do them right before graduation when a decision has been made on college. Christina Bailitz Photography will work with you get your session to meet your goals from package size, scheduling during time of the year and locations.