The Weight of the Week
NAPERVILLE - WHEATON - GLEN ELLYN - ELMHURST - GENEVA - ST. CHARLES - BARRINGTON - BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHER
Eternal Beauty by Alicia Staley Johnson
Hello, friends,
This week felt… difficult.
The days moved forward like they always do.
Nineteen sessions filled the calendar—newborns, headshots, seniors.
Little ones in front of my camera, brand new life being held so carefully.
Toddlers full of energy.
Work that I love, continuing on as it always has.
And yet, underneath all of it, there was a quiet weight.
That strange feeling of the world continuing as normal…
while knowing that for someone else, everything has changed.
Soft Focus: The Weight of The Week
I sat down to write this week, fully intending to tell you about all the good.
The progress in the kitchen.
The tulip bulbs peeking their leaves from the earth.
The small, beautiful moments that make up a life.
And they’re still here. All of them.
But this week… they feel quieter.
Because somewhere close by, a family I’ve known professionally for sixteen years, is living through something unimaginable.
And when something like that happens, it shifts everything.
It doesn’t take away the beauty.
It doesn’t erase the blessings.
But it changes the way you hold them.
More gently.
More aware.
More tender.
I found myself looking around at my life—the same life I was ready to write about—and instead of listing it out, I just… sat with it.
With gratitude.
With a lump in my throat.
With the knowing that everything we love is also something we can lose.
And maybe that’s the quiet truth underneath it all.
That joy and heartbreak don’t take turns.
They exist side by side.
That even in the most beautiful seasons of our lives, there are moments that stop us in our tracks and remind us what really matters.
This week, I don’t have a perfectly wrapped message.
Just this:
Hold your people close.
Say the things.
Don’t rush the ordinary moments.
Because they aren’t ordinary at all.
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow: Kate Nolte @tulumtrainer
Lately I’ve been loving following personal trainer Kate Nolte .
Her strength training routines are so good—simple, effective, and the kind that make you think, okay… I could actually do that.
Now… whether I actually do them or just continue watching from my phone is another story.
But what I really love is her approach. It’s not overwhelming, it’s not unrealistic—it’s built for real women with real schedules.
Her Quick Minutes system is designed around how our bodies actually change after 40… focusing on strength, mobility, and energy without burnout.
We’re talking:
– 15–30 minutes a day
– No gym, no complicated plans
– Strength, mobility, and cardio all in one flow
– Guided every step of the way
It’s not about pushing harder… it’s about moving smarter.
And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of reminder I need right now.
Now if you’ll excuse me… maybe I’ll actually try one today.
Well…ummm maybe tomorrow.
What I’m Loving: Figure & Forme
There’s something incredibly powerful about preserving a moment you once lived in.
Not just remembering it… but holding it.
This week, I want to share something very special—
the launch of Figure & Forme, a bespoke body sculpture studio created to honor the female form in its most meaningful seasons.
Each piece begins with a 3D scan and is transformed into a sculptural work of art—hand-finished, hand-painted, or even cast in brass at a foundry. The result is something deeply personal. Tangible. Timeless.
What I love most is the intention behind it.
Born from a desire to preserve the fleeting beauty of pregnancy—not just in photographs, but in form—Figure & Forme has grown into something even more expansive. A way to honor the body through every chapter:motherhood, transformation, strength, softness, change.
Because our bodies carry us through so much.
And those stories deserve more than to be forgotten.
They deserve to be seen.
To be held.
To become art.
A quiet reminder that the body you’re in right now… is already worthy of being remembered.
Local-ish: Summer Moon Coffee
There’s a new coffee spot in town, and I have a feeling it’s going to become a favorite.
Summer Moon Coffee just opened in Danada Square on March 7th, and it’s one of those places where you walk in and immediately start planning what you’ll try next.
Their signature Summer Moon Latte is rich and creamy with their Velvet Blaze Espresso and their famous Moon Milk—sweet, smooth, and completely indulgent.
And if you’re feeling a little adventurous…
the Blueberry Crisp Latte (yes, blueberry and cinnamon) somehow tastes like dessert in a cup.
Or the Iced Blue Moon Latte, with a hint of lavender, which feels soft, floral, and a little unexpected in the best way.
They also have all the little extras that make a coffee stop feel like a moment—cookies, croissants, bagels, and easy breakfast options.
It’s cozy, it’s creative, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down… or at the very least, sit a little longer with your coffee.
(And yes… I’ll be going back to try everything.)
114 East Wilson Street, Batavia
Those first few days go by so quickly.
I was just reminded of that while photographing my new grandson—how fast they change, and how easy it is to forget the tiny details if you don’t capture them.
A simple reminder—photograph your newborns.
However you choose to do it, just don’t let this season pass by undocumented.
If you’re looking for something a little more intentional, we offer a few different newborn session options:
Full Newborn Session
Approximately 2 hours with 3 setups/looks. Can include family and siblings. All props, backdrops, and accessories are included.
Includes 30 fully edited digital images.
Mini Newborn Session
Approximately 1 hour with 2 simple setups for baby only.
Includes 10 fully edited digital images.
At-Home Newborn Session
A lifestyle session in your home (or our studio nursery set). About 2 hours with 3 looks and the option to include family.
Best for those wanting a more natural, editorial feel. (Natural light required.)
No matter the session, the goal is the same—capturing this moment before it changes.
with love and light,
Alicia Staley Johnson
of Alicia’s Photography
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