outdoor family photographer Long Grove IL

I’ve been photographing this family since their oldest was a newborn! She’s full of sass and keeps me on my toes for sessions, no doubt! I’ve been doing this for way too long and I am well aware that until a kid is 5, maaaaybe 6, they’re simply going to do their thing. And that’s ok! My teaching background has taught me ways to get children to interact and play with me so I don’t have to be so concerned about them sitting/smiling/following directions perfectly. No kid wants to do that. They want to run and play and that works out so well for my style of photography.

Their youngest really only wanted cuddles with her mom, but I loved the way she would suck on her two fingers for comfort while in Mom’s arms. We had to bat them away a few times so I could get a few photos without them in there. I’m sure that was a phase that quickly passed, too. But look at that smile when she was tossed – priceless!

It’s the perfectly imperfect that I love. And let’s be honest – that phrase probably describes your family. It’s the natural reactions, smiles, and interaction with each family member that I love to see. And that’s exactly what I see with this family with their fall photo session. I don’t use this spot in Long Grove super often, but I do love it in the fall. The sun is in just the perfect spot at this time of year!

I say it often to each family I work with, but thanks for trusting me!

outdoor family photos in Long Grove IL forest preserve
little girl in a Long Grove IL field for fall photo session
mom posed with children during outdoor family photos near Libertyville IL
baby sucking on fingers in Long Grove IL
dad playing with daughters during family photo session in Long Grove IL
family sitting in Long Grove field during outdoor family photos
sister kissing baby for outdoor family photos
girl posing on ladder in Long Grove field for family portraits

If you have a fun and adventurous family (or maybe some kids with some personality), I’d love to photograph you, too! This field is in Long Grove, IL but I have spots all throughout Lake County and the Chicagoland area that I use for family photography sessions.

Lake County maternity photographer

Hello, gorgeous!!!!!

This family was totally on it for scheduling their maternity and newborn sessions with me. Dad had contacted me early to book and they were all about ideal locations and colors. Mom was also excited to try on the studio’s dresses to make a final choice. So, you could say they’re my kind of people. Excited for photos!

I have a rather, um, large collection of dresses and outfits at the Lake Zurich, IL studio for maternity sessions and it’s a bit much to take in all at once. Luckily mom had seen some previous photos I posted using this blue dress and it was her top contender for her session and didn’t have to look at every single dress in the closet. Plus it fit her beautifully, so she decided this dress was it!

In the fall I never know what to expect as far as colors go or when the leaves will decide to complete die off and be brown, naked trees. Luckily for this family they hit peak color a few days before. So the reds and oranges really helped her dress make a statement!! So beautiful!

The docks sometimes make me nervous, especially if younger kids are thrown into the mix. This time all I really had to worry about was my clumsy self! I’ve never fallen (and a family has never gotten close) in but sometimes I feel I get close to the edge, myself. My casualty this evening was a lens cap that rolled out of my pocket, so I’ll take it. Way better than me going in…or a family I am photographing.

mom wearing blue dress for maternity photos outside Chicago IL
pregnant couple posed by a autumn tree at sunset
pregnant couple holding hands and walking during maternity photo session
pregnant couple posed on docks in Lake County IL
mom standing along on rocks by the water at sunset for maternity photographer
couple posed by red tree for maternity photos in Lake County IL
mom wearing a blue dress standing on a dock at sunset
pregnant woman standing on rocks by the water in Lake County IL

Stunning, right? Mom slayed this session!

If you’re expecting and wanting to be photographed, let’s talk! I have dresses and more waiting just for you. This location is in Lake County IL, however I have spots all throughout the county that I love to use. I know I can find the perfect spot just for you.

For more information you can check out this page.

You can also contact me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. It’s best to contact me as soon as you’re comfortable to schedule your session, so please don’t wait! Earlier is always better to ensure space on my calendar. Most moms contact me early in their 2nd trimester!

newborn photography Palatine IL

Last week I blogged a beautiful summer maternity session. This week – their newborn session in my Lake Zurich studio. A baby boy!!

