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Outdoor Couch Photography {Downers Grove Hinsdale Western Springs Family Photography}

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THIS BEAUTIFUL MAMA GAVE BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!

And last fall, I had the joy of getting her & her fun-filled family on the ivory couch for a memorable photo shoot.

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These sweet sisters welcomed in a brother today. I bet they will be mommy’s little helpers.Julie Chen Photography_0102

4 generations. 1 couch.

Can I just say my favorite comment of the shoot was when the

great grandfather walked up to our location & exclaimed,

“Why ON EARTH is a couch in the middle of the park?!”

And then a few minutes later he was quite happy to sit & rest on it.Julie Chen Photography_0103

A & L : many congrats to your growing family!

Mixed kids are THE BEST 🙂

wink. wink.

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

Barbara Dooley - Love the family, Love the pictures, what a clever idea to use a couch in the biggest room – outdoors!

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Why Scripture Art is Important in Your Home

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I discovered the importance of having Scripture art in my home about 7 years ago when I was pregnant with my third child. You see, I was chasing two toddlers and very sick throughout my pregnancy which basically led to what I  call “mommy-mush brain”. I was studying Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit and I could NOT even memorize the fruit of the Spirit! That condition plus no real quality devotional times led me to put sticky notes with Scripture around my house so that I would consistently get glimpses of God’s Word throughout my day. Since I am a designer and photographer, I then decided to use my gifts to create Scripture art for the home as I could not find options out there that suited my style. Over the past several years of meditating on and creating Scripture art as a personal act of worship, I see more and more why it is so important to have it on display in your home and here are 3 reasons why:Deut6_8X10NIV_WEB

1. Scripture displayed in your home is actually a Biblical concept. In the book of Deuteronomy right after Moses gives the greatest command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, he follows it up by telling His people to write the commands on the door frames of their homes. Why? So that the commands {or truth} surrounds them, is in their face, and is visually before their children. Scripture art in your home is also a powerful witness or statement of your beliefs immediately displayed to all who enter your home. It is a powerful testimony of your faith and an easy way to get into conversations with your neighbors about what you believe.

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2. Scripture Art is a constant {and beautiful} reminder of truth, encouragement or admonishment. I LOVE having Scripture on the walls of my home. As I brush my teeth every morning, I look to the left and see Proverbs 3:5-6 and am reminded to trust God with my day. When I am doing the dishes and quite honestly might be exhausted or crabby, I look to Colossians 3:17 and am reminded to do ALL things in the name of Jesus {while giving THANKS, mind you!}. At the end of the day, I gaze upon one of my favorite pieces, Zephaniah 3:17, for so often the battle in my mind tells me I’m not good enough, not truly loved, or cherished. God uses this verse and the emotion of the image to redirect my heart towards His truth and cling to His promises.Psalm119_9_8x10NIV_WEB_WEB

3. Scripture art is a powerful tool to teach your children about God. Not all of you may be visual like I am, but I guarantee you your children are! Just think about children’s picture books, television, or computers for that matter. Your kids are being bombarded with images every day. Throughout history, the church has used art to illustrate the Bible—think stained glass windows which spoke truth to illiterate generations. So, to display Scripture art in your home tells your children several things. First of all, it shows them in a physical way that the Bible is an important part of your family’s foundation. Secondly, it displays God’s Word before their eyes and hearts. Third, it draws them into the Bible in a way that may uniquely connect with their personalities and visually savvy generation.

 

The bottom line to me is the fact that Scripture art in my home is of the utmost importance because I do not have an open Bible in every room of my house, but I can have His powerful and living Word up on my walls!

 

I would love to hear why Scripture art is important to YOU! And what Scriptures have ministered to you the most?

 

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

Life Verse Design Sale | Life Verse Design Blog - […] Remember a couple weeks ago when I shared my heart about the importance of Scripture art in your home?  […]

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JOY! {Downers Grove – Hinsdale – Western Springs Photography}

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Dear Photography Clients,

THANK YOU for a great year.

Thank you for indulging my playfulness in your sessions & allowing me

to create such fun & memorable photos such as these.Julie Chen Photography JOY_0002

Each & every one of you have brought much joy to my heart.
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When I look back at these photos, I can still hear the laughter or remember the special occasion.

