Chicago portrait photographer for high school seniors, maternity, families, & more

Yes, all four. You can book family sessions, teen portraits, high school senior sessions, and maternity sessions as In-Studio or Lifestyle/On-Location, whichever fits the feel you're going for. Every family is at a different moment, and each member is also evolving. I love working with growing families. Moms who never had a moment to pause and take in that they are growing a human, teens who go through too many changes, or even hard times, and high school seniors in their own becoming. Each moment is meant to be witnessed and celebrated.

I approach Teen and High School Senior sessions similarly to personal branding. These sessions are built around the teen, not around posing for parents. We talk through what feels like them, the location, styling, and even the music during the photoshoot, so the images reflect who they are right now, not just a version their parents picked. Being a teen is hard and can be really stressful; images from these moments can remind them of a time when they felt seen and more confident in themselves.

A High School Senior session deserves to have its own moment. We honor who they have been and who they are about to become. It's considered a rite of passage. In-studio sessions include a few portraits and a couple of outfit changes, including cap and gown. Lifestyle/outdoor sessions can be a combo of in-studio and around town or at your favorite park or school.

Custom sessions will be just that. We can head to the city, plan multiple locations, even add your besties, all planned for a keepsake album and/or wall art for your home. For each session, I do suggest we take a few moments to photograph you with your family. It may be the last chance for everyone to be together for a few years.

That's normal, and it won't ruin your session. My approach is patient, not pressured; I don't scold anyone into a "good" smile. That said, if tensions are running high enough that continuing wouldn't be good for your family, I reserve the right to pause or end a session early. It's rare, but it matters to me that this stays a genuinely positive experience, not something anyone dreads.

Once we book, you'll get a full prep guide with outfit guidance for the whole family. For teens, HS Seniors, maternity, and custom photoshoots, a guide will be provided after our planning call. As a general rule: coordinate, don't match; choose a color palette rather than identical outfits; and select textures and layers that photograph well together. I also recommend that mom chooses her outfit first, then coordinate the family around that.

In-studio sessions typically run 45-60 minutes. Custom, lifestyle, and on-location sessions run about 1-2 hours to allow time for setup, outfit changes, possible travel between spots, and settling everyone in. Again, my goal is to give your family the time you need.

Yes. Lifestyle, on-location, and custom sessions can happen anywhere that feels right for your family: a favorite park, your backyard, or the historic streets and canals right here in downtown Lemont. If your session requires travel outside the surrounding areas, to Chicago or beyond, there may be an additional travel fee/parking fees added to your session. Some locations also require a permit for professional photography, and there is a cost to consider.

Absolutely. Multigenerational sessions are one of the most meaningful things I photograph. If you're looking to include extended family, the Fully Custom option is usually the best fit so we can plan for timing, group logistics, and location.

Every final purchased digital file comes fully edited. My editing style is clean and realistic: I adjust light, color, and skin tone so the image looks like you, just polished, with no heavy filters, weird color casts, or anything that looks over-edited. Your approval is required prior to downloading.

I do not manipulate bodies, remove natural aging, or remove freckles.

I do correct skin, blemishes, acne, and, if requested, scars/moles. I’ll also correct light flyaways, but I'd rather get it right in real life, so custom editing (head swaps) will be an additional charge.

Once your gallery is ready, you can order prints directly through it, shipped right to your door. These are professional print labs, so the colors and quality match your digital files more accurately. If you'd rather print on your own, you're welcome to do that too; just know that big box stores (like Walgreens or CVS) often auto-adjust exposure and white balance, so your prints may not match what you see in your gallery. Ordering through your gallery gives you a better chance of getting what you see.

In-studio sessions are easier to accommodate. We can typically book within 5-10 days. For lifestyle, outdoor, and custom sessions, I recommend booking 2-6 weeks ahead so we can plan your session, and because fall and holiday sessions fill up quickly. There are very, very limited options for weekend sessions. Weather has been a huge factor and a disappointment for outdoor sessions; I am prioritizing in-studio sessions.

I don’t photograph weddings, but I do love celebrating the people and relationships that matter most to you! My portrait sessions focus on families, teens, high school seniors, and the life chapters you want to remember most, beyond weddings.

Yes, I offer seasonal mini sessions in my studio during the fall and occasionally in the spring. These 15-minute sessions are a great option for families who want updated photos, especially around the holidays!

The session fee is $175, and you can purchase digital images and mini albums separately at special pricing during your session. These are the only mini sessions I offer throughout the year, so if you’d like to know when the next dates are available, join my waitlist!