Suburban and Chicago Senior Photographer

Main Character Energy Filled High School Senior Photos – Since 2005

Hi, I’m Mare – a suburban and Chicago senior photographer. I have over 21 years of experience capturing high school seniors. These are the last portraits you’ll have taken of your child before everything changes.

I’m Actually a Day One Senior Photographer

I’m going to be honest with you: I never used to lead with “I’m a senior photographer” when describing my work. As I began the process of creating this newest Marmalade home I came to the realization: over two-thirds of my recent sessions in the past few years have been senior portrait sessions!

Apparently the high school seniors found me before I found myself!

I also realized that I’ve been a suburban and Chicago senior photographer almost my entire professional career, having taken my first senior photos during one of my first full years of business (the youngest sibling from that particular Marmalade Family is one of the girls featured on these pages)! This really was an aha moment to me. I can be a bit slow or something.

Or maybe I was waiting for someone to send me a certificate or something…like one that says: YOU ARE OFFICIALLY A PHOTOGRAPHER THAT SENIORS LOVE (or at the very least you’re maybe ok to be around and even maybe fun).

I’ve been photographing families and kids for so long that some of the faces you’ll see on this site have literally grown up in front of the Marmalade camera. But if this is our first time meeting, WELCOME! I’m very happy you’re here. Enjoy viewing the galleries!

I look forward to photographing your not-so-Little-anymore high school senior and I bet you can’t believe they’re seniors already! Don’t worry, I’ve been there, done that, totally can relate, I’ll share in your joys and tears and the in between bittersweet moments of having a kid about to graduate high school.

Time is a terrible thief. Don’t get me started…

High Schools Kids Know What They Like

It’s true: high school kids are remarkably in tune with who and what they like.

These kids are savvy and they operate on instinct – er vibes, as they say – assuming they still say that, I don’t know – I haven’t been super social media savvy for a MINUTE!

What was I saying, oh yeah, that instinctual like/no like is what I genuinely appreciate about them. Whether I’ve worked with someone a bunch of times (it’s happened!) or this is our very first session together, I always love their outlook on the world, on current events, music…I love their sense of humor, the way they carry themselves when their guard comes down. I enjoy hearing about the way they see the world, their friends, and I love that they make me feel like a kid again. I love high school seniors – I won’t lie. They’re on the threshold and I’m all about the thresholds!

High school seniors still engage in spontaneity. It’s that letting down and just being themselves that brings me joy. As a suburban and Chicago senior photographer I can capture that remnant of the sweet toddler that was by your side every moment of every day, or that preschooler who was so joyous to see you at pick up time when I look through the lens and I see your child for who they were.

See? I’m a mom and I’ve lived through this stage. Also I taught high school kids as a CNA instructor, a gig I loved during a time when world happiness was in short supply (2021-2022).

Just know that when you look for an area suburban and Chicago senior photographer? The “vibes” are actually really important. Kids know fake. They also know when someone genuinely enjoys them. As you look through photographer’s galleries – keep in mind expressions. Natural, not forced. Some serious, some playful, some in-between. Most of them, after the click of the shutter, we burst out in laughter!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE when being Photographed by Marmalade

Really it is. It’s all about you and the sessions tend to be like 99.9% (I’m gonna say it, I am) ‘fun’. Also I’m biased. I mean I did get a fake award and everything…take my word for it, it wasn’t like I totally created a fake award in Canva or anything just to get some kids to laugh at me.

Nah…I’d never. I have a reputation to uphold.

Anyway……

What do I mean by “choose your own adventure”? Marmalade seniors are photographed at whatever location your heart desires – whether it be at their favorite place or one they picked from my Marmalade Locations. I travel throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to come to you or they can come to me (most popular option are the Marmalade Location). This is what makes Marmalade a premium choice as a suburban and Chicago senior photographer.

Also I don’t use backdrops or traditional studio lighting setups – though I’m happy to accommodate that when it’s the right fit for your session. Like if you REALLY want it.

Preference? Outdoor locations! Location photography allows seniors to interact with their environment and allows a natural flow to the session leading to all that spontaneity I chatted about earlier. Sometimes a senior and their parent want to be photographed at a favorite childhood spot – a park, an ice cream shop, a favorite place to shop. I’ve photographed seniors at their favorite hotel destination and have traveled with families to capture their child at some of these favorite local haunts. When we show up at a location it’s often a choose-your-own-adventure scenario and we end up having a blast exploring the various nooks and crannies of the location site. We’ve started at the family home and I just sat in the passenger seat going from place to place and I’ve hosted at one of my many spots…literally. Choose your own adventure!

I want every session to reflect the senior as much as possible and I encourage them to play a big part in planning their photo session. Or we can wing it. Both work!

The boy in the suit walking (in the first slideshow)? He was really into Peaky Blinders at the time, his mom told me they wanted to capture some of that ‘vibe’. They drove into Chicago all the way from Madison, Wisconsin to have photos created in beautiful downtown Chicago with Marmalade. They were a referral from his step dad who had me photograph all three of his children! I mean how cool is that?! Like they genuinely appreciated what I do.

You will too!

