A little glamour, a lot of coffee, and even a creepy Mickey Mouse
Naperville High School Senior Photographer and Fine Artist
Paris Recap, London Travel, and The Story Behind the Art
It’s been a whirlwind of a season — full of creativity, travel, beauty, and behind-the-scenes magic — and I’m so excited to finally share a glimpse of it all with you in this edition of the newsletter.
From our France / Barcelona gallery trip to our unforgettable senior model shoot in Paris to the upcoming London Biennale, it’s been a time of growth and momentum (with a little jet lag sprinkled in). Back at the studio, we’ve had a wonderful turnout for our mini session model calls, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next. I’m also giving you a peek behind the scenes of one of my fine art still life pieces — where inspiration begins, how I build each image, and why heirloom objects carry so much weight in my work.
We’re also preparing for our very first Client Spotlight features, and if you’d love to be part of that series, I’d love to hear from you!
And of course, I’m wrapping things up with a few of the little joys I’m loving lately — because beauty lives in the everyday, too.
Thanks for being here. I hope this note brings a bit of inspiration and connection to your day.
Paris Senior Model Shoot Recap
Our Paris senior model shoot was everything you'd expect from photographing three beautiful girls in one of the most iconic cities in the world — stylish, fast-paced, wildly inspiring… and just a bit unpredictable.
We hit the ground running — literally. Delaney arrived in Paris the day before, traveling overseas with a 14-month-old (yes, really), and still rallied to begin hair and makeup at 6:00 a.m. She was running on fumes, but somehow managed to pull together flawless looks for each model. The girls' makeup, hair, and styling were absolutely perfect — classic with a fashion-forward twist, and so well matched to each of their personalities. Delaney did an incredible job, and I’m so lucky to have her by my side. We make a great Mother / Daughter team.
After a bit of a delayed start (jet lag, travel chaos… you know the drill), we began our day at Place Vendôme, a beautiful high-end shopping square. I chose it intentionally — not only for its stunning architecture, but because I knew it would be less crowded than other locations in Paris. It turned out to be the perfect place to get my bearings and start capturing magic. Clean backgrounds, soft light, and that signature Parisian charm.
While I was shooting, Jess Desnoyers (Grace’s mom — and an MVP of the day) scouted a nearby courtyard that turned out to be pure gold. Quiet, dreamy, and filled with light. It felt like our own little slice of Parisian heaven. I probably lingered there a bit too long — which put us behind — but I couldn’t help myself. The images were too good to rush.
From there, we headed to Jardin du Palais Royal, where I planned to photograph the girls on the bold black-and-white striped columns with the palace in the background — a chic, high-fashion concept. But Paris had other plans. A guard spotted me and gave us a harsh scolding (in the most condescending French accent imaginable). Apparently, because I’m a professional photographer, a permit to shoot there would cost €5,000. A bit rich for my taste.
In a twist of fate, she escorted us out… and directed us right to the café where Emily in Paris is filmed. So while we lost a location, we gained a little cinematic charm.
After we left the café, we hopped into a taxi with Gigi and her mom Jeanne to head toward the Trocadéro. I knew I was pushing my luck when Gigi sweetly asked if she could lay her head on my shoulder — and within minutes, she was dozing off. These girls had been absolute troopers all day, but by this point, they were definitely starting to hit a wall.
Our next stop: Trocadéro, with its sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower. It was packed. I had to get creative — dodging crowds, angling just right, and trying to avoid the creepy knock-off Mickey Mouse who wandered into our shoot and then insisted on being paid. Poor Grace was freaked out by him, but she handled it like a pro.
I had hoped to finish the day in Montmartre, using every last bit of golden light (the sun sets around 10 p.m. in June). But the city was bracing for post-soccer match chaos — closing streets and public areas in anticipation of rioting, win or lose. The girls were looking understandably tired (except for Juliet, who would have shot all night if we had let her), and I realized I had pushed enough. We wrapped the day early, which turned out to be a blessing. The editing process was already going to be daunting with the amount of images that I shot — and by nightfall, the city was shaking with celebration (and unfortunately, destruction). Paris had won the tournament, and while the energy was thrilling, the aftermath was loud and intense.
