How to Choose the Perfect Family Photographer in 5 Easy Steps

A Chicago Family Photographer Puts Her 20+ Years of Experience to Work

Hi! My name is Marianne Drenthe and I’ve been photographing children and families since 2005. I’m sharing a proven and mostly objective framework on how to select a photographer to preserve your family’s story with heirloom images that last generations.

Choosing a family photographer is an important decision – one that will impact how you remember and celebrate your family’s story for decades to come. With literally hundreds of photographers to choose from you may be left wondering “How do I choose a photographer for my family photos?”

A Real Client Story

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 partners in memory creation. I’ve had the honor of photographing her family over this time from the time her oldest daughter as a toddler, the joy of the addition of her son to the family, family milestones through the year: First Holy Communion photos…most recently, her high school senior portraits! It has been nothing short of an honor to continue a professional relationship with a family for so long – we have history together.

Returning clients over nearly two decades? To me? That is the ultimate testimonial!

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 an exception for Marmalade Photography – my business exists because of so many client families I have watched grow through these life stages!

Step 1: Define Your Photography Style Preference

Before researching photographers, clarify your vision. This narrows your search 10x.

Ask yourself these 5 questions:

• Setting? Studio and more posed? Or more natural, candid “lifestyle photography” in your home or an outdoor location?
• Editing style? Are you drawn to bright and airy images OR rich and moody tones OR natural, true-to-life colors OR more of a low contrast film emulation (or film) look?
• Full color OR black + white OR both?
• Pose style?Formal/posed portraits OR candid OR somewhere in between?
• Wardrobe? Coordinated or casual?

Pro tip: Picture your dream imagery on your wall as art first and foremost. Once you have in your mind what your vision is…selecting a photographer whose style goes well with that aesthetic becomes near effortless!

Step 2: Research Professional Photographers

Now that you’ve ID’ed your style you’re ready to evaluate photographer’s portfolios with a discerning eye. You’re looking for photography whose work resonates with you.

You may have a lot of choices to work with – don’t get overwhelmed. At this point it’s important to go by your idea of what you envision.

Portfolio Quality and Consistency

Don’t just look at a photographer’s ‘best of’ gallery. Dig deeper. Don’t hesitate to request a full session gallery preview during your interview if a photographer’s vibe isn’t fully there or if you’re worried about inconsistent imagery. Don’t be scared to ask the photographer to show a gallery that is filled with images as they were presented to the client.

Ask yourself:

• Is the lighting consistently beautiful?
• Are the compositions thoughtful?
• Do the images tell a story?
• Can you envision your own family in these images?

Years of Experience

Experience matters in professional photography. A photographer who’s been in business for 5+ years has likely developed the technical and interpersonal skills to handle unexpected challenges. Someone with more experienced has dealt with:

• wiggly toddlers
• unpredictable weather
• wardrobe malfunctions
• family dynamics

Chances are they’ve seen the thing and they have a policy for it (or they’re prepared to react to it accordingly).

Also someone with less experience may not be prepared to handle newborn babies (or any babies) safely. They may be ill-equipped to deal with changes in lighting. They may not have back up equipment…

Honestly the list is endless.

If you’re looking for consistency – you’re best bet is hiring a pro with some miles under their tires.

Commitment to Professional Development

Photography is a constantly evolving profession and yet one thing remains the same: endless opportunities for learning!

Look for photographers who invest in continuing education – attending workshops and conferences, experimenting with new techniques, and staying current with industry trends. These are photographers concerning themselves with investing in mastery.

Specialization in Your Needs

Not all photographers specialize in the same genres. Some excel at newborn photography while 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 never assume that any one photographer is equally skilled at everything – this inevitably will result in a disappointing experience.

If you’re looking for newborn photography:

• Seek photographers with newborn experience
• Are they skilled with newborn posing and safety
• Make sure they understand the unique challenges to newborn photography
• Don’t be afraid to ask about their newborn experience level
• Red flag list: lack of awareness of some of the cardinal rules when handling a newborn – some of which are warmth, safe handling and need for frequent feeds

If you’re looking for a high school senior photographer:

• How well do they connect with teens
• How much experience do they have with posing teens
• How do they bring out the best in a shy or introverted teen
• Red flag list: in their portfolio look for expressions that seem unnatural, weird placement of appendages (especially hands), awkward posing, repetitive posing – caveat – some teens are awkward even in front of the camera with a skilled photographer so if it’s just a few images where the teen seems disengaged keep that in mind

For family photography, especially with young children:

Experience matters! Photographers who specialize in children’s photography have developed techniques to engage shy kids, work quickly with short attention spans, and genuine captures of laughter and smiles

Red flags forced expressions and awkward posing

If you have a child with special needs that is being photographed

Ask directly about their experience working with _____ (specific need).

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.

Red flags may include a vibe check at the time of your consultation

Step 3: Evaluate Personality Fit and Communication Style

Yes, technical skill and artistic vision really matter – but so does personality!

(IT REALLY IS THE SECRET SAUCE!)

You’re inviting this person into intimate family moments. You need to feel comfortable with them, and they need to feel comfortable with you to get best interactions and expressions possible.

Why personality fit matters – when you vibe together:

• You’ll be more relaxed which = natural, genuine expressions in your photos
• Your children will respond better to a photographer they connect with
• Communication will be easier throughout the entire process
• 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: Responsive? Clear answers?
• Listening: Do they ask about your vision, or do they push their own stylistic agenda?
• Energy: Do they seem genuinely excited about photographing your family? Do they seem interested in getting to know you?
• Their process: Are they confident in expressing their workflow, their style of shooting, etc.

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 photographer, you’re not just paying for the time they spend photographing your session. You’re investing in all those things behind the scenes that actually make up any business:

• Years of experience and expertise
• Professional equipment
• Pre-session planning
• The session itself
• Post-production work
• Professional products
• Business overhead
• Artistic expertise

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.

Questions to ask about investment:

• Session fee includes?
• What are the costs for final products? (Prints, digital files, albums, wall art?) Do you have a minimum purchase?
• What payment options are available? Delivery timeline?

Beware of the “lowest price” trap:

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

• Portfolio building (inexperience)
• Part-time commitment (photography is a side hobby)
• No backup equipment, insurance or professional editing gear

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

Check out our Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer worksheet. We created it as a free interactive tool that may prove to be a valuable resource while you are looking for a Chicago Photographer that suits the needs of you and your family.

Step 5: Trust Your Gut

After all the research: portfolios, personality checks and investment analysis and you’ve weighed options, remember to trust your instincts when choosing a photographer to work with.

Your gut knows things your analytical brain might miss:

• Does their work move you emotionally?
• Do you feel heard and valued when communicating with them?
• Are you genuinely excited for the session?
• Can you envision them creating images you’ll treasure?

Green light:

You’re comfortable. You love their style. You trust their skill level. You’re excited. BOOK THEM.

Yellow light:

Something feels ‘off’ – KEEP LOOKING

Your family deserves excitement, not second guessing.

Cost is only one facet of the equation – your joy and the preservation of your memories matters more. I personally have had a few clients come back to me years later and saying: at the time we thought you were expensive but looking back it was the best thing we could’ve invested in at the time. We still love them! The proof is that they came back.

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.

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:

• 5 Step Worksheet to Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer
• How Photography Fosters a Sense of Belonging
• Why Choose Custom Photography?

Our Photography Services:

• Senior Portrait Photography
• Children’s Photography
  
• Maternity Photography
• Newborn Photography
• Mother & Baby Portraits

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.