When you start looking for a photographer, the options can feel overwhelming. Everyone has a website. Everyone has a gallery. Everyone says they capture "special moments."
So how do you actually choose?
Here is what I tell people. Start with two questions. What kind of photos do you want? And what is the purpose of your shoot?
The answers will narrow your search surprisingly fast.
What kind of photos do you want?
Some people want a session where everyone looks at the camera and smiles, and that’s totally fine! But to be honest it’s not what my artist brain gets fired up about.
My sessions are for families who want the full story. Not just differently posed photos. An honest, artful collection of 80 to 100 images that document a slice of your actual life.
And you may be asking yourself, do I really need 100 photos. YES!
Because individually they tell a tiny story and together they create your legacy. These are not just photos. They are still frames from the film of your life.
I come into your home. Or your favorite park. Or the ice cream shop your kids beg for every weekend. And I photograph what happens.
The way your toddler reaches for your hand without looking up. The sleepy Sunday morning light in the kitchen. The way your partner makes you laugh at the worst moment but somehow it breaks the tension and everything feels alright again.
One day your kids will inherit these images. They will not just see what you looked like. They will see what your life felt like. Your connection. Your rhythm. Your love.
Why this style works especially well for families with kids
If you have children, you already know what happens when you ask them to sit still and smile. It is not fun for anyone. And the last thing I want is for your photoshoot to be a frustrating experience for anyone.
With documentary and lifestyle photography, you do not have to drag everyone to a field and bribe them with snacks. You do not have to wear matching outfits. You do not have to do anything special to prepare.
Your family can simply BE TOGETHER.
At home. In your element. Doing the things you actually do.
Will we get photos where everyone looks at the camera? Yes! I know when to step back and document your life, and I know the perfect moment to say "look at me." I will get your kids to smile and look. Because they know we will keep playing. Because they get to interact with you. And that is their favorite thing.
What is the purpose of your shoot?
Most family photographs happen during the fall rush. But I want to offer you something different.
You do not have to follow the status quo. Because your family is not like everyone else. You are you. Your life does not happen in a matching outfit in a field in October.
It happens on a Saturday morning in your kitchen. It happens at the ice cream shop on a random weeknight.
It happens in the quiet, ordinary moments that no one thinks to photograph.
That is what I want to capture. Not the version of your family that shows up for an optimized and polished photo shoot. The real one that you love more than anything.
My suggestion:
Pick a time in your life that actually feels special. A winter birthday. A spring visit from family. A new puppy. A baby milestone. Or maybe it is just a season where the time feels right.
These sessions are proof of your life together. Your favorite activities. Your slow Sundays. A trip to the ice cream shop, or even a couple stops on on the Blue Line. The ordinary moments that add up to everything.
What to look for in a photographer
Now that you know what you want, here is how to find the right person.
Look for a portfolio that matches the feeling you want. Do not just look at the photos. Look at how they feel. Do they look stiff? Or do they look like real life? Can you picture your family in those images?
Ask about their approach. Will they direct you? Will they let you be? How do they handle kids who do not want to sit still? A skilled documentary photographer will tell you they expect the chaos and know how to work with it.
Look for a connection. You are inviting this person into your home and your life. You should feel comfortable with them. A quick phone call or a coffee before you book can tell you a lot. One of my favorite things to do before a shoot is have a quick call so we can talk about what is happening in your life right now and what matters most to you.
Ask for their package details. How many photos do you receive? What is the turnaround time? Do you get printing rights? What is the investment? Get it all in writing.
A note on Chicago and the suburbs
I have been photographing families in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 2009. I have photographed in high rises downtown, in bungalows in the city, tiny apartments, and in backyards all over Oak Park, Evanston, Naperville, and beyond.
If you are looking for a Chicago family photographer who specializes in lifestyle and documentary photography, I am here. No stiff poses. No matching outfits. Just your story, honestly told.
Final thoughts
Years from now, when you look at these photos, I do not want you to remember the stress of getting everyone out the door. I do not want you to remember the matching outfits you had to buy the night before or the bribes it took to get everyone in the car. I want you to remember the feeling. The way your daughter buried her face in your neck. The sound of your son laughing so hard he snorted. The quiet moment in the kitchen when no one was watching. We live in a world of screens and AI and things that can be recreated in seconds. These photos cannot. They are yours. Irreplaceable. Real.
You deserve photos that feel like you. Not like a catalog. Not like someone else's family. Yours.
If you are ready to document your real life, let's talk. Reach out and we will find a time that works for your family.
Have you been thinking about a photoshoot of your own?
Reach out below and tell me what you want to capture and remember most.
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