storytelling Archives - CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

documentary travel photography tips | Denver Co.

Documentary Travel Photography Tips: Lessons from Denver

Taking a family trip is the perfect time to put down the “professional” hat and just be a mom. Actually, I found myself leaning even harder into my love for documentary travel photography tips while we explored Denver. Instead of forcing my kids to stand in front of landmarks, I focused on our real experiences. For this reason, the photos from our Colorado trip feel like a true reflection of our time together.

A person walking on a path through tall grass, with a dramatic cloudy sky overhead, captured in black and white. documentary travel photography tips

A girl in a floral dress walking along a dirt path surrounded by tall grass under a cloudy sky. documentary travel photography tips

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Using Documentary Travel Photography Tips to Capture Honest Moments

Denver offered so many beautiful backdrops for our family. Specifically, we spent our days wandering through parks and exploring the city’s unique energy. Because I value “honesty over poses,” I captured the messy hair, the tired feet, and the genuine wonder in my children’s eyes. Instead of looking for perfection, I looked for connection. Consequently, these images are more than just vacation snapshots; they are a visual legacy of our adventure

A girl in a floral dress and a boy in shorts play on a grassy hill, with the girl spreading her arms and the boy holding a stick, under a cloudy sky. Chicago documentary family photographer

Why You Should Ditch the Poses on Vacation

Most families feel the need to document every “big” moment with a posed photo. Furthermore, I believe the best memories are found in the quiet, unplanned minutes in between. Using documentary travel photography tips allows you to stay present in the moment while still preserving it. In addition, it takes the pressure off the kids to “perform” for the camera. Ultimately, you end up with a gallery that feels like your actual life, just in a different zip code.

Two children playing on a grassy hill under a cloudy sky, one child is wearing a white dress and the other is in casual clothing. Chicago documentary family photographer

Applying This to Your Own Sessions

If you want this same honest feeling for your family’s story, I would love to help. Whether we are shooting a Chicago documentary family session or a lifestyle shoot in the suburbs, the goal remains the same. Also, you can view my full portfolio and current pricing here. To conclude, I highly recommend checking out the Visit Denver website if you are planning your own family getaway to the mountains soon. Red Rocks was such a beautiful place.

A young girl with long brown hair smiles warmly at the camera while wearing a floral dress and a red necklace. The background features a natural outdoor setting. Chicago documentary family photographer

A scenic view of hills under a cloudy sky. Chicago documentary family photographer

A close-up of yellow wildflowers among rocky terrain, with a boy standing nearby holding a stick, dressed in a gray shirt and shorts. Chicago documentary family photographer

Two children walking along a hiking trail with a scenic mountainous landscape in the background. Chicago documentary family photographer

A family walking along a dirt path surrounded by red rocks and greenery, with wooden fencing on either side. Chicago documentary family photographer

Close-up portrait of a smiling boy with short hair, wearing a pink shirt, against a natural background.

Two children playing on a dirt path surrounded by greenery, with one child in a floral dress and the other wearing a cap and t-shirt.

A young boy walking on a trail holding a stick, with a girl in the background playing in the grass.

A young boy wearing a gray shirt with the text 'I HAVE MY OWN THEME SONG' and a black cap, holding a stick while standing on a path surrounded by greenery.

A man walking along a dirt path with a young girl in a natural landscape, surrounded by greenery and rock formations under a cloudy sky.

Close-up of green leaves with out-of-focus background. documentary travel photography tips

Black and white photo of a dramatic sky with clouds above rolling hills and rocky terrain. documentary travel photography tips

Children walking along a scenic dirt path with a wooden fence, surrounded by grassy fields and distant hills. documentary travel photography tips

A young girl in a floral dress running along a dirt path with a wooden fence on the left, under a cloudy sky. documentary travel photography tips

A woman and a child sitting on a stone ledge overlooking a scenic mountainous landscape during sunset, with dark clouds and soft lighting. documentary travel photography tips

Two children sitting on a stone wall overlooking a scenic mountainous landscape with dark clouds in the sky. documentary travel photography tips

Two people sitting on a stone ledge overlooking a mountainous landscape during dusk, with city lights visible in the distance.documentary travel photography tips

A black and white image of a boy and a girl playing outdoors at dusk. The boy stands behind the girl, who is smiling at the camera, while the boy is looking at her. Both children are wearing casual clothing, and there are fields and a cloudy sky in the background. documentary travel photography tips

January 7, 2020

Naperville family lifestyle photographer | A Day of Play

Being a Naperville family lifestyle photographer has taught me that the most beautiful days are often the ones where the ‘plan’ completely falls apart. There is something so honest about a family just being together without the pressure of a perfect itinerary.