He started out wide awake and ready to party and I photographed him just as he was. But soon enough he was fast asleep and I dove deep into my work. They had some specific things in mind they wanted me to use which I always welcome. I have a large collection of props and fabrics to use during a session to cover what someone may have seen me do in the past, which was the case for this family.

He melted right into the poses, which is always a blessing for me since all babies are so different and I never know what to expect. Even if they are awake and ready to party there’s no problem to get beautiful photos of them doing just that. Or, like this guy, he’s awake for a bit and then quickly goes to sleep. The awake eyes are just as sweet as the asleep one, to me.

baby boy asleep on blue fabric in Palatine IL studio
swaddled newborn with bear bonnet in Palatine IL studio
baby boy swaddled on blue fabric for portrait
dad holding baby boy for photo session near Palatine
awake baby boy wrapped in blue fabric
new family of three holding baby boy for family portraits
swaddled baby boy asleep on blue fabric for newborn portraits in Palatine IL
baby boy swaddled in bask during newborn photo session near palatine IL
baby boy laying in wood bowl for newborn photos
newborn baby asleep on blue fabric for newborn portraits
sleeping newborn posed in a wooden crate in Lake Zurich studio
macro of baby toes wrapped in white during newborn photography Palatine IL
mom holding newborn for photo session
black and white of boy posed on wooden box

I enjoyed getting to know this family during their maternity and newborn sessions. I just know they are still rocking it as new parents!

If you’re in the Palatine, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Inverness, Schaumburg, or surrounding Chicago suburbs I would love to be able to work with you! My studio is in downtown Lake Zurich and is filled with so many beautiful items just for you.

You can read more about my maternity and newborn sessions here.

If you’re ready to schedule I recommend doing it sooner than later to ensure my availability as my calendar tends to fill very early. Contacting me during your 2nd trimester is ideal!

Please contact me to schedule or to learn more.

Maternity photography Palatine IL

Another new family that I loved meeting! Plus, its another family where someone was from downstate and we shared the same area code! Haha. Its the little things that get me so excited doing this job. I worked with a handful of downstaters in the past year which honestly doesn’t ever happen.

This spot in Palatine, IL was hopping! Beautiful summer weather meant lots of people were out and about enjoying the area and Palatine has a ton of bike and walking paths to allow for it. Luckily I was able to find enough little spots tucked away so that we had some privacy and didn’t draw a crowd to watch us. Its always funny to me when I am out photographing a family and people stop to watch for awhile. This is super common if a mom is wearing one of the studio’s dresses with the longer tossing trains. I guess its something people don’t see often and when its something as exciting as a family-to-be, I suppose they stop to share the excitement with them for a bit.

Mom chose one of her own dresses to wear and totally rocked her session! Even in the summer heat she looked stunning!

couple in Palatine IL park holding pregnant belly
color and black and white photo of mom for maternity photography in Palatine iL
pregnant mom holding her belly for outdoors photos in Palatine IL
collage of pregnant couple outdise during maternity portrait session
black and white of dad holding wife's belly for maternity photos
couple holding pregnant belly for photography session outdoors
sun flare covering pregnant couple during maternity photography session
portrait of pregnant mom outdoors in Palatine IL

I also photographed their baby boy and I cannot wait to share that with you, as well! He was freakin’ adorable! That post will come next week.

If you’re in the Northwest Chicago suburbs such as Palatine, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Lake Zurich, or Inverness I would be thrilled to photograph your family. However please contact me at least a month in advance so we have time to plan and to ensure a spot on my limited calendar.

You can click here for more information.

Otherwise, please contact me for questions or to book your spot!

Blog posts
Read More...

Currently scheduling through August! April - just 2 spots remain! May & June - 2 spots. July - 5 spots. August - 3.

X