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Most families book professional photography sessions expecting one thing: nice photos.

They get the photos. But what actually determines whether those photos happen smoothly, whether everyone feels comfortable, whether the images reflect who they really are... that's about the experience.

Most families assume outdoor locations create the most natural family photos. Parks, beaches, natural light, open space.

Those sessions work. But after 14+ years photographing families in Chicago and Naperville, here's what I've learned: studio sessions often work better for families with young children.

I've been photographing some of the same families in Naperville and Chicago for nearly a decade now.

When you photograph a family once, you capture a moment. When you photograph them repeatedly over years, you capture their story.

I've been photographing families in Chicago and Naperville for over 14 years. And I see the same pattern: families book sessions when kids are babies, then stop for years.

Suddenly those babies are in high school and there are no professional photos from ages 5 through 15. A decade undocumented.

Your child needs professional headshots for acting or modeling. But kids' headshots are completely different from corporate photos. Rafi's comp card session shows what young performers need: age-appropriate makeup, simple styling, natural expressions ready for auditions and talent submissions.

I've been photographing the Lennon family for years now.

Their kids are in college. They're getting ready to move. And everyone was home for Thanksgiving, so we did one more session in the house… and the snow!

We captured them around that photo wall. Filled with all the years. All those moments. All those stages.

I didn't get Christmas cards done this year.

As a photographer, that feels a little ironic. As a mom with ADHD, it comes with the familiar guilt of knowing I care deeply and still can't do everything.

This photo was taken during a quiet afternoon spent doing a puzzle with my son. No checklist. No urgency. Just time.

Something had to give this season. And this is what I chose instead.

I've been thinking a lot about the work I want more of next year. And it keeps coming back to this: family sessions.

The genuine connections. The chaotic-but-somehow-perfect moments. The families who show up as themselves and trust me to capture it all.

There's something about family photography that fills me up. Maybe it's because I'm a mom myself and I know how fast these moments go. Or maybe it's because families can't fake their dynamics. The way siblings interact, the way parents look at their kids; it's all right there.

And that's a wrap on mini-sessions for this year!

This season at Studio 25 Naperville, we did something that transformed the entire experience: families picked their photos before they left.

You view your images on the spot. Choose your favorites. Know exactly what you're getting before you walk out. No weeks of waiting. No wondering. Just instant results and zero stress.

This is what milestone photography is really about: not just capturing individual events, but being part of a family's ongoing story. Watching them grow. Being there for the moments that matter.

Senior year goes faster than any parent ready for.

One minute they're starting high school with backpacks too big and schedules they can't quite figure out. The next, you're staring down graduation, college applications, scholarship deadlines, and the sobering reality that they're leaving home soon.

Here's what happens to most families every single year: Spring semester hits. Prom is around the corner. AP exams are looming. College decisions are arriving. And somewhere in that chaos, you realize: "We still need senior photos."

At Studio 25 Naperville, you get controlled light, no reschedules, and timeless images — all just steps from the Riverwalk. Whether it’s for your family, newborn, or wild little ones, this studio was made to make your session feel effortless.

Here’s why more families are choosing the studio (and loving it). →

Miranda booked a maternity session, but her baby had other plans. When her little one arrived early, our vision shifted — from editorial maternity to a quiet, heartfelt newborn session at home.
The result? Something softer. Something deeper.
Proof that the most beautiful stories are the ones we never planned.

What started as a Mother’s Day gift turned into one of the most heartwarming family sessions I’ve ever photographed. With no expiration date and total flexibility, this Naperville mom waited for the right moment—and the result was a relaxed, joy-filled experience with her daughters that radiated love, laughter, and connection.

Because that’s what family photography should be: not posed perfection, but real, timeless memories.

See how one thoughtful gift turned into a forever keepsake.

After my daughter was born, I missed the so-called “perfect” newborn photo window—and instantly felt like I’d failed.
That moment changed everything about how I built my studio.

Discover how understanding ADHD transformed this Naperville family photographer's approach to capturing authentic moments. A personal journey of self-discovery that enhances every photo session.