Always fun to be published {American Motorcyclist Magazine}

Hurray! A great session with a fabulous subject. He wrote the article, I shot the image, and we made the cover of the August issue!

Laughing Kids RULE {Long Grove Kids Photographer}

I really cannot remember a time I got to spend a session with such happy kids. They were so full of life, and giggles, and laughs. Thank you "N" family for being sooooo very fun!

Sneak Peek! {Palatine Kids Photography}

I can't resist posting this.  I had so much fun with this family, and loved that their dad found these flowers.  And, I love these fun outfits!  Thanks for being such great sports on this chilly day and I can't wait to show you the rest of the images!

Cary-Grove Class of 2013 {Senior Photography}

Here's a gorgeous high school senior from Cary-Grove.  She looks like she could have stepped off the runway and into my lens.

Sweet Baby "I" {Chicago Baby Photography}

Here are two from a recent session with a super sweet family.  I love the tender moment below and the honest expression from this little one. 

Sneak Peek for the "O" Family

Here's a few sneak peeks at a fun family I got to work with this week. 

Playing Catch Up!

It's been a busy summer, and I'm so fortunate to have had some great people to work with this summer.  I'm so thankful for many loyal clients who return again and again.  I love when clients become friends.   Here's one great family I got to photograph with in July.  I have to give credit to this family, too, who braved the heat and humidity and still look cool.  

I first met them when this handsome guy (below) was just a little one.  And, he still cracks me up with his energy, expressions, and creative use of my props.  The shot below was not what I intended, but perhaps the photo session was too much work that he needed to take a rest.  This was too cute not to capture.

And, I just had to add one more because this girl has the most beautiful eyes.

More blog posts to come from recent sessions...

Rocker Baby {Palatine Baby Photography}

Here's a cutie pie rocker baby lookin' so cool in his hip smooches hat.  He's only seven months old, but already has all the ladies swooning, especially his mommy, grandmas, and aunts.  And me, too.  But, I'm not impartial, because he's my sweet nephew.  xoxo.  Love ya, babe!  Thanks for being the biggest doll in the world and being so cooperative today!

Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois 5K - May 20, 2012

Last Sunday was another great day for Girls On The Run of Northwest Illinois. Here's this year's collage!  I'm so proud of all the girls, their coaches, their parents, and all the staff and volunteers at GOTRNIL who made this 5K the best one yet!

All the photos are now posted on my website at www.monacellaphotography.com.  Click on the 'Clients' tab at the top of the page, and enter the password "GOTR".

This year, instead of ordering prints, digital files are available for $15.  To add images to your cart, click the icon at the top left of the image.  When you're ready to check-out, click the shopping cart button at the bottom right of the screen.  The images will be emailed to within a day or so.  $3 of your purchase will be donated back to Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois. Thanks!

Sneek Peak for the C Family {Long Grove Family Photography}

This family is awesome and we met at historic Long Grove.  It's one of my favorite spots because it combines nature with some cool buildings and textures.  These guys are so great and I always have a lot of fun with them.  :)

Urban Senior {Crystal Lake Senior Photos}

Here are two of my favorites from a great session with high school senior. I love sessions with an urban setting. We had a blast with a variety of cool backgrounds. 

Time for Family Portraits {Chicago Area Family Photographer}

Here's one great family I had the pleasure of photographing recently.  Now is the best time to have a family session.  Capture your family as they are and start your holiday gift shopping early.  Grandparents love portraits!

Cute kids {Cary Family Photographer}

Here's a few of my favorites from a recent session. These kids are so cute and were so fun to photograph.

Cary-Grove Class of 2012 {Cary Senior Photography}

Here's Robbie. We met last week at a spot that I've been want to try out for a while now. I love it! Here are just a few from his session. There are so many great ones that I couldn't even decide which ones to post.

Jami and Dan Are Married!

They got married on July 5th in Montana, and came back to Chicago for their wedding reception.  It was a great party, and Jami and Dan were so nice and so fun to be around and they have the nicest friends and family.  Here are a few from the fun day!

 

Sweet Newborn "A" {Cary Newborn Photographer}

I'm so excited about this shot! I've had this prop for some time now, but didn't have a baby sleepy enough to put into it. Doesn't he look so comfy and cozy?  What an adorable boy, just one week old, all tiny and all curled up. 

And his mommy is so awesome and scheduled his first session almost two months in advance.  And, she even brought some really awesome hats for him to wear.  Love the little elf hat. 

Girls On The Run Northwest Illinois 5K June 2011

I remember hearing that there are no selfless acts, because even when we give of ourselves 100%, we are rewarded with good feelings.  And because of that good feeling, it's not really a selfless act.  That's how I feel about donating my time and talent to Girls On The Run of Northwest Illinois. For the past three years, I've volunteered to photograph the 5K race, and every time, I get a gooey feeling in my stomach when I see the excitement and anticipation on the girls faces as they get ready for the race. I have chills when I hear Laurie Dayon's pre-race pep talk. And I my eyes well up with tears when I see the girls finish with the roaring support of fans, and hugs and high fives from their running buddies. In that moment, I know they are having a mountain top experience that changes how they see themselves and makes them believe that anything is possible. I'm so proud of them. And I'm so proud to see so many of my friends and clients cross the line, too.  So, congratulations to all you girls!

This year was particularly inspiring, as the race has grown so large that the fans along the finish line were staking out seats early like it was a Disney Parade. The pre-race lineup was too big to even get in a single shot. And, Laurie's pre-race pep talk was heard from high in the sky in a bucket truck! (Go Laurie!!!!) And I have to say that the entire GOTR crew did an amazing job to keep everything running smoothly. 

The race photos are online on my website on the featured tab. Go check them out to see what an awesome day it was.

This year, digital images are for sale. A single image, printable up to 5x7, is $15. The entire disk of 477 images is for sale for $50. And check out what a cool disk it is. Don't ya want one? ;)   Oh, and 20% of the sales will be donated back to GOTRNWIL.  You know you want one...

If you are interested in purchasing an 11.25 x 17 poster of the collage below, let me know.  Pricing will depend on how many people want them.  If there is enough demand, they'll probably be around $10 each, with $2 going back to GOTRNWIL.

Cover!!!! {Chicago Photographer}

I'm seriously the worst blogger when I can't even post really awesome stuff on my blog in a timely fashion. But, hey, here it is! In May, the American Motorcyclist Association hired me to shoot Rebecca and her bikes in her garage for the July issue. Turns out, they really liked the images (and Rebecca), because we ended up getting the cover! There's also almost a full page image inside the magazine. How cool is that?

Fun Family {Chicago Family Photography}

Just a quick post to share two from a really fun family! Such cute kids (and really nice parents, too)!

This one needs a quote to go along with it. {Palatine Childrens Photography}

This is a recent one from a super fun session. I feel like it needs a quote. Something short and sweet. I can see this image on the front of a greeting or note card, but it needs a quote. Help me out here. Pretty please???

Baby Birds

I am obsessed with the nest in our yard.  I'll write more later, but wanted to share this one.  Thanks to my 200mm lens, I get to "see" these little ones up close.  I'd love to set up my camera on a tripod with a remote trigger and wait for mama bird to feed them.  Not sure I'm that obsessed, however.  Check back later, and maybe I'll post some from a few days ago when they were tiny little things and not even poking out of the nest.