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best family-friendly restaurants in Chicago

10 Best family-friendly restaurants in Chicago

By Mariya Maximtsev - February 2, 2025

If you’re looking for the best family-friendly restaurants in Chicago, you’ll be happy to know that most places in the city welcome kids with open arms! From casual diners to upscale spots, many restaurants make an effort to accommodate families. But the places on this list go above and beyond—these are the restaurants parents consistently…

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Family portraits in Chicago. Family of four at the Wrigley Building Riverwalk

Full Guide for Easy Chicago Family Portraits

By Mariya Maximtsev | February 25, 2024

Planning to take Chicago family portraits? You’ve come to the right place to get ready and fully prepared! In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about choosing a location, what to wear, and more! What Is Family Photography? Family photography is any pictures of individuals within a family. This may be…

How long are family photo sessions? 

By Mariya Maximtsev | February 17, 2024

When thinking about how long are family photo sessions, you have to consider a number of things. In this blog we will go over how timing can vary by the expertise of the photographer, the set up and location, number of poses, and finally number and age of the participants. Things to consider for session…

Chicago Lifestyle Photographer | Photo of a client at the Wrigley Building Chicago

Best Types of Lighting in Photography You Must Know for Amazing Portraits

By Mariya Maximtsev | January 15, 2024

Lighting is a crucial element in portrait photography, as it can significantly impact the mood and overall aesthetic of the image. As a portrait photographer, knowing the best types of lighting in photography can make a huge difference in the final result of your images. In this article, we will discuss some of the best…

What to do with digital files after a portrait photography session?

By Mariya Maximtsev | January 13, 2024

You just had a family portrait session and you received or have chosen to buy the digital files, so what now? In this blog we’ll go overt some creative fun things to do with your digital photos and how to properly store digital files. Post & Update Social Media This answer is almost obvious isn’t…

The best cameras for portraits, lenses, and other camera accessories

By Mariya Maximtsev | January 3, 2024

Whenever I meet or start following newly discovered photographers, I always want to know what camera they are using, so I wanted to share my tips for the best cameras for portraits and people photography and other accessories! I started out years ago with a very simple camera and slowly upgraded to better cameras and lenses with…

Family portrait photography in Chicago North Avenue Beach

Family Portraits Chicago: Celebrating Your Unique Stories

By Mariya Maximtsev | December 19, 2023

Family photography is a little time capsule for families, a way for every member to be able to return to meaningful family moments. Our goal is to create a wonderful family portraits experience for everyone from mom and dad, to the grandparents, to the kids – whether they are energetic toddlers, pre-teens, teenagers, or young…