Montrose Beach is my favorite Chicago location for sunset photoshoots because of its location we get beautiful golden light in the background. In addition, there is a relatively open area that allows me to blur out beachgoers (and in some instances keep them out of the photo completely), while giving the kids plenty of room to run and explore within a short period of time. Montrose Beach also has an area of beach grasses which make for some variety in beach photography and plenty of birds that make for interesting additions to the images. Sometimes, like during this session, we are even able to get some kiteboarder or boats in the background.

A wonderful alternative to consider to Fall family are beach family sessions. I generally take these in the month of August during sunset hours and I have to say they are by far my most fun sessions. We always get wet, and inevitably everything gets sandy, but the pictures are for sure worth it. Kids just adore the silliness and the permission to run in an open space, jump in the water, dance around, and chase their parents, and so what results are truly joyful expressions that are so much more genuine than traditional posed photos.

I love Montrose Harbor and Montrose Beach as a location for my summer family photography sessions. Here you get a mix of urban and natural settings , and if you are willing to walk a bit your images can have so much variety that it looks as if you went to different places to make it happen.

Registration is now open for my Beach Mini Session event!

Happening this August, 20 minutes with me gets you 15 images and lots of good memories. My Beach Minis are dynamic and playful, we run around, give lots of kisses and cuddles, jump in the water, and we get some adorable images. See for yourself!