Maternity & Family Archives - CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Summer Family Session Chicago | McCall Family

McCall Family: A Beautiful Summer Family Session in Chicago

Choosing a summer family session in Chicago means embracing the beautiful blue skies and bright sunny warmth that our city offers. Every winter, as I look out at the grey environment, I think back to sessions like this one. Specifically, I remember the incredible golden light reflecting off the water. The connection this family shared was so real and heartfelt.

While life may not always feel this calm or put together, I believe photography allows us to slow down. Because of this, we can see how amazing our families truly are in these quiet moments. This adorable family was new to the Midwest by way of Texas. Since they were used to the heat, they were perfectly ready for a humid, hot summer family session in Chicago.

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parents in filed with baby The McCall family during their summer family session in Chicago.

family in beautiful field The McCall family during their summer family session in Chicago.

photograph of mom holding baby The McCall family during their summer family session in Chicago.

Capturing Life on the South Shore

First, we explored the open fields where the little man could run free. How incredible is his hair? In fact, I couldn’t get enough of it. I love that his parents wanted to capture his spirit wild and free. Furthermore, raising a “Chicago boy” is a big adventure, and documenting these early years is so important.

Although it was a very warm day, the family’s energy remained high. Consequently, the photos feel effortless and full of joy. If you are planning your own summer family session in Chicago, I always recommend a location like the South Shore Cultural Center. It provides a perfect mix of architecture and nature.

baby smiling The McCall family during their summer family session in Chicago.

mom kissing baby The McCall family during their summer family session in Chicago.

mom and dad kissing A mother holding her son during a summer family session in Chicago.

A woman carrying a child walks down a dirt path in a grassy field, while a man stands in the background, all presented in black and white.

A mother holding her son during a summer family session in Chicago.

Why Golden Hour is Best for Summer Portraits

In addition, timing is everything for a summer shoot. Then, as the sun begins to set, the light turns into a soft glow that flatters everyone. As a result, you get those dreamy, sun-drenched portraits that feel like a warm hug.

Finally, I want to thank the McCall family for choosing me. Whether you are new to the city or have lived here for years, capturing your story is an honor. I hope these images serve as a beautiful welcome to your new life in the Midwest!

Sun-drenched field at the South Shore during a summer family session in Chicago.

A family sitting together in a grassy field, with tall plants and flowers surrounding them. The parents are embracing each other while holding a child.

A couple kissing while holding a baby in between them, with the baby looking curiously at the camera.

A candid black and white photo of a man smiling and looking back while walking on a pathway surrounded by tall grass, with a woman holding a child in the foreground.

A woman holding a baby stands in a lush green garden with a unique woven structure in the background.

A woman holding a child stands in a garden, surrounded by greenery and unique vine sculptures against a cloudy sky.

A woman in a striped outfit stands in a lush garden, holding a baby, with intricate vine structures and plants surrounding her.

As a Chicago Family Photographer this session was elite.

July 25, 2022

Jackson Park Maternity Photographer | Beach Session

We headed to the beach at Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side for her maternity session the warmth of Lake Michigan that August made it feel like a completely different world. As a Jackson Park maternity photographer, I am still flabbergasted by this mama’s beauty and her steady energy. Sometimes in this line of work, you get to meet truly calm and powerful souls who make documenting motherhood feel like pure magic.

Pregnant woman sitting on the sand, gently cradling her belly while wearing an orange bikini. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

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Planning Your Session with a Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

Working as a Jackson Park maternity photographer allows me to offer my clients incredible variety, but on this day, the water was our focus. Given the high temperatures that week, the beach was the only place to stay comfortable. The typical icy lake had turned lukewarm and refreshing, providing a serene environment for her “goddess” inspired portraits.

To say that she made my job easy would be an understatement; she looked like she was naturally made for basking in the sun. Jackson Park offers such a poetic backdrop for these stories, blending the wildness of the water with the quiet strength of the surrounding landscape. As a Chicago Maternity Photographer whether we are in the Japanese Gardens or on the sand, the South Side has a soul all its own.

A smiling pregnant woman sitting on the sand, wearing a strapless top and jewelry, with a natural background of grass and sunlight. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

Documenting Your Visual Legacy in Chicago

As a Chicago maternity photographer, I love when a location mirrors a mother’s internal power. This session was about more than just the scenery; it was about documenting the transition into motherhood. These photos represent the beginning of a visual legacy that your children will look back on for years to come.

Whether you are planning a birth at home or a hospital delivery, these moments are fleeting and precious. To give you an update, she had her birth shortly after our session. The same beautiful plan she told me about, she brought to fruition. Every birth story is beautiful, and every mama deserves to have her strength captured with grace and authenticity.

A pregnant woman stands confidently in various poses among tall grass, captured in both color and black-and-white photography. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman kneeling on a sandy beach, wearing a patterned brown bikini top and surrounded by tall grass. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman in a bikini stands in tall grass, holding a stick, with a serene expression and soft sunlight illuminating the scene. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

Pregnant woman smiling while lounging on sandy beach, wearing a bikini top and enjoying the sun. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman in a patterned bikini stands confidently on a sandy beach, silhouetted against the sun. She holds her belly with one hand while posing gracefully.

Pregnant woman in a bikini standing on a sandy beach, looking confidently to the side with her hands on her hips, illuminated by warm sunlight. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A triptych image featuring a pregnant woman in various poses by the beach in black and white, showcasing her confidence and beauty against a natural backdrop.

