This adorable family and I go way back! Jacob was a childhood friend of my husband's, and both their families are very close. His father even happened to be our wedding officiant! To make this world even smaller, my husband and I also have ties with Laura. Her father was our real estate attorney and helped us close on our very first home nearly a decade ago. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when Jacob & Laura found their way into each others' lives and began writing their love story!

Fast forward to today, and here they are with their sweet daughter, Eliza. I was honored that they chose me to photograph their family holiday photos and our long relationship as friends probably makes this one of my favorite sessions ever.

In all my years of living in Chicagoland, I have never visited Austin Gardens. I’m not sure why that is because it’s a beautiful spot and it packs so many backdrops for some nice portraits. Fall came a little bit late this year and on this day the leaves were finally starting to show their true colors. The light was golden, baby girl was happy — it was everything a photographer could want.