Little Maxwell’s Vintage-Inspired Family Session

Jamie and Shawn knew from the start that they wanted to design a vintage-themed family shoot. They’ve always joked that their 10-month old son, Maxwell, looks like one of those sepia-toned babies you see on vintage milk cartons. Inspired by the most incredible old school desk they found for Maxwell at Randolph Street Market, and with the help of the talented Elaine from Shadowbox Dreams, they created a charming scene at the historic Pulaski Fieldhouse in Wicker Park. With church bells ringing nearby, and the slightly eerie fieldhouse as a backdrop, it felt like we had stepped back in time!

Maxwell was one tough client. He’s a very cute, very serious baby (in fact, Jamie and Shawn’s favorite thing to coo at him is, “Why. So. Serious?!”), and quite amazingly, the only thumb-sucker I have photographed to date!

Jamie’s eye for detail comes from her professional background in art direction and design. She added some of her own signature touches, like well-worn blocks the couple had collected from The Vintage Bazaar two years ago––before they were pregnant!––and a bunch of No. 2 pencils. Sharpened, of course.

Maxwell’s Daddy had this way of flying him up high in the air and whirling him around until he would finally let out an impish, little laugh.

And obviously, a vintage baby wouldn’t be complete without stylish duds like a denim bowtie, striped suspenders, and classic Levi’s!

A stately wooden trunk, a pile of leather suitcases, and whimsical children’s toys provided by Shadowbox Dreams rounded out Jamie’s vintage vision for the shoot.

Jamie told me that this family shoot was especially meaningful to have it take place right in their very own Wicker Park neighborhood of five years––and in the city where Maxwell was born––the couple announced recently they are moving their little family to the nation’s capitol in less than a couple months!

Good luck, Jamie, Shawn and Maxwell! It was a pleasure to send off your little family with some beloved memories of your Chicago!

xo, Melissa