Welcome Guide
I am honored that you like my work and want to thank you for considering me to document the most precious thing you have - your family.
I have created this Welcome Guide to answer some basic questions and explain what collaborating with me looks like.
By the time you have finished reading through, it is my hope that you feel as excited to work with me as I do to work with you.
I cannot wait to get you in front of my camera and create images that you will love forever.
About Me
My name is Caty, and I am a photographer working with Chicago families to tell their stories through images.
My passion for photography started more than 15 years ago when I picked up my first professional camera. For years I used it to document the experiences I had and the places I discovered through my travels.
In 2019, I welcomed my daughter and everything changed for me. As a mom, I quickly learned how fleeting time can be and found myself turning my camera towards her in an attempt to “freeze” it. In 2022, a baby boy joined our family and now I feel I understand more than ever how magical those early childhood years are. This is why I specialize in babies and little kids.
As a photographer, my goal is to capture the authentic connections and emotions that surface when we are with our most loved ones. Whether at your home or a specific location, I would love to work with you to design the perfect photography session for your family – one that captures the spirit of the moment you are in.
- Caty
I believe in the spirit of collaboration. No one knows your family better than you, and so I will need to work with you to create something that gives you joy, and that you can cherish forever.
I celebrate uniqueness. The best part about my job is meeting every family and learning their stories. I believe that no matter what people look like, and no matter what their personal style is, they are deserving of great, joyful images.
I focus on authenticity and connections. My primary goal is to capture the sincere connections and the magic that exists within each family. This happens with genuine interaction and “play” as opposed to traditional posing, and this is what I center on when directing my sessions.
I will be there with you every step of the way. My goal is to make you photography experience as stress-free as possible.
I pride myself on my professionalism. I deliver on time.
I am passionate about photography and constantly look for ways to embed my artistry into the images I take. When you hire me, you are partly doing so for my eye and photography style.
THE PROCESS - WHAT TO EXPECT
From the moment you become my client, we will work together to dream and design a photography session that is uniquely yours. One that fits your family’s personality and reflects the joy of this time that you are living in.
Upon booking:
I will ask you some questions that will let me know more about your family’s origin story.
Approximately one-month before the session:
I will share with you an Outfit Guide to help you think about what you and your family will wear.
Approximately two weeks before to the session:
We will have a 15-minute phone consultation to smooth out any remaining details related to location, timing, and wardrobe selection.
One week prior to the session:
To help alleviate any stress that may remain, I will send you a Client Preparation Guide with tips on how to get ready for the day of the photoshoot.
During the session:
Have fun! That is your only goal, and I will do the hard work.
After the session:
A couple of days after the session I may post a sneak peek on social media. If you do not want your images shared, you can let me know. I respect your privacy.
Your images will be delivered via a password-protected, digital gallery within two weeks of your session*. The images come with a Print Release - they are yours to download and utilize for personal purposes.
At that time, you will also have the option to purchase additional products such as heirloom albums and professional-quality prints to display in your home.
*The exception is Newborn Sessions, where I will deliver the photos within 72 hours.
LOCATION CHOICE
Most of the sessions occur at a client’s home or an outdoor location near them. If you have a location in mind, let me know. Otherwise, I will suggest a location that I know will result in lovely photos.
My session fee includes sites within 20 miles of zip code 60613, and sessions outside of that area are subject to an additional travel charge. Please be aware that some parks and landmarks in the Chicago area require a special permit for photos.
For outdoor sessions, the most flattering light takes place an hour before sunset or just before sunrise, and so I often recommend booking at this time. However, I recognize that sometimes that may not be possible with children’s schedules.
Ultimately, we will determine the location and timing together.
REPLACE PICTURE
THE SESSIONS
Classic ($595)
60 minute session at home or outdoors
Ideal for maternity, families with 2+ children, extended families, or couples.
