The Experience

For more than 25 years, I’ve photographed people and pets with the same goal: to make the experience relaxed, personal, and fun. Whether we’re creating family portraits, professional headshots, personal branding images, Modern Women’s Portraiture, or portraits of your dog, I’ll guide you from the first conversation to the finished artwork.

Let’s plan something personal.

We’ll begin with a design consultation in my Highland Park studio or on Zoom to discuss your vision, wardrobe, location, and how you’d like to display your portraits. You don’t have to figure everything out yourself—I work with busy professionals and families, and I’m here to make the planning feel manageable.

Sessions can take place in the studio or at parks, beaches, gardens, and forest preserves throughout Chicago’s North Shore. Some of my favorite locations are in Glencoe Beach, Wilmette, Evanston, Kenilworth, Highwood, Northbrook, Lake Forest, and Glenview. Together, we’ll choose a setting that suits you and the photographs you have in mind.

I’ll help you select clothing and accessories that photograph beautifully. If you’d like extra support, I can also meet with you at home to go through your wardrobe. Whether you want a little guidance or help with every detail, we’ll plan the session together.

You don’t need to know how to pose.

Most people arrive feeling a little nervous. The women and men on my website are everyday people, and many had the same reservations before their sessions.

I’ll guide you from head to toe, using posing, lighting, and expression to highlight your best features while helping you look like yourself. We’ll start with some direction, then leave room for movement, laughter, and candid moments. Your job is to enjoy the experience; mine is to help you feel comfortable and create portraits you love.

Choose the portraits you love.

A few days after your session, we’ll meet in my studio or on Zoom to view your photographs together. I’ll help you choose your favorites and decide how you’d like to enjoy them, whether that’s wall art, fine art prints, an album, or a folio box.

Every printed portrait you purchase includes its matching, professionally retouched digital file for personal use.

FAQs

  • Most family, dog, and headshot sessions take about an hour, but I never rush you. Modern Women’s Portraiture and branding sessions take longer, especially when professional makeup is involved. We’ll discuss the timing when we plan your session—and you may be surprised by how quickly it goes!

  • I hear this often, and I understand feeling that way. Posing, clothing, lighting, and camera angles all play a part in how you look in a photograph. We’ll talk about anything you feel self-conscious about, and I’ll use my experience to highlight the features you love and help you feel comfortable. My goal is for you to look at your portraits and love what you see.

  • Wear what makes you feel your best. Whether your style is elegant, casual, sexy, sophisticated, or fashion-inspired, we’ll create looks that feel like you.

    Before your session, we’ll meet on Zoom for a wardrobe and style consultation. I’ll send you a wardrobe guide, help you choose pieces you already own, and suggest what photographs beautifully. I also have a studio wardrobe available, but I encourage you to shop your closet first.

    Bring six or seven outfit options in a variety of styles—perhaps a gown, little black dress, jeans and a T-shirt, a cozy sweater, or lingerie if you’d like. We’ll also discuss accessories and how to transport your clothing so everything arrives ready to photograph.

  • Yes! Many of my Modern Women’s Portraiture and branding sessions include professional makeup by an experienced artist I’ve worked with for years. My clients love her, and many return to her for their personal events. If you’d also like hairstyling, we can discuss the available options.

  • We’ll discuss your preferences during your ordering appointment. Your portraits are carefully hand-retouched for a polished, natural look.

    Basic retouching includes removing minor blemishes and making small adjustments. Teeth whitening and gentle skin smoothing can also be requested. For women’s portraits, I can soften fine lines and wrinkles while preserving natural features and skin texture. We’ll agree on an approach that feels right to you.

  • Only with your permission. I would be honored to share a few of your favorite portraits on my website, social media, or in marketing materials, but sharing is always optional, and I respect your privacy.

    You’re also welcome to share your portraits with family and friends. Personal referrals are at the heart of my business, and many of my clients come through recommendations from people who enjoyed their experience.

  • I raised two boys of my own, so I’ve seen just about everything! Photographing children takes patience, connection, and experience. I have plenty of ways to help them feel comfortable, stay engaged, and have fun. We’ll make room for their personalities and work toward the beautiful, authentic expressions you love.

  • Feel free to reach out by phone or email.

    I will be in contact within 24–48 hours of receiving your inquiry and we will schedule a call to get to know each other. We will get acquainted and discuss your vision and what you are hoping to achieve with our shoot. Once I have an understanding of your needs and desires, I will be able to share a more accurate quote and answer your questions. At this point, if you are a YES, we will do a happy dance and look at our schedules to find a date. You will pay a nonrefundable session fee to reserve your date.

  • About a week after our session, I will schedule a view-and-order appointment where you will choose the images you would like. I professionally retouch artwork and then choose the best lab for the product you choose. I always say 3–4 weeks, but often I can have the finished images to you sooner.

Your Portraits, In Print

Some of my most treasured possessions are photographs of my great-grandparents. I believe portraits are meant to be seen and enjoyed every day, then shared and passed down through generations.

I offer museum-quality artwork, including framed wall portraits, canvas, acrylic and metal prints, fine art prints, albums, and folio boxes—beautiful ways to make your photographs part of your home.

Wall Portraits

Bring portraits of the people and pets you love into your everyday surroundings. Through an in-home design consultation or a virtual preview of artwork on your walls, I can help you choose the right size, placement, and finish.

Choose a single portrait or a gallery designed around your décor, with options including gallery-wrapped canvas, acrylic, metal, box frames, and a variety of frame mouldings and mats. Each piece is sourced from skilled craftspeople.

Folio Boxes

Handcrafted in Europe, folio boxes hold 10–30 matted portraits and can be displayed on a bookcase or coffee table. Individual prints can also be framed, placed on an easel, or given to family and friends. You can add new portraits to your collection year after year.