Getting to photograph friends is one of my favorite parts of this job, so I was looking forward to spending the evening with April, James, and their family at their Lake Barrington home. They’re such good people, and I loved getting to catch up while we made some new family photos for them.


We couldn’t have asked for a prettier setting. Their backyard is beautiful, and the light that evening was AMAZING! I was excited about these photos while we were taking them, and getting them onto my computer only made me more excited to share. I’m so glad we could do this at their house—not only because it looked beautiful, but because these photos will have a little piece of home in them, too.


Of course, we had to include Goose, their big ole boxer boy, who I met for the first time that evening. I LOVE him! I’d brought along a squeaker I saved from a toy my kids broke, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I figured out how to use it hands-free while taking photos, and it worked perfectly for getting his attention. Who knew a broken toy would earn a spot in my camera bag?


Between Goose and all the family photos, I had plenty of favorites to go through when I sat down to edit. I’ve been looking forward to sharing these, and I’m excited to give the Greggas their first peek!


April and James, thank you for having me over and trusting me with your family’s photos. I loved spending this evening with you all! Now grab a blanket and snuggle up—your sneak peek is live!

Family of seven holds hands and walks across a sunny grassy field while a large brown boxer dog sits in the foreground during autumn.
A smiling family of six in fall outfits stands close together on a grassy lawn beneath a leafy tree beside a pond.
A smiling blond boy in a navy and orange striped sweater holds a fluffy gray silkie chicken while standing on a sunlit grassy lawn.
A family of six poses on a grassy lawn by a pond in autumn, with a couple embracing while four children stand together nearby.
Four smiling siblings stand close together on a grassy field in autumn while two parents' clasped hands appear in the foreground.
Family of six poses together on a sunny grassy lawn beside a large tree, with a pond and open field in the background.
A smiling woman in a denim jacket and red skirt hugs a bearded man in glasses and a quilted vest in a golden autumn field.
A family of six holds hands in a line while walking across a sunlit grassy field beneath a large tree during an autumn family photo session.
Smiling family of six, a man, a woman and four children, posing together and laughing in a grassy field during an outdoor portrait session.
A man in a navy vest kisses a woman in a red skirt in a grassy field while four children stand together in the background.
Four young family members sit and pose on a sunny grassy field with a boxer dog near a pond, wearing cozy fall clothing.
A laughing couple holds hands and walks across a leaf-covered lawn under an autumn tree, the woman wearing a red dress and boots.
Two children and an adult sit on a blanket in a grassy field, petting a smiling boxer dog during a family photo session.
Smiling teenage boy with tousled hair stands with arms crossed in a plaid flannel shirt outdoors beneath a large tree in a sunny park.
Smiling family of six holding hands in a grassy field, with a man and woman in the foreground and four children standing in the background.
A family of six, including a dog, sits and stands together on a grassy lawn near a pond in warm golden light for an outdoor portrait.
A smiling girl with long wavy hair wears a green top, tan fuzzy vest and light jeans while posing outdoors on a leaf-covered lawn.
A smiling woman in a red dress and denim jacket holds hands with a bearded man in a vest as their family walks together in a grassy field.
Smiling family of six posing with their boxer dog on a grassy lawn by a pond during a sunny outdoor autumn portrait session.
Smiling teenage boy with curly blond hair and a red quarter-zip pullover stands with arms crossed outdoors in warm autumn light.
Family of six smiling and cuddling a large tan dog on the grass in a sunny field during an autumn outdoor portrait session.
Young girl in a green top, tan fuzzy vest and cargo jeans stands smiling with hands on hips on a leaf-covered lawn.
Young man with curly blond hair wearing a red quarter-zip pullover and jeans stands outdoors with hands in pockets in a sunlit grassy park.
Two women embrace outdoors in soft golden light as one gently kisses the other's forehead, wearing a denim jacket and a red skirt.
Mother in a red dress and denim jacket stands with her four smiling children under a large tree on a leaf-covered lawn.
Smiling family of five in coordinated fall outfits stands together outdoors under trees during a sunny autumn family portrait session.
Close-up of two smiling faces pressed cheek to cheek, a young girl with blonde hair and a woman with green eyes and red lipstick.
A family of six holds hands in a line while walking across a sunlit grassy field near a pond, with warm autumn light behind them.
Four young people sit close together on a grassy lawn dotted with fallen leaves, smiling under a tree with a soft autumn field behind them.
Family of six laughing together beneath a large oak tree on a grassy lawn during a warm autumn outdoor portrait session.
Laughing couple in a vest, denim jacket and red dress standing close together in an open field at golden hour.
A smiling family of five stands together on an autumn lawn under a tree, with a bearded dad, a girl, and three boys posing.
Woman in a red dress and denim jacket holds hands with a child as they walk through a sunny grassy field in autumn.
Four kids in plaid, red and striped fall clothes sit close together laughing on a leaf-strewn lawn in a sunny park.
Family of six holding hands in a sunny autumn field with a large tan dog sitting in the foreground on the grass.
Smiling man in a navy vest with three boys in casual sweaters and plaid shirts posing for a family portrait in a sunny grassy park.
Couple shares a joyful kiss beneath a large autumn tree as the woman in a red skirt and brown boots lifts one foot.
Three adults and a young boy walk together across a grassy park beneath a large tree during a golden autumn family photo session.
Three boys and a girl sit close together on a blanket among fallen autumn leaves, smiling and laughing during a family photo session.
A smiling couple in casual fall outfits stands arm in arm on a grassy lawn beneath a tree near a pond during family portraits.
Four smiling siblings in plaid, green, navy and red sweaters sit close together on a blanket in a sunny autumn park with fallen leaves.
A smiling couple shares an affectionate embrace outdoors, the woman in a red skirt and denim jacket, surrounded by golden autumn trees.

Thank you again, April and James. I’m grateful for your friendship and that I get to do this for your family. I hope these photos make you smile every time you see them, and I can’t wait to share your full gallery soon!

Thanks for reading,

Handwritten script signature reading