5 Steps to Choosing a Chicago Family Photographer

Introduction to Choosing a Chicago Family Photographer

Choosing a Chicago family photographer is an important decision – one that will impact how you remember and celebrate your family’s story for generations to come. With literally hundreds of photographers in the Chicagoland area, how do you find the right one for your family?

A family visiting from out of state is photographed in beautiful downtown Chicago. — This beautiful young family was visiting Chicago from out of state. Marmalade Photography memorialized their visit during a gorgeous, late summer morning – achieving this fun image and numerous others.

Years ago, I received a client inquiry that has stayed with me ever since. A young mom was calling from New Orleans – her family was relocating to Chicago for her husband’s new job. One of her very first priorities before the move? Finding the right family photographer.

I remember being struck by this. Along with finding the right pediatrician and before enrolling her daughter in school, before even packing and unpacking – this mom wanted to secure a photographer who would document her family’s journey in their new city.

Nearly 20 years later, we’re still working together! I’ve had the honor of photographing her oldest daughter as a toddler, the joy of that toddler becoming a big sister, family sessions as they grew, her First Holy Communion, and most recently, her high school senior portraits! It has been

This is what the right photographer-client relationship can be: a partnership that grows alongside your family, documenting not just moments but the entire arc of your story. This story is not the exception for Marmalade Photography – my business exists because of so many client families I have watched grow through these life stages!

We understand that whether you’re looking for newborn photography, senior portraits, maternity sessions, or family portraits, the process of selecting a photographer can feel overwhelming. We created this guide to help you walk through five essential steps to making an informed decision and finding a Chicago family photographer who’s the perfect match for your needs!

Step 1: Define Your Photography Style Preference

Before you start researching Chicago family photographers, take time to think about what style of photography resonates with you, what appeals to your sense of aesthetic. Understanding your preferences will help you narrow your search and find photographers whose work aligns with your vision.

Consider these questions:

Setting? Do you want traditional posed photos in a studio, or do you prefer natural, candid “lifestyle photography” in your home or an outdoor location?
Editing style? Are you drawn to bright and airy images, rich and moody tones, or natural, true-to-life colors?
Color vs. Black & White: Do you envision classic black and white portraits, brightly hued color images, or a mix of both? Some photographers excel at all color techniques, while others are specialists who rarely veer from their preferred style – this becomes an important point of discussion.
Formality? Do you envision formal portraits with everyone looking at the camera, or relaxed moments that capture authentic interactions and emotions?
Wardrobe? Are you thinking formal clothing and coordinated outfits, or casual, comfortable attire that reflects your family’s everyday personality?

Once you determine what you can envision for in-home display, you can make an informed decision about which photographer can achieve this vision for you.

What feels right for your family is what you need to be narrowing your choice to. Some families want perfectly posed portraits for their living room wall, while others prefer documentary-style images that capture the chaos and joy of everyday life. Some families envision crisp black and white photos lining their hallway gallery, while others love the richness of color or a dynamic mix of both. Knowing what you want makes it easier to identify photographers whose portfolios match your vision.

Knowing what you want makes it easier to identify photographers whose portfolios match your vision.

Here are just a few examples of the range of styles we offer at Marmalade Photography:

Step 2: Research Professional Photographers in Chicagoland

Once you’ve identified your style preferences, it’s time to start researching Chicago family photographers whose work resonates with you. This is where the real work begins – but it’s also where you’ll start to get excited about the possibilities.

What to look for when evaluating a photographer:

Portfolio Quality and Consistency

Don’t just look at a photographer’s ‘best of’ gallery. Dig deeper. Look at full sessions, and don’t hesitate to request a full session gallery preview during your interview – any professional photographer should be willing to show you complete sessions if you’re seriously considering their work.

More than just looking at recent sessions: you want to see consistency across multiple sessions, not just a couple of stunning images. Truth be told: anybody can get lucky with achieving one or two gorgeous images during a span of time with a family – that’s nice but that’s inconsistent. You will be investing time, resources, energy, money with a photographer – precious time that you can’t get back – it’s ok to be a little picky here and ask yourself about the consistency across the board.

This is why looking at a full session of images is good practice as well as comparing imagery from several sessions.

Ultimately you have to ask yourself: Is the lighting consistently beautiful? Are the compositions thoughtful? Do the images tell a story? Most importantly, can you envision your own family in these photos?

Years of Experience

Experience matters in professional photography. A photographer who’s been in business for 5, 10, or even 20 years has developed the technical skills and interpersonal expertise to handle unexpected challenges – wiggly toddlers, unpredictable weather, wardrobe malfunctions, you name it – they probably have a policy for it.

Which is actually great news. They’ve likely “seen it all” and are ready for it.

