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Creating Lasting Summer Memories: Your Ultimate Summer Photo Bucket List in Chicago
Introduction:
Childhood is a fleeting season, and summer passes in the blink of an eye. To make the most of this precious time with your family in Chicago, it’s essential to start making your summer bucket list now. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you capture breathtaking moments and create lasting memories that will warm your heart for years to come. In this blog post, we will explore some fantastic photo opportunities unique to Chicago that will help you make the most of your summer and preserve those cherished moments forever.
1. Capture breathtaking moments at a beach sunset:
Chicago is blessed with beautiful lakefront beaches, providing a perfect setting to capture stunning sunset moments. Two of our favorite spots are Montrose Beach and North Avenue Beach, where you can watch the sun descend behind the city skyline, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for your family photos. As the golden hour casts a warm glow, gather your loved ones and strike poses in the sand, capturing the joy and togetherness of the moment. Let the gentle waves and the vibrant colors of the sky serve as a picturesque frame, creating timeless images that encapsulate the carefree spirit of summer.
2. Explore the beauty of the Chicago Riverwalk and LaSalle Street Bridge:
The Chicago Riverwalk and LaSalle Street Bridge offer a unique blend of urban charm and natural beauty. Start your adventure near Wacker Drive and stroll along the river, taking in the breathtaking architecture and the vibrant atmosphere. Pose for photos with the iconic LaSalle Street Bridge as your backdrop, capturing the energy and spirit of the city. Allow your family’s laughter and candid moments of exploration to be frozen in time, as you document your journey through the heart of Chicago. Don’t forget to pause at notable spots like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza or the City Winery, where the surroundings provide additional opportunities for beautiful family portraits.
3. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, stopping at your favorite ice cream or dessert spot for a photo:
Chicago neighborhoods are known for their local charm and vibrant culinary scene. Take a leisurely walk through your neighborhood, exploring its unique character. Capture the essence of the community by pausing at your favorite ice cream or dessert spot for a photo. Whether it’s Jeni’s Ice Cream in Bucktown or Lincoln Park, or a yummy desert from Cafe Selmarie in Lincoln Square, let the vibrant colors and delectable treats serve as a backdrop for your family portraits. These images will not only evoke the joy of indulging in your favorite flavors but also remind you of the shared moments of laughter and happiness that accompany these neighborhood outings.
4. Gather extended family together for some group photos while they’re in town visiting:
Chicago is often a destination for family gatherings, as it offers a wide range of attractions and activities. Plan a special family reunion in a picturesque location like Millennium Park, where the iconic Cloud Gate (affectionately known as “The Bean”) provides a reflective surface for unique group photos. As multiple generations come together, capture the love, warmth, and connection that family brings. The vibrant greenery, the Chicago skyline, and the smiles of your loved ones will create a collage of memories that will transport you back to the joyous moments spent in Chicago. Alternatively, gather at Lincoln Park Zoo for a fun-filled day amidst lush greenery, capturing candid moments of laughter and bonding that will forever remind you of the joyous family time spent in the heart of the city.
5. Have some fun poolside and capture splashing around and underwater shots:
If you’re looking for poolside fun in Chicago, head to one of the city’s many public pools or water parks. As the sun glistens on the water, capture the excitement as your little ones splash around, their laughter filling the air. Freeze the action with candid shots of your children’s delight, showcasing their carefree spirits and the joy of summer. Underwater shots can be taken at private facilities that provide a unique perspective, allowing you to capture the playful expressions and the sheer exhilaration on their faces as they dive beneath the surface. These photographs will serve as a window into the magical world of childhood and the happiness experienced during summer days in Chicago.
6. Explore the serenity of nature preserves:
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature preserves around Chicago. Places like the North Park Village Nature Center and the Northerly Island provide a tranquil setting for family photos. Capture candid moments as you wander along nature trails, observing the beauty of the flora and fauna. The lush greenery and peaceful surroundings make for captivating images that reflect the harmony between your family and nature.
Conclusion:
Chicago, with its diverse landscapes and vibrant cityscape, offers countless opportunities for creating lasting summer memories with your family. From beach sunsets at North Avenue Beach to exploring the Chicago Riverwalk and LaSalle Street Bridge, the city provides picturesque backdrops for your family photos. Indulging in neighborhood delights adds a touch of local charm. Whether gathering extended family in Millennium Park or enjoying poolside fun, Chicago offers unique experiences that will forever be captured in your photographs, allowing you to relive the joy, laughter, and love shared during those fleeting summer moments. Make this summer one to remember by documenting your adventures and creating lasting memories in the vibrant city of Chicago.