I may not have gotten every location on my dream list, but the ones we did shoot were magic. From soft moments in quiet courtyards to bold fashion vibes at the Eiffel Tower, the girls brought so much grace, confidence, and joy to the day.
It was an incredible experience — one I’ll never forget. I’m so proud of what we captured and can’t wait to share the images with you.
Travel + Art: London Calling
I’m headed to London this July for the London Biennale, I’ve only been apart of two gallery exhibits and this one is by far the biggest — and while I’m incredibly honored (and truly excited), I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little tired too.
I’ll be traveling July 11–18, just in time to return for a session I have on the 19th. To be honest, I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but… I’m kind of over traveling — at least for now. Between France and Barcelona in April, Paris and the South of France in June and London in July, my body is still playing catch up. I keep waking up at 3:30 a.m. and falling asleep by 8 p.m., and by the time we leave for London, it will be just in time to disrupt my sleep it all over again.
People often see the glamorous side of gallery shows — the opening nights, the travel, the beautiful presentation — but there’s another side most don’t talk about: the logistics, the expenses, and the nerve-wracking moments behind the scenes.
One of the biggest eye-openers for me this year has been the cost of shipping artwork internationally. To give you an idea, shipping four unframed giclée prints to a European gallery cost me $250 — and that’s one-way. If they don’t sell and need to be returned, that total doubles to $500. And that doesn’t even touch on what it costs to create the work itself.
For the London Biennale, the piece I’m showing is larger, framed, and heavier, and the shipping estimate was… well, astronomical. So we made the decision to bring it with us on the plane, carefully packed and hand-carried. It’ll be a first for us, and honestly, I’m a little anxious about it — but fingers crossed it arrives safe and sound.
I share all of this not to complain, but to pull back the curtain a bit. If you're someone who loves and supports artists, I hope it offers a little more insight into what goes into each piece — not just the time and talent, but the materials, the handling, the gallery fees, and yes, the travel.
It’s a lot. But it’s also worth it. Because making and sharing art — especially across borders — is one of the most powerful things we get to do.
“To share art is to give the world a piece of your soul wrapped in light — a quiet offering that says, I was here, and this is how I saw beauty.”
Studio Happenings: Behind the Scenes of What’s Coming Next
We had such a fantastic response to our recent Mini Session Model Calls — thank you to everyone who applied and helped spread the word! It’s always so energizing to connect with new faces and welcome returning ones into the studio.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be photographing this incredible group of models, capturing fresh inspiration for our upcoming Mini Session lineup. From classic and timeless setups to creatively styled seasonal sessions, we have a beautiful variety in the works — and we can’t wait to share some sneak peeks with you soon.
Mini Sessions have always been a client favorite — quick, meaningful, and filled with charm — and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be something truly special. Whether you're hoping to update family portraits, celebrate a milestone, or just want to create something beautiful, there's going to be a session that fits you perfectly.
Keep an eye out — preview images and booking info will be released soon, and these sessions tend to book up quickly!
From Vision to Still Life: The Story Behind the Art
Every fine art piece I create begins long before I pick up my camera. It usually starts with a spark — a vessel I’ve found in an antique store, a piece of heirloom silver, or even a single perfect piece of fruit.
I love scouring antique shops and Facebook Marketplace for timeless treasures that I know will one day come together in a still life. On days I set aside to create, I gather items that feel like they might belong together — sometimes guided by my inspiration board, other times simply by intuition. If it’s a fruit-based still life, I’ll often spend the day before
carefully hunting for produce with stems and leaves still attached (surprisingly hard to find — especially depending on the season). The same goes for flowers, which is why I’ve started planting a cutting garden of my own. It’s still in its early stages this year, but next year I hope to have an abundance of blooms right outside my studio door.
