Chicago Senior Portraits That Celebrate Exactly Who You Are
Because senior year only happens once and the photos should actually look like them.
Studio and outdoor high school senior portraits in Chicago's and the surrounding area
Studio and outdoor high school senior portraits in Chicago's and the surrounding area
Because senior year only happens once and the photos should actually look like them.
Mom, Senior Year Arrives Whether You're Ready for It or Not.
You blinked. That is genuinely what happened. One minute you were packing a backpack for the first day of kindergarten and now you are googling senior photographers at midnight trying to figure out how to make this moment feel as big as it actually is.
Senior year is one of the last chapters where you are all still under the same roof, living the same daily life, before everything changes. You want photos that capture who they are right now, not a stiff pose in front of a painted backdrop that looks nothing like your kid.
You want something real. Something they will actually like. Something you will hang on the wall and cry happy tears in front of for the next twenty years.
That is exactly what we create here.
And If You're the Senior Reading This: We Promise This Won't Be Awkward.
Senior portraits have a reputation. Stiff poses, uncomfortable outfits, a photographer telling you to tilt your chin at a weird angle while you wonder what to do with your hands.
That is not what happens here.
Your session is built around you: your style, your personality, the locations you actually love in Chicago. Whether you want something clean and editorial in the studio or golden hour at the lakefront with the city behind you, we build the session around what feels most like you. Most seniors leave saying it was way more fun than they expected. That is kind of our thing.
A Chicago Senior Photographer Who Makes It Feel Natural
Senior portrait sessions are part photography, part confidence coaching. My job is not just to point a camera at you. It is to figure out exactly what makes you light up, put you in the right light at the right location, and capture the version of you that your family is going to want on their walls forever.
I have been photographing Chicago high school seniors for 16 years. I know how to work with the senior who is fully comfortable in front of a camera and the one who has never felt photogenic a day in their life. Both leave with images they are genuinely obsessed with.
The secret is simple: when you feel like yourself, you photograph beautifully. Everything I do in a session is designed to get you there.
Studio, Outdoor, or Both: Your Session, Your Way
Studio Senior Sessions
simple, classic, perfect
Clean, editorial, timeless. The studio gives us full control over light and environment, which means consistently stunning results no matter the season or weather.
Studio sessions are perfect for seniors who want a more classic, polished look, or anyone who wants to include multiple outfit changes without worrying about logistics.
Outdoor Senior Sessions in Chicago
The city is your backdrop
Chicago is one of the most photogenic cities in the country and we take full advantage of it. The lakefront, Lincoln Park, Winnemac Park, Montrose Beach, and Gillson Beach are some of my favorite locations for senior sessions. Golden hour light, iconic backdrops, and real Chicago energy.
Outdoor sessions book up fast in summer so plan ahead.
Why not both?
The best of both worlds
Many seniors love mixing studio and outdoor in a single session. A clean studio look plus an outdoor golden hour setup gives you the full range and the most variety for your final gallery.
Just mention it when you inquire and we will plan accordingly.
Want to Do family portraits as well?
Senior year has a way of making everyone a little sentimental, parents especially. If you want to capture a few family portraits while everyone is already together, dressed, and in a beautiful location, we make time for that.
Some of the most meaningful portraits I create are the ones of a mom with her senior, or the whole family together on the edge of this next chapter. It takes just a few extra minutes and the images are always worth it.
Just mention it when you inquire and we will build it into the session plan.
Summer Books Fast. Here's When to Plan.
Most Chicago high school senior sessions take place during the summer between junior and senior year, June through August. This window offers the most flexible scheduling, the best outdoor light, and enough runway to have your portraits ready for fall announcements, school directories, and holiday cards.
Early fall sessions in September and October are also beautiful, especially for seniors who want that stunning Chicago foliage as a backdrop. Spring senior sessions work well for graduation announcements.
Regardless of when you want to shoot, summer dates start filling in the spring. If your junior year student is coming up on that summer, now is the time to reach out.
