A Day with Dad Lifestyle Photography Session at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields

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A Day with Dad at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields

It’s that time of year!  America’s favorite pastime season has begun.  I’m talking about…baseball!  Jackie has had the idea of doing a baseball session for her son, Kellen, for awhile now.  With it being his 10th birthday coming up, the family not having pictures for awhile and the love Kellen and his dad share for the game….it seemed like triple play.

Black and white picture of Boy in baseball uniform looking straight into the camera while holding his glove up to his face and standing against a chain length fence at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy standing on baseball and holding his bat at Channahon pony baseball fields in Channahon, IL
Boy turned opposite direction with cleat on top of ball and holding bat and turned over his shoulder looking at me while at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
boy in baseball uniform standing tall with bat over his shoulders and looking down at camera at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Timing

We decided to do our session early in the morning due to the field being wide open to the elements (including the sun).  Sun in a family photographer’s world means weird shadows and squinty eyes, so I normally avoid middle of the day sun unless the area we are shooting is completely covered with shade (which the wide open field did not have).  Even with morning sun, I still worry about the direction in which I will be shooting, etc so I normally scout out the location at the same time I will be shooting the week prior to our shoot.  This also allows me to be sure there aren’t any surprises we were unaware of (i.e. construction of bridges we may want to utilize, flooding, out of order areas).  Due to the session being planned so last minute, none of my systematic planning was able to take place.  With it being so early in the morning on a weekday though, we shouldn’t have any challenges, right?!?

boy covering up one eye with baseball glove and the other seen thru a chain length fence at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Mom, dad and son having a good laugh in the dug out at Channahon Pony baseball fields in Channahon, IL
Mom, dad and son having a good laugh in the dug out at Channahon Pony baseball fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform holding ball in his baseball glove at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

The Challenge


I woke up Friday morning thankful for the thick layer of clouds.  Remember, I hadn’t had a chance to scope out the location before hand due to our session being planned last minute as well as the distance between my and Jackie’s house.  I drove down to the Minooka/Joliet  area and headed over to the field.  To our surprise, there was a team having early morning practice…on a weekday!  We continued on and saw that early morning team practices and wet fields seemed to be the theme of the day throughout the area.  We finally settled on a field in Channahon at the Channahon Pony Baseball Fields.  Ok…all set…right?

Dad and son sitting in brick dug out and smiling at camera at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform pitching to his dad at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
batting practice at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform pitching to his dad at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

boy in baseball uniform hugging mom in dugout at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

The Sun!

That darn sun!  It had been hiding for weeks.  For WEEKS!  And just as I was pulling my photo bag out of the car…I see it popping thru the clouds!  By the time Kellen had his batting helmet on, the clouds had parted and we had full-on sun.  And I realized as I set up that I would be shooting straight into it!  How funny that, personally,  I had wanted the sun so badly for so many days, and now I was shoeing it away!  Be careful what you wish for, right?

Boy in baseball uniform sliding into home plate at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform smiling after sliding into home plate at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform smiling after sliding into home plate at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform playing catch with his dad at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

The Solution

In the end, we made it work.  We made it ALL work.  Dug outs were used for shade, and I shot at  different angles to avoid the dreaded squinty eyes.  We did a lot of action shots…which was super fun for me as I loved watching Kellen and his dad play.  And I love that we were able to get a few full family shots as well…all while wearing Kellen’s baseball team gear and doing something that means so much to all three of them.  Go Rhinos! 

boy in baseball uniform smiling at the camera while holding his bat over his shoulders at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform sitting at end of the bench out of focus while bat, ball and glove close to camera and in focus at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform smiling after sliding into home plate at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform looking fierce while sitting on red bench ball in the dug out at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform showing off his MVP badges while sitting in the dug out at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Boy in baseball uniform showing off his MVP badges while sitting in the dug out at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
Boy in baseball uniform looking straight into the camera while holding his glove up to his face and standing against a chain length fence at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL
batting practice at Channahon Pony Baseball Fields in Channahon, IL

Black and white picture of boy running from 2nd base to third base at Channahon Pony Baseball Field in Channahon, IL

Kim Novella is a lifestyle family photographer based in the Western suburbs of Chicago.  She services Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, Oakbrook, Lombard, Downers Grove and surrounding areas.

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3 comments
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  • KatieBeautiful captures, Kim! He’s going to look totally different the next time your photograph him, I’ll bet. They grow so fast! This kind of a session is a really good idea. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • KateLooks like an All Star in these shots!  Great Job!ReplyCancel

  • Anja Jepsen Fotografie BlogMany thanks for sharing such good content on your blog.
    Your approach to showing the intricacies of photography turns
    your posts truly engaging. Keep up the great work, and thank
    you for expanding our knowledge of photography. Kindly, AnjaReplyCancel

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Open post by novella.photos with ID 18311978905280736
You’ve seen my work… but have you seen the heart behind it? . Five years ago, I built a website with a dream in my heart and a hope that it would one day truly reflect the photographer, and the experience, I wanted to become. . Today… it finally feels like home. . Not only does it reflect my heart, my work, and the experience I strive to create for every family; it was also designed with you in mind. . You can now browse session offerings, explore full galleries, and officially book both sessions and mini sessions directly through the site with ease. . Simple. Thoughtful. Seamless. . Thank you for being a part of MY story. . https://novella-photography.com

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Feeling extra grateful this month for all the love you’ve shown me over the years. 💕
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IT'S THE MONTH OF LOVE! . Feeling extra grateful this month for all the love you’ve shown me over the years. 💕 February is the month of love, so I’m collecting love notes! If you’ve worked with me and feel like sharing your experience, I’d absolutely love to hear it. Facebook and Google reviews mean so much to my small business! .

