About Marianne Drenthe | Chicago Family Photographer

Creating Heirloom Portraits for Chicago Families Since 2005

Hi, I’m Marianne – most people call me Mare. I’m here to help you create meaningful artwork that celebrates your family’s story.

When you work with Marmalade Photography, you’re not just getting someone who knows how to use a camera and wrangle various personalities in what could be a stressful situation. You’re getting a photographer who understands why family portraits matter, how to make the experience joyful for everyone (even reluctant husbands and teens), and how to create artwork you’ll actually want to display in your home for generations to come.

How I Got Here

I’ve been drawn to photography since childhood. I was about six or seven when my brother let me hold his Canon 35mm film SLR. I remember how it felt to look through the viewfinder – seeing the world through that limited rectangular frame. I can still feel the roughness of the camera strap against my neck, the weight of the camera, the cool temperature of the camera body.

By third grade, I’d found a 110 camera at a garage sale. I’d been saving for it, and when I finally brought it home, I was hooked. The rest is history.

To tell the truth, I’ve always been a witness of sorts. The one who sees moments others might miss. Those in-between moments you see throughout this site? Those are my favorite moments – and they often end up being my client families’ favorites too, because I caught that MOM moment. You know the one. The one that might be missed because everyone’s waiting for the “say cheese” smile? (We don’t ever “say cheese,” except ironically, of course.)

Before becoming a professional photographer, I worked as an RN in ICU and CVICU. I spent years with people during their most critical moments – crisis, loss, the hardest days of their lives. Some of the most challenging days of my life were as a nurse. I’m eternally grateful for those experiences because they refined my vision.

A series of events surrounding my second daughter’s birth shifted my priorities. My vision for what I wanted to do in service to others changed. I realized I wanted to be part of the other end of the spectrum: celebrating growth, milestones, and memory-making rather than crisis.

In 2005, I founded Marmalade Photography. Twenty-plus years later, I’m still here, doing what I love – creating beautiful imagery for my clients and their families, witnessing and documenting the moments that matter most to families like yours.

What Makes Working With Me Different

I don’t just “take pictures.” It may sound elitist, but that’s not my function for my clients. My function is to see you. Your relationships with one another. The shyness of your preschooler in contrast to the exuberant 7-year-old sibling – and how their interactions with each other translate to their sibling relationship. The relationship between you and your partner, how you both engage with your children (and sometimes extended family members). The affection between you all. Your commitment to family.

Think of it this way: my job is that of a cartographer, mapping how your story unfolds in front of the camera – how that story will be told through light, composition, and those beautiful in-between moments that reveal who you really are.

I understand the psychology behind why family photography matters. Displayed family portraits give children a sense of belonging and identity. They answer the question every child asks (even if not out loud): “Where do I come from? Where do I belong?”

My understanding of human psychology – and especially child psychology – comes from multiple sources: my nursing background and coursework, my professional experience photographing thousands of subjects over 20+ years, and my 26 years as a mom myself. I know how children respond to being seen and celebrated. I know what makes teenagers relax. I know how to capture genuine connection, not forced smiles.

I’m also a storyteller. I write fiction, I engage my imagination constantly – and that narrative sensibility translates directly to how I approach your photography session and your final collection.

This is why I focus on creating artwork you’ll actually display – not digital files that sit unused on a USB stick drive, tucked in a drawer somewhere in your home. A photograph only does its emotional work when it’s on your wall, not buried in your phone. I’ve personally witnessed the benefits of printed, displayed photography for over 20+ years as a professional photographer and 26+ years as a mom. I know this to be true. Printed and displayed photography matters, and that’s why it’s a cornerstone of my offerings as a professional photographer.

The entire reason for Marmalade Photography encapsulated:

What You Can Expect When You Work With Me

• Consultation – We’ll talk about your vision, your family dynamics, what matters most to you. I want to understand your story before we ever pick up a camera.
• Session Planning – Together we’ll choose locations, coordinate outfits if you need guidance, plan timing. I’ll guide you through every decision so you feel confident and prepared for your time in front of the camera.
• The Photography Session – This is the fun part. Relaxed, joyful, memory-making. I want you to remember the laughter, the connection, the experience – not just the final images.
• Product Design – We’ll design your collection together – albums, wall art, print displays created specifically for your home and your family’s needs.
• Display Planning – I’ll help you plan how to display your artwork meaningfully – selecting the right pieces for the right spaces, ensuring your portraits do the emotional work they’re meant to do. Physical installation assistance is available for an additional fee if you need help hanging your collection.

The Experience:

I want your session to be relaxed and joyful – not stiff and stressful. I want you to remember:

• The smell of burning leaves in the forest during your autumn session
• The feel of summer air during golden hour at the beach
• The energy of Chicago’s neighborhoods during a fun urban shoot
• The quiet intimacy of your own home during a lifestyle session
• …and any of those little memory triggers that come with the creation of lasting memories

I have always believed that the experience matters as much as the photographs.