At Marmalade Photography, we’ve been creating family portraits in Chicago since 2005. That experience means we’ve photographed thousands of subjects, worked in countless locations throughout Chicagoland (& beyond actually), and we’ve developed the expertise to make your session smooth, enjoyable, and successful.

Commitment to Professional Development

Photography is constantly evolving. Look for photographers who invest in continuing education – attending workshops and conferences, experimenting with new techniques, and staying current with industry trends.

While photographers who teach workshops are often incredibly talented (teaching requires mastery, after all), it’s particularly impressive when a photographer also invests in their own continuing development as a student. This indicates a commitment to pushing their creative boundaries and refining their craft – which ultimately benefits you, the client. A photographer who remains curious, humble, and committed to growth will bring fresh creativity and technical excellence to your session.

Additional questions to consider:

Does the photographer showcase recent work, or is their portfolio years old?
Do they engage with the broader photography community?
Are they incorporating new techniques while maintaining their signature style?

Specialization in Your Needs

Not all photographers specialize in the same genres. Some excel at newborn photography, others shine with high school seniors, and still others have a gift for capturing multi-generational family dynamics. Some photographers have the knowledge, experience, and know-how to do several genres well – but assuming a photographer is equally skilled at everything can result in a disappointing experience.

If you’re looking for newborn photography, seek photographers with extensive newborn experience who understand posing safety, have the patience for feeding and soothing breaks, and maintain a comfortable studio environment for teeny tiny newborns. Be sure to ask the deep questions: How long have they been photographing newborns? Do they recommend any preparation pre-session? What safety protocols do they follow?

If you need senior portraits, look for photographers who know how to connect with teenagers – someone who can help them feel confident in front of the camera and create images that reflect their personality and achievements. Really pay attention to their senior portfolio and note any expressions of discomfort, awkward posing, or repetitive poses across the board. For high school seniors, a skilled photographer will truly bring out the personality of your almost-adult, and this requires a likeability factor that teens can detect a mile away.

For family photography, especially with young children, experience matters more than you might imagine. Photographers who specialize in children’s photography have developed techniques to engage shy kids, work quickly with short attention spans, and capture genuine laughter and smiles rather than forced “say cheese” expressions.

If you have a child with special needs, ask photographers directly about their experience. Many photographers have developed wonderful approaches for working with children who have sensory sensitivities, autism, ADHD, or other needs. A photographer with this experience will have patience, flexibility, and creative strategies to help your child feel comfortable and safe.

Step 3: Evaluate Personality Fit and Communication Style

Yes, technical skill and artistic vision really matter – but so does personality! You’re inviting this person into intimate family moments. You need to feel comfortable with them, and they need to feel comfortable with you, in order to elicit the best interactions and expressions possible.

Why personality fit matters:

You’ll be more relaxed during your session, which translates to more natural, genuine expressions in your photos
Your children will respond better to a photographer they connect with (kids can sense when adults are kind, patient, and fun)
Communication will be easier throughout the process, from planning your session to selecting your final products
The experience will be enjoyable rather than stressful

How to assess personality fit:

Most professional photographers offer initial consultations – either in person, by phone, or via video call. Take advantage of this! Pay attention to:

How they communicate: Are they responsive to emails? Do they answer your questions clearly?
Their approach: Do they listen to you? Do they ask about your vision, or do they push their own stylistic agenda?
Their energy: Do they seem genuinely excited about photographing your family? Do they seem interested in getting to know you?
Their process: Do they explain their workflow in a way that makes you feel confident and informed? Look beyond timelines (unless you’re under a deadline constraint) and focus on their process. Do their timelines seem reasonable based on the work they create? Are they confident in communicating expectations? Photographers who carefully cull images for quality and hand-edit each one will have different timelines than photographers who deliver 400+ images with minimal editing – neither is wrong, but understanding their approach helps you know what to expect.

Step 4: Understand Investment and Value

Let’s talk money. Professional photography is an investment – and like any significant investment, it’s important to understand what you’re paying for and what you’ll receive in return.

What goes into professional photography pricing:

When you hire a professional Chicago family photographer, you’re not just paying for the time they spend photographing your session. You’re investing in:

Years of experience and expertise – the technical skill and artistic vision developed over thousands of sessions
Professional equipment – cameras, lenses, lighting, backup gear (professional photographers invest tens of thousands of dollars in equipment)
Pre-session planning – consultation time, location scouting, timeline planning, outfit guidance
The session itself – typically 1-2 hours of focused attention on your family
Post-production work – culling through hundreds of images, professional editing, color correction, retouching (this often takes 4-6 hours or more per session)
Professional products – museum-quality prints, custom framing, heirloom albums, wall art design and installation assistance
Business overhead – studio space, insurance, software, website, marketing, continuing education
Artistic expertise – the ability to see and capture moments you might miss, to pose you naturally, to use light beautifully, to tell your family’s story in a way that’s both artistic and authentic

If you want to dig deeper into what distinguishes professional photography from budget options, I created Professional Child Photographer, an educational resource with questions to ask before hiring a photographer and guidance on evaluating photographers for your family. The article includes a downloadable PDF questionnaire you can print and use as you interview potential photographers.

