Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook Family Photographer
About twenty minutes from Skokie. No travel fee.
Tovy Photography photographs families, newborns and expecting parents in Northbrook, IL, in natural light at your home or at Northbrook's parks, prairies and gardens.
I am based in Skokie, about twenty minutes from Northbrook, and sessions here carry no travel fee.
Northbrook gives families a lot of choices. Wood Oaks Green Park and Meadowhill Park have the open lawns and mature trees that make golden hour easy. Techny Prairie Park and Fields has tall grass and long sightlines in late summer, and the Village Green in the downtown has a classic small-town feel with a gazebo and old trees.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is just up the road in Glencoe, and many Northbrook families ask about it. It is a beautiful place for maternity and family photos, and it requires a portrait photography permit for professional sessions. If that is the location you want, we build the permit into the plan.
For newborn sessions and quiet family mornings, I come to your Northbrook home. Bright family rooms and nurseries are all the studio a newborn session needs.
What makes family photos in Northbrook work
The Botanic Garden requires a permit for portrait sessions. It is worth it for the right family, but it adds cost and scheduling steps. I will tell you plainly whether a Northbrook park would give you a similar look without the paperwork.
Prairie sessions are a late summer and early fall thing. Techny Prairie looks its best from August into October when the grasses are tall and gold. In spring it is mostly green stubble, so I steer spring sessions toward the parks with trees.
Big lawns need a plan for shade. Wood Oaks and Meadowhill are wide open. At golden hour that is perfect. Earlier in the day I keep the family near the tree lines so nobody is squinting.
Recent sessions nearby
Real families, real homes and parks in and around Northbrook.
Family session at Keay Nature Center in Wilmette
Wooded paths, soft light, and a family that let the kids lead the way.
In-home newborn session in Skokie
Baby Billie at home with her family, photographed by the window light in their own space.
Outdoor family session at the Skokie Public Library
A relaxed outdoor family session in the heart of Skokie, all natural light.
Photography sessions in Northbrook
Newborn Sessions
Gentle, in-home newborn photography for Northbrook families welcoming a new baby.
Family Sessions
Capture your family's real connection at Northbrook parks, in your backyard, or at home.
Maternity Sessions
Relaxed maternity photos at home or outdoors around Northbrook, with your partner and kids if you like.
Milestone Sessions
Birthdays, baby's first year, graduations and celebrations photographed in Northbrook or at home.
Engagement Sessions
Relaxed engagement sessions in Chicago parks, the lakefront, or a spot near Northbrook that means something to you.
Mini Sessions
A 30-minute session at a Northbrook park or at home. Perfect for holiday cards and yearly updates.
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, upsherins, brises and family celebrations in Northbrook and nearby.
Popular photo locations in Northbrook
- Wood Oaks Green Park
- Meadowhill Park
- Techny Prairie Park and Fields
- Village Green
- Chicago Botanic Garden (nearby, permit required)
Northbrook family photos, answered
How much does a family photographer in Northbrook cost?
My sessions start at $200 for a 30-minute mini session and go up to $500 for a 90-minute full session. Every package includes professionally edited images in a private online gallery with full print rights. Sessions within 10 miles of Skokie carry no travel fee.
Do you photograph in-home sessions in Northbrook?
Yes. I come to your Northbrook home for newborn sessions and for family sessions whenever you would rather stay in your own space. I only need one or two spots with good window light. Your home does not need to be tidy or styled.
Where are the best places for family photos in Northbrook?
Wood Oaks Green Park and Meadowhill Park for lawns and trees, Techny Prairie for tall grass in late summer, the Village Green downtown for a classic feel, and the Chicago Botanic Garden nearby if you want gardens and are happy to arrange a permit.
Can we take family photos at the Chicago Botanic Garden?
Yes, with a portrait photography permit from the Garden for professional sessions. I will walk you through what it costs and how to reserve it, and I will suggest a Northbrook park alternative if you would rather skip the permit.
What is the best time of day for outdoor family photos in Northbrook?
The last 60 to 90 minutes before sunset. The light is soft and warm, and it flatters everyone. For families with young kids I sometimes suggest the first hour after sunrise instead, when the parks are quiet and moods are fresh.
When should I book newborn photos?
Reach out during your third trimester, ideally around 30 to 34 weeks, so we can hold a tentative date. The best window for newborn photos is 5 to 14 days after birth, but older newborns photograph beautifully too.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks ahead works for most of the year. Fall sessions fill fastest, so for September and October dates I recommend booking in August. Holiday card sessions should be booked by early October.
Ready to book your Northbrook session?
Tell me about your family and what kind of session feels right. I will suggest a time, a location and a package. Sessions start at $200.
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