I truly loved this day. It was one of those August afternoons where the heat finally starts to soften and everything feels gold. We actually arrived at the park much later than we intended, which meant we missed the window to hang out in the gated kids’ section. But honestly? I think the kids enjoyed it more this way. They had the freedom to just run, explore the open grass, and be themselves.

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Storytelling with a Naperville Family Lifestyle Photographer

Since this was back in August, I’m still playing a bit of catch-up with my archives. Sometimes life moves faster than the shutter, and I find myself with so many stories still waiting to be told. The time difference between the moment and the memory can make the details a little fuzzy, but the feeling of the day always stays.

What I remember most about this specific afternoon was the light. It was absolutely beautiful—the kind of light that makes you want to stop and just watch the shapes it creates in the frame. I spent most of the session trying to catch those shadows and the way the sun hit the kids as they moved through the park.

Being a Naperville family lifestyle photographer isn’t just about the ‘perfect’ portrait; it’s about the exploration. It’s about how a simple trip to a park becomes a memory of running through open spaces. If you want to see more of these unscripted stories, feel free to look through my family portfolio.

For families looking for their own space to run, I always recommend exploring the Naperville Riverwalk for some of the best sunset light in the area.

I’m so glad I finally got to sit down and share these. Take a look at the shapes and the light from our day below.”

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January 2, 2017

Chicago documentary photography inspiration | The Adri Photo Co.

Finding chicago documentary photography inspiration in the quiet, everyday moments of my own home has been the highlight of my year. Failure used to haunt me, but now I see it as an inevitable part of the process. This year I celebrated my 4th year as a photographer. As my oldest turned 5, and my little one is just 2, I realized that never before have I failed at so much—and never before have I learned so much.

I started the year so strong, full of ideas and the kind of invigorating rush that only a new year brings. But then projects fell through, and shoots I attempted didn’t quite land. Truth be told, about 99% of the new things I tried ‘failed.’ While I could blame a lack of organization, I think it was just a part of the process. Along with that failure came the realization that the work that did work out would have never happened without the courage to put myself out there.

Finding Chicago Documentary Photography Inspiration

I embrace the ‘failed’ moments now. They hold the most honest images. I feel excited to take that spirit into the new year. I want to learn, teach, and share what I know. Sometimes, looking back at where you have been is the best way to grow.

I technically failed my 366 project. I did not capture a photo every single day. But honestly? That is okay. There is always next year. My resolution for this year is simple: I want to fail more. The more I fail, the closer I get to the heart of what matters. I love the exploration, the creation, and the magic of an unposed second.

Check out my lifestyle portfolio to see this philosophy in action. If you seek your own chicago documentary photography inspiration, I highly recommend the Museum of Contemporary Photography. It is right here in the city.

I am grateful for the lessons 2016 taught me. It was not the ‘perfect’ year I planned, but it helped me find my voice. Enjoy these childhood memories from my year of ‘failure.’

Cheers, friends!

December 31, 2016

Chicago family documentary and storytelling photography- short -stories

H e l l o

I recently joined the team for @thealbumsco on instagram. My first post was about daydreaming. I really got flashbacks of my daydreams, and what I have done so far to accomplish them. I said that ” I used to daydream about the life I am currently living” and it was so true. I am blissfully happy. God could not have blessed me with a better life. I am so thankful. While our future is a work in progress, and we have bills to pay and children to raise, I have the ability to look at my life and say that I love it. I get to stay home with my kiddos, and go on adventures daily if I wanted to. We are not rich, nor do I think we will ever be, but We are doing well and that’s all I could ever ask for. I am surrounded with the most amazing people. I have also learn to let go of those people that I have outgrown. I think that is one of the tougher challenges of growing up, learning to let go. Even with loosing some people, my community is growing, and I feel a sense of belonging, specially within the photography community.

Anyway, this life is good. This life is the one I wished for, and I am teaching my children to enjoy it. To savor the moments and not care about acquiring things. To see this borrowed time as an opportunity to do something special. I have finaly understood, “You reap what you sow”.