Mommy & Me Session | Early Morning | Lilacia Park

5/5 - (1 vote)

Up With The Sun

When I was a teenager, I could never understand why my dad was up at 5am….even on the weekends! I would roll out of bed at 10am and think I was waking up early. “You’ve already wasted half your day” my dad would say. As I got older…I realized he was right. And when I started photography…I REALLY realized the impact of waking up early. There is such a calmness to the day when you wake up with the sun. The beauty of how the light just hits the top of the trees…how the shadows change and how the air smells. Normally extremely busy places, are empty… and the most beautiful family pictures can be taken without having to dodge a bunch of people.

Timing Is Everything

Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL is known for their absolutely beautiful tulips and lilacs that emerge at the end of April and into the early weeks of May. With the park itself being free and the park district NOT charging photographers a permit fee to have sessions here…this place is no secret. Don’t believe me? Head on over there on a Saturday afternoon and you won’t be able to find an area without swarms of people.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The above picture was taken at 3pm in the afternoon when I went to enjoy the park with my family…not for pictures…but just to enjoy the tulips. And by the way…it only got more crowded as the day went on. That picture right there is the exact reason why I just may suggest an early morning session.

Same Same But Different

I was so incredibly happy when mama agreed to meet for a 7:45am Mommy and Me session at Lilacia Park in May. We got to enjoy the same beauty of the tulips without the crazy amounts of people. Mama’s handsome little guy had just learned how to run so he wasn’t going to be standing still very long for any type of “posed” shots. It was so nice to be able to run around and allow him to play in his own space and be in his natural element without worrying about getting in other people’s shots or having people get into ours.

Mom lifting her baby up in front of red and orange tulips at Lilacia park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Worth the wake up call

Waking up early to get pictures like this is soooo worth it! Plus, the lighting is gorgeous…your little ones are fresh…which usually allows them to be their happiest early in the morning. So set those alarms and let’s capture some early morning memories together!

18 month old smirking at the camera while running in front of pink and orange tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Mom and 18 month old walking away from the camera under 4 blooming crab apple trees at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC
Mom and 18 month old walking toward the camera under 4 blooming crab apple trees at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Mom and 18 month old posing in front of pink and peach colored tulips while at Lilacia Park in Lombard and being photographed by Novella Photography LLC

18 month old boy sitting on limestone stairs and smiling at mom at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

18 month old being lifted up into the air by his mom at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Want to check out more about this beautiful park?

http://www.lombardlilactime.com

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.

#novellaphotography

#mommyandme

#mommyandmesession

#familysession

#lilaciapark

#westernsuburbs

#lifestylephotography

#familyphotography

#familyphotographer

#Chicagophotographer

#napervillephotographer

#winfieldphotographer

#warrenvillephotographer

#wheatonphotographer

#westchicagophotographer

#lombardphotographer

0 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

    What's New on the 'Gram

    Is it just me, or did January feel like the longest month ever?
    .
    But GOOD NEWS! Over the next 268 days, our sun will be setting after 5:00pm
    .
    I can already feel the warm sun on my skin and picture wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Those golden, joy-filled days are closer than they feel….and they’ll be here before we know it.
    .
    Below is a full gallery from a past family session in the wildflowers, because the magic isn’t just in one image, it’s in the story they tell together.
    .
    For more family sessions or to explore the other types of sessions I offer, you can find them on my UPDATED website.
    .
    #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #familyphotographer #thewildflowerfarm

    3 5
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18056161556404085
    Is it just me, or did January feel like the longest month ever? . But GOOD NEWS! Over the next 268 days, our sun will be setting after 5:00pm . I can already feel the warm sun on my skin and picture wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Those golden, joy-filled days are closer than they feel….and they’ll be here before we know it. . Below is a full gallery from a past family session in the wildflowers, because the magic isn’t just in one image, it’s in the story they tell together. . For more family sessions or to explore the other types of sessions I offer, you can find them on my UPDATED website. . #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #familyphotographer #thewildflowerfarm

    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

    8 0
    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

    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!
    .

    1 0
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 17941031868130100
    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! .

    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💙

    8 0
    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💙

    Top reasons I don’t pose families:
    .
    1. Real life isn’t posed!
    *and the most meaningful pictures never are.

    2. Connection is greater than perfection
    When families are free to move, laugh and snuggle, the photos hold emotion, not just faces.

    3. Kids aren’t meant to sit still
    Kids are curious, wiggly, silly and loud (sometimes all at once). Posing asks them to be something they’re not. Prompts and games allow them to be exactly who they are.

    4. Prompts and games create genuine moments.
    Instead of telling families where to stand, I guide them to what to DO (walk together, whisper secrets, snuggle). Those moments create real connection…moments you can’t fake.

    5. Because your photos should be about how it felt.
    Years from now you won’t remember whether everyone was standing perfectly. You’ll remember how their small hands fit into yours…how you all laughed when you talked about dad tooting.
    .
    The most beautiful moments happen when connection leads the way
    .
    #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #novellaphotography #familyphotographer

    7 3
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18119724595600315
    Top reasons I don’t pose families: . 1. Real life isn’t posed! *and the most meaningful pictures never are. 2. Connection is greater than perfection When families are free to move, laugh and snuggle, the photos hold emotion, not just faces. 3. Kids aren’t meant to sit still Kids are curious, wiggly, silly and loud (sometimes all at once). Posing asks them to be something they’re not. Prompts and games allow them to be exactly who they are. 4. Prompts and games create genuine moments. Instead of telling families where to stand, I guide them to what to DO (walk together, whisper secrets, snuggle). Those moments create real connection…moments you can’t fake. 5. Because your photos should be about how it felt. Years from now you won’t remember whether everyone was standing perfectly. You’ll remember how their small hands fit into yours…how you all laughed when you talked about dad tooting. . The most beautiful moments happen when connection leads the way . #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #novellaphotography #familyphotographer

    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