See highlights from the Employee Education Fund Awards at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe. This inspiring event celebrated outstanding employees with educational scholarships, heartfelt speeches, family portraits overlooking Lake Michigan, and a memorable awards ceremony.

What an awesome way to welcome in the 2026 school year at Olive Mary Stitt Elementary School! It was a great evening to get outside, grab some delicious food from the food trucks and treats from Kona Ice. Other festivities included a DJ and dance party, face painting, running around the playground, bubbles, side walk chalk, and getting together with friends. I had the pleasure of taking photos at the cutest set up made by the Olive PTA. We got rained out part way through an

See highlights from Unplug Illinois at North School Park in Arlington Heights. This free family event featured crafts, games, bubbles, live entertainment, local vendors, and activities that encouraged families to unplug and enjoy time together outdoors.

Some celebrations are more than just birthdays—they're deeply rooted in family, tradition, and the hope for a bright future. I recently had the opportunity to photograph baby R's Korean first birthday celebration, also known as a Dohl (or Doljanchi), and it was such an honor to document this meaningful milestone. As an event photographer serving Arlington Heights, Barrington, and the Chicago suburbs, I love learning about the traditions that make every family's celebration un

Have you ever considered whether to hire a photographer for your upcoming event but wondered, what is it that she will be doing during our conference? If you’re planning a conference in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Rosemont, St. Charles or anywhere in the Chicago suburbs, understanding what an event photographer actually captures can help you feel more confident about what to expect on event day and how this could be an asset to your event. Conference photography is about t

Have you ever considered taking family photos and not doing them at the park? Don't get me wrong—I LOVE photographing families at some of my favorite outdoor locations around Arlington Heights and the Chicago suburbs. But sometimes the best moments happen when families are doing something they genuinely enjoy together. The family photos featured in this blog post are from a documentary family session that took place at a local summer carnival and it was such a cute and fun id

I approach every event with a holistic and comprehensive workflow to cover as many elements of the event as possible. Since every event is unique and every client has things that are priority for them over others, it is helpful for the client to provide a short but specific shot list to ensure your photos are best customized to their needs. If you are planning an event, you may be wondering what photos you should make sure to communicate to your photographer. Whether you're

-Free race day photo downloads below!- The Cardio Kidz Summer 2026 Series week 3 was this week in Arlington Heights, Illinois with young runners and their families gathering for another fun and energetic event. Participants starting at two can run age appropriate races while building confidence and staying active. Cardio Kidz focuses on encouraging kids to stay active in a positive, community-centered environment. Each week gives runners the opportunity to set goals, track im

One of the things I love most about engagement sessions is that there are no rules. Your engagement photos don't have to look like everyone else's. In fact, I encourage couples to think beyond the traditional engagement session concepts and choose something that feels authentic to their relationship. Years from now, I want you to look back at your photos and instantly remember what this season of life felt like—not just what it looked like. Recently, I photographed an engagem

There’s something really special about 4th of July celebrations. The mix of warm summer air, family time, backyard BBQs, fireworks, and kids running around barefoot in the grass makes the 4th of July a holiday full of fun and spectacle. This photo session that I took for Stroll Magazine's July 2026 cover was exactly that—simple, relaxed, and full of fun! This Arlington Heights family dressed in red, white, and blue and set up a backyard BBQ complete with hot dogs, lemonade, a

When clients are ready to book their photo coverage, they often don't think to consider that the photo start (or end) times may differ from the event start (or end) times. I'm here today to discuss not only what photo timeline planning for your event day looks like but also photo considerations during your planning phases. Whether you're planning a conference in Rosemont, a fundraiser in St. Charles, a company party in Schaumburg, or a gala in Arlington Heights, having a phot

One of the biggest questions I get before a branding session is, "What should I wear?" The answer is a little different than it would be for a traditional headshot session. Personal branding photography is about telling the story of your business, showcasing your personality, and creating images that connect with your ideal clients. Your wardrobe plays a huge role in communicating your brand and helping potential clients get to know, like, and trust you. Whether you're a real

Opening a new business is a major milestone. Whether you’re launching a storefront, opening a second location, rebranding, or celebrating a business expansion, your grand opening or ribbon cutting is more than just an event — it’s the official introduction of your business to the community. After spending months planning, preparing, and investing in your space, professional photography helps ensure those moments are captured in a polished and meaningful way. As a corporate e

If you’ve ever thought, “There’s no way my toddler will cooperate for family photos,” you are definitely not alone. One of the biggest concerns parents have before a family session is how their baby, toddler, or young child will behave in front of the camera. Parents often picture needing perfect smiles, kids sitting still, and everyone looking at the camera at the exact same time. The truth is - that’s not what creates meaningful family photos. As a family photographer serv

Planning a corporate event comes with a long list of moving parts. Between coordinating vendors, organizing schedules, managing guests, and making sure everything runs smoothly, photography is often one of the last details businesses think about — until they realize how important those images become afterward. Whether you’re planning a gala, company party, fundraiser, conference, or other corporate event in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg or the greater Chicagoland area, hiring

Businesses throughout Schaumburg and Chicago’s Northwest suburbs invest significant time and energy into planning corporate events, grand openings, fundraisers, and company celebrations. But once the event is over, many businesses miss one of the most valuable opportunities available to them: using professional event photography as an ongoing marketing tool. Professional event photography is about more than documenting what happened during an event. The images captured during

Jessica M. Photography's Simple Guide to Light, Comfortable & Joyful Outfits There’s something so carefree about summer sessions. Warm golden sunsets, bare feet in the grass, kids running freely, and that soft evening glow that feels almost magical. Summer family photos are meant to feel relaxed, connected, and full of life. What you wear plays a part in that — not by being perfect, but by helping you feel comfortable and confident so you can focus on loving on your people. I

The Barrington Area Library Baby Fair on April 25, 2026 brought together new and expecting families for a morning centered on connection, learning, and a little bit of fun along the way. It was a joy-filled space where parents could explore resources, ask questions, and simply enjoy time with their little ones. As an event and family photographer in Arlington Heights, I had the pleasure of offering a professional photo opportunity to capture families in this sweet and fleetin

The Spring 2026 season of Healthy Kids Running Series - Buffalo Grove is underway to bring together young runners and their families for the first week of this youth running program. The event focuses on encouraging kids to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a supportive community environment. Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week program designed to motivate children to lead active lifestyles while developing self-esteem and sportsmanship. Kids of all ages and exp

The Cardio Kidz Spring 2026 Series week 2 was this week in Palatine, Illinois with young runners and their families gathering for another fun and energetic event. Participants starting at two can run age appropriate races while building confidence and staying active. Cardio Kidz focuses on encouraging kids to stay active in a positive, community-centered environment. Each week gives runners the opportunity to set goals, track improvement, and celebrate personal accomplishmen