Another item has been crossed off of my 30 Before Thirty list! #26: Have an adorable family photo taken.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Michele
July 8, 2010 at 1:47 pmSo incredibly adorable!!! Brings a tear to my eye!
RisaJ
July 8, 2010 at 1:48 pmGreat pictures…oh, and I’m loving your dress!
Danielle
July 8, 2010 at 1:49 pmThese are great! So personal and fun! Btw, your dress is adorable!
Kathleen
July 8, 2010 at 1:50 pmAw, you guys! How cute.
lala
July 8, 2010 at 1:50 pmADORABLE! Simply adorable.
Heidi
July 8, 2010 at 1:50 pmNot only checked off the list…but checked off mega-adorably!!
Felicity Lingle
July 8, 2010 at 1:52 pmYour daughter looks so cute and feisty. : )
Jesse
July 8, 2010 at 1:54 pmThey are wonderful! And I love the setting! Happy late Anniversary too!
LAKR
July 8, 2010 at 1:55 pmShe is such a cutie when she makes her scrunchy face! Great photos of all three of you!
sarah
July 8, 2010 at 1:56 pmNicole,
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!
Angie
July 8, 2010 at 1:56 pmReally lovely photos that I am sure you will cherish for years to come. You look really wonderful! xo
Nani
July 8, 2010 at 2:03 pmLOVE them! Family photo’s are always the best!
Kel
July 8, 2010 at 2:05 pmThese are SO good! They’re so very YOU – perfect for your adorable family!
Allison
July 8, 2010 at 2:11 pmThese photos are fantastic! I love them! You guys are such a cute family.
Nataliya
July 8, 2010 at 2:14 pmNicole, 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
Making it Lovely
July 8, 2010 at 9:29 pmHa! Great picture. :)
Chiara
July 8, 2010 at 2:17 pmOh 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 :-)
Making it Lovely
July 8, 2010 at 9:29 pmAw, that’s so sweet.
Mrs Soup
July 8, 2010 at 2:18 pmBEAUTIFUL!
Kathy
July 8, 2010 at 2:24 pmWow, wow wow!So incredibly lovely :)
jodi
July 8, 2010 at 2:29 pmwonderful!!
jennifer
July 8, 2010 at 2:30 pmThese are wonderful!!
Kristen
July 8, 2010 at 2:33 pmThose 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.
Katie l The Social Secretary
July 8, 2010 at 2:33 pmThese are beautiful! What an amazing little spot, too. Good job James!
gena
July 8, 2010 at 2:44 pmyaay! 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
Making it Lovely
July 8, 2010 at 9:28 pmDid 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.
gena
July 9, 2010 at 9:38 amwe 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!
luuve
July 9, 2010 at 8:49 amjust 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..
Michele
July 9, 2010 at 9:37 amAt first I thought your husband was Brandon! HA!
LOVE the wedding pics, you are beautiful!
gena
July 9, 2010 at 9:39 amaw 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.
Making it Lovely
July 9, 2010 at 9:57 amI think he looks like Brandon too! Can’t wait for the Lifetime movie.
Adventures In Babywearing
July 8, 2010 at 2:45 pmSo beautiful!!!
Steph
Melissa
July 8, 2010 at 2:50 pmGorgeous! They are so precious. Love the photo of you guys kissing Eleanor on the park bench.
Two Lovely Spaces
July 8, 2010 at 2:51 pmReally beautiful shots!!!
Anne
July 8, 2010 at 2:55 pmthese are GREAT, love them! the colors are just fantastic!
Amy Kelly
July 8, 2010 at 3:13 pmThese are absolutely darling! Every shot is so cute and perfect!
casey
July 8, 2010 at 3:15 pmoh 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!
Elizabeth
July 8, 2010 at 3:17 pmSuch a cute family! I love the shots of Eleanor’s toothy grin :D
luzy
July 8, 2010 at 3:46 pmoh my goodness,
they are soooo lovely because your sweet family is just gaw-geous!!!amazing james – enjoy -we did!!
Ludmila {creamylife.com}
July 8, 2010 at 4:00 pmThese 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!
Ginesta
July 8, 2010 at 4:18 pmLove those pictures! the 7th one is adorable! love Eleonor’s expression!
katie
July 8, 2010 at 4:53 pmthrilled 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. =)
Licia
July 8, 2010 at 5:05 pmThe pictures are absolutely adorable. My favorite is the one where you and your husband are kissing E.
Your Mother
July 8, 2010 at 5:16 pmLove these pictures!
Stacey McDonld
July 8, 2010 at 5:41 pmBeautiful work, James!
Beautiful family, Nicole!!
Melissa
July 8, 2010 at 6:03 pmAwesome photos! I absolutely love the one where you two are kissing eleanor. What a sweet moment to capture.
Lora
July 8, 2010 at 6:08 pmBeautiful pictures! May I ask where you got your dress and belt….they both go really well with summer :-)
Making it Lovely
July 8, 2010 at 9:30 pmBoth were from Anthropologie.
tillie
July 8, 2010 at 6:13 pmthose are fabulous photos!!!
Molly
July 8, 2010 at 6:49 pmAbsolutely fabulous. They are going on my 30 before 50 list. Oh wait – too late. 35 before 60???
Lindsay D.
July 8, 2010 at 7:30 pmI love these!! Especially the one with the two of you kissing her cheeks. That expression!
Steph
July 8, 2010 at 7:54 pmThese photos are just gorgeous! Your family is so lovely :)
Tera
July 8, 2010 at 8:49 pmLove the one in which you’re all sitting in the grass! So great. Little E is a sweetheart! And love ya’ll’s wardrobe.
