Looking for a Family Photographer?

Are you looking for a family photographer to capture unique, authentic family photos? I’m your girl! I have been photographing families using my candid, photojournalistic-style photography for over 10 years.

Before I had my own children, I was a photographer and photo editor for different newspapers around the world. So I have a lot of experience coming into a situation and telling a family’s story through photos.

Information and Investment

Would you like to learn more about what it looks like to work with me? Interested in pricing info?

Check out my Family Photography Guide here.

Want to see examples of my authentic Family Photography Sessions? Click here, here, here and here.

Interested in talking to me or booking a session with me? Email me at Susanrkphoto@gmail.com .

Behind the Scenes Wedding Photographer | Chicago, IL

Unscripted Moments Wedding Photographer

Sometimes I have the pleasure of being hired to be the “behind the scenes” wedding photographer while another photographer is responsible for the portraits and “expected” moments. I love when I get this opportunity because I am there to catch the “off moment” moments and the fun stuff that happens when no one is looking.

Weddings are often filled with so many scripted things we know to watch for that it’s a true joy to look for the little moments that make up the bigger story. And Lisa and Jim’s wedding at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Illinois, was the perfect place to look for those moments!

The Groom Opening his Gift from the Bride
Bridesmaids Watching the Bride Get DressedPre-Wedding Baileys ToastQuick Visit with Grandpa Before the Ceremony
Last Few Moments with Dad Before Walking Down the AisleThe Main EventFamily and Friends

Would you like to see more examples of my event photography? Click here and here to see weddings I have photographed. Click here, here or here to see bar mitzvahs I have photographed. Click here for my Bar Mitzvah Photography Client Guide.

Interested in “day in the life” style photos of families? Click here, here and here to see examples of my family storytelling photography.

Ever thought about having a photographer capture the relationship between the grandparents and grandkids in your life? Grandparent Sessions make a great gift for any occasion. Click here, here and here to see examples of my Grandparent Session storytelling photos.

Would you like to talk to me about photographing your wedding? Please email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com with the date and location of your event and lets talk!

Instagram event photos: @SusanrkphotoEvents

Instagram family photos: @Susanrkphoto

Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/SusanRyanKalinaPhoto/

Steve and Katie’s Intimate Wedding | Chicago, IL

Intimate Wedding at Cindy’s Rooftop

I really enjoy photographing smaller, non-traditional, intimate weddings. And Steve and Katie’s wedding at Cindy’s Rooftop in downtown Chicago did not disappoint.

First, I arrived at the Chicago Athletic Association in downtown Chicago to photograph Katie and the ladies getting ready.

Then after Steve arrived, we took a stroll down Michigan Avenue for some gorgeous, casual portraits on the street.

Once we made it back to the restaurant, they exchanged vows on the Cindy’s Rooftop open air terrace with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

Later that evening, Katie and Steve had another rooftop party at their Bucktown condo rooftop for friends and family.

Would you like to see more examples of my event photography? Click here, here or here to see bar mitzvahs I have photographed. Click here for my Bar Mitzvah Photography Client Guide.

Interested in “day in the life” style photos of families? Click here, here and here to see examples of my family storytelling photography.

Would you like to talk to me about photographing your wedding? Please email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com with the date and location of your event and lets talk!

Instagram event photos: @SusanrkphotoEvents

Instagram family photos: @Susanrkphoto

Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/SusanRyanKalinaPhoto/

Gene and Beth’s NSCI Wedding | Glencoe

Small Wedding Charm

There’s something so lovely and intimate about a small wedding. Not that a huge bash isn’t great too! But when everyone in the room is truly someone very special in your life, you can literally feel the love enveloping the bride and groom at their ceremony.

Gene and Beth had a lovely wedding at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe with their nearest and dearest followed by a luncheon at Froggy’s in Highwood.

Then, they had another party a couple weeks later in Chicago for their friends to celebrate and toast their nuptials.

Ceremony at North Shore Congregation Israel

Would you like to see more examples of my event photography? Click here, here or here to see bar mitzvahs I have photographed. Click here for my Bar Mitzvah Photography Client Guide.