Clicking this image will direct you to our informative Professional Child Photographer website

Questions to ask about investment:

What’s included in the session fee? (Is it just the photographer’s time, or does it include prints or digital files?)
What are the costs for final products? (Prints, digital files, albums, wall art?)
Is there a minimum purchase requirement?
What payment options are available?
What’s the timeline for receiving your final images?

Beware of the “lowest price” trap:

The cheapest photographer is rarely the best value. Very low prices often indicate:

Inexperience (they’re building a portfolio)
Part-time commitment (photography is a side hobby, not their profession)
No business investment (they may not have insurance, backup equipment, or professional editing software)
Unsustainable pricing (they’ll burn out or raise prices dramatically after a few months)

Professional Chicago family photographers charge professional rates because they provide professional results, professional service, and professional products that will last for generations

At Marmalade Photography, we’ve been in business since 2005 because we price our work sustainably, invest in our craft, and deliver exceptional value to our clients. During your initial consultation/exploratory conversation we take time to disucss investment details. We have found every family’s needs are different – the number of images you want, the products you’re interested in (gallery displays, gift prints, albums, wall art), and your specific vision all impact your total investment. This personalized approach ensures you understand exactly what you’re investing in and why, rather than comparing line-item pricing that may not reflect your actual needs. When you work with us, you’re investing in artwork for your home and heirloom images for your family’s legacy.

Step 5: Trust Your Gut

After you’ve done your research, evaluated portfolios, assessed personality fit, and understood the investment – ultimately, the best way to choose a Chicago family photographer is to trust your instincts.

Your gut knows things your analytical brain might miss:

The feeling you get when you look at a photographer’s work – does it move you emotionally?
The comfort level you feel when communicating with them – do you feel heard and valued?
The excitement (or lack thereof) you feel about working with them – are you genuinely looking forward to your session?
The confidence you have in their ability to capture your family authentically – can you envision them creating images you’ll treasure?

If you feel comfortable with a photographer, you love their style, you trust their expertise, and you’re excited about the experience – you’ve found the right photographer for your family. Cost is but one aspect of selecting a photographer and all-too-often it tends to muddy the waters on who actually would work to be your best fit.

If something feels uncertain, if you’re questioning whether they’re really the right fit, or if you’re not genuinely excited about the prospect of working with them – keep looking. Your family deserves a photographer you’re thrilled to work with.

Ready to start choosing a Chicago family photographer?

Choosing a Chicago family photographer for your family is a meaningful decision, you want to be sure you’re selecting someone who understands your needs and the needs of your family in addition to someone who will mesh well personality-wise. You’re not just hiring someone to take pictures – you’re selecting an artist who will capture this moment in your family’s story, create heirloom artwork for your home, and preserve memories that will matter more with each passing year.

At Marmalade Photography, we’ve been honored to serve Chicago families since 2005. We specialize in high school senior portraits, family photography, maternity sessions, and newborn photography throughout the Chicago area – including the city neighborhoods of Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, and Bucktown, as well as the surrounding suburbs of Frankfort, Orland Park, Naperville, Lemont, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Western Springs, Evanston, Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Lake Forest, and Highland Park. We work with families who value beautiful photography and want to preserve their most meaningful moments as heirloom artwork.

We’re committed to providing our clients with:

A collaborative, personalized photography experience
Beautiful, timeless imagery that reflects your family’s authentic story
Professional guidance from outfit selection through installation of your finished artwork
Museum-quality prints, hand held ordering processes that are designed for your convenience, heirloom albums designed to last for generations and so much more!

If our approach resonates with you, we’d love to talk with you about creating something beautiful for your family.

Contact Marmalade Photography to schedule a consultation and learn more about our photography services or if you have further questions about choosing a Chicago family photographer.

Additional Resources

Planning for Your Session:

Best Locations for Chicago Family Photography – Our favorite spots throughout Chicagoland
Preparing Your Child for a Photo Session – Tips for a stress-free experience

Our Photography Services:

About Marmalade Photography

Marmalade Photography has been creating beautiful, meaningful family portraits in Chicago since 2005. Founder Marianne Drenthe brings over 20 years of experience, a background in nursing that informs her patient and compassionate approach with families, and an artistic vision that transforms everyday moments into heirloom artwork. We’re honored to serve families throughout Chicagoland and would love to be part of your family’s story.