If you have clicked around my website you might know the answer – it’s Greene Valley Forest Preserve. But why would I push this location over others in the area? I’m not against other sites at all. I’m just very familiar with Greene Valley so no matter if it’s sunny or cloudy I know just the spot.

The Full Session photoshoot is created for families who want artistic candids that turn into wall-worthy pieces of art for their home. The Mini Shoots I offer are great for busy families. However, sometimes it’s good to slow down and plan something a bit more personal.

I wish I could say that it was my charming wit that made them laugh, but no. Just trying a different pose I normally don’t use on clients. I know these guys so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Ah, the weather. The day before this shoot it was an absolute downpour. That’s why I like to ask clients for alternative dates just in case the weather gets impossible. What a difference a day makes!

I remember when the youngest little lady was a baby. I am a photographer for a local preschool delivering custom photographs of students. One fun part of that job is watching the kids grow up.

This year I am offering a Fall Mini Shoot on Saturday, October 7 and Saturday, October 14. The cost is $200 which includes a 25-minute session, 5 digital images and a “What to Wear Guide!” The Fall Mini Shoots will be held at the Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville IL.

As soon as I saw these two brothers running toward the field I was shooting in, I swapped out my memory card for a faster memory card. I might have even upped my shutter speed to make sure my camera caught them.

As I’m looking at the above image of those three smiley girls I remembered what was making them smile. As you can imagine, when shooting families it takes a bit of effort to get everyone looking at the camera or thereabouts.

Like with many families I photograph, this group was well prepared for their shoot. So much so, that we had time to spare at the end. So we took a little walk to another part of the park to get them walking down a path.

These three girls were full of smiles and energy which made this photo shoot fly by. It’s always fun when a family is up for anything. And I’m glad their mom and dad were able to enjoy their spunk

I could have taken photos of this family all day. But this is a busy family and they had activities planned. So a mini shoot photo session was just the right fit for all of them.

I have decided to switch my business model to only offering mini-shoots. I think the change helps both my clients and myself because mini-shoots are super simple.

The last time you were in a family photo was? Let’s take care of that this year! Nothing could be easier than a mini shoot!

This shoot was taken back in the beautiful fall of 2015. I love when everything comes together. The weather, the light, great family…ah!

Personally, looking back on these photos I can tell you this was a sweet memory. Sometimes everything clicks so well in a shoot. These boys were the sweetest, the weather was perfect, and the light – golden.

Snow. Who knew a photo shoot could be so much fun in the winter time? I absolutely loved shooting this way. Typically, I dread a big snow storm, but I found myself hoping for a big blast.

You would think that a photo shoot with an extended family would be all chaos and disorder. True, there might be moments where it’s all crazy, but that usually means everyone is having a great time!

Look how well this mom coordinated outfits without her family looking too matchy-matchy. Looks like she used flannel shirts as a guide on what colors to dress the other family members.