Family of four walking hand-in-hand on green grass near a pond, framed by pine branches on a sunny day.

It is always such an honor to photograph another photographer’s family. As photographers, we spend so much time documenting everyone else’s memories, milestones, and everyday magic, so being asked to step behind the camera for someone who does the same kind of work is really special.


I loved getting to photograph the Cialabrini family and capture this season for them. Family sessions with little kids are never about perfection, and honestly, that is part of what makes them so meaningful. These are the years of movement, giggles, snuggles, big feelings, silly faces, and everyone simply doing their best to soak up this season while it is here.


And that is what I love most. Because one day, these are the photos that will bring it all back. Not just what everyone looked like, but what this season felt like. The way little arms wrapped around mom. The way everyone fit together. The tiny personalities. The laughter. The love that is right there in the middle of all of it.


Tamara, thank you so much for trusting me with your family’s portraits. It was such a joy to have you all in front of my camera.


Your sneak peek is live, so snuggle up and enjoy a few of my favorites from your family session.

Family of four posing by the lake during a summer family photo session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Parents holding hands with two boys running nearby during a playful Crystal Lake family photography session by the water.
Black and white parent portrait during a relaxed family session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Two young brothers smiling in front of their parents during a Crystal Lake family portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Young boy hugging his parents during a sweet family photo session by the lake in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Family walking together near the lake at Shamrock Hills Park during a relaxed summer family photography session.
Mom and dad smiling together during a Crystal Lake family photography session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Black and white photo of two brothers holding hands during a family session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake.
Parents snuggling their young son during a playful family portrait session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Family of four seated by the lake during a summer portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake.
Family sitting together near the water during a natural family photography session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Mom laughing with her two sons during a candid family photo session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake.
Family of four sitting along the lake during a relaxed Crystal Lake family portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Mom and dad cuddling with their sons during a sweet family photo session by the water in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Family holding hands and walking near the lake during a summer family photography session in Crystal Lake.
Young boy running through the trees during a playful family session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Two brothers sitting together in the greenery during a summer family portrait session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Young boy smiling for a portrait during a Crystal Lake family photo session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Mom and dad standing together in the greenery during a relaxed family photo session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Young boy smiling near the trees during a summer family portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake.
Dad holding his son on his shoulders during a playful family portrait session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Young boy smiling on his dad’s shoulders during a summer family photo session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Family of four sitting together on a blanket during a relaxed family photography session in Crystal Lake.
Parents swinging their son in a blanket during a playful family session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Two young brothers laughing in a blanket swing during a candid family photo session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Mom snuggling her son on a blanket during a sweet summer family portrait session in Crystal Lake.
Mom hugging her young son during a relaxed family photography session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Young boy laughing with his mom during a candid family photo session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Mom cuddling her son on a blanket during a warm family portrait session in Crystal Lake.
Mom sitting with her two sons during a relaxed summer family photography session in Crystal Lake.
Dad sitting on a blanket with his two sons during a natural family photo session in Crystal Lake.
Dad smiling with his son during a sweet family portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park in Crystal Lake.
Dad snuggling his young son during a relaxed outdoor family photography session in Crystal Lake.
Young boy sitting beside his dad during a summer family portrait session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Dad cuddling his son on a blanket during a sweet family photo session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Parents walking hand in hand during a family photography session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Family of four walking through the grass during a relaxed outdoor family photo session in Crystal Lake.
Mom and dad walking together during a summer family portrait session at Shamrock Hills Park.
Two young brothers walking through the park during a candid family photography session in Crystal Lake.
Family walking together through the park during a summer family photo session in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Thank you again for spending the evening with me. I can’t wait to share your full gallery soon!


If you are looking for a Crystal Lake family photographer or planning family photos in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I would love to help you document your family in a way that feels warm, natural, and true to you.

Thanks for reading,

Handwritten xoxo, Cassie signature in elegant cursive script on white background.