CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Category: Outdoor Lifestyle

  • Oak Brook Family Photos| Guzman Extended Session

    Oak Brook Family Photos| Guzman Extended Session

    Choosing the right Oak Brook family photos provider is essential when you are coordinating a large group. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing the Guzman family during a beautiful autumn afternoon. First, I noticed how the fall colors perfectly matched their energy. Because I am an experienced Oak Brook family photographer, I knew exactly how to use the outdoor lighting to capture their connection.

    Next, I have to be honest about my initial thoughts. Walking into a session filled with Gen Z kids can be intimidating! However, this group was incredibly kind and funny. They made my job as an Oak Brook family photographer feel effortless. In fact, while they might not realize the value of these portraits today, they certainly will in the future. Consequently, these images will become a family treasure.

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    family walking Oak Brook family photos extended family session
    sisters hugging during the extended family photography Oak Brook family photos extended family session
    uncle and aunt at the extended family session Oak Brook family photos extended family session

    Additionally, capturing an extended family is a real workout. You have to move quickly and keep a mental checklist of every sub-grouping. Fortunately, I love the fast pace. Therefore, I was able to capture candid moments between cousins and grandparents without losing anyone’s attention.

    mother and daughters during extended family session
    A smiling young woman with long dark hair, standing outdoors with sunlight shining through greenery in the background.
    mom with son and daughter
    A black and white photo of four people standing closely together in a wooded area, smiling and interacting with each other.
    Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    family sitting on blanket during extended family session Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    grandpa and granddaughter during an extended family session Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    daughter during extended family session Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    Three young adults standing together outdoors surrounded by trees and fallen leaves, enjoying a sunny day.
    brothers hugging during extended family session Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    hugs during between mom dad and kids during extended family session Oak Brook family photographer extended family session
    A group of five boys standing together on a grassy area with trees in the background, smiling at the camera on a sunny day.
    A group of eight people standing together outdoors, smiling at the camera in a black and white photograph. The background features trees and grass.
    A large family gathered outdoors, standing in a semi-circle, smiling and interacting with one another, surrounded by trees in a black and white photo.
    A large group of people standing together on a grassy area with trees in the background, enjoying a sunny day.
    A group of diverse individuals walking together in a sunny, wooded area, dressed in casual winter clothing.
    A group of six women and a young girl sitting on a blanket in a grassy area surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
    A group of people, including children and adults, walking together in a grassy field. In the foreground, an older couple stands with their backs to the camera, while the group moves toward them.
    A joyful family reunion in a park, with members running towards each other and embracing, surrounded by trees and open grassland.
    A large group of people joyfully hugging and laughing together outdoors, captured in black and white.
    A smiling man in glasses lifts a joyful girl in a yellow dress, who is wearing a red sweater, in a park setting with trees in the background.
    Oak Brook family photographer extended family session

    Why You Need an Oak Brook Family Photos for Large Groups

    Furthermore, there are many benefits to hiring a professional family photographer for your extended family.

    1. Direction: I provide clear instructions so nobody feels awkward. Specifically, I help with posing so everyone looks their best.
    2. Efficiency: I know how to get the “must-have” shots before the kids get restless. Therefore, the session stays fun and lighthearted.
    3. Legacy: These portraits represent your family’s history. Because life moves so fast, having these professional records is a gift to the next generation.

    In short, if you are looking for a family photographer who can turn a large gathering into a gallery of art, I am here to help. Specifically, I focus on the authentic bonds that make your family unique. Therefore, let’s plan your session today! I Love grandparents, they are such an important part of our families, being a Chicago Family photographer means I get to capture that connection.

  • Wilder Mansion Family Photos | Camblin Family

    Wilder Mansion Family Photos | Camblin Family

    “I recently had the pleasure of capturing the Camblin family for their Wilder Mansion family photos in Elmhurst,Illinois. This historic venue provided a perfect backdrop. Specifically, the surrounding Wilder Park gardens looked beautiful for their session. As a Chicago Family photographer, I always enjoy returning to this classic white mansion locations in Elmhurst IL are so unique and beautiful.

    diptych of images with dad with his two daughters Wilder Mansion family photos of the Camblin family Wilder Mansion family photos
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    Planning Your Wilder Mansion Family Photos

    First, this location is a top choice because it offers a mix of architecture and nature. The historic white mansion feels very sophisticated. Meanwhile, the surrounding gardens of Wilder Park provide a soft, organic look.

