Family Photos

Another item has been crossed off of my 30 Before Thirty list! #26: Have an adorable family photo taken.

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Emily, one of my facebook friends, sent me a message shortly after I posted my list. Her husband James Julius is a photographer, and he was working on building his portfolio. Would we be interested in being photographed by him? He may have been working on his portfolio but I was impressed.

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Balch Family Photo Shoot

You know the super adorable engagement photos that people have taken? The kind that always make me a little sad/jealous for not having photos like that taken before Brandon and I got married? Yeah, James Julius takes those. Now I have my own, but they’re even better because Eleanor is in them and we’ve got six years of marriage behind us. In fact, these photos were taken on our anniversary.

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Balch Family Photo Shoot

James photographed us in Austin Gardens, here in Oak Park. Isn’t it a gorgeous setting? He and Emily chose the location, and they chose very well.

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Thank you, Emily, for arranging our photo shoot. And thank you, James Julius for giving us such fantastic photos of our family. We’re thrilled with them!

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Balch Family Photo Shoot

Comments

105 responses to “Family Photos”

  1. Michele Avatar
    Michele

    So incredibly adorable!!! Brings a tear to my eye!

  2. RisaJ Avatar
    RisaJ

    Great pictures…oh, and I’m loving your dress!

  3. Danielle Avatar

    These are great! So personal and fun! Btw, your dress is adorable!

  4. Kathleen Avatar

    Aw, you guys! How cute.

  5. lala Avatar

    ADORABLE! Simply adorable.

  6. Heidi Avatar

    Not only checked off the list…but checked off mega-adorably!!

  7. Felicity Lingle Avatar

    Your daughter looks so cute and feisty. : )

  8. Jesse Avatar

    They are wonderful! And I love the setting! Happy late Anniversary too!

  9. LAKR Avatar

    She is such a cutie when she makes her scrunchy face! Great photos of all three of you!

  10. sarah Avatar

    Nicole,

    These are great and I know exactly what you mean, seeing those really cute engagement photos all the time complete with pink or red balloon and wishing you had that too. Now you really have your very own!

  11. Angie Avatar

    Really lovely photos that I am sure you will cherish for years to come. You look really wonderful! xo

  12. Nani Avatar

    LOVE them! Family photo’s are always the best!

  13. Kel Avatar
    Kel

    These are SO good! They’re so very YOU – perfect for your adorable family!

  14. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    These photos are fantastic! I love them! You guys are such a cute family.

  15. Nataliya Avatar

    Nicole, congrats on getting some amazing photos done! I always wish we had someone take pictures of us, instead of Baby C being in the picture with only one of the parents. Here are some pictures of our little munchkin: http://styleingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2010/07/had-to-share-baby-c.html

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Ha! Great picture. :)

  16. Chiara Avatar

    Oh my God, these pictures are beautiful! I called my boyfriend to show him your family and said: “Questo è quello che vorrei fossimo noi tra qualche anno” which means “That’s exaclty what I’d love us to be in a couple of years”.

    The photographer made a great job and you’re a wonderful family :-)

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Aw, that’s so sweet.

  17. Mrs Soup Avatar

    BEAUTIFUL!

  18. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Wow, wow wow!So incredibly lovely :)

  19. jodi Avatar

    wonderful!!

  20. jennifer Avatar

    These are wonderful!!

  21. Kristen Avatar

    Those pictures are GORGEOUS!! What a cute family and great work by the photographer.

    On another note…I definitely know what you mean about the engagement photos. I wish we’d done pretty ones too.

  22. Katie l The Social Secretary Avatar

    These are beautiful! What an amazing little spot, too. Good job James!

  23. gena Avatar
    gena

    yaay! these are so great!
    james shot my wedding a couple of months ago and when he and emily old me they were going to shoot you guys i was way jealous! i knew they’d turn out so freaking adorable!

    here’s some from our wedding in oak park!
    http://www.jamesjulius.com/archives/456

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Did you get married at the Pleasant Home!? That’s where I wanted to have our wedding! (We were married in the chapel of Brandon’s family’s church and had our reception at the Nineteenth Century Women’s Club.)

      Also, you guys are total cuties.

      1. gena Avatar
        gena

        we DID get married at pleasant home! it was super lovely and awesome! but it was a wedding so i guess that goes with the territory. but pleasant home is so extraordinary. i love it!
        and thanks! we are pretty all right!

    2. luuve Avatar

      just saw your photos..and you guys looked amazing! i wished i lived in the chicago area! i would hire him in a SECOND! great choice! by you and nicole..

    3. Michele Avatar
      Michele

      At first I thought your husband was Brandon! HA!

      LOVE the wedding pics, you are beautiful!

