Tag Archives: Capturing Memories

Looking for a Family Photographer?

Are you looking for a family photographer to capture unique, authentic family photos? I’m your girl! I have been photographing families using my candid, photojournalistic-style photography for over 10 years.

Before I had my own children, I was a photographer and photo editor for different newspapers around the world. So I have a lot of experience coming into a situation and telling a family’s story through photos.

Information and Investment

Would you like to learn more about what it looks like to work with me? Interested in pricing info?

Check out my Family Photography Guide here.

Want to see examples of my authentic Family Photography Sessions? Click here, here, here and here.

Interested in talking to me or booking a session with me? Email me at Susanrkphoto@gmail.com .

Family Photojournalism| Chicago IL Photographer |Disney Surprise Scavenger Hunt

What is family photojournalism? Family photojournalism is what some people like to call “Day in the Life” photography. A family invites me into their lives to document a moment in time that they would like to remember. It can be as simple as Saturday morning pancakes, bedtime rituals, or cheering on your child at a sporting event. Or sometimes, I am invited into someone’s home to document a special memory in the making.

Family photojournalism shoots are great for families who don’t want the pressure of picking out L.L. Bean catalogue -worthy outfits. Who don’t want to bribe, cajole, and scold their children into sitting still and behaving for the camera. It takes all the stress out of a typical photo shoot because I am focused on getting pictures of children being themselves, not a prettified, sitting-still version of themselves.

I know, I know, you take lots of snapshots with your iPhone of your everyday moments. Those are great too! But wouldn’t it be nice to have a photographer capturing the precious connections between you and your child? Having a professional photographer make artwork of your everyday is a truly a gift that will be cherished for generations. Your children’s children will love to see their parents’ lives in action.

And getting parents IN the photo instead of just behind the camera? Even better.

When you look back at your family photos in 20 years, what will be more meaninful to you? An album of photos that document your connections and moments (family photojournalism)? Or what you looked like in matching outfits in a beautiful background (standard portrait photography)?

Day in the Life

The “Z” family invited me over to photograph “the big reveal” of telling their children about an upcoming trip to Disney. M and K collected clues around the yard until they found the big box in the backyard. Watching the building excitement from one clue to the next was a blast!

Getting Ready

And They Are Off!

Tomato Break!
Back to Work

The Big Surprise!

I hope you enjoy looking at these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

To see more Family Photojournalism by Susan Ryan Kalina Photography please click here, here, here and here.

Wrightwood Park Family Photos |Lincoln Park IL

I was so excited when I got the opportunity to do family photos for Julia and Andy.

Julia is the hip, fun working mom who writes the blog “Lipstick, Lollipops and Life” for Chicago Now. I am not sure how she manages to work full time, raise young boys, and look incredibly fashionable at the same time, but somehow she does it!

Her insightful musings are always informative and fun to read.

Not only can you find great information about balancing the responsibilities of the working woman and toddler mom, she also has articles on fashion, nutrition, vacations, and everything in between!

At Home

When I first met the boys, I was immediately drawn to their gorgeous big, blue eyes. And while the boys were shy at first, they quickly warmed up and began showing me around.

My goal was to capture their daily memories in photos. And of course, we needed to get a nice group shot for the holiday card!

Wrightwood Park

Next, the boys wanted to get outside and play. Andy and Julia are so lucky to be raising their boys in the city with so many parks nearby to choose from. We decided Wrightwood Park would be a perfect place to enjoy the playground, the sand box, and ride bikes. And have I mentioned the adorable Mutant Ninja Turtles helmet? I told my sister-in-law about them and she immediately bought them for her boys. People always say girls have all the cute stuff, but I don’t think that’s true anymore!

Wri

Settling Down

After getting out all their little boy energy, we heading back to the house for quiet playing with their toys and dinner time.

I had such a great time getting to know Julia and Andy and the boys and capturing their family photos. Blending into the background and photographing the beautiful, simple moments of their day was effortless.

If you would like to see more family photojournalism sessions that document the beauty in your every day, click here and here.

Lifestyle Family Photos | Deerfield IL Photographer

I am proud to have been hired to photograph the “everyday” of this lovely Deerfield IL family.

Mom M was so relaxed for our shoot! And Dad J was right there in the mix playing with his sweet duo. We started with hanging out in the backyard. After a little bit of swinging and sliding, little G got dad J to shoot some hoops with him.

Little G with the AMAZING curly hair was shy with me at first. But after a time he really warmed up. And I loved it when he would flash me that infectious grin.

Miss S was such a sweetheart too. So independent! So determined! This girl knows what she wants and figures out how to get it done. Watching her help serve dinner was priceless! She is like a grown up in a little girl’s body!

After hanging out in the backyard, we were off to Maplewood Park for more slides and climbing! Photographing a family at the park always makes for great photos. Letting the kids be themselves and play allows for more authentic photos than asking them to sit a certain way and trying to coax a natural smile from them. I promise you, you will not regret having beautiful images of your kids having genuine emotion instead of staged smiles!

I love that the G family asked me to capture their memories. The little moments that make up our everyday are so precious. How special for this family to be able to look back for years to come and see with vivid detail the beautiful moments that tell the story of raising their children.

Memories of raising our children can get lost in a haze of diapers, playdates and carpool runs. Hiring a photographer to “stop time” and document these moments before they are gone is so important!

If you are in the Chicago area, I would love to photograph your family photo story. From Oak Park, to Evanston, even Milwaukee, I am available and ready to come to you and document your day in the life!

Here are a few examples of other family photojournalism sessions: Mom’s Morning, Train Trip to Chicago and Baking with the Kids

Family Lifestyle Photos – Deerfield IL

Maplewood Park

Playing at Home

Dinner Time Photos

Bedtime Photos

Deerfield IL | Get Mom in the Photo!

With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching, I am reminded of how often Mom’s are behind the camera instead of in the photo. For most of us, the visual history of our children looks like they were raised by a single dad!

Why not change that for Mother’s Day! Give Mom a gift certificate for a family photojournalism session! Let me capture your memories with mom IN the photo! I can document you doing your favorite Saturday morning rituals (pancakes anyone?), enjoying a beautiful Chicago Spring afternoon, or anything you like to do as a family!

For an example of a family photojournalism shoot, look here.

Purchase a gift certificate for a sitting and schedule the shoot before June 29, 2015, and receive a free 8×10 ($67 value).

Contact me through the “Inquire” button and we will make it happen!

Lake County Il Family and Corporate Photographer

Susan Ryan Kalina is a Lake County Il Family and Corporate Photographer Specializing in Candid Moments and Events