Jan Scott Photography, Morrison, Illinois -- The Blog » Illinois

Senior Portraits {Sterling, Illinois}

Jan Scott — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:11:37 +0000

I swear, I have the BEST luck with my senior portrait clients. Have you noticed this? They are all the best-looking kids in the area! Miss A. was no exception. Her session was originally scheduled for THE hottest day of the summer, and I’m so glad we decided to reschedule, as the new date was a perfect, perfect day. We did a few around the park and then headed downtown. Downtown Sterling is such a great location! I love the old buildings.

This is my favorite image of all. She has the most beautiful big brown eyes and this pose really makes them stand out!

She kinda likes this guy, I think. We found him at the park (just kidding).

On to the city buildings

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Parker is Two!

Jan Scott — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:06:56 +0000

This little guy is sooooo cute. I am lucky enough to have photographed him three times…four, if you count his mom’s maternity pictures! My loyal repeat clients are my favorites, as I get to watch their kids grow up! Parker is definitely growing up, and he has the cutest little personality. I think he had a fun time exploring this farm, too!

The focus was mainly on Parker and his 2-year pictures, but we did a handful of family images, and I LOVE them. They know how to dress, no? I love what they chose to wear for their family portraits.

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Senior Portraits {Prophetstown, Illinois}

Jan Scott — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:12:00 +0000

I’m running short on time here, but I wanted to share with you a few shots from a recent session. We used the football field (I almost spelled that with a “ph”…photography on the brain, anyone?), the bridge, and then we went to my favorite barn. It was a fun time, albeit hot! K. was a very cooperative and handsome model. A big GQ, no?

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2011 Senior Portraits {Morrison, Illinois}

Jan Scott — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:22:19 +0000

Many years ago when I was in high school and early college and waitressing at Happy Joe’s, I remember this young lady coming in with her parents. She was soooo cute and so full of personality! I still remember her beautiful blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She still has both–but now they have morphed from cute to downright beautiful. Her session was on one of the steamiest nights of the summer, but Miss H. was a great sport and looked cool as a cucumber the whole time–even in her jacket. Here are a few favorites:

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Family Portraits on the Farm {Morrison, IL}

Jan Scott — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:09:30 +0000

When the children are all grown or close to it, family portraits can be tough. Without young children to distract them, adults can get nervous and self-conscious about being in front of the camera.

Not this family. Because, they all really like being together, and they have a great time in whatever they do together. Even family photographs!

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Bella + Chubs {dog portraits}

Jan Scott — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:09:42 +0000

I looooove photographing dogs. And I looooooove dogs. And I looooooove Chubs and Bella, the two pups I photographed today. Yes, TODAY. I’m so behind on blogging that I decided to work backwards and start with today’s session. Plus, I like these puppers very much and want to share their cute faces with the whole world (wide web) as soon as possible!

First of all, meet Chubs. He’s a big, huge, cuddly baby. He’s part German shepherd and part rottweiler and part spoiled. Bella is in charge of him, I’m pretty sure. We may include these images in his modeling portfolio.

Princess BELLA is a little lady, full of spunk. She beats up Chubs to the point where he has to visit the vet sometimes. He does not hold a grudge. This session was in her honor, as she has addison’s disease, and her owner wanted to take some images of her while she is healthy. We chose not to think about that too much during the session.

We attempted a few shots of them together. Getting dogs to cooperate for group shots is somewhere between difficult and not even possible, but they did okay!

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Family Portraits {Heritage Canyon, Fulton, Illinois}

Jan Scott — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:43:27 +0000

One of my first sessions after my maternity leave was a family at the canyon. Here are some of my favorites of this attractive bunch.

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Headbands and Hats

Jan Scott — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:19:38 +0000

When I was first pregnant, I imagined all of the fabulous photos I’d be taking of my own newborn in all of the curly, sleepy, newborn loveliness. I had ideas of all of the new poses and props I could try out…

Well, THAT didn’t happen, and here’s why. When you are the mom of a newborn, and you finally get the newborn into a deep, relaxed, hours-long sleep, who in their right mind wants to risk waking up that sleeping baby? What I wanted was a nap for myself! And a snack! And time to do the laundry…you get the idea. And then there’s the fact that taking the photographs would involve getting out and putting away equipment. So, my fear of waking up our sleeping princess and taking away some of my “me” time prevented me from doing many newborn shots. I took a few in the hospital, and then a few when she was four days old, and then I didn’t attempt any more until today.

And today I was reminded why newborn shots take place within the first two weeks, and ideally within the first week. Even though I had the luxury of hanging out around the house until Campbell was fully asleep, and I mean the type of sleep where you pick up their arm and it’s limp, she would wake up every time I set her down and tried to position her. Most babies older than two weeks, give or take a day or two, are no longer willing to allow you to position them while they are asleep in the same way. I tried my usual tricks, but nothing would keep her asleep.

Now I’m not saying it’s impossible to take good newborn pictures after two weeks. You certainly can and I’ve had some very cooperative older babies. However, the chances of getting the “newborn” looking shots significantly decreases as the baby approaches that two-week mark. As you can see in the shots I took today, Campbell is already looking older and less like a brand-new baby. Excuse me while I grab a box of tissue.

I received a box of headbands in the mail today from an Etsy seller and a hat from another Etsy seller, and I knew I had to at least attempt a few shots!

Speaking of portraits, I will be taking a limited number of sessions starting in July. Those of you who have already contacted me about sessions this summer will be hearing from me later this week.

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Our Newborn

Jan Scott — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:28:58 +0000

These are the hardest newborn shots I’ve ever taken. Reasons: I was the mom and the photographer, I was tired from being the mother of a 4-day-old baby, and I used a five-year-old assistant. But luckily, when you are working with super cute subjects, even tiring photographs can turn out well! Campbell is an amazingly good baby and we love her to bits!

She really did hold her head up like this…albeit briefly! On her stomach, she bobs her head up and down and I was lucky enough to capture a couple of shots.

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Beautiful Twin Girls’ First Communion

Jan Scott — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:46:10 +0000

At first, I was disappointed with the weather for not cooperating for this shoot, as I prefer outdoor sessions. However, I had no idea how gorgeous the church is inside and how much I’d love the indoor shots! These little girls could be professional models–they are beautiful, comfortable having their portraits taken, and very well behaved!

We did a couple of quick shots outside before heading in. It was cold and WINDY.

They are pretty in color, but I love how the black and white shots bring out those beautiful eyes!

Inside…

Love this one:

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