Spring through fall are all beautiful for outdoor family photos in Illinois, and each season creates a different look. Spring brings fresh greenery and blooms, summer offers long evenings and warm golden light, while September and October are especially popular for rich colors and fall family portraits. If you’re hoping for a specific season or peak fall color, I recommend booking early.

I recommend booking 2–3 months in advance, especially for summer and fall sessions, as those dates tend to fill quickly. If you’re hoping for peak fall colors or a specific weekend, booking even earlier is the best way to secure your preferred date.

There are beautiful family photo locations throughout Elgin and the surrounding Chicago suburbs. Depending on the look you want, I may recommend forest preserves, open fields, downtown areas, gardens or Lake Michigan beaches. Favorites include Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin, Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva, Leroy Oakes in St. Charles and several other locations featured in my Chicagoland Photo Location Guide.

Honestly? That’s completely normal, and it’s actually what I expect!

The best family photos don’t come from perfectly behaved children. They come from connection, play, and genuine moments. I’ll guide your family through fun prompts and activities that encourage natural smiles and interactions, allowing your kids to simply be themselves. With over 13 years of photographing families, I’ve learned that some of the most treasured images happen in the beautifully imperfect moments.

Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered!

After booking, you’ll receive a detailed style guide filled with tips on choosing outfits that photograph beautifully. I’m also happy to help coordinate your family’s clothing before your session. Soft, neutral, and coordinating colors tend to create timeless images that you’ll love for years to come.

Absolutely! In fact, that’s one of the things my clients appreciate most.

You don’t need to worry about knowing how to pose or what to do with your hands. I’ll guide you through the entire session with natural prompts and gentle direction while also capturing genuine candid moments in between. My goal is for your family to feel comfortable, relaxed, and connected so your photos look like you, not stiff or overly posed.

Weather is one thing we can’t control, but don’t worry we’ll make sure you have beautiful weather for your session.

If rain, strong winds, or severe weather are in the forecast, we’ll simply reschedule to the next available date that works for both of us. I’ll keep an eye on the forecast leading up to your session and communicate with you if changes need to be made.

Absolutely!

Extended family sessions are a wonderful way to capture multiple generations together. Because these sessions require additional time for group combinations and individual family photos, an extended family session fee will apply based on the size of your group.

If you’re planning to include grandparents or extended family, just let me know when booking so we can choose the best session option for your family.

Yes. Once your gallery is delivered, you’ll have the option to order professional quality prints and artwork directly through your online gallery. Your Heirloom Collection also includes a complimentary professional 11×14 print.

Your fully edited online gallery will be delivered within 2–3 weeks of your session.

Every image is individually hand-edited to ensure your gallery reflects the quality and style you see throughout my portfolio. Once your gallery is ready, you’ll be able to download your images and order beautiful professional prints and wall art directly from your gallery.