The Adri Photo Co.

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  • Glencoe Extended Family Photographer | The Adri Photo Co.

    Glencoe Extended Family Photographer | The Adri Photo Co.

    Some sessions stay with me long after the gallery is delivered, and this one is at the top of the list. As a Glencoe extended family photographer, I get to meet families in every season of life, but it’s rare to feel the kind of love that was in the air at this forest preserve. Three generations gathered for one reason: to celebrate their matriarch.

    A grandmother who stole the show

    Grandma was regal, poised, and absolutely beautiful. She carried herself with a quiet grace that anchored the whole session. You could see how much she means to everyone around her in the way they leaned in & held her hand. As someone who misses her grandmother dearly, these images were a joy to photograph. Photographing her surrounded by the family she built was an honor.

    A woman in a light-colored dress stands in a grassy field, holding a baby dressed in white. Trees are visible in the background.
    A group of children in light clothing gathers outdoors, with one boy holding a small bouquet of flowers while another looks on with a smile. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    A young girl with a light brown dress and a large white bow in her hair is smiling, standing in front of an older woman's arms wrapped around her in an outdoor grassy field. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer

    This family had six grandsons and two granddaughters, who are sisters, so the energy was wonderful. Everyone was patient, cooperative, and dressed impeccably. Their outfits worked beautifully together and looked gorgeous against the greens and golds of the forest preserve. I had the best time photographing every one of them, from the big group portraits to the small in-between moments, like a grandson whispering to his grandmother or the sisters sharing a private joke.

    As always my favorite images fromm their collection are the in-between images I captured. The documentary stuff. Full of the real. That’s what I love most about documentary and lifestyle photography. My philosophy is Honesty Over Poses, so I’m not looking for perfect, stiff smiles. I’m looking for the real connection that makes a family who they are.

    A family walks together in a lush green park. A woman in a pink dress holds hands with a young girl, who is wearing a light dress and a hairband. A man in a white shirt stands with a small child in his arms, smiling as they enjoy their time outdoors. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer

    Why a forest preserve works for Glencoe extended family photos

    If you’re looking for a Glencoe extended family photographer, a forest preserve is a great location. There’s plenty of space for large groups, soft natural light under the trees, and room for kids and grandkids to move around instead of standing in rows. Open trails and clearings also give us lots of variety without having to travel far.

    Two children in light green shirts running and smiling in a grassy field. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    A smiling elderly woman surrounded by six young boys, all dressed in light-colored clothing, standing in a grassy field with trees in the background. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    A smiling toddler sitting on the grass, wearing a white dress with floral embroidery and a pink hairband, surrounded by green foliage and wildflowers. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer

    Tips for extended family photos

    1. Coordinate, don’t match. Choose a color palette with two or three shades that work together rather than identical outfits. This family nailed it.
    2. Pick a time when everyone is rested. Avoid scheduling around naps, meals, or long drives. Patient, comfortable people photograph better.
    3. Choose a location with room to spread out. Large groups need space, and nature gives us that.
    4. Plan for the matriarch or patriarch. Make sure the guest of honor is comfortable, with a place to sit if needed and a pace that works for them. Their comfort sets the tone for everyone.
    5. Start big, then break into smaller groups. We begin with the whole family, then move to each branch, siblings, cousins, and grandparents with grandchildren. These smaller groupings are often the favorites.
    6. Give everyone a role. Cousins can walk together, siblings can tease each other, and grandkids can sit around Grandma. A little direction keeps everyone relaxed and natural.
    7. Arrive a few minutes early. With a big group, a short buffer makes the whole session smoother and less stressful.
    8. Trust your photographer to handle the details. You enjoy your family, and I’ll handle the light, posing, and flow.

    Planning your own session

    If you’re dreaming of gathering your whole family to celebrate a milestone, a birthday, or simply the chance to be together, I’d love to photograph it. I’m a documentary and lifestyle photographer serving families in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including Glencoe and the rest of the North Shore. Visit adridelacruz.com to start planning your Glencoe extended family session.

    Children playing in a sunny grassy field, interacting with branches and trees, with adults in the background observing. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    A child holding a delicate purple flower in their hands, dressed in a pink, button-up dress, surrounded by lush green grass.
    A black and white photo of a happy family embracing in a grassy field. The parents smile as their two young sons hug them affectionately. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    An older woman gently kissing the head of a young child, showcasing tenderness and affection. Glencoe Extended Family Photographer
    A grandmother points towards a tree while three boys interact in a grassy field. One boy holds a stick, and another looks on, as a fourth boy is seen in the background.
    A family group standing in a lush green park, posing for a photograph. They are dressed in light, colorful summer attire against a backdrop of trees and open grass.
    A black and white photo of a family standing outdoors in a grassy area. A woman holds a baby, while another woman smiles beside her. Two girls hold hands, one is wearing a dress and a headband. In the background, there is a pavilion and trees.
    A mother embracing her three children in a grassy field, all wearing matching blue outfits. The children are smiling, with one resting against the mother's shoulder.
    A family walking together in a green park, with children and adults dressed in casual clothing, enjoying a sunny day among trees.
    A smiling family group outdoors, featuring a grandmother and her grandchildren. The adults and children are wearing matching blue polo shirts, with the grandmother in a light-colored dress. The setting is a grassy area with trees in the background.
    A large family playing outdoors in a green field, with children running towards the camera and adults standing in the background, all smiling and enjoying a sunny day.
    A man interacting playfully with a boy in a park, surrounded by greenery and other children, all wearing light-colored clothing.
    A woman in a light-colored dress standing on green grass under large trees in a sunny outdoor setting.
    An elderly woman gently holds an infant in a grassy field, both smiling softly amidst a lush green background.
    An elderly woman stands smiling in a sunlit grassy area, wearing a light-colored dress, with a large tree behind her.
    A family gathering in a green field with children running towards adults, who are smiling and enjoying the moment.