    For the Camblin family, we focused on the natural light. This ‘golden hour’ light is the best time for outdoor sessions. Therefore, I suggest coordinating your outfits with the venue’s aesthetic. Neutral tones always pop beautifully against the green landscapes. Furthermore, you can view the official Wilder Mansion website to see more of the interior and history.

    A group of six people standing together outdoors under trees, smiling and interacting with each other. The scene captures a casual family or friends gathering in a park with pine needles on the ground. Wilder Mansion family photos

    Why I Love These Wilder Mansion Family Photos

    Whether you want a formal photo or a casual look, this location is a local gem. However, be sure to check the park district calendar first. This ensures we have full access to the grounds. Many families choose this spot because it feels timeless and elegant.

    In addition to the architecture, the seasonal flowers in the gardens are incredible. During the spring and summer, the blooms add a pop of color that makes every portrait stand out. If you prefer a fall look, the mature trees on the property turn vibrant shades of orange and gold.

    mom and dad Family portraits at Wilder Mansion Elmhurst IL
    portrait of mom and dad Family portraits at Wilder Mansion Elmhurst IL
    Family portraits at Wilder Mansion Elmhurst IL
    A woman in a leopard print jacket smiles while standing between two young men, one wearing a white sweater and the other in a beige shirt, all outdoors under trees.
    A smiling woman stands between two young men in a park, all three dressed casually. The scene captures their joyful interaction against a backdrop of trees.
    Three women posing together outdoors under trees, surrounded by pine needles, wearing stylish outfits.
    A group of seven people posing for a photo outdoors under a large tree, surrounded by pine needles. They are smiling and dressed in stylish outfits, with one person holding a small dog.
    A black and white photograph of six people standing close together outdoors, smiling and laughing near a tree.
    A small golden dog sits on the ground among people, with a brown and white fur pattern and a curious expression. The surrounding area is covered in pine needles.
    A couple smiling and enjoying each other's company outside a greenhouse, surrounded by greenery.
    A couple stands together in a lush green area outside, posing affectionately in front of a glass building surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
    Two young men standing side by side, one smiling against a green backdrop and the other in front of a brick wall with vines.
    A family poses on the steps of a large white building, featuring tall pillars and a double door entrance.
    A group of six people standing under a green archway in a garden, with a mix of casual and formal attire.
    A woman smiling brightly while standing under a green leafy archway, wearing a black blouse with studded details and a flowing olive-green skirt.
    A group of five people posing together in front of a lush green archway adorned with leaves and flowers. They are smiling and dressed in stylish outfits, showcasing a family or friends gathering.

    Planning Your Session

    Whether you want a formal photo or a casual look, this location is a local gem. However, be sure to check the park district calendar first. This ensures we have full access to the grounds.

    Ready to Schedule Your Own Session?

    If you are looking for a beautiful location, I would love to help you. Elmhurst offers stunning backdrops for every family. Furthermore, I can help you find the perfect time for your shoot. Please reach out via my contact page to discuss your vision!”

  • Lincoln Park Maternity Photos | Hannah and Eric

    Lincoln Park Maternity Photos | Hannah and Eric

    I recently had the pleasure of documenting Hannah and Eric’s Lincoln Park maternity photos in the heart of Chicago. Sweet December is here, and the time to meet this sweet little baby is nearing. Time has absolutely flown by.

    I’ve been pregnant a number of times and have given birth just twice. However, both times were very different experiences. I brought those babies home and I was a different person. After my son, I was a mother for the first time. He was big, beautiful, and full of wonder.

    A couple shares a tender moment, embracing each other in a park with a city skyline in the background. The woman is wearing a green dress, and the man has a bun hairstyle. The scene is set in a lush green area under a cloudy sky. Lincoln Park maternity photographer
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    In contrast, my daughter surprised me with difficultness. I thought I was a pro by then. However, she swiftly humbled me with her big, big cries. I’ve said it before that being a photographer means you’re often meeting people at the highlights in their life.

    Couple embracing in a park, smiling at each other, with a city skyline in the background. Lincoln Park maternity photographer

    The Best Backdrop for Lincoln Park Maternity Photos

    Hannah and Eric are about to be first-time parents. Therefore, it is my honor to capture and witness this milestone. Being a part of someone’s birth team is the biggest deal of my life and I cherish it so.

    Specifically, I’m so happy we were able to find a moment in the current world chaos to capture their happiness emerging. You can feel the love, and you can see the devotion. Little do they know that the way they will parent is already apparent. You can see it in the way they see each other and in the way they hold each other.

