Tag Archives: Lifestyle Photography

The Photos You Need to Take | Grandparents and Grandkids

Why I Love Photographing Grandparents and Grandkids

Do the grandparents and grandkids in your life live in different cities? Mine do. My parents live a five-hour drive away in St. Louis.

We try to see them as much as we can, but the reality is life is busy. Having three children means my family has a hectic schedule. Between school, dance, swimming, plays and sports, our weekends don’t always belong to us.

So, when we make the trek to St. Louis or my parents come to town, I make sure I document every minute my parents and children are together. My children are now 10, 12 and 13. As they have aged, the visits with my parents have changed too. In the early days, just getting to town and surviving seemed like an accomplishment. We would go to Demun Park, the St. Louis Zoo, maybe hit the Magic House.

Now that they are older, my children are capable of being out from dawn to dusk, soaking up all the opportunities and adventures St. Louis has to offer. Want to know the bad news? As my children have grown older, so have my parents. My parents can’t spend the whole day on their feet anymore.

Finding Ways to Connect

Because my kids are always off running around having adventures or on the couch with their heads buried in their electronics, getting them to have meaningful interaction with their grandparents has become more of a challenge. Having a meal together has become a cherished time for my kids and parents. Sometimes I need to prod the conversation a little to get things going. I like to ask my dad to tell the girls about how his parents put him on a public bus BY HIMSELF with a ticket pinned to his shirt to go to a World Series Cardinals game when he was 8-years-old. And I ask my mom to tell the girls what it was like to be in middle school in the late 1940’s. Now, staying at the table long after the food has been eaten to hear stories about Nonnie and Grandpa’s childhood has become a favorite part of our day.

So what I have realized is it’s becoming more important that my children and their grandparents just get time to connect, it doesn’t really matter where or how. And if they need a little “talking points” inspiration from my carefully placed questions, so be it! I am happy to help get the conversation going.

I make sure to take my camera out for all of these get togethers. Because life moves too fast. The kids are growing up at a rapid clip. And my parents continue to age. But I want my children to always remember the precious moments we carved out for them with my parents. I want them to have pictures to go with those stories of the time they went to the Science Center or when grandpa took them to lunch at Crown Candy for a special lunch outing.

I want them to remember they were loved and cherished by their grandparents, long after they are no longer here to tell them. I want them to have albums they can show THEIR children some day.

Want Some Help?

And if you feel like your camera or phone camera won’t do the situation justice, call me! I would love to spend time following your children and their grandparents around, documenting their beautiful relationship. The best thing about these photo shoots is you won’t end up with a bunch of static, awkward photos of people standing there looking at the camera. I call my style of photography “family storytelling” or “family photojournalism.” I am very passionate about capturing this beautiful relationship for future generations to enjoy.

So, next time the grandparents come over, let’s make a plan to photograph them. Or next time you go to visit the grandparents, I can follow you. I may be a Chicago family photographer, but I am available to travel out of town to do your grandparent photography shoot. Especially anywhere near St. Louis! Give me a call at 773-510-7105 and let’s talk about it.

Interactive family photos with the grandparents and grandkids might be a new idea for you, but I promise you will never regret having these grandparent photos taken. Let’s have fun with this new twist on family photos!

If you would like to see more examples of family storytelling shoots, please click 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.

Jasmine’s Sweet Sixteen Party

The Make-A-Wish Foundation asked me to photograph Jasmine’s Sweet Sixteen party. I was thrilled to spend the evening documenting Jasmine getting pampered and enjoying her fabulous party. Her family was a joy to be around. And seeing several vendors I recognize from the bar mitzvah and wedding circuit donating their time to a worthy cause definitely makes my heart sing.

I love photographing events. Birthday parties, sweet sixteens, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, you name it! Any chance I get to tell the story of someone’s day, I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience.

Having good clients throughout the year allows me to take the time occasionally to donate my services to families that can’t afford photography. Thank you to all the people I work with that make this possible!

Chicago Sweet Sixteen Photography

Brunch at Kevin’s Place | Family Photography Chicago

Our family has many little rituals that make up our day. And while I know I will always have my memories, I like to document our stories with photos so I can look back and see the sweet little moments that make up our lives.

One of our favorite weekend traditions is having brunch at Kevin’s Place in Deerfield. We started going here years ago because I heard it was a good place to take kids. No one would give you a funny look if your children laughed too loud, ate with their fingers, or even melted into the dreaded tantrum. Now that my children can safely make it through a meal without these issues, it’s still one of our favorite places.

Lynn, Matt and Freddie always greet us with a smile. Matt always inquires about what we have been up to lately and tells me of his latest adventures. And the best part, he always tells me I look pretty. Now, this may not sound like much, but from a lady in her 40’s, I don’t hear this from anyone but my husband these days …

When Kevin comes to the table to get our order, he usually sits down and digs in for a good pre-ordering chat. The girls can’t wait to share with him. From dance performances, to plays, to school achievements, he gets to hear it all. They love to talk to him because he listens so intently. He focuses on each child and always gives the best reactions.

Thank you Kevin, for being a bright spot in our crazy, busy lives. You slow us down and remind us that good food, good friends, and connecting with each other is what life is all about.

Having a Chicago Adventure with the Girls| Family Photography

I love being on holiday break with my kids. During regular school time, it just doesn’t feel like we have time to breathe. I feel like we are constantly rushing to school, hurrying to after school activities, shoehorning in homework time, and then jamming in dinner before showers and bedtime.

I am cherishing lazy mornings and afternoon adventures.

Yesterday, my mother-in-law and I decided to take my girls and nieces to downtown Chicago.

The girls loved riding on the train, chitty-chatting, taking pictures of each other and playing games on their itouchs. This was a big improvement on the two-hour drive we took to the city last week. (Why do I always forget that a little rain can add an hour to our drive in a flash?!)

We started our afternoon in the city by collecting a dizzying array of colorful food a the French Market at Ogilvie Train Station. We then went to visit Daddy at his high-rise office and ate our wacky smorgasbord in one of his conference rooms. (Anyone care for a crepe? Or a Vietnamese spring roll? How about a lobster roll or butternut squash soup? And don’t forget the French macarons for dessert! )

Next was a quick hello to Auntie Amy before wandering the halls of the Art Institute.

And then back on the train for more silliness and selflies.

We had a glorious day of exploring different tastes, beautiful art, lots of hugs, and almost no bickering. A glorious day!

Deerfield Bat Mitzvah

Photographing Jessica A.’s Deerfield bat mitzvah was such a treat! From the before photos at Shir Hadash Synagogue to the party at Highland Park Country Club, her family and friends were so much fun. I could tell from the minute I walked through the door that this is one loved, special girl.

Thanks for choosing me to document your big day!

To see more event photos by Susan Ryan Kalina, click here.