Join in the fun! We send out all of our Mini Session announcements to our newsletter first. We only send emails once or twice a month. No spam just session announcements, deals and casting call announcements. Sign up for our newsletter here
Join in the fun! We send out all of our Mini Session announcements to our newsletter first. We only send emails once or twice a month. No spam just session announcements, deals and casting call announcements. Sign up for our newsletter here
5 Reasons to hire a professional photographer for your child’s birthday party
As parents ourselves, we understand that you want to capture every moment of your child’s birthday party. It’s a special day for them, and it’s important to have those memories to look back on in the years to come. However, trying to take photos yourself can be a challenge, and you may end up missing out on some of the moments that you wanted to capture. That’s where we come in – as a children’s photographer in Chicago, we provide a solution to this problem by offering professional photography services for your child’s birthday party.
You are IN the Photos
One of the greatest advantages to hiring us for your child’s birthday party is that you can be in the photos too! We understand how important it is to capture these special moments with everyone who made the day extra special, including you. When you’re helping manage the event and making sure everything goes smoothly, it can be difficult to make sure you’re also in the photos with your child. That’s why we make capturing these moments of everyone a priority, so that you won’t miss out on being in the memories too. This way, you and your child can look back on those special memories for years to come. We want to make sure that you have all the photographs you need to remember this special day for years to come!
Get professional photos to last a lifetime
Another benefit of hiring us is the quality of the photos you’ll receive. While cell phone photos can be convenient, they often end up being blurry or low-quality, especially in a party environment where there may be low light or a lot of movement. Our professional photography equipment and experience mean that we’re able to capture high-quality photos that really capture the essence of the party. We know how to work with different lighting and environments to ensure that you get photos that you’ll love.
Let go of the stress of trying to photograph yourself
Finally, by hiring us, you get to enjoy the party without worrying about taking photos. As a parent, it’s natural to want to capture everything, but that can also mean that you end up spending the whole party with a camera in your hand, trying to make sure you get everything. When you hire us, you can relax and enjoy the party with your child and family, knowing that we’re taking care of capturing the memories for you. This way, you can really be present in the moment, rather than worrying about taking photos.
Let Your Photographer Friends and Family Enjoy the Party
Your friends and family are probably talented photographers who would love to take your photos—but they may not always produce results that match the quality of a professional. Additionally, having those closest to you take photos can detract from their experience at the party. Instead of burdening them with the responsibility (or guilt!) of having to take photos, allow them to fully enjoy themselves.
With a professional photographer on board, you can rest easy knowing that your special moments will be captured without disrupting any personal relationships. Professional photographers are adept at capturing events and know the best angles and timing for optimal results.
Plus, with a professional photographer you can be sure that your friend will be in the photos too! They’ll thank you for entrusting a pro rather than forcing them to step away and take pictures.
Pros have valuable experience and relationships
The kids’ party industry is a fun and exciting field to be in as a professional photographer. We have an understanding of the flow of every event, thanks to our experience working with venues similar to yours before (After shooting parties for over 13 years, there is probably a good chance that someone on our team has shot AT your venue). We understand how to capture performers and vendors in a way that shows off their work and the entire experience. Plus, due to our frequent work in the industry, we often know performers and vendors personally. This means that we can take great shots of your event from a personal perspective as well. With years of experience, our photography team will be sure to capture all the special moments of your kid’s party in an extraordinary way!
Overall, hiring a professional photographer for your child’s birthday party is a great way to ensure that you get high-quality photos that capture all of the special moments of the day. By working with us, you can be sure that you’ll get photos that you’ll treasure for years to come, and that you’ll be able to enjoy the party without worrying about taking photos yourself. We understand the importance of capturing these memories, and we’re committed to providing you with beautiful photos that will allow you to look back on this special day with joy and nostalgia.
Meet Thomas, a Chicago-based professional photographer with over 13 years of experience capturing beautiful moments for families. Throughout his career, Thomas has dedicated himself to providing families with stunning photographs that capture the essence of their love and togetherness. His work has been published in various publications, and he has won several awards for his outstanding magazine photography work.
With over 3,000 photography sessions under his belt, Thomas has established himself as a highly experienced and sought-after family photographer in the industry. He is widely recognized for his exceptional skills in capturing candid moments and creating timeless family portraits that families can cherish for generations. You can check out his family photography portfolio here.