Typically focus on:
Maternity in-home – showcasing the nursery and the expecting parents, between 24-36 weeks of pregnancy
Maternity outdoor – focused on the expecting mother, between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy
Family in-home – casual and relaxed images, showcasing the family’s home and lifestyle
Family outdoor – casual and playful portraits on a park, field, or beach
Family urban – portraits with the Chicago skyline in the background or other urban setting
Children milestones – indoor portraits taken when the baby starts sitting up or standing, Smash the Cake birthday session, or other birthday celebrations
Couple outdoor – capturing a proposal, or for Save the Date photos
REPLACE PICTURE
THE SESSIONS
Short ($450)
30 minute session at home or outdoors (only offered during weekdays)
Ideal for couples, individuals, or small families (1-2 kids)
Typically focus on:
Maternity outdoor - focused on the expecting mother, between 24-36 weeks of pregnancy
Couple - for Save the Date photos
Family outdoor - casual and playful portraits on a park, field, or beach
Family urban - portraits with the Chicago skyline in the background or other urban setting
Individual headshots/branding - for professional use
Newborn ($650)
1.5-2 hour session at home
Taken within the first three weeks of baby’s life
Includes portraits of the baby, detail images of baby’s hands, feet, mouth, and body rolls, photos with the parents, sections of the home (typically nursery and/or parent’s bed), photos with siblings
REPLACE PICTURE
THE SESSIONS
CHILDREN HEIRLOOM PORTRAITS (Start at $475)
10-15 minutes (per kid) at a studio or your home
Classic vignette heirloom images delivered in black and white as well as color
Option to get composites and/or fully framed images
SPECIAL MINI SESSIONS
10-15 minutes at a studio or location determined by me
Typically offered in the spring for Mother’s Day, Fall, and for Holidays
FROM BUMP TO BABY PACKAGE ($890 - $1,020)
Combination of a Maternity Session (Mini or Classic) and a Newborn Session at a 15% discounted price
BABY'S FIRST YEAR PACKAGE ($1,180-$1,420)
Combination of a Newborn and two additional Mini or Classic photoshoots for your baby at a 20% discounted price
Typically covers the baby’s first weeks, a sitting session around 7-months, and the baby’s first birthday
REPLACE PICTURE
THE SESSIONS
Sessions Include:
60 lightly edited, high resolution digital images for a Classic/Newborn session
30 lightly edited, high resolution digital images for a Short session
A 15-minute pre-session phone consultation
Client Preparation Guide filled with tips to make your session run smoothly
Photo session on location (at home or outdoors) for a maximum of five family members
Digital gallery of high-resolution images delivered within two weeks days of session
Print release
Not Included:
Any permits required to shoot at a public or private location
$25 per additional family member over five individuals
Option to purchase additional printed products
Travel charge for locations 20 miles beyond zip code 60613
Contact me for additional information on Heirloom photos and special Mini session events that happen throughout the year.
MY EDITING STYLE
The images I deliver are professionally edited to ensure proper exposure, adequate
composition, and maintain consistency with my style. I generally remove distracting
elements from images, address skin tones and will fix temporary skin issues like blemishes,
cuts, and small scars.
With a focus on uniqueness and authenticity, my editing philosophy does not include any
editing that “transforms” the individuals in the images. For example, I will not change the
size/shape of a person, modify eye colors, or remove elements of a person’s skin or body.
PRICING AND SESSION FEES
CLASSIC
SHORT
NEWBORN
HEIRLOOM PORTRAITS
FROM BUMP TO BABY PACKAGE
BABY’S FIRST YEAR PACKAGE
$595
$450
$650
$475
$890 - $1,020
$1,180 - $1,420
Potential additional fees:
Weekend fee
Additional family member fee (over five members)
Expedited processing fee to receive images within two working days
Travel charge for locations 20 miles beyond zip code 60613
Park permits
$50
$25
$75
$100
At cost +15%
BOOKING PROCESS
If you are ready to book, send me an email or give me a call and let me know the following:
Type of session you are interested in (Classic, Mini, Newborn, Package)
Subject: family, children, couple, maternity, newborn, etc.
I will then send you an Agreement to be signed.
Keep in mind that to finalize booking a session and secure your date, you must pay a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the session fee and sign the Agreement.
Thanks so much. I look forward to working with you!
