France & a Model Call
Family, Inspiration, and What's Ahead
Family time in Arles, France was absolutely incredible. From the moment we arrived at the beautiful, historic French home, I knew it was going to be a special time. Spending those quiet days with my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson was everything a Mom/Mimi could ever ask for. Expect maybe having ALL of my kids there with me. Maybe next year. It was truly a reminder of the importance of slowing down and savoring the moments together.
Now, as we head back home, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my oldest and youngest, celebrating Father's Day, my mother's birthday, and finally getting my hands back into the garden — it's always such a joy to see how it’s taken shape while I’ve been away.
In this weeks newsletter, I will talk about our trip to the south of France, finding inspiration, our Model Call for little ones, Home Sweet Home Minis, and what I’m loving this week!
We also have a busy week ahead, filled with exciting mini sessions, and I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite things with you in this issue!
THERE ARE PLACES THE SOUL REMEMBERS: where even as a guest, you feel you’ve come home.
Have you ever stepped into a home and instantly felt like you belonged? That’s exactly what happened when I walked onto the estate in Arles, France. From the moment I entered through the large iron gates at the end of the driveway, I was struck by how familiar it felt — calming, welcoming, and filled with an energy that instantly put me at ease. It was like I had finally come home.
The Plane trees in France are impressive, and I love how estates use them to create a grand entrance.
.
The driveway, lined with 150-year-old Plane Trees, created a stunning canopy overhead, their majestic branches casting shadows over the pea gravel path. It felt like we had stepped into a different time. As we approached the estate, the sight of the home took our breath away. The house itself was a charming French pale yellow stucco with grey-green shutters, radiating warmth and elegance.
We were greeted by an old stone staircase, its wrought iron railings curving gracefully, leading us up to the front door. Italianate-style windows stood tall, perfectly framed to let in light and offer views of the surrounding beauty.
This estate has been in the family of the owner, Ludovic, for five generations. After his grandparents passed away, a local developer wanted to purchase the home and surrounding property to build a large development. But Ludovic couldn't let that happen. With immense care and love, he bought the home and lovingly restored it, preserving its history and heart.
The lovely terracotta tiles have been there for years, and Ludovic carefully restored them to their original beauty.
The estate was beautifully appointed, every detail thoughtfully considered, and you could feel the love of all the generations that had passed through those doors. I could imagine the family gatherings, the holidays, and the meals shared around the table. It was a place where memories had been made, and even as a guest, I felt a part of something timeless.
The soft color palette featuring gentle pastels and the beautifully aged stone work together to create an atmosphere that is absolutely magical and enchanting.
The house wasn’t just beautiful in design; it made you feel something — calm, connected, and at peace. It was the perfect escape. It was the perfect way to slow down, enjoy each other, and experience the simplicity of life in the south of France.
Cooking family dinners together created such beautiful memories that we cherish and hold close to our hearts. Each meal prepared in the kitchen became a special occasion, filled with laughter, stories, and the aroma of delicious food.
There’s a saying: “There are places the soul remembers — where even as a guest, you feel you’ve come home.” And this home was one of those places for me. I know it may sound crazy, but as I’ve said before, I feel like an old French artist trapped in this body in a Chicago suburb. So stepping onto this beautiful estate felt like I had taken a deep breath of fresh air. It truly felt like coming home.
Finding Inspiration in the Quiet Moments
As many of you know, traveling is often when I feel most inspired — when everything around me sparks new ideas for photography. But, during our last trip to France just two months ago, something unexpected happened. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel inspired to pull out anything bigger than my cellphone for photographs.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes, even when you’re surrounded by beauty, it’s hard to tap into that artistic spark. I took this trip as a vacation — a time to recharge and regroup artistically. And while that was exactly what I needed, it also left me feeling a little guilty. There was that familiar fear of missing out, that nagging thought of “What if I’m never here again to capture this beauty?”
But as a photographer, I’ve learned that it’s just as important to fuel your spirit as it is to capture the moment. Not everything — or everyone — needs to be photographed at all times. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is put the camera down, take a breath, and fully embrace the moment with your loved ones. To take in the beauty, without the pressure of documenting every detail.