Who I Work With

I specialize in photographing:

• Families – multi-generational, immediate family, extended family gatherings
• High School Seniors – capturing this pivotal moment before they head off to their next adventure as young adults
• Newborns & Babies – from tiny brand-new humans to busy, curious toddlers
• Maternity – celebrating this transformative time in your life
• Mother & Baby – a personal favorite; the bond between mother and child

I serve families throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Evanston, Northbrook, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Naperville, Elmhurst, Frankfort, Orland Park, and Lemont and the locations in between.

I work on location – whether that’s your home, a meaningful outdoor location, or one of my curated Marmalade Locations in the Southwest suburbs.

Visiting Chicago from out of state? I’d love to photograph your family against the backdrop of this beautiful city.

My Background

I’ve been photographing families professionally since 2005. Over these 20 years, I’ve:

• Photographed thousands of people throughout Chicagoland (and beyond)
• My children’s work has been featured on the cover of Rangefinder Magazine
• I’ve had some of my travel work published in National Geographic Traveler and publications across the country
• I have trained dozens of photographers through mentorship programs – some from far away as Hong Kong
• I am the founder of Professional Child Photographer, an educational platform dedicated to helping families choose qualified photographers and helping photographers build sustainable businesses

My ICU nursing background informs how I work with families – I bring patience, empathy, and an understanding of life’s fragility to every session. I know how precious these moments are because I’ve witnessed what happens when we run out of time to capture them.

For a complete list of publications, awards, and professional recognition, visit my Press page

Creating Heirloom Artwork, Not Just Digital Files

I work with families who understand that professional photography is an investment in:

• Visual family history – showing your children where they come from
• Emotional anchors – constant reminders of love and belonging
• Heirloom quality – artwork designed to last generations
• Thoughtful display – products created for your walls, not your hard drive
• Time – not just the time spent creating imagery, but the visual marker of time your photography session preserves

Your final collection might include:

• Custom-framed wall art designed for your specific spaces
• Heirloom albums you’ll treasure for decades
• Gallery wall collections that tell your family’s complete story
• Tabletop prints and smaller keepsakes
• Holiday cards and announcement materials
• Digital imagery: presented in a beautiful box with 4×6 reference prints + websized files for online sharing

I guide you through every step – from initial vision through final installation – ensuring your investment results in meaningful artwork that serves your family for generations.

Beyond the Camera

When I’m not photographing families, I’m running Professional Child Photographer – my platform dedicated to elevating photography standards and helping families make informed decisions when choosing a photographer.

I’m also a mom myself, which informs everything I do. I understand the chaos of coordinating schedules, the challenge of getting everyone camera-ready, and the value of preserving these fleeting moments. I bring that understanding to every session.Investment & Pricing Philosophy

You won’t find individual pricing listed on my website but I do provide ranges – because your needs differ from every other client before you. Please note: we do not have a minimum spend, as we believe in creating collections that fit your needs and budget.

Every family is different. Your vision, the products you want, the scope of your session – these all factor into your investment. I prefer to have a conversation about what matters most to you, then create a custom collection that fits your needs and your vision.

Sessions with Marmalade Photography represent a significant investment – this is professional photography with an emphasis on creating displayed artwork that will last for generations. I work with families who value this level of service and understand the importance of preserving their family’s story through heirloom-quality portraits.

Investment ranges for our typical sessions based on our Signature Session (unlimited time, unlimited outfit changes):

• Comprehensive collections: $6,000+ includes session fee, gallery wall display(s), heirloom album, and digital imagery
• Starting point: $1,000+ includes session fee (location dependent), one wall print, and a variety of gift prints (8×10 and smaller)

Full disclosure: If you’re looking for budget photography, Marmalade is likely not the right fit for you.

But if you’re looking for a photographer who:

• Understands child development, family psychology, and how relationships interplay with one another
• Focuses on creating artwork you’ll display (not files you’ll forget)
• Brings 20+ years of professional experience
• Makes the process enjoyable from start to finish
• Actually cares about your family’s story and how it’s preserved
• Seeks to establish long-term relationships, documenting your family through various life stages

Then I think we’re a great fit, and I’m excited to plan a photography session together with you!

Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together

Are you ready to preserve your family’s story? I’m excited to hear about your vision, the dreams you have your session, the things that matter most to you, and how I can help make it all happen.

Contact Me to Discuss Your Session

A Few More Things You Should Know

I take on a limited number of sessions each year. This allows me to give each family the time, attention, and creative energy they deserve. If you’re interested in working together, reach out sooner rather than later – especially if you have specific timing in mind. Typically I am booked several weeks out. Keep this in mind when scheduling our date together.

I’m selective about the families I work with. I work best with families who value the process as much as the final artwork. When we’re a good fit, the images are better, the experience is more enjoyable, and the final collection truly reflects your family.

I’m here for the long haul. Many of my clients come back year after year – documenting new babies, growing children, milestone moments. Some families I’ve been photographing for over two decades. I’d be honored to become part of your family’s story for years to come.

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Marmalade Photography
Chicago Family Photographer since 2005
Serving Chicago, the North Shore, and surrounding suburbs

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