Capturing the essence of family through portraits is an art form that requires more than just a good camera. Chicago portrait photographers have their own unique techniques that help them bring out the personality and authenticity of each family they photograph. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the secrets that these talented photographers use to create stunning, heartfelt family portraits. Whether you’re planning a session for your own family or just curious about the process, these insights will provide you with a fresh perspective on family photography.
1. Creating Comfortable Environments
One of the first steps in capturing authentic family portraits is ensuring that everyone feels at ease. Skilled photographers often choose locations that hold special significance for the family, allowing natural interactions to unfold. Whether it’s a favorite park or the family home, familiarity fosters a sense of comfort that enables genuine moments to surface.
Additionally, the way photographers interact with families plays a crucial role in setting the atmosphere. An approachable demeanor helps to soften any initial self-consciousness. By engaging in light-hearted conversation and making jokes, photographers can ease tensions and prompt relaxed expressions—transforming a simple portrait into a memorable experience.
Moreover, the time of day and environmental factors cannot be overlooked. Photographers understand that choosing a serene environment free from distractions is essential. By scouting locations ahead of time and even visiting during different times of the day, they ensure they capture the perfect balance of comfort and beauty in their shots. So, whether it’s the golden glow of dusk or a sunlit morning, these considerations are key to creating tranquil settings that lead to engaging family portraits.
2. Understanding Family Dynamics
Every family has its own unique dynamics. Knowing how each member relates to the others can help photographers capture genuine moments that showcase their bonds. For instance, some families are playful and boisterous, while others may have a more reserved nature. By observing and engaging with family members, photographers can tailor their approach to best reflect those interactions in the photographs.
Paying attention to the nuances of relationships among family members can often lead to the best shots. A photographer might notice a sister’s protective instinct towards her younger brother, and capturing such moments results in truly memorable images. This understanding makes it essential for the photographer to communicate with the family before the shoot, discussing who gets along particularly well and pinpointing any dynamics that should be highlighted.
3. Using Natural Light to Enhance Emotion
Natural light can do wonders for portraits. Many Chicago portrait photographers prefer to shoot during golden hour, as the soft light adds warmth and enhances the emotional impact of the photos. The golden hour, with its gentle rays, creates a beautiful ambiance that illuminates the subjects and helps skin tones look their best. This is particularly essential in family photography, where emotions run high, and authentic expressions are valuable.
Besides the timing, photographers are adept at quickly adjusting their angles and positions to maximize the use of natural light. They may even incorporate nearby natural reflectors, such as light-colored buildings or grass, to enhance the lighting. This versatility not only illustrates their skill but also ensures families receive portraits that burst with emotion and warmth.
4. Incorporating Playfulness for Genuine Smiles
To evoke authentic smiles and laughter, photographers often integrate playful activities during the shoot. Whether it’s a game of tag or a shared joke, the spontaneity can lead to candid moments. Photographers who appreciate a lighthearted approach often bring props or suggest fun scenarios that encourage families to interact naturally.
Another effective tactic is to allow children some creative freedom during the session. This might mean taking a step back and letting the kids explore their surroundings, capturing their curiosity and energy. By doing so, the photographer not only captures smiles but also fosters an environment where families can create lasting memories together.
5. Building Trust with Families
Trust is key in photography. Experienced portrait photographers take time to get to know the family, creating a rapport that allows for more authentic expressions and interactions. This process often starts long before the camera starts clicking. Many photographers schedule pre-session consultations, enabling families to feel comfortable and share their preferences or concerns.
In essence, building trust transforms the experience. Families who feel understood will better relax and interact naturally in front of the camera. Photographers who truly listen to their clients’ needs set the foundation for deeper connections, resulting in incredibly authentic portraits that resonate on an emotional level.
6. Engaging with Children on Their Level
When photographing children, photographers must engage with them at their level. This not only makes the child feel comfortable but also results in more genuine expressions. Whether it’s crouching down to make eye contact or offering simple directives in a playful tone, these techniques are effective in establishing rapport.
Adopting a child-friendly approach may also include allowing for breaks, and recognizing when little ones need time to recharge. When children feel respected and valued during the session, the resulting images speak volumes about the authenticity captured in that moment; instead of stiff poses, you get genuine curiosity and delight reflected through their smiles.