    A pregnant woman in a long green dress standing among pine trees, smiling at the camera. Near the Lincoln Park conservatory

    As a Chicago Maternity Photographer I fully believe that the location is secondary to your clients. maybe even 3rd in importance. My clients are first and their emotions second.. location is the last thing that matters to me. In this session we used locations I feel often feel overlooked, in the winter especially. I love to cling to ever greens, and the outside of the Lincoln Park greenhouse has beautiful evergreens. We also walked over to the Peggy Notebaert museum to use the outside. The dried up tall winter grass gave us some texture. Furthermore, I recommend checking the Lincoln Park Conservatory
     website for seasonal bloom schedules. This ensures we have the most colorful environment for your session. Whether we are capturing the architecture or the quiet garden paths, the goal is to document this fleeting season of life in an authentic way.

    A couple standing together outdoors, holding hands. The woman is wearing a green dress and showing her baby bump, while the man is dressed in a navy sweater and light pants. They are surrounded by greenery and a greenhouse in the background.
    A pregnant woman in a green dress and a man in a dark sweater stand together outside a greenhouse, surrounded by foliage, with the woman resting a hand on her belly.
    A couple embracing and smiling at each other while sitting on a blanket in a grassy area surrounded by tall plants and trees.
    A couple enjoying a tender moment together, sitting on a striped blanket in a field with tall grass, as the woman cradles her pregnant belly. Peggy Notabert area maternity photographer
    A couple sitting close together in a natural setting, sharing a loving moment as the woman cradles her pregnant belly, in a soft black and white photograph.
    A smiling couple poses together outdoors, with the woman holding her baby bump. The woman is wearing a green dress and has a tattoo on her arm, while the man is dressed in a navy sweater. The background features dried vegetation and a cloudy sky.
    A pregnant woman in a green dress and a brown fur shawl stands near a wooden fence in a natural setting with a blurred cityscape in the background.
    A couple standing together in a park near the Peggy Notebaert museum, with the woman wearing a green dress and a fur shawl, smiling warmly at the man, who is wearing a blue sweater and green pants.
    A couple stands together in a park near the Peggy notebaert museum, with the man kissing the woman's forehead. The woman, who is pregnant, is wearing a green dress and a fur shawl. They both have their hands on her baby bump, amidst a natural background. Lincoln Park Maternity Photos
    A couple walking hand-in-hand along a riverbank, with city skyscrapers in the background. The woman, wearing a green dress and a brown shawl, smiles at the man, who is dressed in a navy sweater and light-colored pants. Lincoln Park Maternity Photos
    A couple poses happily by a body of water in a cityscape setting, showcasing a maternity theme with the woman gently cradling her baby bump. Lincoln Park Maternity Photos
    A pregnant woman in a green dress sits gracefully by a calm lake surrounded by tall buildings and trees, with an overcast sky above in Lincoln Park
    A couple embracing and kissing on a stone platform by a river, with tall buildings in the background under a cloudy sky in Lincoln Park near the Peggy Notebaert museum
    A pregnant woman wearing a green dress and a fur shawl stands by a calm body of water, with tall buildings in the background PEGGY NOTEBAERT MUSUEM

    Planning Your Chicago Maternity Session

    To ensure your session feels authentic, I recommend choosing a location that resonates with your story. Lincoln Park is iconic because it blends urban architecture with lush, green landscapes. Whether we are capturing the skyline or the quiet garden paths, the goal is to document this fleeting season of life.

    Furthermore, the timing of your session is key. Most families choose to shoot between 28 and 34 weeks. This allows us to capture that beautiful “glow” while ensuring you still feel comfortable moving around the park. If you are ready to tell your story, I would love to connect and begin planning your customized session!

  • Itasca Summer Family Session | The Adri Photo Co.

    Itasca Summer Family Session | The Adri Photo Co.

    Itasca Summer Family Session: A Full Circle Moment

    One of the greatest joys of my work is watching a family grow over the years. Specifically, I originally took this sweet boy’s newborn photos. Therefore, I was thrilled to see him again for a beautiful Itasca summer family session. Don’t you love when things come full circle? Now, he’s sporting some quite peculiar and most beautiful red locks of hair. I honestly couldn’t believe the transformation!

    A woman in a blue floral dress kneels in a grassy field, holding a small child in her arms. The background features greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees. Itasca Summer Family Session
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    The Magic of Summer Clouds and Tall Grass

    We couldn’t have asked for a better day. While many people look for clear blue skies, a great Itasca summer family session often benefits from dramatic clouds. These clouds acted as a natural diffuser. Consequently, the rich, earthy colors of the landscape really popped without any harsh shadows. This created a creamy, dreamy light that is ideal for lifestyle portraits.

