Tag Archives: family photojournalism

Daniel’s Whirlyball Bar Mitzvah | Highland Park

Bar Mitzvah Pre-Shoot

I always enjoy the bar mitzvah pre-shoot session. The pre-shoot is a great way to get to know each other before the big day. Daniel is such a creative guy. He had great ideas going into our photo session of how we could take cool photos. We met at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park and looked for interesting spots to take photos. I think our collaboration turned out fantastic!

Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Solel

When I met Daniel and his family at Congregation Solel for his bar mitzvah, I knew the day was going to be special.

Daniel did great and it was lovely seeing his family up on the bima with him. You could tell how proud they all were!

Time to Party at Whirlyball!

Once Daniel finished his amazing bar mitzvah at Congregation Solel, it was time to celebrate at Whirlyball Vernon Hills!

I knew we were in for a fun afternoon when I saw that Daniel had put on his light-up party shoes!

Energy Productions had the music cranked and got the crowd dancing. And of course, everyone loved playing laser tag and whirlyball.

I love shooting bar mitzvahs around the Chicago area. I typically book bar mitzvah shoots 18 months out. I am booked up for 2017, but I still have a small handful of dates available for 2018. Would you like to learn more about my rates and how to book with me? Click here to see my Bar Mitzvah Client Guide with answers to frequently asked questions.

Interested in seeing blog posts of other bar and bat mitzvahs I have photographed? Check out these links here, here, here and here.

Interested in working with some of the vendors from this fantastic event? Here is a list to help you connect:

If you would like to learn more about Whirlyball, click here.

If you would like to learn more about Energy Productions, click here.

Interested in learning about Congregation Solel? Click here.

Thanks so much for taking a look at my post today!

The Best Grandparent Gift Ever

A New Answer for Grandparent Gift Giving

Whether its the holidays, birthday time, Mother’s or Father’s Day, I am always stumped for what to give my parents as a gift.

Well, now I have an answer for you for this nagging question. How about a photo session for the grandparents and grandkids in your life!

The grandparents love it. The kids will have the photos to cherish and hold onto forever. And it’s a unique, fun gift idea. I promise you it will be the best grandparent gift ever for your family!

Click my Grandparent Sessions Client Guide below to learn all you need to know about Grandparent Sessions, rates, and if this might be for you.

Want to see some examples of a Grandparent Session? Click here and here.

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.

To follow me on Facebook, click here.

To follow me on Instagram, click here.

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.

Grandparent Photography | Lake County IL Photographer

Why You Need Grandparent Photography

I am obsessed with doing storytelling photo shoots with grandparents and grandkids. I think it’s one of the most beautiful, under-photographed, yet cherished, relationships that exists.

Why do I care so much? Let me tell you about my father-in-law, Elliot Kalina.

Like many people of a certain age, my in-laws couldn’t wait to be grandparents once my husband and I got married. When I was looking at wedding dresses with my mother-in-law, she asked if she could give my future child (no, I wasn’t pregnant) her first American Girl Doll.

They Couldn’t Wait!

You could almost say they “practiced” with their great-nieces and great-nephews, lending a helping hand whenever it was needed and generally spoiling their niece’s and nephew’s children every chance they got.

It Was Love at First Sight

When my oldest, Gabrielle Mairead, was finally born 13 years ago, her grandparents adored every inch of her. Like many hard working daddies, my father-in-law did not have hobbies to fill his time when he retired. He was thrilled to spend every moment I made available with my daughter. He would drive to the Chicago twice a week, picking me up a coffee on the way, and send me off while he read Gabrielle books, changed her diaper, played with her on the floor, whatever her heart desired.

They developed such a close relationship that when my father-in-law would hand her back to me, HER MOTHER, she would cry. I can honestly tell you that did not happen with anyone else, even her father.

As Gabrielle got a little older, her special twice-weekly “Poppy” visits were something she looked forward to more than anything else. She would stare out the front window waiting for her beloved grandpa to arrive. That drive from Buffalo Grove to Chicago could be 45 minutes or 90 minutes, so we never knew exactly when they would get to our house.

Unforeseen Tragedy

When Gabrielle was 19 months old, and I was due in three weeks with Eliza, Elliot passed away in the middle of the night. No illness. No warning. He was 64-years-old.

We miss Elliot every day. His next six grandchildren can only know him through our stories and photos. And I’m embarrassed to say, I don’t have many photos. And the ones I do have are snapshots. I am so thankful I have even that. How special would it be if I had beautiful, artfully shot storytelling photos that told the story of their beautiful relationship?

Please, learn from my mistake. If your children have grandparents that are in their lives, let me document that relationship for you. Grandparent photography is a gift for the grandparents, you and your children. Call me at 773 510 7105 and let’s make it happen.

The end result will be a beautiful book, slide show and wall art that future generations will enjoy. I promise you won’t ever regret having these photos taken.

If you would like to see some examples of my grandparent photography shoots, please click here, here and here.

Want to learn everything you need to know about Grandparent Sessions? Click here to learn about how to book, common questions and general pricing information.

A Special Outing with Grandma | Family Photography Chicago

Family Photography Shoot Ideas

Do you want to have a special family photography shoot that you will cherish forever?

How about a photo shoot that captures the special relationship between your children and their grandparents? Like that idea, but don’t know where to start?

Anything your children enjoy doing with their grandparents is a great possibility for a family photography shoot. Do they like to bake cookies together? Perfect!

Do they take the kids on walks around the neighborhood, inspecting each bug and leaf? Love it.

How about a sleepover? Or just as special, how about a day in the life of them babysitting on a regular day? Going through the rituals of the day together is always rich with little, lovely moments of connection between the generations.

Or if your kids are a little older like mine, they love to take the Metra train with their Bubbe and cousins to the city.

Our Big Adventure

We started our day with meeting at the Deerfield Metra Station. Of course, even though they are not toddlers, we still have to bring along snacks and drinks. Just riding the train downtown, giggling, chatting and looking out the window, is the first adventure of the day.

Lunchtime

Then, we went to our favorite eating spot, The French Market. Lobster roll anyone? Or how about sushi? Or maybe a Vietnamese sandwich. And don’t forget the melt in your mouth Belgian fries. Everyone finds something they love when we eat here.

Daddy Visit

The kids always love to visit Daddy in his high-rise office downtown. The view is incredible. And because my husband is a games-obsessed dude, his office is full of toys he’s collected over the years. As usual, we had to drag the kids out so he could get back to work.

Boat ride on the Chicago River

Next was my favorite part of the day, taking the water taxi along the Chicago River. We have taken them on the architectural boat tour before. I loved it, but they are just as happy to just sit on the boat, drinking in the sites as we pass them by. And the bonus, MUCH cheaper than the guided boat tours.

Capturing Your Family Photos

Would you like to have photos like these for your next family outing? Doing a family storytelling shoot is a great way to have a book, slideshow and even wall art that captures the beautiful connections between you and your family. So next time you think about hiring a family photographer, give me a call at 773 510 7105. Let’s discuss what kind of family photos are right for you. And don’t forget the grandparents!