Fortunately, by the end of the trip, I felt that familiar spark return. I finally picked up my camera on our last day in Paris, capturing a few beautiful moments as the city revealed its magic once more. It felt so good to get back into the passion of creating.
Now, I’m looking forward to going through the images I captured and working through post-production to bring those moments to life. It’s a reminder that sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to reignite the creative fire within.
Have you ever experienced a creative block like this? What did you do to regain your inspiration? I’d love to hear your stories and how you found your spark again.
Model Call for Littles (Ages 3-7)
We need your adorable little ones! With our beloved wedding photographer and BFF, Samanta, moving to North Carolina, she’s taken her beautiful little models with her, leaving me in need of fresh faces for our mini session samples. Not only do I miss her and her kiddos, but I miss creating beautiful moments with her bebe's.
If you visit our mini session page, you’ll see that we’ve only got inspiration posted and not actual samples — and that’s where you come in! We're looking for cute little models (boys and girls, ages 3-7) to step in and help us showcase our real mini sessions.
As a thank you for your little one’s time, they’ll receive 15 hand-edited digital images from the session. We'll also work with you on selecting the perfect outfits to ensure everything looks just right.
If you know a cutie who would be perfect for this or if your little one is ready to shine in front of the camera, please let us know. We can’t wait to create some magic together! Please reach out by responding to this emai.
Here’s a list of the mini sessions that we will be needing models for:
Last Chance for Home Sweet Home Minis on June 28th!
If you’re looking for a spot for our Home Sweet Home Mini Sessions on June 28th, now is the time to book — these spots won’t last long! It’s rare that we offer these sessions because they require traveling between homes, but we know how popular they are and wanted to bring them back for a limited time.
Home Sweet Home Minis are all about capturing your family exactly where life happens — on your front porch, in your yard, or anywhere on your property that holds special meaning. These 30-minute lifestyle sessions are perfect for families who want to document the everyday joy of life in the place they love most.
Investment: $450
Includes:
A 30-minute portrait session
5 fully edited digital images (with the option to purchase additional images)
Available for homes within 30 minutes of Naperville
Let’s turn your home into the perfect backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime. Book your spot before they’re gone!
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow @manonpaardenkooper If you’re looking for an Instagram account that will truly inspire you, Manon Paarden Kooper is one you won’t want to miss. Based in Germany, Manon is a floral photographer who has an extraordinary gift for capturing the timeless beauty of poppies and peonies straight from her garden. Her work has a stunning old-world, painterly feel, and each image seems to tell its own story — soft, romantic, and full of depth.
Manon’s attention to detail and her ability to create such a timeless atmosphere in her photography has been a source of great inspiration for me. She’s recently released her second book, which has completely captivated me and added new layers of creativity to my own work.
If you haven’t discovered her yet, take a moment to explore her feed and experience the beauty of her flowers and her artistry. I’m so grateful for the way her work continues to inspire my own journey.
I’m Obsessed With: For my gardening friends…I honestly have no idea how I lived without the Hori Hori garden tool! This incredibly versatile tool has quickly become a must-have in my gardening kit. It’s perfect for almost every job in the garden — whether I’m digging, transplanting, sawing, cutting, removing, dividing, or even measuring soil depth for planting. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of gardening!
The blade features a sharp edge for slicing, and a serrated edge for cutting through tough roots. The curved blade makes digging easier, and the built-in depth measurement in inches ensures that planting is a breeze.
If you don’t have one yet, I highly recommend adding it to your toolkit — it’s been a game changer for me!
Local Love: If you’re a coffee lover in the Wheaton area (or soon, Geneva!), Five & Hoek is a must-visit. This family-owned gem has been serving up ethically sourced, expertly roasted coffee since 2013. They’re all about community, relationships, and of course — amazing coffee.
Owned by a husband-and-wife duo, they’ve grown alongside their two kids in the heart of Wheaton, sharing their love for coffee with everyone who walks through their doors. Their commitment to quality is evident, from hand-curated, organic coffee samples to roasts that highlight the unique flavors of each region.
Next time you're in the area, stop by for a delicious cup and support a small business that's as passionate about community as they are about coffee!
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