      1. gena Avatar
        gena

        aw thanks!
        i’m glad i’m not the only one who thinks my husband looks like nicole’s husband. because i think they may be twins. separated. and there will be a lifetime movie made about them.

      2. Making it Lovely Avatar

        I think he looks like Brandon too! Can’t wait for the Lifetime movie.

  24. Adventures In Babywearing Avatar

    So beautiful!!!

    Steph

  25. Melissa Avatar

    Gorgeous! They are so precious. Love the photo of you guys kissing Eleanor on the park bench.

  26. Two Lovely Spaces Avatar

    Really beautiful shots!!!

  27. Anne Avatar

    these are GREAT, love them! the colors are just fantastic!

  28. Amy Kelly Avatar

    These are absolutely darling! Every shot is so cute and perfect!

  29. casey Avatar

    oh my oh my oh my! they are amazingly great!! i too am the jealous one every time i see cute engagement pics. i love the one of you two kissing eleanor on the bench!! he did a great job!! thanks for sharing!

  30. Elizabeth Avatar

    Such a cute family! I love the shots of Eleanor’s toothy grin :D

  31. luzy Avatar
    luzy

    oh my goodness,
    they are soooo lovely because your sweet family is just gaw-geous!!!amazing james – enjoy -we did!!

  32. Ludmila {creamylife.com} Avatar

    These pictures are wonderful! I can see you had so much fun! E is adorable as always, but hey, you all look amazing! great photo shoot!

  33. Ginesta Avatar

    Love those pictures! the 7th one is adorable! love Eleonor’s expression!

  34. katie Avatar

    thrilled with good reason–those are excellent! i love the slightly faded look they have–it’s like they come with instant nostalgia. your family is beautiful, too, which makes it even better. =)

  35. Licia Avatar

    The pictures are absolutely adorable. My favorite is the one where you and your husband are kissing E.

  36. Your Mother Avatar

    Love these pictures!

  37. Stacey McDonld Avatar

    Beautiful work, James!

    Beautiful family, Nicole!!

  38. Melissa Avatar

    Awesome photos! I absolutely love the one where you two are kissing eleanor. What a sweet moment to capture.

  39. Lora Avatar
    Lora

    Beautiful pictures! May I ask where you got your dress and belt….they both go really well with summer :-)

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Both were from Anthropologie.

  40. tillie Avatar

    those are fabulous photos!!!

  41. Molly Avatar

    Absolutely fabulous. They are going on my 30 before 50 list. Oh wait – too late. 35 before 60???

  42. Lindsay D. Avatar
    Lindsay D.

    I love these!! Especially the one with the two of you kissing her cheeks. That expression!

  43. Steph Avatar

    These photos are just gorgeous! Your family is so lovely :)

  44. Tera Avatar

    Love the one in which you’re all sitting in the grass! So great. Little E is a sweetheart! And love ya’ll’s wardrobe.

  45. Trishna Avatar

    These brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. :)

  46. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    she has THE cutest facial expressions!

  47. wanderluster Avatar

    Adorable photos Nicole! Love the one where you’re holding Eleanor (I think she looks more like daddy but you can see similarities to mommy in this photo). Okay, now you’re making me want to get a photoshoot done with my little one!

  48. Audrie Avatar

    Such great pictures! I agree, they’re better with little Eleanor in them. Her face in that last picture is especially adorable!

  49. drey Avatar

    i love the photos nic, they look so sweet :) the new red-orangey hair really really suits you :) i esp love eleanor’s unscripted grins and her crooked face between you and brandon :)

  50. Monica Avatar

    How truly lovely!

  51. samarahuel Avatar
    samarahuel

    Now I’M jealous! We may have to do something like this…

  52. Victoria Avatar

    Gorgeous photos! Wow you look beautiful!

  53. Samantha Avatar

    oOoooh these are so cute! reminds me of when my girls where little.

  54. Kaylee Avatar

    These are so precious! Our daughter is almost a year and I can’t wait to get some family photos done! I love how Eleanor’s personality is so evident! You are blessed!

  55. April Avatar

    This post brought a big smile to my face. You’re such a lovely family. The pic of you two giving Eleanor a big smooch on either cheek is just darling!

  56. Jakki Avatar

    i love relaxed fun REAL photo’s like these for family photos….not those stilted stiff store photo’s like I have, LOL

  57. Fionnuala Avatar

    Beautiful photos, eliciting a sound something like “Mmnnaaaaaaw” from this viewer.

  58. susan Avatar

    the one of the two of y’all kissing Eleanor? that has to be my absolute favorite!

  59. luuve Avatar

    1, 7, and 8 are my favorite! i love these! way to go on your list! :)

  60. Nicole RJ Avatar

    Beautiful shots! Elanor’s expression in the one you’re both kissing her is priceless!

  61. anne Avatar

    Great pictures! Love the one where you’re sitting in the grass with the big trees in the background.