7. Emphasizing Natural Poses Over Staged Ones
Staged poses can sometimes come across as stiff. Many photographers encourage natural interactions, capturing families as they truly are, leading to more heartfelt images. This method often results in a collection of candid moments—parents whispering to one another, siblings sharing secret jokes, or a grandparent sharing a laugh with a grandchild. Capturing these genuine interactions brings vibrancy and life to family portraits.
Photographers might set a scene and then step back, allowing families to interact without camera pressure. This laid-back approach can yield wonderful surprises that are authentic and nuanced, showcasing the unique character of each family member. It’s also helpful to gently guide families towards connection, fostering the kind of warmth that translates beautifully into photographs.
8. Choosing the Right Backdrop Matches Family Personality
The backdrop can significantly influence the feel of the portraits. Understanding the family’s aesthetic and choosing a complementary setting can enhance the overall storytelling of the images. For example, if a family values nature, selecting a lush park or serene lakefront would resonate with their identity, while an urban backdrop might highlight a family’s love for the city’s vibrancy.
Moreover, the chosen setting should create a casual feel. Whether it’s the intriguing architecture of Chicago or a spot with beautiful landscaping, these backgrounds not only enrich the story but also effortlessly highlight the family’s personality. Through this, photographers ensure that the backdrop is not merely a scenery but a vibrant character in the story they are telling through photography.
9. Incorporating Family Heirlooms and Personal Items
Incorporating items with sentimental value (like this heart stone that represents a child that passed for the family) can add depth and meaning to family portraits. Photographers often encourage clients to bring along heirlooms or cherished belongings. These items tell stories of family history, connecting generations through imagery that is rich and layered.
Introducing a family pet into a portrait session can elevate candid moments, creating a relaxed and love-filled atmosphere. Similarly, objects such as quilts passed down through generations can serve as perfect backdrops or props, making images distinctly personal, while showcasing the legacy of love and family traditions in each shot.
10. Being Patient and Flexible During Sessions
Children can be unpredictable, and patience is vital. A good photographer remains flexible during the session, ready to capture moments as they happen, even if the plan changes. Sometimes, the best shots occur when a family member breaks away from the original plan, leading to spontaneous, heartwarming memories that thrive in authenticity.
Just as important is the need for a well-timed break in the action. The attention span of young kids can be fleeting; the ability to adapt and lower pressure transforms the mood of the session. Whether it means pausing for snacks or taking a moment to regroup, successful photographers are always prepared to follow the flow, ensuring that the experience remains enjoyable for everyone.
11. Telling a Story Through Images
Great family portraits tell a story. Skilled photographers curate a narrative through a series of images that capture significant moments, relationships, and emotions within the family. By thinking beyond single images and crafting a cohesive narrative, they help viewers connect with the family’s journey on a deeper level.
These narratives can unfold through a series of photographs, highlighting milestones, daily family life, or shared experiences. By utilizing composition and sequencing thoughtfully, photographers can guide the viewer through a visual story that reflects the uniqueness of each family. This storytelling aspect of photography elevates portraits from mere snapshots to cherished heirlooms.
12. Post-Processing to Enhance Authenticity
The work doesn’t stop after the shutter is clicked. Post-processing can enhance the emotions in the photographs while maintaining their authenticity, resulting in stunning final images. This stage involves carefully adjusting lighting, contrast, and color grading, ensuring that the final product retains the natural essence of the moment.
However, it’s essential for photographers to balance enhancement with authenticity. Over-editing can strip a photo of its original charm, making it look artificial. By carefully applying techniques to emphasize, rather than alter the original characteristics of the images, they create portraits that wonderfully resonate with viewers—preserving the essence of the family and their genuine moments.
The answer depends a bit on your photographer, but they are generally pictures taken within the first month of your baby’s birth. There are different styles of newborn photos, which I’ll talk about more below, but the goal is generally the same: capture the tiny new life and all its sweet attributes. 
You might be wondering, with all those considerations, should you wait even longer? You certainly can, and many do. There are a few advantages to waiting beyond the first two weeks. One, it allows your newborn to fill out a bit, especially if they are smaller at birth. At ten pounds, babies have that undeniably adorable “baby” look we all cherish. 