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Open post by novella.photos with ID 18107026180743088
At first glance, this is a shirtless 4-year-old boy in a red cape playing super hero. . But if you look a little closer, you’ll see the scars on his chest...marks of a journey most people will never know. . At his 20-week ultrasound, doctors discovered he had a congenital heart defect. He was born with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)—a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because of that, the main artery carrying blood from his heart was also narrowed, a condition known as a narrow aortic arch. . Only 1–2% of babies are born with congenital heart disease. . This little boy is one of them. I followed his journey from before he was born to present day. . Those scars tell a story of surgeries, hospital stays, strength far beyond his years, and a family who learned early what it means to be brave. They are proof of battles are fought before most kids ever take their first steps. . * 3 days old when this guy had open heart surgery * 35 days in the CCU (Cardiac Care Unit) before he was cleared to come home for the first time. * 4 extubation tries of his breathing tube before he was able to breathe on his own * 2 minor strokes . All within his first 5 weeks of life. . At the time this picture was taken, he was four. Four years of resilience. Four years of courage. Four years of living proof that warriors come in the smallest bodies. . This is why I photograph scars. This is why these photos matter. Because behind every image is a story worth honoring💙

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Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋
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With so many new faces lately, it felt like the perfect time to re-introduce myself.
I’m Kim, the photographer behind Novella Photography. I specialize in capturing real connection, movement, and emotion (the in-between moments) that feel like you. I’m not about stiff poses or forced smiles. My sessions are full of gentle prompts, games, silly sounds, laughter, and letting kids be kids.
I photograph families, mamas, milestones, seniors, and all the seasons in between…because I truly believe these everyday moments deserve to be remembered. The messy, loud, quiet, joyful, tender ones… those are the good ones.
.
✨ Five things that make me unique as a photographer:
1️⃣ I don’t “pose” families; I guide them. Expect movement, snuggles, laughter, and moments that feel natural (no hand-placement instructions here 😉).
2️⃣ Kids don’t have to behave to be photographed. Wiggly, shy, loud, or wild; I meet them exactly where they are.
3️⃣ I care just as much about the feeling as the photo. If you tear up when you see your gallery… that’s kind of the goal 💛
4️⃣ I design sessions around connection, not a checklist. I’m watching for glances, pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening.
5️⃣ Many of my themed sessions are inspired by client feedback…you share an idea, and I run with it!
.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me spending time with my family, at a volleyball tournament, volunteering, traveling, or dreaming up new session ideas.
.
✨ Three things about me personally:
1️⃣ I have two different colored eyes (heterochromia) and yes, they’re real 😉
2️⃣ I’ve been vegan for over 10 years and love recreating comfort foods in a plant-based way (even my non-vegan friends approve!)
3️⃣ I’m newly obsessed with college and professional volleyball—my daughter and I have taken day trips just to watch a match live.
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If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year.
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And if you’ve been here awhile, thank you for being part of this little community of mine 💛

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Open post by novella.photos with ID 18081740471169251
Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋 . With so many new faces lately, it felt like the perfect time to re-introduce myself. I’m Kim, the photographer behind Novella Photography. I specialize in capturing real connection, movement, and emotion (the in-between moments) that feel like you. I’m not about stiff poses or forced smiles. My sessions are full of gentle prompts, games, silly sounds, laughter, and letting kids be kids. I photograph families, mamas, milestones, seniors, and all the seasons in between…because I truly believe these everyday moments deserve to be remembered. The messy, loud, quiet, joyful, tender ones… those are the good ones. . ✨ Five things that make me unique as a photographer: 1️⃣ I don’t “pose” families; I guide them. Expect movement, snuggles, laughter, and moments that feel natural (no hand-placement instructions here 😉). 2️⃣ Kids don’t have to behave to be photographed. Wiggly, shy, loud, or wild; I meet them exactly where they are. 3️⃣ I care just as much about the feeling as the photo. If you tear up when you see your gallery… that’s kind of the goal 💛 4️⃣ I design sessions around connection, not a checklist. I’m watching for glances, pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening. 5️⃣ Many of my themed sessions are inspired by client feedback…you share an idea, and I run with it! . When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me spending time with my family, at a volleyball tournament, volunteering, traveling, or dreaming up new session ideas. . ✨ Three things about me personally: 1️⃣ I have two different colored eyes (heterochromia) and yes, they’re real 😉 2️⃣ I’ve been vegan for over 10 years and love recreating comfort foods in a plant-based way (even my non-vegan friends approve!) 3️⃣ I’m newly obsessed with college and professional volleyball—my daughter and I have taken day trips just to watch a match live. . If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year. . And if you’ve been here awhile, thank you for being part of this little community of mine 💛

email : knovellaphotography@gmail.com

follow me on Facebook and instagram @novella.photos

located in warrenville, il

serving Naperville, warrenville, Wheaton, winfield, aurora, Lombard, downers grove, Lisle, glen ellyn, Woodridge, oak brook, elmhurst, and other surrounding western suburbs of Chicago