Chicago Lifestyle Photographer

Our little musician!

claireknoten — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:46:49 +0000

Someone LOVES his daddy’s shakers. New toy–best part? We already have them, they are slobber resistant and he is learning to make music! Well as long as he can keep the shaker in his tiny hand.

A beautiful day for a walk in our new home- Chicago.

claireknoten — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 19:16:19 +0000

We had a wonderful time yesterday walking around downtown Chicago. We walked over through Grant Park and the paths along the lake. We did end up stumbling upon a park and that allowed for Porter to enjoy his first swing session. Verdict he loves it! And it is close to our apartment so we can walk over there to enjoy the beautiful park anytime we want! And we will have to take Pixel and Midge because there is a dog park right there too! Perfect place for a lot of family fun! Hope everyone is having a great weekend, full of family!

Sweet peaceful sleep

claireknoten — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:36:39 +0000

Such a handsome man, so deep asleep that I can creep on him and take photos!

Another update!

claireknoten — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 17:53:54 +0000

Hi everyone!

I know we haven’t posted in forever, and that is for a variety of reasons. We had a baby and though we may be taking lots of photos of him (which we are), we have posted the few that we have time to over at TheKnotens. Also, we have a lot going on. As you know we are moving to Chicago at the end of January. We have a lot to do in a little bit of time and it has kept us from posting much of anything on our photography page. I have to finish and defend my thesis, all the while Jarod is trying to find a job, pack up the apartment, and take care of the baby. So needless to say, we have been overwhelmed with all of the wonderful change in our lives. But I wanted to post a quick photo of Porter, and give a little update on what is going on! I hope everyone is well and that you are enjoying the holiday season! Here is a photo from Porter’s first Christmas–it isn’t festive, but it is his little face in all of his 7 week (now 8 weeks) glory!

A couple HUGE announcements.

jarodknoten — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:50:54 +0000

As many of you know we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first born son. Well the wait is over! Porter Alexander Knoten was born on November 2 at 9:06a.m. and weighed 7lbs 15.6oz and was 21 inches long. He has been a fantastic little guy and has been patient with us as we are learning to be parents. If you would like to keep up with more info on the new little guy please be sure to visit our new family blog at theknotens.com we will be keeping it up to date with all the details of our little munchkins life. Here is a photo of porter on his birthday.

Also another big update! We will moving to Chicago sometime shortly after the first of the year! Claire will be taking a post doctoral position at Northwestern University and we couldn’t be more excited to get back to the big city life. We will keep everyone updated with the progress of our move. Here is a picture of Porter getting ready for the move.

Puppy Noir.

jarodknoten — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:44:58 +0000

I was watching some old episodes of “The Twilight Zone” a few days ago on Netflix and was really digging the look of these old shows and how well they used contrast, reflections and shadows in the cinematography. So I grabbed a camera, a flash and a dog and took a couple shots. I love how it turned out. -Jarod

Our little man’s best friend.

claireknoten — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:43:49 +0000

Jarod and I both still have our first stuffed animals from when we were babies. And to Jarod they are really important to him–they jog so many memories for him throughout those formidable years. One thing we both wanted to get was the most perfect animal for our upcoming bundle of joy. We have been looking for the perfect animal since we found out we were pregnant. While we were in San Diego we made it a goal to find the one. While at the zoo we went into the gift shop to find to see what they had. As we searched the shelves upon shelves of cute stuffed animals, we found a few that were adorable but none that really caught our eye. And then as I walked to the other side of the shop, I saw this little guy. He was the only one there, super soft, has a crooked left eye and he was perfect. Jarod came over and said “That is it.” We have been pulling the little guy out since we got him and just imagine our little man running around dragging this little guy behind. I think the only exception that Jarod will take as a best friend for our son is Pixel (our 1 year old rescue pup). So without further adue, here is our little guys best stuffed friend.