Just one aspect of the magic of photography.Julie Chen Photography JOY_0004

May JOY reign in your hearts now and always.Julie Chen Photography JOY_0007

And, how can I not end with these two crazy newlyweds?!

{I hope they really used this for their Christmas cards!}

Grace & Peace,

Julie
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Merry Christmas with Love!

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Dear Friends, Family, & Faithful Customers,

Merry Christmas from the bottom of our hearts!

We hope you’ve had a wonderful year & experience the true joy of Christmas.

Now, enjoy some out takes… can you tell who is the ham of the family?!

{photos courtesy of a tripod + a remote clicker in my hubby’s hand}Julie Chen Photography Family_02

I seriously cannot even remember what was happening here or what possessed my kiddos.

I know there was something about “playing” their letters as instruments &

how Sunshine Girl turned that into ninja moves is beyond me {& yet really no surprise at all!}

Here’s a brief year wrap up:

Hubby: Anatomy/Physiology Teacher, Biology Departmental Chair, part time Neuro-Cardio nurse, worship leader, best hubby & Daddy Bear ever

Me: Wife, Mommy, Photographer, Creative Director of Life Verse Design, book designer for Tyndale House Publishers, soccer coach x2 girls’ teams, Bible study leader

My Favorite Little Mister: 11 years old, 6th grade, piano player, cello player, origami master, Lego Mindstorms enthusiast, Lego builder, creating something constantly, book worm

Sunshine Girl: 9 years old, 4th grade, piano player, soccer, volleyball, athlete {basically she would do every sport if I let her!}, comic enthusiast {ask her anything, she will know}, book worm {she’s my one who is “too busy reading Nancy Drew to have a playdate”}

Pumpkin Poos: 7 years old, 1st grade, soccer player, dancer, singer {spoiler alert: can you say karaoke in our near future?! ahhhh!}, artist, pretend play constantly {teacher, restaurant owner, librarian, mommy}, Frozen enthusiast, book worm

Highlight of the year was definitely our camping trip to Yellowstone, Tetons, Badlands, & Mount Rushmore. It’s also been fun watching the kids grow & though there have been struggles, we trust they will bloom into who they are meant to be.

Merry Christmas again!

Grace & Peace,

Julie

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Christmas Festivities

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Well, HELLO THERE! Long time no talk, eh? There is a good reason for that… it’s been my busiest season yet & I am so grateful, humbled & honored to be providing you with meaningful gifts & memorable photography.

 

My kids LOVE Christmas. The excitement over here is quite high & we’ve had loads of fun decorating, baking, shopping {ahem. my least favorite thing in the world}, wrapping, singing & dancing. Above you will see their gingerbread houses. First year we have ever done gingerbread houses & one of the best parts to my hubby was the fact that these sugar filled beauties were not created inside our home, but rather at a local architecture firm who generously hosted the event. It was SO COOL… so fun in fact that we stayed for 3 full hours building & decorating! The architects had cut rectangles, squares & triangles out of styrofoam and then gave you a sleeve {or 2!} of crackers & you went to town. Then there was an entire table filled with bowls of candy. It was fun to watch the kids’ personalities & creativity come through.

 

My Favorite Little Mister actually won the contest & his house was fully landscaped & thought out to the “T”. {He already has plans for next year!} {I wish the prize was a one-on-one mentoring session with an architect so he can really see how they work! But, I’ll probably just knock someday & ask if one of them can share with my son their knowledge.}

My Sunshine Girl was very intricate & reminded me of a Swiss chalet with so many of the unique triangle pieces used & of course, she was the one who was constantly giving help to her siblings.

Pumpkin-Poos designed a castle {of course!} I think her design was the largest of all we saw!

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Last weekend we spent the day baking. Every year we do cut out cookies & peanut butter kisses for Daddy Bear. It was fun. I think it was the first year I did not end up yelling or frustrated, so you know, that is a success right there. The older they get, the more fun!

 

That ADORABLE plate is courtesy of my good friend Sara over at Sarah and Abraham who creates THE CUTEST personalized gifts for your entire family. You can head on over, choose a product & build your child’s likeness. We also have plates, bowls, & pillows for the kiddos & they TRULY love them. {Thanks again Sara!}

 

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Next up… Christmas pictures!!!

 

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

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