CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Tag: Lifestyle Portraits

  • Wicker Park Photoshoot | Coffee Shop Lifestyle Session

    Wicker Park Photoshoot | Coffee Shop Lifestyle Session

    Planning a Wicker Park photoshoot is a great way to capture Chicago’s soul. First, you must find a location that fits your vibe. For example, we chose Colectivo Coffee. This was a great choice because the industrial interior creates a perfect atmosphere.

    Next, we focused on the connection between the friends. Consequently, we kept the session very simple. We ordered lattes and found a cozy corner. Because the patrons were so kind, we felt very comfortable. In fact, it felt like a normal afternoon out. I really tried to categorize the session and I think it’s a Chicago Family photographer session because these girls felt more like sisters.

    A group of six women laughing and enjoying coffee together in a cozy café with warm lighting and wooden decor.

    Additionally, the outdoor area in Wicker Park is fantastic. After our coffee, we stepped outside. We wanted to capture the famous street art nearby. Truly, this is why a photoshoot is so versatile. You can change your background in just a few steps.

    Furthermore, the lighting in this neighborhood is always beautiful. Therefore, I recommend this spot to all my clients. In short, if you want authentic photos, Wicker Park is the place to be. Specifically, it works well for groups who want a relaxed feeling.

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    A group of four women sitting at a café table, laughing and enjoying their time together. They are surrounded by large windows and plants, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
    A smiling woman with dark hair wearing a black top, engaged in conversation with friends at a cafe, surrounded by coffee cups.
    Playing cards over coffee with friends during a photoshoot
    friends laughing Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    friends talking over coffee Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    friends hugging Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    A smiling woman with long, wavy hair, wearing an orange dress, seated in a cafe with greenery and wooden decor in the background.
    friends coffee shoot Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    colectivo card game playing between friends Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    coffee shot Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    friends in coffee houses Wicker Park photoshoot at Colectivo Coffee
    A group of five women standing together and laughing on a rooftop, with a cloudy sky in the background. Their outfits include a white dress, a blazer, and a long flowing dress.
    A group of five women laughing and enjoying each other’s company on a rooftop with a cityscape in the background. The women wear a variety of casual and chic outfits, showcasing joy and friendship.
    A group of five women walking together on a rooftop with a city skyline in the background. The women are dressed in various stylish outfits and smiling, with a cloudy sky above.
    A vibrant urban scene showing three women walking along a sidewalk beside a colorful mural featuring food items like hot dogs, burgers, and drinks. The background includes a brick building and an outdoor fire escape.
    Group of six women walking hand in hand on a street in front of a vibrant mural featuring food advertisements.
    A group of six women walking together along a colorful wall in an urban setting, showcasing a vibrant mural. Street signs for Superior Street are visible in the background.
    A group of five women joyfully posing outdoors in front of a brick building, dressed in colorful outfits, smiling and engaging with each other.

    3 Tips for a Successful Wicker Park Photoshoot

    1. Timing is Everything: To get those airy, bright shots inside a coffee shop without the crowds, try scheduling your Wicker Park photoshoot on a weekday morning. The “golden hour” light hits the street art outside beautifully just before sunset.
    2. Coordinate, Don’t Match: For this Wicker Park photoshoot, the girls wore neutral tones that complemented the warm wood and brick of the cafe. This allows the emotions and laughter to be the star of the image.
    3. Utilize the Neighborhood: After finishing your coffee, step outside! A Wicker Park photoshoot isn’t complete without hitting the iconic murals and North Avenue street corners that make this area so unique.

    I am inspired to have a close friends photoshoot in the future with my own friends.

  • Family Self Portraits Chicago | Weathering the Storm 

    Family Self Portraits Chicago | Weathering the Storm 

    Family Self Portraits Chicago: Weathering the Storm

    Family self portraits Chicago sessions have always been a way for me to document our truth, and these days, life for us is mostly calm. We have finally arrived at the other side of one of the hardest years of our collective lives. I know that everyone is going through something, as the world is experiencing a massive shift. However, inside our little family, that shift felt like a big wave of so many things.

    A mother and her son sharing a quiet moment during family self portraits Chicago.
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    At the start of 2021, I didn’t know where I would be emotionally. I moved out of the home I shared with my ex and into a tiny apartment. While physically so many things have changed, emotionally it feels like I am still the same—in grief, but slightly stronger. I am a far better person now. Specifically, I am trying my hardest to be who I always believed myself to be. My life is centered around love for my children and myself, full of authenticity, and expanding in my “No’s.”

    boy's lashes black and white portrait
    A young girl standing among tall trees looking toward the camera in natural light.
    Family self portraits Chicago showing a mother giving her son a piggyback ride.

    Finding Gratitude in the Grief

    The thing that has grown the most since the start of this year has been my gratitude. In fact, that has remained a constant throughout our family self portraits Chicago journey. Being grateful for everything I’ve experienced has made my grief become more beautiful. I know now that I can handle whatever life has in store for me. Consequently, I have learned to let go of things out of my control. The storm that has been this year of our lives has served us well.

    My kids are some of the best humans I know. To have been able to be here for them in their own grieving journey has been incredibly healing. They know we’re all still a work in progress and flawed. Nevertheless, they know that no matter how rough life gets, we have each other. Always.

    A black and white image of family self portraits Chicago representing healing.

    Building a Future Together

    I have built that trust with them by showing up day in and day out. Furthermore, I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for us. I am full of gratitude for my coparent as well. M is an incredible human, and I know he always has my back. Actually, I know I can count on him 200%. I love that we can still do these family self portraits Chicago for the kids.

    As I step into 2022, I am nervous but excited. I am open to learning and making more mistakes if they lead to the growth I need. Ultimately, I have goals and dreams to start. If you’re in the middle of your own storm, my friend, I urge you to listen to yourself. Move forward one step at a time. Do the uncomfortable things that give you peace and leave you full, even though they are painful. May it be an amazing year for you! I will never tire of being a chicago family photographer and capture my loves.

    Adri de la Cruz and her children for their family self portraits Chicago
    Candid shot of a mother laughing while her children play around her in a park.
    Family self portraits Chicago featuring a mother and daughter in a forest.
    A woman holds a young girl in a natural setting, surrounded by trees. They are smiling and sharing a joyful moment outdoors.
    Documentary-style family photography by Chicago artist Adri de la Cruz.
    A father carrying his young daughter in the woods, while a smiling young boy rides on his back, surrounded by greenery.
    a portrait of a divorced family, son, daughter and parents sitting on tall grass
    A black and white photo of a father with two children playing in a natural setting, surrounded by trees and grass.
    A smiling girl in a flowing dress twirls joyfully in a forest setting, surrounded by greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees.
    A boy playfully kisses a girl on the cheek while she laughs in a lush outdoor setting. They are dressed in casual, stylish clothes, and the background features soft greenery.
    Family self portraits Chicago featuring children playing among the trees.
    A close-up black and white portrait of a smiling girl with curly hair, wearing a white top with lace detailing, sitting next to a man with a beard, partially visible, both enjoying a moment together.
    Family self portraits Chicago captured during the golden hour in autumn.
    A woman sitting on the ground in a grassy field, holding a young girl, while a boy stands beside them laughing. The scene is illuminated by soft sunlight against a backdrop of tall grasses and a clear sky.
    A black and white image of a family sitting together in a grassy field, with a father and mother embracing their laughing child.
    Family self portraits Chicago in a serene, wooded forest setting.
    Two children running through a grassy field on a bright day, with one child smiling joyfully while the other follows closely behind.
    A girl and a boy hugging each other playfully in a grassy field on a sunny day.