A pregnant woman in a bikini stands confidently against a clear blue sky, showcasing her baby bump. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman wearing a stylish bikini poses gracefully on a sandy beach, with soft sunlight illuminating her silhouette. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A woman in a swimsuit sitting on a rock at the beach, smiling with a palm frond in her hand, with the ocean and clear blue sky in the background. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A close-up portrait of a woman with short hair, wearing a strapless patterned dress, whose face is partially illuminated by shadows created by palm leaves. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman sitting on rocks by a body of water, holding a palm frond, with sunlight reflecting on the water. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman standing in shallow water, holding her belly, with a serene expression and a clear sky in the background.

A pregnant woman sitting on a rock in the water, enjoying the sun and the serene landscape. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman sitting on the beach, wearing a bikini, with a serene expression and ocean waves in the background. Jackson Park Maternity Photographer

A pregnant woman sitting by the ocean, smiling contentedly with her eyes closed, enjoying the sun and the waves.

A pregnant woman standing in the ocean, showcasing her baby bump, in black and white and color photos.

A pregnant woman standing in shallow water, wearing a brown bikini, with one arm raised behind her head and a serene expression, showcasing her baby bump.

A pregnant woman standing in the ocean, smiling and holding her belly. The image features three different views: two in color and one in black and white, with a clear sky in the background.

Pregnant woman standing in shallow water at the beach, wearing a bikini, with a serene expression and hand on her belly.

A pregnant woman poses gracefully on the beach at sunset, emphasizing her baby bump.

A pregnant woman in a brown bikini top sits on sandy ground, surrounded by tall grass and trees, with a warm sunset in the background.

August 6, 2019

Starved Rock maternity photography | Kayla

Planning Your Starved Rock Maternity Photography Session

Choosing Starved Rock maternity photography means trading the flat suburbs for rugged canyons. I often find the typical Chicago scenery a bit uninspiring. Furthermore, heading to the outskirts of Illinois always reignites my creativity. The natural textures of the park provide a perfect backdrop for documentary images. For the Lunde family, the foggy October morning added a soulful, cinematic layer to their story. The boys explored the wet trails and found fall treasures while I captured these fleeting moments. As a Chicago Maternity Photographer these are my favorite type of sessions.

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Why Families Love Starved Rock Maternity Photography

An outdoor session at Starved Rock State Park allows your family to interact naturally with nature. Instead of forced poses, I focus on the genuine curiosity of your children. I also document the quiet strength of your motherhood journey. As a result, the images from a Starved Rock maternity photography session aren’t just portraits. They are memories of a shared adventure.

If you are a Chicago family looking for an adventure, I would love to help you plan a session that feels like you. Documenting this transition in a grand, natural setting is important. I ensure that your gallery reflects the wild, beautiful reality of your growing family.

The Spirit of an Adventure Session

Living in the heart of the Chicago West Suburbs, it is easy to fall into a routine of familiar parks and manicured lawns. Furthermore, an adventure session at a place like Starved Rock allows you to truly disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with your family. I believe that your Starved Rock maternity photography should feel as wild and untamed as the journey of motherhood itself.

My approach to these sessions is entirely unhurried. We take our time navigating the trails, allowing your children to lead the way and discover the small wonders of the forest. As a result, the final gallery is a collection of honest, soulful moments that capture the essence of your family’s unique bond. Whether we are chasing the golden light through the trees or embracing the moody Chicago fog, every frame tells a part of your story that deserves to be remembered.

January 30, 2019

Hanover Park Maternity Photos | Sarah’s Home Birth Journey

Creating these Hanover Park maternity photos for Sarah was such a heartfelt experience. There are truly no words for the beauty and connection of this family. I loved being the Chicago Maternity photographer who captured these beautiful images.

Sarah is expecting her second child, and they are planning a home birth—I am so incredibly honored to say that I’ll be there to capture that entire journey for them. How cool is that?

I first met this family during a nursing session I hosted for local moms. Breastfeeding is so near and dear to my heart, and it felt like the perfect way to connect with women in my community. Sarah brought along her sweet baby boy then, and seeing him again, I can tell he is just as sweet as ever. He is clearly so ready to be a big brother.

A couple embracing in a grassy field by a lake, with one partner wearing a floral dress and the other in a patterned shirt. Hanover Park maternity photos

Capturing Authenticity with Hanover Park Maternity Photos

As a specialist in unposed, soulful storytelling, I love documenting the quiet, anticipation-filled chapters of a family’s story. Sarah’s session in the suburbs was a beautiful reflection of this. Notably, I first met this family through complimentary nursing sessions I offered for local moms. Since breastfeeding is a topic so near and dear to my heart, it felt like a natural way to connect with my community.

Sarah brought along her sweet baby boy, who is clearly so excited to become a big brother. Although this specific session felt a bit rushed due to the unpredictable weather, I am so pleased with the images we captured. Fortunately, the overcast skies provided a soft, cinematic light that perfectly suited their laid-back and awesome energy.

Furthermore, these portraits serve as the perfect ‘sneak peek’ into the next chapter I get to document for them. Specifically, transitioning from their maternity portraits to their birth session allows me to tell a complete and honest story of their homecoming. Ultimately, seeing a family grow through my lens is the greatest part of my work.

If you are interested in a similar experience, please feel free to browse my maternity photography portfolio (Internal Link). Additionally, for those looking for beautiful natural spots in the area, I highly recommend checking out Mallard Lake Forest Preserve (Outbound Link) for stunning, scenic backdrops. These trails provide the perfect setting for a quiet morning session.

In conclusion, I cannot wait to capture the rest of Sarah’s story. Ultimately, these unposed moments are the ones that carry the most weight as the years pass. Take a look at their session below.”