Interested in “day in the life” style photos of families? Click here, here and here to see examples of my family storytelling photography.

Would you like to talk to me about photographing your wedding? Please email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com with the date and location of your event and lets talk!

Instagram event photos: @SusanrkphotoEvents

Instagram family photos: @Susanrkphoto

Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/SusanRyanKalinaPhoto/

Bar Mitzvah Party at riCHIe Town | Viper Alley, Lincolnshire, IL

I love when I get an opportunity to photograph a bar mitzvah party at Viper Alley. Of all the Chicago area venues, it is one of my favorites.

I even had my oldest child’s bar mitzvah party there myself in 2015!

And Richie’s party at Viper Alley did not disappoint!

Mitzvah PreShoot

A few weeks before the mitzvah party, I met Richie downtown for our preshoot. Who doesn’t like an awesome skyline background?!

Mitzvah Party Time!

Once Richie displayed his hard work on the bima, it was time to have some fun! We met a little before the party at Viper Alley to grab this cool shot in front of Jimi Hendrix.

Lance from Freelance Studios transformed Viper Alley with a Chi Town vibe.

Once Brent and the crew from Bizar Entertainment started kickin’ it, there was non-stop dancing for the night.All the vendors did such a great job at the party! Viper Alley is a fantastic mitzvah party venue (as well as for any other kind of event!) Freelance Studios designed gorgeous decorations. And Brent and the crew from Bizar Entertainment had the crowd on their feet dancing all night.

Like what you see here? Check out other bar mitzvahs I have photographed here, here, here and here. Want to hear about my pricing and process for photographing bar mitzvahs? Check out my Bar Mitzvah Photograph Client Guide here.

Interesting in “Day in the Life” style family photography? Check out my blog posts here and here.

Ever thought of doing a Grandparent Session? Photos of grandparents and grandkids spending time together make a great gift for any occasion. Take a look at a couple Grandparent Sessions posted here and here, or check out my Grandparent Photo Session Client Guide here.

Want to connect and talk to me about photographing your family or an event for you? Email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com .

You can also find my event photography on instagram @SusanrkphotoEvents .

My Family photos are on instagram @Susanrkphoto .

Hope to hear from you!

Lake County Il Family and Corporate Photographer

Susan Ryan Kalina is a Lake County Il Family and Corporate Photographer Specializing in Candid Moments and Events

Looking for a Family Photographer?

Information and Investment

Behind the Scenes Wedding Photographer | Chicago, IL

Unscripted Moments Wedding Photographer

The Groom Opening his Gift from the Bride
Bridesmaids Watching the Bride Get DressedPre-Wedding Baileys ToastQuick Visit with Grandpa Before the Ceremony
Last Few Moments with Dad Before Walking Down the AisleThe Main EventFamily and Friends

Steve and Katie’s Intimate Wedding | Chicago, IL

Intimate Wedding at Cindy’s Rooftop

Gene and Beth’s NSCI Wedding | Glencoe

Small Wedding Charm

Ceremony at North Shore Congregation Israel

Bar Mitzvah Party at riCHIe Town | Viper Alley, Lincolnshire, IL

Mitzvah PreShoot

Mitzvah Party Time!

Information and Investment

Unscripted Moments Wedding Photographer

The Groom Opening his Gift from the Bride Bridesmaids Watching the Bride Get DressedPre-Wedding Baileys ToastQuick Visit with Grandpa Before the Ceremony Last Few Moments with Dad Before Walking Down the AisleThe Main EventFamily and Friends

Intimate Wedding at Cindy’s Rooftop

Small Wedding Charm

Ceremony at North Shore Congregation Israel

Mitzvah PreShoot

Mitzvah Party Time!

The Groom Opening his Gift from the Bride
Bridesmaids Watching the Bride Get DressedPre-Wedding Baileys ToastQuick Visit with Grandpa Before the Ceremony
Last Few Moments with Dad Before Walking Down the AisleThe Main EventFamily and Friends