Trishna
July 8, 2010 at 9:03 pmThese brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. :)
Brittany
July 8, 2010 at 9:57 pmshe has THE cutest facial expressions!
wanderluster
July 8, 2010 at 11:17 pmAdorable 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!
Audrie
July 8, 2010 at 11:53 pmSuch great pictures! I agree, they’re better with little Eleanor in them. Her face in that last picture is especially adorable!
drey
July 9, 2010 at 12:17 ami 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 :)
Monica
July 9, 2010 at 12:31 amHow truly lovely!
samarahuel
July 9, 2010 at 2:04 amNow I’M jealous! We may have to do something like this…
Victoria
July 9, 2010 at 3:46 amGorgeous photos! Wow you look beautiful!
Samantha
July 9, 2010 at 4:51 amoOoooh these are so cute! reminds me of when my girls where little.
Kaylee
July 9, 2010 at 8:17 amThese 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!
April
July 9, 2010 at 8:19 amThis 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!
Jakki
July 9, 2010 at 8:22 ami love relaxed fun REAL photo’s like these for family photos….not those stilted stiff store photo’s like I have, LOL
Fionnuala
July 9, 2010 at 8:26 amBeautiful photos, eliciting a sound something like “Mmnnaaaaaaw” from this viewer.
susan
July 9, 2010 at 8:40 amthe one of the two of y’all kissing Eleanor? that has to be my absolute favorite!
luuve
July 9, 2010 at 8:45 am1, 7, and 8 are my favorite! i love these! way to go on your list! :)
Nicole RJ
July 9, 2010 at 10:17 amBeautiful shots! Elanor’s expression in the one you’re both kissing her is priceless!
anne
July 9, 2010 at 10:36 amGreat pictures! Love the one where you’re sitting in the grass with the big trees in the background.
Judith
July 9, 2010 at 11:29 amThese 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!
mel
July 9, 2010 at 11:54 amWow. Beautiful photos Nicole! You just tickle me pink! (and are such an inspiration:))
Wendy
July 9, 2010 at 12:36 pmGreat pictures!!! love the one where you’re both kissing Eleanor! :)
AbraCat
July 9, 2010 at 12:41 pmThey’re all terrific, but that shot of you both kissing Eleanor is exceptionally adorable.
Kalee
July 9, 2010 at 12:42 pmThese are amazing! I particularly love Eleanor’s faces in them! And he captured you all perfectly.
Liz
July 9, 2010 at 12:51 pmBEAUTIFUL!
Nicole you have such a gorgeous family. The pictures are AMAZING!
meta
July 9, 2010 at 2:17 pmI think I’m too envious to say anything…
jbhat
July 9, 2010 at 3:08 pmOutstanding. 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
Ashley
July 9, 2010 at 3:09 pmI <3 Oak Park :)
-ashley
Amanda
July 9, 2010 at 3:42 pmThese 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?
Clearly Composed
July 9, 2010 at 8:33 pmGorgeous pictures of a gorgeous family. :)
Susana
July 9, 2010 at 9:18 pmACK!! 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)
Milijana
July 10, 2010 at 3:41 amabsolutely 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*
Lou
July 10, 2010 at 5:53 amThese are just as sweet as those lovely engagement photos!
John @ Young House Love
July 10, 2010 at 9:34 amLove ’em! And Happy (Belated) Anniversary to you guys too!
Alicia
July 10, 2010 at 11:40 amoh! Eleanor’s little teeth are KILLING me, they’re so cute! Love it. :)
Isabel
July 10, 2010 at 7:30 pmThey are fabulous!!!
Chaucee
July 10, 2010 at 11:26 pmWhat an amazing job he did!
Valerie
July 11, 2010 at 8:23 amSo-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!
Stephanie@Geezees
July 11, 2010 at 5:53 pmThese are amazing pictures…Happy Anniversary too!
Kalee
July 11, 2010 at 11:31 pmAnd will there be 4 next year? :)
Missy
July 12, 2010 at 6:21 amthese are precious. i’m inspired to take some pictures along the Cumberland Trail down the road from our home. So, so precious!
Jamie
July 12, 2010 at 2:41 pmToo 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. :)
Mariela
July 12, 2010 at 2:43 pmLovely family, the photos are very beautiful.And the place looks peaceful very pretty.
linda
July 12, 2010 at 8:10 pmso beautiful and joyful thanks for sharing
Angela
July 14, 2010 at 4:40 amWhat a beautiful family and you all look so happy!
Cristina
July 14, 2010 at 1:48 pmI 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!
LindseyBee
July 14, 2010 at 2:47 pmHow adorable is your little girl! Looks like such a sweetie!
Rebecca
July 15, 2010 at 10:24 pmSo cute! And I live just a block from Austin Gardens. I love to walk through there in the evenings.
Chyme
July 19, 2010 at 5:35 amBeautiful photos!
Christine
July 19, 2010 at 3:49 pmWhat beautiful family photos!! The lighting is so beautifully golden. Happy (belated) anniversary to you!
Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Silhouette SD Cutting Machine (Review and Giveaway)
August 23, 2010 at 1:52 pm[…] 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 […]
Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » 30 Before Thirty
September 14, 2010 at 9:38 pm[…] Have an adorable family photo taken. (Done!) […]
A Lovely Life List | Making it Lovely
December 20, 2011 at 9:59 am[…] 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 […]
misa
January 22, 2013 at 3:05 pmi 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)!