How It Works
1
Reach out
We talk through everything: studio or outdoor, locations (or both), outfit ideas, timing, and any specific vision you have.
I send a prep guide with wardrobe tips and location suggestions so nothing feels like a surprise on session day.
2
Session
We move through locations and setups, work through outfit changes, and create a mix of posed and candid images that actually look like you.
3
Reveal+Order
This is the best part! 1-2 weeks after your photo session, you’ll come back to the studio to see your edited images. During this appointment we will work together to design something beautiful for your home. From large gallery walls or an album, to simple displays, we will create the perfect artwork for your family. Your complete order will be placed at this meeting, so we highly encourage you to have all decision-makers present.
4
Delivery
In 3-4 weeks your artwork will be ready. We are happy to arrange shipping or delivery and installation for you. Once your portraits are hanging on your wall you can enjoy them for years to come! And that's not all - many of our families visit us year after year to update their gallery walls or album collection with their changing family. We love seeing you each year and watching your family grow.
Chicago Senior Portraits: Real Students, Real Personalities
What Clients Are Saying
What to Expect Investment-Wise
Here is how it works. A $900 booking fee reserves your session date and gets everything started. That booking fee includes your $250 session fee plus a $650 product credit that goes directly toward your wall art, album, or image box order at your appointment.
Most families invest between $1,500+ once they fall in love with their images at the ordering appointment. Which, in 16 years, has been every single family.
Senior Portraits That Actually Live Somewhere
Not buried in a Google Drive folder. Not stuck on a school-issued USB drive from 2009. Real wall art, heirloom albums, and image boxes that live in your home and tell the story of this exact moment in your student's life. Senior portraits are one of the last portraits you will have of your child living at home. They deserve to be displayed beautifully.
Chicago senior Photography: Your Questions Answered
When should I book a senior photographer in Chicago?
If you are planning a summer session between junior and senior year, reach out in the spring. June, July, and August fill up quickly, especially for outdoor sessions. Fall sessions in September and October have a little more flexibility but still book ahead. The earlier you reach out, the more options you have for dates and locations.
When is the best time of year for senior photos in Chicago?
Summer is the most popular window because it offers the most scheduling flexibility. Early fall is stunning for outdoor sessions with Chicago foliage as a backdrop. Spring works beautifully for seniors who want portraits ready for graduation announcements. Each season has its own look and we can talk through which fits your vision best.
Where do you shoot outdoor senior sessions in Chicago?
Some of my favorite Chicago locations for senior portraits include the lakefront, Lincoln Park, Winnemac Park, Montrose Beach, and Gillson Beach. We choose locations based on your style, the look you are going for, and the time of day that gives us the best light. If you have a specific spot in mind, let me know and we will make it work.
What should I wear for senior pictures?
I send every senior a detailed wardrobe guide before their session. The general rule: wear what makes you feel most like yourself. Bring two to three outfit options that reflect your personality and style. Avoid large logos, overly trendy pieces that will look dated quickly, and anything you feel uncomfortable in. When you feel good, it shows in every single frame.
How many outfit changes can I bring?
Most seniors bring two to three outfits and we work through them during the session. If you want more variety or are planning both studio and outdoor setups, we can talk through timing and how to make the most of your session.
Can my family be included in the senior session?
Absolutely. If you would like to capture a few family portraits while everyone is together, we build that into the session. Some of the most treasured images from senior sessions are the ones of a mom and her senior, or the whole family together at this milestone. Just mention it when you inquire.
Do you photograph both male and female seniors?
Yes, and I love photographing both. Senior sessions are not one-size-fits-all and I tailor every session to the individual student's personality, style, and comfort level. Whether your senior is outgoing and loves the camera or has never felt photogenic in their life, we figure out what works for them.
Senior Year Is Almost Here. Let's Make It Look as Good as It Feels.
Summer books fast. If your junior is coming up on that summer window, now is the time.
Chicago senior photographer serving Lakeview, North Center, Lincoln Park, Old Irving Park, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Highland Park, and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods and North Shore suburbs.
