FAMILY

large family of 7 looking at and smiling at one another during a family session in downtown Arlington Heights
mom picking up her toddler daughter to swing her around during a lifestyle home family session in Glencoe Beach

What to Expect

everything you need to know about the clp family session experience

With over 10 years in business and 15 years in motherhood experience, you’ll be in good hands during your Family Session.

My motherhood has shaped every aspect of the CLP experience, guiding families through a simple, stress-free process that is the perfect blend of real-life family moments and fine art portraiture.

From planning to printing, I will guide you every step of the way, so that you end up with exactly what you need.

mom in a gray dress and high heels lifting her toddler daughter up to give her a kiss during an outdoor family session in downtown Arlington Heights

1. Discovery Call

are we a good fit?

Having someone spend up to an hour with your family during your snuggles and playtime can feel like a intimate experience. It’s important to me that you feel completely comfortable about working together before booking a session.

A 10-minute call helps me better understand what you’re dreaming about for your session experience, allows you to get to know me, and helps us know if we’re a great fit.

A young boy with blonde hair and a smile, standing on an outdoor wooden pathway, wearing a cream-colored knitted polo shirt, light blue jeans, and brown shoes, with greenery in the background during a family photography session in Schaumburg.

2. Book your Session

limited bookings per month

If we both feel confident about moving forward after your Discovery Call, you will fill out an Agreement & Questionnaire and also pay a Booking Fee to secure your session date in my calendar and begin planning.

3. Plan your Session

I’m here for you.

Once your session is booked, you’ll receive my exclusive CLP Family Session Style & Prep Guide to take all the guesswork out of how to prepare for session day.

(hint: simple is the name of the game!)

You may also schedule a complimentary Planning Consultation to get the most out of your investment. We’ll nail down outfits and talk about how you want to enjoy your photos post-session, so that I can shape my session time around your desired artwork - whether that’s a special portrait to frame for a wall in your home or more documentary style images for your Heirloom Album.

family of 4 siblings smiling at their baby brother during an outdoor family session in Long Grove

4. Session Day

session time is family time.

This is where the magic happens. You can relax and follow my lead as I give your family gentle, natural prompts to enjoy moments of connection, tenderness, and joy.

Your session is a time to enjoy your family and I’m so honored to document it beautifully for you.

Person assembling a picture frame on a white surface, with a black and white photograph of a woman hugging a child inside the frame.

5. Ordering Session

let’s tie your session experience up with a bow, not a to-do list.

The best part - your Ordering Session! I will come back to your home (or meet you on a video call) for your gallery reveal & Ordering Session.

We’ll design side-by-side and I’ll take care of all the details to ensure you have something beautiful to enjoy for many years to come.

CLP Digital & Print Collections begin at $1,200.

inquire now

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Outdoor Family Sessions in the Chicagoland area are ideal during late spring, summer, and early fall. Family Sessions book up quickly for September and October, so please do not wait to reach out. Family Sessions are not offered in December.

    Home Family Sessions are a great option, too! These can be done throughout the year and are offered on weekdays during mid-morning.

  • Family Sessions can take place at home, at an outdoor location, or in a studio. We will work together to choose a location that is best for you.

  • Yes! If you book an outdoor session and the weather is rainy, stormy, or extremely windy, I will reach out about rescheduling. Outdoor sessions require flexibility as weather can change quickly, so I usually wait until the day before to make any changes.

  • Yes, sort of. A few times a year, I offer Petite Session Events. These are announced to my CLP Newsletter subscribers. Petite Session Events are brief, curated experiences with a specific themes planned out, often in a studio space or designated outdoor location: Motherhood, Childhood Personality Portraits, Holiday Family events.

  • CLP Sessions are known for their true-to-life, nostalgic feel, so natural hair and makeup is encouraged. That being said, makeup always gets a little washed out with my light and film-like aesthetic. My professional makeup artists know how to perfectly prepare you for camera and help you show up confident and glowing to your session, I am happy to coordinate a private, in-home makeup session with one of my makeup artists. Coordinating is a complimentary service I offer. You pay artists directly.

  • All sessions are booked with a non-refundable $200 Creative Fee. This does not include any digital image files or prints products. Two weeks after your session, I will come to your home to guide you through an Ordering Session where we make your photo dreams come true with beautiful printed pieces to enjoy. No more gallery overload or decision fatigue. I have carefully vetted the highest quality vendors available and bring a curated collection of product samples right to your home. In under an hour, you we’ll have your order done and print products on their way to your home.

let's bottle up memories!