Category: Fulton Market Sessions

  • A Fulton Market Family Session, Nine Years After Their Birth Story

    A Fulton Market Family Session, Nine Years After Their Birth Story

    Nearly nine years ago, I photographed this family’s birth story. Recently we took some updated photos! I was their West Loop family photographer for a session in Fulton Market. Getting to see their kids all grown up was so special. Goodness time passes so fast. Now they’re nearly preteens.

    Why a Fulton Market Family Session Felt Right

    As a West Loop family photographer, I love capturing families right in the vibrant streets of Fulton Market. Incorporating local street art into sessions is a favorite of mine, especially for families who want to bring bright color and an urban twist to their photos. Chicago is full of cool artistic pockets, and this neighborhood is easily top of the list.

    A family of four standing in front of a graffiti-covered wall, smiling and interacting. The mother and father are embracing each other while a young boy playfully hugs his mother and a girl stands beside them, all dressed casually in bright and comfortable clothing. West Loop family photographer
    A young girl with long dark hair smiling in front of a yellow mural featuring an animated character.
    A happy couple sitting together on a bench, smiling and engaged in conversation, with a 'PIZZA' neon sign in the window behind them.

    Street Art Family Photos in the West Loop

    The wall we kept coming back to is the alley entrance to Sawada Coffee on N. Green Street: a giant yellow lucky cat holding a slice of pepperoni pizza. It’s silly and bold, and the kids loved it immediately. Some of my favorite frames from the day are the in-between ones. Dad swings their son down the sidewalk while mom and big sister laugh right behind them. Nobody is looking at me, and that’s exactly the point.

    A family of four walking along a sidewalk in front of a colorful mural featuring a cartoon character, with a yellow door and a sticker-covered entrance to a coffee shop. West Loop family photographer
    A young girl and an adult woman embrace each other in front of a vibrant yellow mural, both smiling. The girl wears a light-colored outfit with a patterned cardigan, while the woman is dressed in a black top and gray pants. West Loop family photographer
    A family of four sitting on a bench in front of a pizza restaurant, with a child joyfully jumping in the air. The background features a colorful pizza mural and a neon 'PICK-UP PIZZA' sign. West Loop family photographer
    A family portrait featuring a father, mother, and their young daughter smiling together, with a colorful mural in the background West Loop family photographer

    Honesty Over Poses

    I don’t direct families into stiff poses. I give them a place to be together and I pay attention. Mom and her daughter share a laugh in front of the mural. Mom and dad glance at each other over their kids’ heads in a doorway covered in stickers. When you let people be themselves, the photos feel like them.No Fulton Market session ends without a snack. We grabbed cookies from Levain Bakery  and ate them out front of Soho House, just hanging out and talking about how fast nine years goes. That slow, easy ending is a big part of why I love documentary sessions.

    A joyful family photo in an outdoor setting, featuring a man with a boy on his shoulders, a woman and a girl standing nearby, all smiling and looking up. West Loop family photographer
    A joyful interaction between a man and a boy, with the boy riding on the man's shoulders and laughing. They are surrounded by decorative plants and lights in a lively outdoor setting. West Loop family photographer
    Close-up portrait of a young boy with dark hair, wearing an orange shirt and a light-colored jacket, against a blue background.
    A family walking hand in hand along a vibrant street lined with flowering plants, against a backdrop of brick buildings and hanging lights.
    A woman joyfully holds a young boy outdoors in front of a restaurant, surrounded by vibrant flowers and string lights.
    A joyful family of four, including a father kissing his son, while the mother embraces their daughter, with a restaurant sign reading 'The Bandit' in the background.

    Book Your Own West Loop Family Photographer Session

    If you want a session that feels like a real afternoon with the people you love, I’d be honored to photograph your family in the West Loop or anywhere in Chicago. Take a look at my Chicago family photography sessions to see how it works, then reach out and tell me about your people.

    A reflection of a bakery with a warm interior, people inside interacting and browsing the menu, and a small table visible in the foreground. West Loop family photographer
    A black and white photo capturing people reflected in a café window, with a table and chairs visible in the foreground.
    A family walking together in front of a colorful mural, with two adults sipping drinks and two children holding snacks. The adults appear engaged, and the children are focused on their food. West Loop family photographer
    A girl sitting on a curb, enjoying a dessert from a cup, while a young boy next to her holds a similar cup. Both are casually dressed and the scene has a relaxed atmosphere. West Loop family photographer
    A group of four people sitting on the curb outside a cafe with large windows and striped blue awnings. They are enjoying drinks and snacks. In the background, there is a colorful mural on a wall and some people visible inside the cafe.
    A group of four people sitting outside a cafe under a blue and white striped awning, with a blurred car passing by in the foreground.
    A group of four people sitting on a curb outside a cafe with striped awnings, enjoying snacks and drinks. In the background, pedestrians walk by in blurred motion, and colorful street art is visible on the building. West Loop family photographer
    A family of four walking together in front of a brick building with large windows and striped awnings. A colorful mural depicting a bicycle and refreshments is visible on the wall.

  • Fulton Market Family Photography | Chicago Street Art Session

    Fulton Market Family Photography | Chicago Street Art Session

    Are you looking for a unique way to capture special moments? Specifically, you should consider Fulton Market family photography. This bold style gives your family memories a vibrant and modern edge. For example, the Nisar family chose this look to showcase their fun personalities.

    First, we met in the heart of the city. The Nisar family was perfect for Chicago street art photography because they were so laid back. They gushed over their long love story and their amazing daughters. Consequently, the images feel full of life.

    BOOK YOUR SESSION | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK

    A couple standing hand in hand in front of a colorful mural featuring a cartoon character and the word 'CHICAGO.' The woman is wearing a patterned dress while the man is in a black suit.  Fulton Market family photography

    Next, we focused on the fashion. I loved the clash of colors in their outfits. In fact, the bold clothing choices paired perfectly with the urban murals. We moved from location to location to find the best backdrops. Finally, we finished Fulton Market family photography in a beautiful alley. All of Fulton Market really is a lot of fun for a photoshoot.

    The Vibrant Energy of Fulton Market Family Photography

    To make your photography session a success, you need to consider a few things. First, choose a neighborhood like Fulton Market or Pilsen. These areas are famous for murals. Second, think about your outfits. You want colors that pop but don’t get lost in the busy background.

    A group of four people, including two children, is running in front of a colorful mural featuring a strong figure and the word 'Chicago' painted on a brick wall. Fulton Market family photography
    Two girls smiling at each other, wearing colorful outfits, in front of a vibrant mural.
    A man holds a young girl in his arms, smiling joyfully, set against a colorful graffiti mural with a cloudy sky overhead.
    A diverse group of four people walking hand in hand in front of a wall that says 'we all live here' in colorful letters.
    Two young women share a playful moment while sitting against a weathered wall featuring vintage logos. One is whispering into the ear of the other, who is smiling. They are dressed in stylish outfits, with one wearing a shiny black dress and the other a sequined jacket.

    Additionally, timing is vital. We shot this during the morning to avoid the crowds. Because the lighting was soft, the colors of the murals looked incredible. Furthermore, working with a photographer who knows the “secret” alleys is a huge advantage.

    In short, if you want a backdrop that is as colorful as your family, Chicago street art photography is the answer. It creates a gallery that stands out. Therefore, don’t be afraid to choose a bold, urban setting. Specifically, it works for families who want to have fun and be themselves! That is what being a Chicago Family Photographer is all about.