Collected Stories

I have been photographing the Kohler family for nearly ten years now, which makes every session with them extra special. It is always so much fun catching up and seeing just how much Emily and Scotty have grown since the last time I saw them. For this year’s fall family session we explored one of the most beautiful spots in Oak Brook, Grau Mill Forest Preserve. I have to admit, I loved it. The river winding through the preserve, with rocks lining the edges, made it feel like

Fall was showing off the day of the De Carlo Ferguson family session. The trees were glowing, the air had that crisp fall feeling, and it made the perfect backdrop for this St James Forest Preserve Fall Family Session. Little Eliza was absolutely precious, especially alongside her forever fur pal. She was full of smiles and curiosity the entire time, even with a bit of a chill in the air. Her little bear suit was beyond adorable and made the whole scene even sweeter. This mus

We all have our off days, and unfortunately little man Logan was having one during this Fabyan Forest Preserve Fall Family Session. His poor parents pulled out all the stops, but Logan just was not feeling it that day. When routines get thrown off and you add a little cold weather into the mix, it can be tough for anyone. Honestly Logan, I get it. My crabby face shows up in the cold too. But the key to saving a session like this is to stay positive, keep smiling, and keep try

The Jay family wanted a location close to home, and Mallard Lake turned out to be the perfect spot for their session. With open space, beautiful trees, and the peaceful water nearby, it gave the girls plenty of room to explore and play. This Mallard Lake Forest Preserve Family Photo Session was the perfect setting for a relaxed evening together. I have photographed twins many times over the years, but it is not often I photograph identical twins dressed exactly the same. It d

This was my second time photographing the Frederickson family at St. James Farm, and somehow it was even more fun than the first time, which I honestly did not think was possible. This time, our St James Farm Fall Family Photo Session gave us the perfect evening to wander, play, and capture this sweet stage of life for their family. For starters, it was warmer this time around, which already made the session a little more pleasant. But the real difference was that the kids al

One year old and another baby on the way. Wow, Webster family, you are blessed. I cannot believe spunky little Lucy is turning one. She is full of energy, always on the move, endlessly curious, and soon stepping into her new role as big sister. Watch out Mickey Mouse. The Webster family is growing, and I have a feeling another Disney adventure is in their future. We captured their Summer Family Photo Session at the Hurley Gardens in Wheaton. It is such a wonderful spot for fa

The Kulanek family runs The Bridge in Lemont, a very popular wedding and event venue right in the heart of downtown Lemont. I have gotten to know them a bit over the years, so I was thrilled to spend an entire hour with their adorable kiddos for this Lemont Summer Family Session. The theme for the day was simple. Explore and play. There really is no better way to capture a child’s true personality than to let them just be kids. We wandered, explored, and gave the kids space t

It was the end of an era for the Radosav family. They were moving. Not far, but away from the home they first stepped into as husband and wife. The place where they discovered they were expecting and where they spent nearly five years raising their children. Saying goodbye to a home filled with that many memories is never easy, even when you know it is the right next step. For the spring season of their Four Seasons Family Session, we decided to capture this chapter exactly w

Anne and Mike knew two things going into their engagement session. First, they wanted to include Anne’s two children. Second, they wanted the session to take place right in their own backyard. Not many people are lucky enough to have a backyard that feels like a forest preserve, but this family does. Tall grasses, beautiful trees, and nature just a few steps from their back door made the perfect setting for their Palatine Engagement & Family Session. I have to admit, I was a

The final season for the Lefkowitz Four Seasons Family Session collection. Winter… can’t you tell? Due to a few uncontrollable schedule changes, we had to push their session back about a month. And in true Midwest fashion, that meant their winter session landed on a very unseasonably warm day. So yes, their winter photos look a little more like summer. And honestly, that is perfectly okay. It made for a beautiful and comfortable walk around downtown Elmhurst, a place their fa

I’ve honestly lost count of how many times I’ve had the joy of capturing moments for the Cross family—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Watching the kids grow and change from session to session is one of my favorite parts of this job, especially as their little personalities shine brighter every single time. This session at Wheaton's Hurley Garden for their spring family photos was extra special because sweet Makayla turned ONE. All smiles, all joy, and that adorable gian

It truly warms my heart to see families year after year. The last time I saw the Paprockas family, this handsome little guy was still tucked away in Mom’s belly—and now he’s walking, smiling, and curious about everything  around him. Their spring family session at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton was pure magic, surrounded by blooming magnolia trees and all the fresh-season vibes. And can we talk about Kim’s dress for a second? Because I am completely  obsessed—absolute perfection

Some photo sessions feel like pure magic, where every little element—location, lighting, and the people in front of the camera—come...

This was round two for the Aulert Family—and I love that they’re already back for another Four Season Session. They wrapped up their first set (one session each year in a different season for four years) and decided to kick off round two with a winter family session at Pottawattamie Park in Saint Charles. It was brisk, but not unbearable—just enough to feel like winter without cutting the fun short. The boys were bundled up and perfectly on brand in their Iowa Hawkeye gear, a

For my last session of 2024 I had the pleasure of hanging with Isabel and Noah at Wilder Park in Elmhurst. For the end of December, the...

Sometimes life gets the best of us. Kids get sick, work meetings pop up, schedules collide—and family photos get pushed. It’s life. It happens. That’s exactly what took the Clark Family from a fall family session to a chilly December one. So instead of stressing, we leaned into it… and turned it into the coziest little holiday PJ session in their North Barrington home. And honestly? I loved  it. In-home lifestyle family sessions are quickly becoming my favorite. There’s somet

The Frederickson Family’s fall session at Winfield's St James Farm was proof that a little cold weather can’t stop meaningful moments from being captured—especially when there’s love, laughter, and a whole lot of teamwork involved. It was one of those bitter cold  fall days that truly felt more like winter. Where the air nips at your nose the second you step outside. But instead of letting the chill steal the joy, we leaned into it. We took plenty of breaks to warm up, hoppi

The Coffman fall family session at Wheaton's Hurley Gardens was the kind of session that reminds me exactly why  I love what I do. From the moment we started, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a stiff, stand-and-smile kind of afternoon—it was all about movement, connection, and a whole lot of laughter. Hurley Gardens was showing off in true fall fashion, with warm colors, cozy textures, and that endless golden light shining down from above. But honestly? The real magic cam

Time passes so incredibly quickly, and nothing brings me more joy than watching my Four Seasons families grow from season to season. This year was fall for the Lefkowitz Family, and after recently relocating to Elmhurst, they chose the stunning Wilder Park as the backdrop for their fall family photos (plus a couple in front of their new home). It was one of those unusually warm autumn days—warm enough that their outfits felt more summer than fall—but Mother Nature made sure t