    Additionally, the tall grass at this location added a beautiful layer of movement. There is something so nostalgic about a toddler wandering through waist-high greenery. During this Itasca summer family session, the deep emerald tones of the summer grass provided a stunning contrast. The green background made the boy’s vibrant red hair look intentional and timeless. Furthermore, the way the wind caught the grass helped create those “unposed” moments that I strive for as a photographer.

    A woman in a blue floral dress holds a smiling young child in a gray outfit, both surrounded by greenery and soft golden light during sunset. Itasca Summer Family Session

    Documenting Your Visual Legacy

    As a Chicago documentary-style photographer, I thrive in environments where kids can be themselves. This Itasca summer family session allowed me to utilize beautiful open spaces. In these settings, the “visual legacy” of a family can unfold naturally. We focused on a palette of natural greens and warm skin tones. Most importantly, we kept the focus on the human connection.

    If you are new here, you can learn more about my approach here. On that page, I share how I focus on honesty over poses. I hope you enjoy this gallery!

    A woman wearing a floral dress holds a child closely in a serene outdoor setting, with soft, blurred backgrounds of nature and warm lighting. Itasca Summer Family Session

    Documenting Your Visual Legacy As a documentary-style photographer, I thrive in environments where kids can run and be themselves. This Itasca summer family session allowed me to utilize beautiful open spaces where the “visual legacy” of a family can unfold naturally. We focused on a palette of natural greens, soft sky blues, and warm skin tones to keep the focus on the human connection.

    If you are new here, you can learn more about my approach here, where I share how I focus on honesty over poses. I hope you enjoy this gallery and the way the shifting light played against the landscape.

    A woman in a blue floral dress holds a young child in her arms, standing in a lush green field during sunset. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A couple walks hand in hand along a gravel path surrounded by lush greenery and tall grass, with a dramatic sky filled with clouds above. Itasca Summer Family Session
    Couple embracing on a gravel path surrounded by tall grass and trees under a cloudy sky. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A family sitting in a field of tall grass and wildflowers during golden hour, with two adults and a child. One adult wears a floral blue dress and the other is in a short-sleeve shirt, while the child is in overalls. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A father sitting in a grassy field with a young child, both smiling and interacting. The background features wildflowers and a sunset sky.
    A man sits in a field with tall grass and wildflowers, interacting with a small child. The child has curly red hair and is reaching towards the man's hand, while the sun sets in the background.
    A father and his young child are sitting in a field of tall grass and wildflowers, with a sunset in the background. The child is excitedly reaching for a flower while the father smiles at him.
    A father sitting in a grassy field, happily interacting with his young child, who has curly red hair and is wearing a gray outfit. The child is holding a daisy while looking down, as the father smiles at them. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A woman in a blue floral dress embraces a child while sitting on a blanket in a grassy field, surrounded by flowers. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A mother and her young child are sitting in a field of tall grass and wildflowers during sunset. The mother smiles as the child holds a daisy flower, expressing joy and curiosity. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A joyful baby with messy hair smiles while being held by a woman, holding a daisy flower in a grassy field filled with daisies. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A family portrait featuring a couple in a lush green field at sunset, with the mother joyfully smiling at the father while holding their toddler, who appears curious. The father is gently kissing the mother, creating a warm and loving atmosphere. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A mother holding her toddler in a field of wildflowers during sunset, wearing a blue floral dress. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A man holding a toddler with red hair, while a woman leans in to kiss the child, set against a blurred natural background during sunset. Itasca Summer Family Session
    A child sitting on a blue plaid blanket in a grassy field, wearing gray overalls and a necklace, with a thoughtful expression.
    A father holds a smiling toddler aloft against a scenic backdrop of blue sky and clouds during sunset. The child has curly hair and is wearing a sleeveless outfit. In the background, a woman watches, enjoying the moment.
    A toddler with curly red hair wearing gray overalls, holding a small pink flower, standing in a green field with wildflowers. Multiple angles show the child's face and back of the head.
    A joyful toddler holding a flower is interacting with two adults in a grassy field during sunset.
    A woman in a blue floral dress smiles while holding a flower, with a child joyfully being lifted in the air against a scenic sky background.
    A mother holding her baby up in a field during sunset, with a cloudy sky overhead and tall grass surrounding them.
    A couple standing in a grassy field, smiling at each other, with a small child playing nearby. The woman is wearing a blue floral dress, and the man is in a white patterned shirt and jeans. The background features trees and a cloudy sky.