Once everything is gathered, I head to the studio — my creative haven — turn on classical music, and begin the process of building the image. I work slowly and intentionally, adjusting pieces until the colors and textures sing together. I shoot tethered so I can see each frame large on a screen, allowing me to fine-tune every tiny detail. Some compositions come together easily, others take hours of rearranging and relighting — but when everything clicks, it’s pure magic. The kind that takes my breath away.
This particular piece is layered in meaning. The green vessel was a Facebook Marketplace find. The delicate English china plates were purchased from Etsy for a friend’s wedding shower brunch. The pearl-handled knife belonged to my mother, the vintage books were passed down from my great-grandmother, and the silver-and-glass cruet set came from my mother-in-law. I love when heirlooms and antiques come together — objects from different generations, telling one cohesive story.
The result is a piece that feels rich with history, yet completely my own. That’s the beauty of still life: nothing is accidental. Every choice holds weight, every shadow holds feeling.
Client Spotlight Coming Soon
We’re so excited to begin sharing stories from some of the incredible people we've had the honor of photographing over the years. Several clients have expressed interest in being featured, and we’re currently gathering their interviews behind the scenes. These stories are worth the wait — and I can’t wait to celebrate them with you soon.
If you or someone you know would like to be featured in an upcoming spotlight, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to delaney@alicias.com to learn more.
Stay tuned — beautiful stories are on the way.
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow @vickimcgrathart – I’ve been loving the joyful, color-soaked world of local artist (and client!) Vicki McGrath. Based in Downers Grove, her paintings feel like a breath of fresh air—modern Impressionism at its most vibrant. With minimal, intentional brushstrokes and a masterful command of light, shadow, and color, she brings everyday moments to life with movement and emotion. Her work always reminds me of how much beauty there is in simplicity.
I’m Obsessed With: PHOTOOLEX 4 Colors Photography Flashlight- These little lights pack a big punch. Whether I’m using them to set the mood in the studio or to add a creative glow to my photos, they’ve quickly become a go-to. I love the four color modes (Sunset Orange, Cold Blue, Warm White, and Scarlet Red), and the adjustable brightness makes it easy to dial in just the right feel. Simple, affordable, and surprisingly versatile—perfect for adding a bit of magic to your space or your next shoot.
Local-ish Love:Cora Coffee – Warrenville, IL
I’m so excited that Cora Coffee just opened right here in Warrenville! It’s the perfect little spot for my husband and I to walk to—and let’s be honest, Warrenville has been needing a coffee shop like this. My current favorite? The Dragon Mocha. It’s got just the right kick to get your day going. Grab a cup and head to their outdoor patio—trust me, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger. See you at 28W575 Stafford Pl, Warrenville!
Photography Tip: Creating Dramatic Lighting
Dramatic lighting can turn an ordinary image into something extraordinary, adding depth, mood, and emotion. Here’s how you can achieve that effect:
Use Strong Light and Shadow Contrast: One of the easiest ways to create dramatic lighting is by using stark contrasts between light and shadow. Position your light source to one side of the subject, allowing part of the subject to be bathed in light while the other side is enveloped in shadow. This creates a sense of mystery and depth in the image.
Experiment with a Single Light Source: Rather than using multiple lights, try using just one. A single, focused light, like a spotlight or a hard light from a lamp, can create sharp shadows and highlight your subject in an intense way. The key is to control the light direction and intensity.
Position Your Subject Close to the Light: The closer your subject is to the light source, the more dramatic the effect. It’ll create sharp shadows and strong contrasts, perfect for emphasizing texture, shape, and detail.
Play with Backlighting or Silhouettes: Try placing your light behind your subject to create a silhouette effect. This approach can transform a simple portrait into something more striking and dynamic, as the light outlines your subject while leaving everything else in shadow.
Modify Your Light: Use modifiers like softboxes or reflectors to shape the light. For a more dramatic feel, you can also create hard, defined shadows by using a grid or barn doors on your light source.
By controlling light and shadow, you can elevate your photography and create images that are bold, powerful, and unforgettable.
with love,
Alicia Staley Johnson
of Alicia’s Photography