  62. Judith Avatar
    Judith

    These pictures are so stinking cute! I’ve loved watching your little grow up on here, it’s a lot of fun and she’s pretty darn cute! I just got engaged and I’d love for us to have such an adorable family one day!

  63. mel Avatar

    Wow. Beautiful photos Nicole! You just tickle me pink! (and are such an inspiration:))

  64. Wendy Avatar

    Great pictures!!! love the one where you’re both kissing Eleanor! :)

  65. AbraCat Avatar

    They’re all terrific, but that shot of you both kissing Eleanor is exceptionally adorable.

  66. Kalee Avatar

    These are amazing! I particularly love Eleanor’s faces in them! And he captured you all perfectly.

  67. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    BEAUTIFUL!

    Nicole you have such a gorgeous family. The pictures are AMAZING!

  68. meta Avatar

    I think I’m too envious to say anything…

  69. jbhat Avatar
    jbhat

    Outstanding. I need to do the same thing here pretty soon. Thanks for sharing that beautiful work with us, and my goodness, you all look amazing. Such style!

    jbhat

  70. Ashley Avatar

    I <3 Oak Park :)

    -ashley

  71. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    These photos are so amazing! I love the one of you two kissing your little one! Her expression is ALL JOY and so adorable.
    PS Is this why you named James in MiY, or is that just a coincidence?

  72. Clearly Composed Avatar

    Gorgeous pictures of a gorgeous family. :)

  73. Susana Avatar
    Susana

    ACK!! These are SOOO BEAUTIFUL!! These are the pictures I dream about having of my own family. But….how will you pick which one to blow up and frame?????? (darn that great photographer and beautiful family for the tough decisions)

  74. Milijana Avatar

    absolutely beautiful… photos look amazing,I can feel how happy you are through them. my faves are where you’re holding Eleanor,bathing in sunlight,and where you’re together,sitting on the grass.
    *sigh*

  75. Lou Avatar

    These are just as sweet as those lovely engagement photos!

  76. John @ Young House Love Avatar

    Love ’em! And Happy (Belated) Anniversary to you guys too!

  77. Alicia Avatar

    oh! Eleanor’s little teeth are KILLING me, they’re so cute! Love it. :)

  78. Isabel Avatar

    They are fabulous!!!

  79. Chaucee Avatar

    What an amazing job he did!

  80. Valerie Avatar

    So-so cute, it’s fun and interesting to have the vision of an artist represent what your family is,no? Love and sunshine, that’s what I see! My favourite is the one you both kiss Eleanor, the face she makes cracks me up!

    Amazing shots!

  81. Stephanie@Geezees Avatar

    These are amazing pictures…Happy Anniversary too!

  82. Kalee Avatar

    And will there be 4 next year? :)

  83. Missy Avatar
    Missy

    these are precious. i’m inspired to take some pictures along the Cumberland Trail down the road from our home. So, so precious!

  84. Jamie Avatar
    Jamie

    Too adorable! I thought I recognized Austin Gardens when I started looking through these pics – I grew up a block away. They turned out amazing! I actually grew up with Brandon (Jess and I have been friends since Kindergarden) so it’s sweet to see him have his own little family now. :)

  85. Mariela Avatar

    Lovely family, the photos are very beautiful.And the place looks peaceful very pretty.

  86. linda Avatar
    linda

    so beautiful and joyful thanks for sharing

  87. Angela Avatar

    What a beautiful family and you all look so happy!

  88. Cristina Avatar

    I have the exact same dress! I paired mine up with some super cute shoes from Old Navy for my engagement photos (http://tinyurl.com/23s2d99). I love the dress, mainly because it has pockets that I can put my chapstick in! XD

    Anyhoo your photos are adorable! I like how you added the belt to your dress. I might try that in the future!

  89. LindseyBee Avatar

    How adorable is your little girl! Looks like such a sweetie!

  90. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    So cute! And I live just a block from Austin Gardens. I love to walk through there in the evenings.

  91. Chyme Avatar

    Beautiful photos!

  92. Christine Avatar

    What beautiful family photos!! The lighting is so beautifully golden. Happy (belated) anniversary to you!

  93. […] used Adobe Illustrator to trace a silhouette of us, basing it on a photo from the shoot by James Julius. Of course, it’s only going to be accurate for another six months and then I’ll have to […]

  94. […] around town in a cargo bikeTake the family to Disney WorldGo roller skating with Eleanor and AugustHave an adorable family photo takenHave a new adorable family photo taken (the family has expanded since the last one)Celebrate my 50th […]

  95. misa Avatar
    misa

    i was just poking through here from your lovely life list post (via the six-year anniversary post), and i realized that i wore that same dress you have on above for my wedding (with a big yellow belt)!