Golden Photography

R Family | family photos Barrington IL

May 6, 2019

It’s hard to believe this guy is closing in on being 1 year old when this session took place last fall! I feel like his newborn photos JUST happened…and its hard to believe that I just saw them for baby #2, as well. SO FUN!

Like any parents, they were somewhat worried about shyness and stranger danger at this age. He was pretty clingy at first, but once he got over me he was super smily and goofy! Plus, it made for some sweet photos of him snuggling up with his mom and his dad. Some kids are super excited and don’t want to be held at all, so those snuggling shots are sometimes tricky to get if that’s the case. But if they’re shy and wanting that comfort, bam, instant heart-melting photos.

This session happened in early fall just as some of the colors were starting to change. We had some super cute tiny white flowers that hadn’t died off, so I was happy they stuck around for this sessions! Early fall is my favorite time to be shooting – there’s still awesome light, but the weather is just starting to cool so there’s a lot of green but the colors are just starting to emerge.

parents standing with 1 year old son in a field near Barrington IL for family phtotos

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I’m excited to see this family grow over again, but for now I am glad I got this “last hurrah” of them as a family of three.

Golden Photography is located in downtown Lake Zurich and since 2009, has been photographing families throughout Lake County IL including Barrington, Mundelein, Palatine, Deerfield, Hawthorn Woods, Arlington Heights, among several others. She specializes in maternity, newborn, and family photography coupled with heirloom-quality wall art including handmade barnwood frames and edge-torn prints.

For more information or to book a session, please contact Stacy.

Newborn photos Palatine IL

April 29, 2019

Back in the day, Sarah and I were on the college swim team together. We were also roommates our senior year where so many crazy stories happened. Case A: Our other roommate and I Saran wrapped Sarah’s bedroom door on her birthday and then immediately newspapered it the second she broke through the plastic wrap. Good times!

I swear that year was the most fun, though. Fast forward a few years and we’re all adults (or pretending to be) and she’s now married and a mom!!! I couldn’t have been more excited when I got the news and once he was born, I couldn’t wait to meet him! Sarah and Jon are such loving parents, I know he’s going to be so adored. I got to see the three of them recently and in just a few short months, I couldn’t believe how big he has gotten. And SUCH a giggle machine!

The day of his session Mason did SO great. I think he slept the entire time, which usually isn’t the case. They typically wake up for something while I am posing them but this dude was so chill he just let me do my thing.

baby wrapped in white in a bowl at Palatine IL newborn portrait studio

details of newborn baby in Stacy Golden photography studio

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My studio has everything you could possibly want for a newborn photo session (and then some). You name it – hats, wraps, props, tiebacks, fabric layers…I have it! All I need is you (and a baby). If you’re in the northwest Chicago suburbs around Palatine, Arlington Heights, Hawthorn Woods, Deerfield, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Barrington, I’d love to photograph you! My cozy studio in downtown Lake Zurich is ready!

Are you looking for a newborn photographer? Just a heads up that babies are photographed best when they are roughly 2 weeks old and most families book during their second trimester. So please contact me now so you have one less thing to do later. Your pregnancy brain will thank you.

Family photographer Palatine IL

April 22, 2019

Meet Erika, the face behind Just Peach Photography, and her family. She’s also a mom of four (soon to be 5. Although at the time this is published baby boy #5 will have come Earthside) – I am totally envious of her way to balance mom life and business life. I can barely keep my act together as a mom of two, so I have decided she needs to spill her secrets to me! Haha.

Sidenote, there is nothing more nerve-wracking than when I photograph another photographer. I mean, I’m always confident in what I create for a family, but there’s something about creating something for someone in my same field that put some layer of extra pressure on me. It’s gotta be more perfect than perfect, as if that’s even a thing.

Anywho, she really wanted a beach session and lucky for her, a beach is not far from my studio! Wildfires were happening up in Canada the week of her session, so we got a beautifully hazy sunset on this evening. There was plenty of laughing, hugging, some sand throwing, and other typical brotherly love behavior. But honestly they were all so awesome to photograph and see their dynamic with each other. I mean – the way those boys look at their parents will make your heart melt! (Remember that look when they get in trouble, ok?) They are all SO sweet!

Plus, their youngest is a total cheese ball. Him and his huuuuge smile for the camera was the BEST. Plus he’s a total momma’s boy and wanted to snuggle up with her whenever he could.

family of six on a beach for photos near Palatine IL

boys cuddling with parents on a beach for family photos

four boys with their dad on a beach for outdoor family photos

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four brothers posed together during a beach family photo session near Palatine IL

parents posed with their four sons on a beach for family photographs near Palatine IL

four brothers sitting together on a beach at sunset for family photos near Palatine IL

What a perfect summer family session! And not a single bug bite!? I call that a win!

I would love to photograph your family on the beach, too! If you’re in the Lake or Cook County area, let’s chat! Since 2009 I have been photographing families all through Palatine, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Highland Park, Libertyville, and others throughout the Northwest suburbs. I’ll prep you for your session from wardrobe ideas to location ideas, so don’t stress and leave it all to me!

If you’d like a session like this, contact me to get on my calendar and to begin planning!

Family Photographer Buffalo Grove IL

April 15, 2019

When I first photographed this family there were only three of them and it involved me chasing/playing with their son and putting a plastic dinosaur on my head. Haha, good times. And now there are four (but no more dinos)! Last year the youngest couldn’t really run away from me but this year, he was 100% mobile!

Like most little kids, these guys started out shy. But enough of my shenanigans and they eventually think I’m just some crazy lady, so they are all smiles and giggles soon enough. I love getting to see them yearly for their fall photos. Their outfits are always on point, too. I think it’s the prefect blend of colors for the scenery and coordinating between the four of them (that means NOT being matchy-matchy. Don’t do that).

But seriously, those two boys. Aren’t they the cutest? Them hugging/wrestling around on the metal tub is my favorite.

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So, SO great seeing this family. I cannot wait to see them again in 2019!

Since 2009 Stacy Golden of Golden Photography has been photographing families throughout Lake County, IL. While her studio is located in downtown Lake Zurich IL, she photographs families from the surrounding Chicago suburbs including Buffalo Grove, Cary, Libertyville, Northbrook, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest, among many others. Outdoor sessions start roughly an hour before sunset year-round (not just the fall). Snow is no problem for family photos! She will also supply any blankets, stools, and other minimal props (if needed) from her studio’s supply.

If you would like more information or to book a session like the one above, contact her now!