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to capture your child’s first birthday memories, a smash cake session with TK Photography Chicago, a Chicago family photographer, is a perfect choice. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider booking a smash cake session for your little one’s milestone birthday:
1. Create Memories: As a parent, you want to cherish every milestone of your child’s life. A smash cake session is a great way to capture the joy and excitement of your child’s first birthday in beautiful photographs that you can look back on for years to come.
2. Express Your Creativity: With our Smash Cake Mini Sessions, you have the opportunity to express your creativity and make your child’s smash cake session uniquely yours. From choosing the smash cake color to picking the balloons and banner design, you can create a session that perfectly reflects your child’s personality. No worries if you don’t want to pick everything out yourself. You can also choose to send us a picture of the birthday Childs outfit and we can pick for you!
3. Have Fun: A smash cake session is not only a great opportunity to capture memories but also a fun experience for your child. They get to play with their food and make a mess without getting in trouble, which is a great sensory experience for them. Often the first few touches of the cake are accompanied by a look that says ” you’re not going to stop me?!”
4. Great Photo Opportunities: We will capture stunning and unique photographs of your child during the smash cake session. The messy cake, colorful decorations, and your child’s genuine reactions make for beautiful and memorable pictures. If they decide to skip the hands and dive face-first into the cake or cry because it’s sticky on their hands we will be sure to catch it all!
5. Celebrate Milestones: Your child’s first birthday is a significant milestone, and a smash cake session is a fun and creative way to celebrate it. It’s a special occasion worth commemorating, making a smash cake mini an unforgettable experience.
A smash cake session with TK Photography Chicago is the perfect way to celebrate your child’s first birthday. You can create beautiful memories, express your creativity, have fun, capture great photos, and celebrate your child’s milestones. Book your session today and cherish these memories forever!
Meet Thomas, a Chicago-based professional photographer with over 13 years of experience capturing beautiful moments for families. Throughout his career, Thomas has dedicated himself to providing families with stunning photographs that capture the essence of their love and togetherness. His work has been published in various publications, and he has won several awards for his outstanding magazine photography work.
With over 3,000 photography sessions under his belt, Thomas has established himself as a highly experienced and sought-after family photographer in the industry. He is widely recognized for his exceptional skills in capturing candid moments and creating timeless family portraits that families can cherish for generations. You can check out his family photography portfolio here.
Join in the fun! We send out all of our Mini Session announcements to our newsletter first. We only send emails once or twice a month. No spam just session announcements, deals and casting call announcements. Sign up for our newsletter here
Join in the fun! We send out all of our Mini Session announcements to our newsletter first. We only send emails once or twice a month. No spam just session announcements, deals and casting call announcements. Sign up for our newsletter here
In 2020, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce partnered with us to offer affordable headshot snapshots for small business owners, entrepreneurs and hard-working individuals. We are excited to re-establish this partnership and provide more people access to fresh, new headshots!
we understand that sometimes quick new headshots can mean a lot. We love photographing small businesses and doing longer sessions with multiple looks, but we also recognize the importance of getting a quality headshot quickly. When you need to update your business profile or website right away, we’ve got you covered!
Our next event is Tuesday, January 24th 10-12pm. More dates to come!
Simple and Fun! Our signature style of banner, cake, and balloons is a nod to classic birthday style but with a modern twist that allows our Smash Cakes to match any theme. We combine colors and elements to give parents the freedom to dress their birthday kid however they want, while keeping the background as a supporting character to the main star- Your Child.
Do we use props?
Our general studio style is to use props as a minimum. We focus on connecting with children and anything that is used as a prop should support that interaction. Anything that pulls their attention away from the people in the room, is pulling their attention away from the photographs and experience in the moment.
How do we choose the cake, banner, balloons, and backdrops?
After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the questionnaire. There you upload the outfit your child will be wearing and can choose all the elements OR let us choose for you.
Cake Texture options
Cake colors are fairly endless but we do suggest that you lean towards lighter colors too keep fingers from Staining
Background Colors
Banners
Note: We are working on updating our catalog of banners. We constantly have new banners but have to update the questionnaire! So, if you don’t see something here, you can always send us a photo of the outfit for a recommendation based on what we have in studio. You can also check our facebook galleries for images of past Smash Cakes to get ideas!
Balloons!
We recommend 2-3 Balloon Colors. We usually like for one of those colors to be a neutral color like silver, white, black, or gold.