Hi, I’m Kim—The Heart Behind the Lens! I’m a proud mom of two incredible girls, married to my high school sweetheart, and an Iowa fan through and through—once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye! But before I was capturing the fleeting moments of families like yours, I was just a girl with a disposable camera, snapping every little detail of life around me.
Photography has been woven into my story from the very beginning. My dad and I shared this love—on family vacations, we’d wake up with the sun, chasing the perfect light for flower shots or watching sandpipers dart across the shore in their morning game of "chicken" with the waves. After college, he gave me my first professional DSLR camera and we spent weekends exploring new places, cameras in hand, learning, experimenting, and deepening our appreciation for the art of storytelling through images.
What started as a hobby turned into a calling. Friends and coworkers began asking me to capture their families after seeing the images I took of my oldest daughter, and before I knew it, my passion had turned into something bigger. I left a career in the hotel industry to focus on my growing family—and in that season, I realized photography wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I was meant to do.
Beyond photography, I’m deeply community-driven and passionate about empowering women and young girls. I love exploring nature, getting lost in the details that often go unnoticed. Traveling fuels my soul, and I much prefer immersing myself in local culture over checking off tourist attractions—one of my favorite adventures was exploring the Amazon in Peru.
Photography has given me so much: a connection to the world around me, precious time with my dad, and the chance to tell stories—yours included.
And so here I am! I’ve now told you MY story… What’s YOUR story? I can’t wait to help you tell it and freeze your moment in time.
ChicagoChicago. My kind of town. I may be a bit biased as I have grown up in the suburbs of Chicago; but how incredibly lucky am I to have this amazing city right in my backyard? I love the food; the culture; it’s energy. I love photographing in the city; so if you want to head down there for your session; I am all for it!
TravelI LOVE waking up early and exploring normally very busy tourists areas with no one else there but me. The still before the storm is so calming and beautiful. I could be in the middle of a bustling city or in the middle of the country and will find the beauty in a new day. And, I’ve been known to snap a picture or two during these times =)
FamilyMy family is my everything. They are the roots to who I am and give me my strength. My husband has been so incredibly supportive and he (along with my parents and friends), gave me the confidence to do this. Let’s face it; having pictures taken is a very personal thing. No matter how well I light, pose, or capture someone, there will always be someone who is still critical of how they look. You’ve gotta have some thick skin as a photographer to not take that personally, as people have their own personal image struggles. Over time; I have come to understand this and why; despite starting with landscapes and macro photography, I was able to migrate to photographing people and the connections between them.
SundaysWe implemented “No Screen Sundays” in our house at the beginning of 2019 and it has been life changing for us. No phones, no computers and no tvs have allowed us to disconnect from the outside world, and reconnect with each other. If there is downtime; it’s so easy to pass the time by throwing on a movie. This makes us think outside the box and maybe try or do things we wouldn’t normally think of doing. It truly feels like we are on vacation each Sunday and our daughters look FORWARD to this day each week. Life gets hectic. I love slowing it down.
SeasonsI love that I can be in a swimsuit for a few months of the year and a snowsuit for others. I love spring flowers and watching our landscape re-imerge (it’s like a new beginning), but also love the color and crisp air of the Fall.
What's New on the 'Gram
Happy Early Easter and Happy SPRING!!!
.
Wildflower Farm dates were released this morning and I am incredibly lucky to have secured TWO weekend dates this year.
.
I will be publishing time slots on Monday, but couldn`t wait to get the dates out to you so you could start dreaming about summer nights in the garden 😊
.
Wildflower Minis will be taking place on the evening of:
Saturday August 15th
Saturday September 5th
.
Cannot WAIT to be back at the farm and taking beautiful pictures of your family.
.
Time slots will be posted Monday! Until then...have a beautiful Easter holiday!
***Honored to just have been named one of Child Couture’s Top 10 Future is Female photographers 🥹
.
Not every photo session starts with confidence…
But every single one deserves to end with it.
.
The truth?
My clients don’t come to me because they feel “magazine-worthy”. They come to me as they are…a little unsure, a little nervous, a lot real.
.
And the magic happens.
.
Because it was never about being perfect.
It was always about being seen.
.
These moments?
They’re the ones that get published.
Not because they’re staged…but because they are felt.
.
You don’t need to be a model.
You just need to show up.
.
I’ll take care of the rest ❤️
.
#magazinefeature #publishedphotographer #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #confidence
Oh I am so excited to show off this absolutely beautiful greenhouse I have rented for spring photographs. This is a privately owned greenhouse based in Homer Glen. The owner created the most amazing spots to snuggle up with your favorite people. Her set up is nearly complete and the remains flowers should be blooming shortly. Pictures here are going to be STUNNING!
.
Only 4 spots left!!!
Taking place the early evening of April 26th
.
See bio for link to this and all available sessions.
.
#springsession #greenhouse #motherhoodsessions #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #novellaphotography #illinoisphotographer #mommyandme #familyphotographer
POV: You didn’t just graduate…you celebrated it with your people…your hype crew.
.
This wasn’t rushed.
This wasn’t “stand there and smile”
.
This was:
Caps flying
Best friends ruling each other up
Belly laughs
“We did it” energy
And one last moment together before everything changes.
.
We grabbed the classic cap & gown shots
We got the group hugs
And then…college tees and full celebration mode.
.
These sessions are meant to be FUN
They are meant to be shared
And they’re meant to be remembered.
.
That’s why we don’t do them on graduation day…we do them when you actually have time to soak it all in.
.
Because this?
This is the good stuff ❤️
.
#Capandgownphotos #classof2026 #bestfriendssession #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer
You don’t need the luck of the Irish…
but it might take a little speed 🍀
.
Because my Bucket List sessions?
There’s only ONE of each… and they will go fast.
.
Dreamy locations.
Creative concepts.
All the connection you love.
.
Some sessions aren’t about filling a calendar.
They’re about filling my creative cup.
In 2026, I’m offering three exclusive Bucket List Sessions — locations and themes I’ve been dreaming about for years.
.
Only ONE per concept.
These aren’t minis.
They’re storytelling sessions.
And they’re 50% off because I’m looking for the perfect fit.
If this sounds like you… let’s talk.
.
Beach theme has already been claimed!
.
✨ Go claim your spot before someone else gets lucky.
.
Link for more info and to book in Bio
It might not feel like it yet, but Spring and Summer memories are about to begin.
.
Minis are here and I’m so excited to share them with you!
.
This year’s lineup includes:
🌿Greenhouse Minis
🌷 Tulip Minis
🎓 Cap, Confetti & Crew Minis
🌼 Wildflower Farm Minis
🌳 Cantigny End of Summer Family Minis
.
If you have been waiting to update family photos, celebrate your senior, or capture a little bit of summer magic…this is your sign.
.
See bio for booking link.
#napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #familyphotographer #minisession #2026senior
email : knovellaphotography@gmail.com
follow me on Facebook and instagram @novella.photos
located in warrenville, il
serving Naperville, warrenville, Wheaton, winfield, aurora, Lombard, downers grove, Lisle, glen ellyn, Woodridge, oak brook, elmhurst, and other surrounding western suburbs of Chicago