Happy Last Day of Chemo to the Most Amazing Mom EVER

claireknoten — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:11:25 +0000

Some of you know about my mom’s recent fight with cancer, some of you do not. This spring my mom found out she had a large cyst and while doing blood work-ups prior to the surgery to remove the cyst they found elevated levels CA125 (a marker of reproductive system cancers in women). The levels suggested that besides the cyst, that she may have cancer. After some forceful persuading by her wonderful heart doctor–they moved the surgery up a month. In that surgery they found the cyst, but they also discovered two different areas with cancer. They removed everything and did every type of biopsy that you could imagine to test to see if they got it all. When the results came in, they were very positive. There was no cancer in the lymph nodes and everything they tested surrounding the cancerous areas was negative. My mom at this point had a difficult decision–she could take the results from the surgery and consider take it at face value–and move on or to go through chemotherapy. With the chemotherapy there was a 70-90% chance that the cancer wouldn’t come back. My mom choose to sacrifice her summer, suffer through 6 rounds of chemo, and take that extra step to ensure that she has the longest life possible. Through out the entire time, she has been absolutely amazing. Through every round, every last second of nausea, lack of wanting to eat, exhaustion, and almost every hair on her head having fallen out–she has truly been an inspiration. She has stood up to this very scary beast and killed it with a positive attitude, smiles, perseverance, and a strength that could move mountains. Sure tears were shed and moments of sadness, but she didn’t let those moments dominate the fight. Today was the last day of chemo for her and has truly been a day to celebrate the life that she has (and will) get to spend with her daughters and grandchildren. I can’t even express how proud I am of her or how much this fight has been an inspiration to the people around her.

So Mom–I love you more than words could ever even begin to explain or express. You are truly amazing and I thank you for all the sacrifices you have made throughout the years. Today is a celebration of the many years ahead. The grandchildren you will get to enjoy (From Joe to Brielle to little baby Knoten). The many phone calls a week from me and the rare moments that we get to be in each others presence. The holidays, the lazy days, and just each and every day for rest of your life. Thank you for choosing life, fighting this with a vigor that rivals the meanest, scariest monster, and taking these last few months of pain and turning them into a positive outlook on the future. You are truly amazing.

San Diego Trip

claireknoten — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:45:40 +0000

Jarod and I had the wonderful chance to head to San Diego for a our cousin Alex’s wedding. We were not the photographers at the wedding–so no wedding photos. But instead I wanted to show off some of the shots that we got while out in California. Jarod and I got the chance to experience the lesser touristy side of San Diego with a most fabulous friend Justin. And then we did some of the opposite and went to some of the most touristy places. Either way San Diego is beautiful, full of sun, and was a great time. We had an amazing time with family, got to see one of my favorite people in the world (oddly no photo ops with him–how on earth did we not take a photo?), and were there to witness my incredibly amazing cousin marry his beautiful (both in and out) wife. So enjoy our little post about our time in San Diego.

Be prepared for the parade of animals, my particular favorite was the sloth bear–how could that not be the most amazing combination of animals? He (or she) is right next to the peacock. Along with lots of others–particularly the Gorilla’s. Another favorite.

These are some night photos Jarod took after a wonderful cookout with the family on Coronado Beach.

Now we are onto the USS Midway. Jarod (being the big kid that he is) really wanted to jump in some fighter jets, helicopters, and other machines of the like. And to satisfy that need–we went to the USS Midway. It is a wonderful ship with a great museum. I must say the fake “cafeteria food” smell they were pumping in to the kitchen area did not make me want to ever have to eat anything that comes out of a Navy ship kitchen. Then again, it could have been my pregnant super nose–because it didn’t bother Jarod at all.

And last but not least we headed up to Balboa Park. We had the wonderful chance to go to Museum of Photographic Arts–no photos of that experience–but it was a lot of fun. Then we just wondered around a small portion of Balboa park taking photos and soaking in the sun.

Brielle at 14 months- Wilmington, NC

claireknoten — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:43:54 +0000

We had the joy of going to Wilmington this weekend and see the family. Of course this means our camera goes with us to catch some shots of our beautiful niece. And what it really comes down to is that she is the most beautiful and photogenic niece in the whole world. Really, I am not biased at all. I am just glad she inherited my sister’s beautiful eyes and doesn’t mind having the camera shoved in her face when Jarod and I come down. Here are just a few of the beautiful little lady.