It Was Never Just About the Image
NAPERVILLE - WHEATON - GLEN ELLYN - ELMHURST - GENEVA - ST. CHARLES - BARRINGTON - BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHER
by Alicia Staley Johnson
Hello my friend!
I almost don’t know where to begin this week…
But it feels important to start here.
Thank you.
Thank you to each and every one of you who reached out after we lost our sweet Tallulah. The messages, the flowers, the cards, the thoughtful gifts… every single one meant more than I could ever properly put into words.
Her passing was completely unexpected, and this past week has felt heavy in a way I wasn’t quite prepared for.
But in the middle of that, there was also something else—
a reminder of just how much love surrounds us.
Soft Focus: What You’ve Given Me
There’s something I’ve been thinking about lately…
something I don’t always say out loud.
But I feel it—every single week.
It’s what a privilege it is to meet all of you.
To photograph so many different faces, yes…
but more than that—to sit across from so many lives.
Because what happens in my studio is never just about a photograph.
Somewhere between the outfits, the lighting, the nervous laughter at the beginning…
something shifts.
People start to settle in.
Walls come down, just a little.
And before I know it, we’re talking.
About where you’ve been.
About what you’re walking through.
About the things that shaped you—sometimes in ways you didn’t expect.
And I realize, over and over again, that I’m not just being trusted with your image…
I’m being trusted with pieces of your story.
That’s not something I take lightly.
I’ve always loved people.
I’ve always been drawn to connection.
But this—this steady stream of conversations, of honesty, of shared moments—it’s changed me.
It’s made me more aware.
More understanding.
More open.
You’ve taught me things you probably don’t even realize you’ve taught me.
Through your stories.
Through your strength.
Through the way you carry both the beautiful and the hard parts of your life.
There are moments after sessions where I sit quietly for a minute before moving on to the next thing…
just letting it all settle.
Because something about what you shared stays with me.
And in those moments, I feel it so clearly—
This is a blessing.
To do work that invites connection.
To create space where people feel safe enough to be themselves.
To witness even a small part of someone else’s life.
And to grow because of it.
So if you’ve ever stood in front of my camera…
if you’ve ever walked into my studio and given me more than just your time—
Thank you.
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for opening up.
Thank you for the conversations, the laughter, the vulnerability… the gift of sharing.
I don’t walk away from these sessions unchanged.
And I don’t think I ever will.
Maybe that’s the part no one really talks about—
how we leave a little of ourselves behind in the places we’ve been…
and how, if we’re paying attention, we carry pieces of each other with us.
For me, that stays…
long after the camera has been put away.
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow: @mymulberryhouse
Lately, with my hands back in the dirt and my mind fully in the garden, I’ve found myself craving that slower, more intentional way of living.
The kind that feels a little removed from the rush…
a little more rooted in beauty, home, and the everyday.
One account that has completely pulled me in is @mymulberryhouse.
It’s one of those spaces that, the moment you start scrolling, you feel like you’ve stepped into another world—one that feels like the English countryside, full of quiet charm and thoughtful living.
Leah is a storyteller at heart, and you can feel that in everything she shares.
Her life at Mulberry House came after years in the fast-paced rhythm of London, when she and her husband made the decision to step away from it all in search of something slower, more meaningful. And what she’s created since then is… honestly, a little bit magical.
Her home, her garden, her family life—it all feels layered with intention and beauty, but in a way that’s lived-in, not curated for perfection.
What I love most is how she brings attention to the “magic of the everyday.”
The small moments.
The overlooked details.
The quiet beauty that’s always been there… if we choose to see it.
There’s a quote she shares that I can’t stop thinking about:
“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
And I think that’s exactly what her work does—
it reminds you to look a little closer.
To slow down.
To notice more.
To create a life that feels just as beautiful as it looks.
If you’re in a season of wanting that—more intention, more beauty, more meaning in the everyday—this is one of those accounts that will stay with you.
What I’m Loving: French Market Harvesting Basket Backpack
Okay… this is one of those things that just makes me happy.
I came across this French Market Harvesting Basket Backpack, and it immediately felt like something I should have been carrying around all along.
It has that effortless, old-world feel—like something you’d pick up at a little market in France and then use every single day without even thinking about it.
It’s handwoven in Morocco from natural palm leaves, so each one is a little different, which I love. And the leather straps are soft, adjustable, and made without harsh chemicals… just really simple, thoughtful details.
But honestly, it’s less about the basket itself and more about what it makes me want to do.
Head out to the garden with it.
Fill it with flowers or vegetables.
Take it to the farmer’s market… or even just pack it up for a slow afternoon outside.
It’s one of those pieces that just nudgesyou into a different pace.
And lately… I’m all about that.
Local-ish: Marché
If you’ve spent any time in downtown Glen Ellyn, you may have already discovered Marché… but if not, it’s one of those places you’ll wish you found sooner.
It’s the kind of shop you walk into “just to look”…
and somehow leave with the most beautiful collection of things you didn’t know you needed.
Cheese, charcuterie, wines, little specialty finds—it’s all curated in a way that feels thoughtful and a little old-world, but still completely approachable.
What I love most is that it’s not just a place to shop… it’s a place to experience.
You can grab a perfectly put-together cheese plate or sandwich and sit outside when the weather is nice, or take home one of their picnic boxes (which, honestly, feels like such a simple but special way to spend an afternoon).
And if you’re hosting anything—or even just want to bring something that feels a little elevated—their charcuterie boards and gift boxes are beautifully done.
It’s one of those spots that makes everyday moments feel a little more intentional…
a little more European…
a little more special.
And lately, I’ve been really drawn to places like that.
Photography Tip
There’s something about direct light through a window that I’m always drawn to.
Most people shy away from it because it feels “too harsh”…
but when you learn how to work with it, it creates the most incredible depth and mood.
This image is a perfect example of that.
The key is placement.
Instead of having your subject fully facing the light, turn them slightly so the light skims across their face and body. That’s what creates those beautiful highlights and deep shadows—it gives the image dimension instead of flattening it.
I also love using whatever the window gives me…
the lines, the shadows, even the imperfections.
Those shadows falling across her face and arm?
That’s what makes this feel more like a moment than just a portrait.
A couple things to keep in mind if you want to try this:
Don’t be afraid of contrast—lean into it
Watch where the light falls on the eyes (that’s everything)
Let some areas go dark… not everything needs to be seen
Move your subject slowly until the light just hits right
Direct light isn’t about perfection.
It’s about mood, shape, and feeling.
And sometimes… those are the images that stay with you the longest.
with love and light,
Alicia Staley Johnson
of Alicia’s Photography
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