On the day of your session, you’ll come up to the lofted area of the studio, where I have various setting options for backgrounds, including a clean white bed and a couch/living room scenario. We’ll review any items you’ve brought and ensure no diaper changes or feedings are necessary before we start. I typically like starting with the baby first, swaddling them at the start, which often helps keep newborns cozy and comfortable. I’ll gently move the baby through a series of posed but natural postures, capturing all those sweet details you don’t want to forget, like their tiny toes and itty-bitty ears. 
Located in Lincoln Park, just a mile north of downtown Chicago, this destination is popular among families who love to take a relaxing stroll around the pond toward the 
For that dreamy-dappled light and old-world architecture, check out the South gardens of the Art Institue of Chicago. An intricate system of hawthorn trees creates a sprawling canopy that feels intimately romantic to walk beneath. A central feature of this small-scale park is the Taft fountain framed by Locust Trees and flower shrubs. Head to the rear for a striking reflective composition that will take your breath away. 
This small park, built just north of Navy Pier is the only spot in the city where you can walk beneath a tunnel of trees while also having both the lake and skyline in your background. Visit toward sunset during which time the water turns into an iridescent scene of shimmering colors and the buildings provide a beautiful rim light for your images. 
The Riverwalk has a quintessential Chicago feel to it thanks to the local restaurants, breweries, and historic landmarks along the 1.5-mile stretch. Enjoy a Fist City Chicago-inspired Pale Ale at the Brewhouse while watching kayakers and double-decker boats drift past. Walk beneath the many (18 in all) that still operate on a daily basis and experience this bustling destination. 
If you’re looking for that famous view of downtown Chicago, but don’t want to fight the crowds, head north about six miles to Montrose harbor. This man-made area is not only a safe haven for boat lovers but also bird watchers, who reverently explore the magic hedge that attracts thousands of migratory birds each spring and fall. Just be aware, that many enthusiasts feel a sense of protection for the space. So if you find yourself at odds with a territorial bird watcher, don’t worry, just head toward the public beach or the stone steps for a scenic lookout.
Like New York’s Central Park, Grant Park is one of the most well-known features of the city. If you were to look at a map, the park is home to many of the spots on this list, including the Art Institute of Chicago and Millenium Park, and even more, I have yet to write about. These pictures however were taken along Jackson Boulevard and just south, where the park has classical architecture that feels like many parts of Europe. 
No others on this list even come close to the sheer amount of natural light pouring through the mostly glass modern wing of the Chicago Art Institute. A favorite among local photographers, with colorful artwork and skyline views that make for a perfect opportunity for silhouettes. Just know that inside access can be spotty. Like many locations on this list, discretion is key. Have a plan B, just in case. Or better yet, recreate an old-Hollywood picture on the classic steps outside.
“We didn’t have reasons to dress up because we couldn’t go anywhere, so we decided to wear fancy clothes just because….”
“Your dad was laid off, so he homeschooled you while I did therapy sessions in the bedroom with my patients….”
At a time when each moment is new and precious, in-home newborn photos are a wonderful way to remember the first with your infant. As a mother myself, I understand how wonderful and overwhelming those first few weeks with your little one can be. You want to hold on to every second with your new babe, but it can all pass by in a blur. To help you celebrate your growing family, I’ll come to your home and photograph those first few days with pictures in a natural, storytelling way.
How long are in-home newborn sessions?
I’ll snap away throughout our time together in a more documentary way, while also incorporating some dedicated “just baby” time that includes those sweet, simple, little up wrap like a baby burrito or snug as a bug with a lovey. After your session, I’ll go through all the pics and select the ones that best showcase our time together. Typically sessions include at least 70 pictures, but some might include more. You’ll have photos of not just baby, but also any other family member who might want to be captured with the star of the show.
It’s been such a joy watching the Sutherlands family grown. I first met Engy and Jason years ago when they hired me to be their wedding photographer. Seven or so years and three kiddos between us, I now think of them more as friends than clients.
Celebrate the birth of your baby with a mini newborn session. This option is perfect for the parent who loves those sweet, sleeping infant pictures. With gentle hands, I’ll capture your baby in a variety of poses. You’re welcome to bring your own props and wraps or choose from my own supply of wraps, swaddles, loveys, and headpieces.
