Relaxed Summer Family Photo Sessions on Chicago’s North Shore: Come As You Are.

Summer is a great time to finally check “family photos” off your to-do list. The weather’s nice, everyone’s a little more relaxed, and there’s something about the longer days that makes things feel easier. If you’ve been meaning to update your family photos, this is your sign.

If you’ve ever thought, “We should do family photos, but it just feels like too much,” I hear you. Coordinating outfits, bribing kids, stressing over every little detail - no, thank you! Let’s take that pressure off.

Let’s keep it simple.
My family sessions are designed to feel more like a hangout than a formal shoot. You don’t need to dress in matching khakis and white shirts (unless that’s your thing, in which case, rock it!). Think casual. Flip flops, bare feet, jeans, linen, messy buns, giggles. Show up as your family. That’s what makes your images meaningful.

What the session looks like:
We’ll start with a few classic group shots, but then we move into the fun stuff. The little in-between moments that truly show your family’s personality.

I’ll capture:

• Your whole crew together — whether your kids are in the stage of wild energy, teenage coolness, or somewhere in between, we’ll capture everyone in one frame, just as you are right now.

• Each child on their own — yes, even the one who won’t stop moving or the one who insists they never smile for photos. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

• The kids together — sometimes it’s sweet hugs, sometimes it’s playful wrestling, and sometimes it’s just sibling chaos in the best way. I capture whatever makes your family yours.

• One-on-one moments with each parent and each child — these are often the most meaningful images. Whether it’ a piggyback ride, a quiet hug, or a smirk shared between a parent and their teenager, those moments matter.

• And I always grab a photo of just the two of you, the parents, without the kids. Because your relationship is the heart of your family, and it deserves to be remembered, too.

Why now?
You’ll never regret having photos that show the real love, connection, and chaos of your life right now. The missing teeth. The freckles. The way your youngest still grabs your hand without thinking. These are the details you’ll want to remember.

And don’t worry, I’ll guide you every step of the way with simple direction so it feels easy and natural.