Skokie, Illinois
Skokie Family Photographer
Based in Skokie. No travel fee anywhere in the village.
Tovy Photography is a Skokie-based family, newborn and milestone photographer working in natural light, at your home or at a Skokie park.
Skokie is where I live, so sessions here mean no travel fee, familiar parks, and a photographer who knows which corner of Emily Oaks glows at 6 pm.
As a Skokie-based family and newborn photographer, I'm deeply rooted in this community. Skokie is home — it's where I raise my family, where I know every park's best golden hour spot, and where I've built relationships with families who trust me to capture their most meaningful moments.
Skokie offers some of the most beautiful locations for family photography sessions. From the lush green spaces of Emily Oaks Nature Center to the vibrant gardens at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, there's no shortage of stunning natural backdrops right in our neighborhood. I love shooting at Laramie Park during golden hour, where the light filters through the trees in the most magical way.
For families who prefer the comfort and authenticity of home, I specialize in in-home lifestyle sessions throughout Skokie. There's something irreplaceable about capturing your family in your own space — the nursery where you rock your baby to sleep, the kitchen where Saturday morning pancakes happen, the backyard where your kids run wild. These are the real moments that make your family uniquely yours.
Whether you're a new family in Skokie welcoming a baby, celebrating a milestone birthday, or simply wanting to freeze time with your growing kids, I bring the same calm, playful energy to every session. My approach is naturally guided — meaning I'll gently direct without over-posing, letting the real interactions shine through. The result? Photos that feel like your family, not a staged version of it.
Sessions are available throughout Skokie and surrounding areas including downtown Skokie, Old Orchard, and the residential neighborhoods that make this village so special. I'm proud to serve the diverse, vibrant community of Skokie with photography that truly sees the good in every family's story.
What makes family photos in Skokie work
Emily Oaks fills up on weekend evenings. It is the most popular spot in the village for good reason, and on a nice Saturday the boardwalk and meadow are busy. I schedule weekday evenings or the first hour after sunrise when we can, and I know the quieter paths on the west side when we cannot.
Midday light on open lawns is unflattering. Laramie Park and the Sculpture Park are wide open, which is beautiful at golden hour and harsh at noon. I plan the session around the light, not the other way around.
Many Skokie homes have deep rooms and smaller windows. That is fine. For in-home newborn sessions I work close to the brightest window, turn off the overhead lights, and sometimes move a chair or a crib a few feet. Condos, bungalows and split-levels all work.
Fall in Skokie is short and booked early. Peak color on the Sculpture Park and the residential streets runs about two to three weeks in October. If you want fall photos, book in August.
Recent sessions nearby
Real families, real homes and parks in and around Skokie.
Outdoor family session at the Skokie Public Library
A relaxed outdoor family session in the heart of Skokie, all natural light.
In-home newborn session in Skokie
Baby Billie at home with her family, photographed by the window light in their own space.
In-home newborn lifestyle session
Baby Ava's first days at home, all window light.
Photography sessions in Skokie
Newborn Sessions
Gentle, in-home newborn photography for Skokie families welcoming a new baby.
Family Sessions
Capture your family's real connection at Skokie parks, in your backyard, or at home.
Maternity Sessions
Relaxed maternity photos at home or outdoors around Skokie, with your partner and kids if you like.
Milestone Sessions
Birthdays, baby's first year, graduations and celebrations photographed in Skokie or at home.
Engagement Sessions
Relaxed engagement sessions in Chicago parks, the lakefront, or a spot near Skokie that means something to you.
Mini Sessions
A 30-minute session at a Skokie 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 Skokie and nearby.
Popular photo locations in Skokie
- Emily Oaks Nature Center
- Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
- Laramie Park
- Old Orchard Mall area
- Skokie Heritage Museum
Skokie family photos, answered
How much does a family photographer in Skokie 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 Skokie?
Yes. I come to your Skokie 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.
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.
What is the best time of day for outdoor family photos in Skokie?
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.
Where are the best places for family photos in Skokie?
Emily Oaks Nature Center for woods and prairie, the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park for open space along the canal, Laramie Park for golden hour under mature trees, and your own backyard or living room for photos that feel like your real life.
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.
What if my kids will not cooperate?
That is completely normal and it is planned for. I gently guide instead of posing, we take breaks when someone needs one, and the wiggly, silly, in-between moments are usually the photos families end up framing.
Ready to book your Skokie 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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