Tag Archives: Family Photography Chicago

Candid Family Photography with the Grandparents | Chicago

A New Take on Family Photography

What do you get for the grandparent who has everything? How about a candid family photography photo session that they will cherish?

If your parents are anything like mine, they are soooooooo hard to buy gifts for. My parents aren’t into gadgets and stuff. And they pretty much have everything they need. But one thing they do love to receive? Photos of the grandkids. And you know what’s even better? Photos of them ENJOYING their grandkids like the photos posted below.

Why I Love Doing Candid Family Photography Sessions with Grandparents

It is my mission to photograph more grandparents and grandkids sharing beautiful candid moments together. I love this relationship. I was obsessed with my grandparents. I would do anything to have photos of the sleepovers and tea parties I had with my grandma. And I don’t want my children to have that regret when they are my age.

How cool would it be to be able to pull out photos of your cherished memories with your grandparents and share them with your kids?

Well, we can do that for your children. Imagine them in thirty years being able to browse through a book of photos documenting an afternoon with their beloved grandparents.

AND don’t forget this can solve the dreaded gift-giving dilemma we run into every holiday season. (or birthday, or mother’s day, or father’s day, or anniversary …)

The K Family Spends the Afternoon with their Grandkids

When the K family heard about my new twist on getting family photos taken, they knew they wanted to try it! Like many Chicago grandparents, they help out babysitting with their grandkids. I spent a couple hours one afternoon documenting their time together. And what did I find when I looked at the photos after the shoot? Unconditional love. Joy. Kindness. Tenderness. And I know these photos will only become more precious with every passing year.

What Are You Waiting For?

So let’s talk! Shoot me an email through my “Inquire” link or call me at 773 510 7105 . You know this is a great idea. This is one gift certificate the grandparents in your life are guaranteed to love!

Would like to hear more about why candid family photography with the grandparents is so important? If so, click here, here, here and here.

Would like to find answers to common questions about Grandparent Sessions and how to book? Click here for all your answers.

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Susan Ryan Kalina is a Lake County, Il, Family Photographer, Lake County, Il, Event Photographer, Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer, Chicago Event Photographer, Newborn Photographer, Grandparent Photographer, Day in the Life, Documentary, and Candid photographer servicing Chicago, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, and Glenview.

The Trending Family Photos You Need | Chicago Photographer

Family Memories Captured … Or Not

Do you have great memories of your grandparents from when you were growing up?

I do! I loved wearing my grandmother’s nightgowns, high heels, and all the jewelry I could find in her drawers. She used to let me drink “coffee” with one drop of coffee and copious amounts of warm milk. I loved finding mint leaves to chew on in her back yard. Her overfed, miniature poodle used to sleep at the end of my bed for sleepovers.

Now ask me if I have any family photos of these precious memories. I don’t. And that makes me really sad. I can tell my stories to my children, but I can’t SHOW them.

I can show them pictures of me standing next to my grandparents. But I can’t show them how it felt to be with them, how much I loved them and how cherished I always felt in their presence. I can’t show them our story.

Here is How I Can Help You

But you know what I can do for you? I can capture that beautiful story for your family. Don’t let your children continue missing out on having this family relationship photographed.

I can spend time documenting your children’s precious grandparent memories as they are unfolding. Do they do sleepovers? I can photograph it. Do the grandparents help with daycare? I can photograph the beauty in the little daily moments they share. Or, like the Meyers family pictured here, I can photograph a favorite activity, like baking.

Do you think these family photos are something you would love to have? Call me at 773 510 7105 and let’s discuss the perfect situation to photograph your family. As a Chicago family photographer, I know we often think of family photos as just the parents and children. But grandparent-grandkid photography is so special! How awesome would it be to have these grandparent photos for your family?

Would like to find answers to common questions about Grandparent Sessions and how to book? Click here for all your answers.

If you would like to see more examples of my family storytelling photography (also known as family photojournalism photography), please click here, here, here and here.

Fort Sheridan Family Photography | Lake Forest, IL Photographer

Doing Fort Sheridan family photography is always a blast. And I couldn’t think of a better family to photograph at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve than the “A” family.

I think this was our fourth shoot together. I am so honored that they have chosen me for their family photos, as well as their bat mitzvah photography, over the years. It’s been such a pleasure to document this family’s memories!

The girls are maturing into such beautiful young women, inside and out.

Originally, I was supposed to photograph Jessica as part of her bat mitzvah package. Doing a fashionista shoot with a bat mitzvah girl is so much fun.

But her parents really wanted an updated family photo, so we worked it out. We did some fun, edgy individual shots of the girls in downtown Highland Park, IL, as well as captured the whole family together at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.

Highland Park, IL, Urban Photos

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve Family Photos

When we would walk from one location to the next, the girls would pull out their phones, frantically thumb-typing. Mom “A” informed me they were checking the Bears-Seahawks game. Being huge Bears fans themselves, Mom and Dad loved the regular updates!

As usual, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, Illinois, does not disappoint. We all enjoyed the beautiful walking path through the forest. And who doesn’t enjoy going on a beach walk?! Even more fun, you can bring a dog to this beach!

We are so lucky to have such natural beauty around us in Chicago.

While fall offers great opportunities for beautiful foliage, I still love photographing families at any time of year! Especially when I get a chance to do family photojournalism shoot. When I photograph a family who is interested in documenting their memories or family rituals, we don’t need to worry if the weather is perfect outside. All I need is a family who wants to remember Saturday morning pancakes, bedtime and bath time, cheering on a son or daughter at an event, or any other little family ritual that tells one of your family stories. Check out these family photojournalism shoots here and here.

In twenty years, what memory would you like to enjoy having captured in a photo album? What story in pictures would be fun for your children to show THEIR future children?

Contact me now at 773 510 7105 to schedule your family photojournalism shoot!

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