The girl in the nature setting? She really loves flowers and the outdoors and she wanted her session to reflect that. Some of my seniors love urban environments and want their sessions to reflect their love for the city. Others don’t have a preference and are just in it for the experience – the vibe. Still others are very certain of the mood of their imagery. I love working with every type of senior. Personality is everything and I appreciate that!

This Whole Site Is A Love Note To You

This website has been dedicated as a love letter to clients past – and to clients future. Including the funnest bunch in all the land: SENIORS!

Some of my high school seniors have seen Marmalade at various stages of their lives. Those Marmalade Kids have a special place in my heart – I’ve watched them grow from Littles to not-so-Littles and not-quite-Bigs. In the case of one girl featured above, from infancy all the way to her senior session. Violin is her thing, and I always encourage seniors to bring a little of what makes them them. What a joy it was to hear her play – a bit of talent on display at one of my favorite serene locations in the woods. It was *chef’s kiss*.

It is truly a blessing to watch these kids grow into beautiful, smart, talented, personality-filled young adults.

Others, like one of the the young men featured above, it was my first time photographing him and he near immediately showcased his personality! While there are mostly serious poses in these images shown above that amazing young man had me in stitches (with his dad and brother at their session). A huge highlight of early summer.

The Process, Pretty Much (Mostly)

When I meet up with a senior’s family – at one of my locations, in the city, or somewhere of their choosing – we take a few moments to get to know each other (or get reacquainted). Before your session takes place I pose some get-to-know-you questions about the Senior’s interests and before I even pick up the camera the day of your session I have some idea of your personality and style.

After 20+ years photographing young people I’ve learned that letting the pace of the session be partly dictated by the kid being photographed matters. It matters a lot.

I truly appreciate the trust these kids and their parents put in me to create these memories of their almost-college-aged child because these sessions often end up being super fun and we have a lot of laughs.

Why Senior Photos Matter

You may be asking “What’s the point, why even have senior photos created in the first place?” Or maybe you’re wondering about the time management of it all: “Senior year is so busy, so packed to the brim!” and “Gosh, senior photos are just. one. more. thing.” And maybe you’re right. Senior year is a lot.

Maybe you’re a senior boy and you don’t get the point. I mean, I get it, man, I really do. But bro, your mom wants these pictures and after all the BRUHs you’ve given her through the years, give her this solid. I mean she loves you and thinks you’re like the best looking kid ever. She deserves a nice pic, maybe a few with her included. Oh man mom’s love that. I promise you’ll be her favorite after your session.

Seriously though: here’s the gist of senior year and getting photos done: every senior deserves images that are entirely AND unmistakably them with the glimpse of who they are becoming. Every parent deserves to remember their senior when they were still theirs.

Let’s talk logistics and scheduling:

Suburban and Chicago senior photographer Marmalade seniors are photographed throughout their senior year: many seniors choose to have their senior pictures done right after junior year as the summer begins, some choose the fall, others in winter (for those kids who love the look of fresh snow – and yes, we wait for a good one), and still others in the spring of senior year or even just after graduation. There’s no wrong time.

Building That Main Character Energy + Time to Bond With Your Senior

But here’s what I’ve observed after 20+ years: beautifully crafted senior photos provide a genuine confidence boost to young people who have gotten through the more awkward stages of adolescence and are now really just beginning to know themselves. With boys especially – and I find this remarkable every time. The increased level of confidence that emerges after seeing their images is not a coincidence. Many moms have remarked on it as well.

Senioritis is also a real thing. Having something to look forward to – something that’s just for you, as a senior, time to showcase who you’re becoming?!? I believe that matters more than people give it credit for.

As a parent: it’s also a built in bonding opportunity for you and your senior. I suggest this and so many do – parents show up ready to be photographed at their senior’s session. And I’m glad they do. It’s an opportunity to do a micro session with just your not-so-Little-anymore. I always encourage parents to come prepared to be photographed “just for a few”.

Think on this: it’s one of the last occasions to achieve professional portraits with your about-to-leave-the-nest child. Siblings as well – once that senior heads off to college the under-one-roof dynamic between brothers and sisters changes. Sometimes in subtle ways. Often not so subtle. But things shift and change. Don’t you want to remember how they were together while they were full time siblings in the same house?

Turns Out: Your Kid Likes Being Front and Center

Most seniors, if not all, really do love being front and center once they settle in. Yes, some put up a fight at first (boys) – but once we’re just hanging out and they get to be themselves? It’s aces from there. Every single time. And oh-so-fun! It’s rare where a boy doesn’t just flow within a few minutes.

And if you really have to twist your seniors (ahem, boys) arm? Consider a mini session event for him and his friends. These go over really well! They all experience the trauma together! LOL

For the girls? No worries, they are born naturals for in front of the camera and The Signature Session will be appreciated with the unlimited outfit changes option!

Ready to book your senior session?

Whether you’re a Marmalade kid who’s grown up in front of my camera or this is our very first hello – I’d love to hear about your senior. Tell me about them. Their interests, their vibe, their favorite places. Let’s create something that’s entirely, unmistakably them.

Marmalade Photography has been photographing Chicago and suburban high school seniors for over 20 years. Every session is fun, location based and every portrait is personal. Every senior deserves images that are entirely AND unmistakably them with the glimpse of who they are becoming. Every parent deserves to remember their senior when they were still theirs.