Gold Coast Documentary Photographer: A Family’s Chicago Goodbye

As a Gold Coast documentary photographer, some sessions are a celebration. This one was a goodbye, and I got to be the one holding the camera for it. This family was leaving Chicago for New York City. But I was so happy that before they packed up their life here, they wanted one more afternoon in the place where it all started. Their kids were born here. Their old apartment was here. And so was their nannie, who they insisted to include. She came along, with her partner, because over the years the two of them started becoming family. Btw I don’t charge extra to include the people you love.

You could feel it in how the kids moved toward them without hesitation, how the nannie’s partner got pulled into hugs like he’d always been part of the crew. That’s the kind of thing I can’t pose. I can only be ready for it, camera up, waiting for the moment two people who love your children the way you do lean in without being asked.

Gold Coast documentary photographer captures sibling moment under console table

nannie and baby boy Gold Coast documentary photographer

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baby being held by nanny Gold Coast documentary photographer

mom pumping during session Gold Coast documentary photographer

pumping milk Gold Coast documentary photographer

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Friends and family gather in a bright apartment around a kitchen island and living room

Black-and-white photo of a young girl resting her head on her hand beside another child

Smiling man holding a baby in a bright living room

Woman in blue checkered outfit playfully dances with a child while a man holds a baby nearby Gold Coast documentary photographer

Family members playfully lift a child in a brightly lit living room.

Working as a Gold Coast Documentary Photographer

We spent the afternoon on their terrace and then wandering the streets of the Gold Coast. Walked past the brick buildings and iron fences that will stay in their memory long after the moving boxes are gone. Their little one new to the family already so loved and already such a big part of the core and heart of this family. I watched and captured this family move through the day together. Unhurried and completely present with each other, was its own kind of quiet lesson. There was no performance in it. Just a family of four. Plus two people they consider family too, soaking up their last bit of Chicago before starting over somewhere new.

Family members playfully dancing together in a bright home interior

Woman and child dancing together in a warmly lit home

Smiling woman in blue-and-white pajamas holding a baby in a kitchen

Adults dance in a kitchen while a child hugs one and another holds a baby

Smiling woman hugging a child on the floor beside red shoes

Woman in glasses braiding a child's hair on a wooden floor

Father and baby quiet moment overlooking Chicago lakefront

Adults and children gather on a landscaped rooftop terrace surrounded by city buildings

Mother wearing glasses cuddles a sleeping baby in her arms

Two smiling women embrace a child on a rooftop overlooking city buildings

Parents smiling with a baby and young daughter outdoors

Smiling woman wearing glasses and a blue checkered shirt with mushroom designs

Adult and child bending down together on a tiled floor

Smiling woman with glasses holding a young girl in a black-and-white photo

Family of four smiling together beside a waterfront railing

Parents holding two children on a balcony overlooking the water

This is why I work as a Gold Coast documentary photographer instead of sticking to posed and stiff portraits. A family walking down a familiar street for the last time, a toddler leaning into the person who helped raise her. A father catching his son mid giggle. These are the moments that mean everything. The ones that actually tell the story of who this family is and where they came from, and now I get to be the one who kept it.

If your own family is going through a big change, whether that’s a move, a new baby, or just wanting to hold onto this season before it passes, I would love to help you capture it. You can read more about how I approach family sessions and see how documentary photography holds onto the small, real moments that matter most.

Gold Coast documentary photographer follows family walking Chicago street with nanny and partner

Smiling woman wearing glasses carries a baby in a front carrier on a city street

Woman wearing glasses cradles a sleeping baby in a front carrier

Gold Coast documentary photographer walking with family through city streets

Five people, including two children and a baby, sit on steps outside a stone building

Gold Coast documentary photographer follows family walking Chicago street with nanny

Family posing outside a brick building, with a child on a scooter and a baby

portrait of a family leaving chicago in the Gold Coast

Documentary family photography Gold Coast Chicago neighborhood walk

September 7, 2026

Itasca IL Newborn Photographer | Welcoming baby Lucy

Itasca IL Newborn Photographer: Welcoming Baby Lucy

As an Itasca IL newborn photographer, I find that visiting repeat clients is completely magical. Time is so beautiful and fleeting. Whenever I get a chance to work with families again, it feels like I have come full circle. To be validated in that way is a beautiful thing for any artist. Furthermore, knowing how much my work means to a growing family is truly heartwarming.

NEWBORN BABY GIRL Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

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The Colello Family Lifestyle Session

The Colello family is beyond kind and welcoming. Initially, I photographed them in their home with their brand new baby boy three years ago. Recently, they expanded their little family by one sweet baby girl named Lucy. Coincidentally, she is the mirror image of her big brother! Mom told me she felt like she gave birth to the same baby twice. Consequently, it is hilarious to see how similar sibling genes can be.

DETAILS OF A NEWBORN Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

BABY IN CRIB AND FAMILY LOOKING IN ADORINGLY Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

Toddler Fun with an Itasca IL Newborn Photographer

It can be a challenge to work with toddlers and a new baby simultaneously. However, I feel like those are my favorite types of sessions to document! Although toddlers can be difficult to pose, they are also so much fun to observe. I consider myself a baby person through and through. Specifically, by toddlerhood, a child’s whole personality is vibrant and 100% unique.

