I am so excited to finally share part 1 of 2 about the Project 4 NICU mini-sessions! In case you missed it, read the original post here. I am so excited to say that we will be donating over $4000.00 to the NICU after the mini-sessions, and there are still donations coming in from the mamas- we are just so so grateful to these wonderful families for joining us on this! I have been waiting and waiting to share sneak peeks, but we decided to wait until we delivered galleries since there were so many sessions out of fairness to our moms! Today, I wanted to take a few quick minutes to thank a few of the people involved because so much work went into making this day happen and making it special for the moms! First of all, a huge thank you to the other 3 photographers, Tara Long, Kim Nehrt, and Courtney Westlake. Each of these women has a heart of gold, gave up a lot of time prepping for this (especially Kim, our designer extraordinaire!), and gave up time away from family to photograph. It was truly an honor to work with you each, and I can’t wait until next time!
The next set of people to thank are the 2 vendors who came out to make the day really special for our moms! Custom Cup Coffee out of Springfield, IL came out and donated their time and coffee to the moms to help spoil them a bit. We thought that was SO sweet of them- and turned out to be quite needed, because somehow, we got the one 50 degree day in May for our sessions! Those poor moms and their outfit revising at 6 AM that morning…we felt for you, mamas! Anyways- Custom Cup, thank you so much for joining us to help serve the community! The Itty Bitty Fashion Truck also joined us to provide a little retail therapy (I know I got my dose!), and I was blown away by that truck! I had never seen it before- it is literally a truck (you will see in the pictures) with the cutest clothing and accessories inside- and all in a mobile store! It is run by 3 sisters and they are the SWEETEST- I totally recommend checking them out!
All in all, it was a beautiful day, and a complete success, and I truly am so humbled to be a part of it. I can’t wait to share my favorites from each session next week!
I didn’t mention that there were 5 volunteers there among the photographers to help collect contracts, bring clients to the various spots, and entertain the kids with the below bubbles while their moms shopped- so much wonderful help!The earrings on the right currently reside in my ears! 🙂Here are the 4 photographers from the day with 2 lovely photographer friends that joined us as moms for sessions that day! I photographed Kim (in the middle) with her beautiful daughter and can’t wait to share them!!
The 4 of us, windblown at the end of the day! 🙂 So grateful for these ladies and their friendship.
Check back next week for my favorites from the sessions!!
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I'm Jill, a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Chicago and Central Illinois, and available world wide! I'm also a photography educator, wife to my favorite person on the planet, mama to 3 amazing kids and an energetic Aussie, and obsessed with statement jewelry and all desserts (especially fruit pies!).
As a past high school teacher, I have a major heart for education. After going full time in my business, I have built a business I love that gives me an almost 6 figure salary and allows me to be home part time with my kids. I dream for you to run a business that enhances your life and lights you up, and I believe I can help you learn how to do it with a little hustle and a lot of heart!
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You're in the right place! As a past high school teacher, educating others is my life's work and a HUGE part of my business! I have been teaching moms and hobbyists how to use their camera from first purchasing it all the way to coaching them into businesses of their own, and I'd love to help you as well, wherever you are (and whatever camera you have!).
I'm so glad you are here! Teaching Photographers and other small business owners how to run more joyful, successful, and profitable businesses is one of my favorite parts of my business! I specialize in working with photographers to make their goals a reality (or figure out what their goals should be in the first place!).
A fashion truck? How cool is that!
Wow!!!! You did something really amazing, congrats on raising so much for such a great cause!!!
Wow, what an awesome idea!! Love this so much!
Such an awesome project!!
This looks like an amazing event and what a cute truck!
What an awesome day! That fashion truck totally rocks!
That little truck is adorable!! And what a special project to be a part of!!