Golden Photography

maternity photographer Deer Park IL

July 19, 2021

These two were so excited to meet their little girl. She came in and told me all about her when trying on different dresses. There’s a large collection to choose from and Mom thought she was going to wear a different one from the studio’s closet, but once she had this one on she knew it was the one she wanted to wear. It was perfect for her!

Their session was actually set to be a different day altogether, but her husband ended up being off work the afternoon she came in to try on dresses and the weather was strangely very warm, so we went for it. And they totally knocked it out of the park!! I think it snowed a few days later, so I’m glad we had the warmth to work with!

This location in Deer Park, IL is super pretty and when the light hits is just right in the right season…man. This was actually in the middle of winter and Mom was prepared with some winter boots under her dress, but luckily most of the snow had melted away since it was so warm! I’m sure I had it on, but I honestly don’t remember wearing my winter coat. That’s how warm it was!

Long story short, I loved getting to meet this excited and growing family. They were beyond excited to meet their little girl and to be working alongside me for their maternity and newborn photography. I know they were excited for each of their sessions and to be able to share the photos with their family, as well.

mom posing in red dress for maternity photography near Barrington IL

posing for outdoor maternity photo session in Deer Park IL

couple holding hands for outdoor maternity photos in Lake County IL

black and white of hands on pregnant belly

couple posing during maternity photo session in lake county IL

mom wearing red dress and holding pregnant maternity belly

couple posing for maternity photos in Deer Park, IL

mom wearing red dress for maternity photoshoot near Deer Park IL

They’re a total smokeshow, right?

This session was in Deer Park, IL, but I have several I love to use through Lake County and even part of norther Cook County. Barrington, Palatine, Lake Zurich, and the surrounding areas have a few of my favorite spots!

If you’re expecting, contacting me during your 2nd trimester is best. This gives enough time to look at the dresses the studio has for you to wear and to make sure your session happens before baby is here! Long story short, sooner is always better than later!

The same is true for newborn sessions, as well. Contacting me before your due date is always best – most will do it early in their 2nd trimester just to be sure they’re on my calendar!

For more info or to schedule, please contact me! I’d love to work with you to create something special!

outdoor family photographer Long Grove IL

June 21, 2021

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

June 14, 2021

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

May 31, 2021

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

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

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.