It often takes extra work to get a toddler to warm up to a stranger in their home. But sweet big brother William was very open and excited for me to be there. In addition, he was eager to show off his new sister to the camera. Finding an Itasca IL newborn photographer who understands the wild energy of a toddler is key to a successful, stress-free session.

BIG BROTHER NEAR CRIB Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

MOM AND DAD WITH BABY IN THE KITCHEN Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

HOLDING BABY IN THE KITCHEN Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

UPCLOSE SHOT OF A NEWBORN BABY Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

COLLECTION OF IMAGES WITH MOM AND SON LOOKING AT BABY Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

MOM AND SON LOOKING AT NEWBORN BABY GIRL Itasca IL newborn photographer lifestyle session

A family of four relaxing on a bed, with a father holding a baby and a toddler playfully climbing on his back. The mother smiles at them. The room features framed photos on the wall.

A man sitting on a bed, lovingly holding a wrapped newborn in his arms, with framed photos on the wall beside him.

A family of four sitting on a bed, with a mother holding a newborn, a father sitting beside her, and a young child playfully lying on the bed.

A family in a cozy bedroom, with a couple sitting on a bed and tending to a baby, while a toddler plays nearby. The room features framed photos on the walls and natural light coming through the windows.

A mother gently cradles her newborn baby, both looking at each other with affection against a softly lit background.

A family of four sitting on a bed, with two young children and parents. The mother holds a newborn while another child sits beside her. Natural light streams in through a nearby window, illuminating the cozy room.

A family moment featuring a father holding a newborn while a young child sits beside them on a bed, all in black and white.

Family in bed, big brother holding sweet little sister

A woman sitting by a window, gently holding and gazing at her wrapped newborn baby in a black and white image.

A black and white image of a family scene, featuring a woman holding a newborn baby while another woman looks on, and a man standing beside them, all positioned near a window with a blurred outdoor background.

A family gathered in a cozy living room, with a large window providing natural light. A woman sits on a window bench holding a baby, while two young children play nearby. Another adult interacts with a woman sitting in a chair, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

big brother playing cars with his new newborn baby sister

A couple sharing a kiss in front of framed vintage Chicago posters, holding a newborn baby.

new bron baby held in moms arms and big brother in dad's shoulder

A woman in a white dress holds a swaddled baby in a serene green setting, surrounded by trees and soft lighting.

A family portrait featuring a couple standing together with two children in a lush green setting. The scene is split into two images; one shows the mother holding a baby while the father interacts with an older child, and the other captures the couple standing together in a more shadowed area, surrounded by trees.

A black and white photo of a mother holding her newborn baby while smiling, and a father also holding the baby, both surrounded by trees in a natural setting.

A young boy with curly red hair is shown in a series of four playful poses. He is wearing a short-sleeve white shirt with a pattern and gray shorts, standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background. The boy exhibits a range of expressions, from serious to joyful laughter.

A happy family outdoors, with a couple embracing in the background and a young child pushing a toy stroller in the foreground.

Capturing the Chaos and Beauty

We spent our time together in the kitchen and the nursery. Specifically, I loved capturing the quiet moments by the large window.As a Chicago Newborn Photographer, because the lighting was so soft and natural, the images feel completely timeless. They were a blast to work with once again. Finally, I hope that they love these images and cherish them for many lifetimes to come.

July 18, 2021

Elgin Newborn Photographer | Baby A’s Soulful At-Home Story

The Calm After the Storm: Baby A’s First Days

It feels like this was the calm after the storm. As an Elgin newborn photographer, I was honored to capture this little family just two weeks after they welcomed their newest addition at home. In reality, this is probably the beginning of a whole new storm—a beautiful, chaotic, and soul-stretching one at that.

Angela, however, seems fully equipped to deal with the toughest of storms. Specifically, after seeing the way she so calmly gave birth and the way she treats her oldest child, I know for sure she is ready for this sweet baby girl. This whole family is just inspiring. They welcomed me into their home with such warmth that I felt incredibly comfortable from the moment I walked in. Ultimately, their connection made my job feel effortless. I love being a Chicago Newborn Photographer because of sessions like this.

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Choosing an Elgin Newborn Photographer for Your At-Home Story

Because the first few weeks with a newborn are such a blur of feedings and nap schedules, I believe the best place for a session is right where life happens. Whether we are documenting quiet cuddles in the nursery or the exuberant love of a big sibling, an at-home session preserves the “real” version of your life. Consequently, you don’t need fancy props or stiff poses to tell a powerful story.

All we need is your family’s unique connection and a bit of window light. As a result, these images become a visual legacy that feels both honest and timeless. Sometimes we get lucky like that—finding a family whose energy perfectly matches the lens. I wish them all the best as they start their new journey as a family of four.

Why I Love Being a Storyteller in the Fox Valley

Working as an Elgin newborn photographer allows me to see the quiet magic in the ordinary. I am not just looking for a “perfect” portrait; I am looking for the way a father looks at his daughter or the way a mother breathes in the scent of her newborn’s head. Basically, these are the moments that deserve to be remembered forever.