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
Where in the world is Novella Photography?
So far I have taken a boat to see penguins in their natural habitat, gone sand boarding in the dessert and eaten vegan ceviche.
Where am I?
SUMMER SESSIONS - ALMOST COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!!!
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You guys have blown me away!
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Native Wildflower Sessions are SOLD OUT (please join the waitlist if still interested)
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Summer at Cantigny has 2 sessions left (1 on each date)
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Sunset in the Flower Field has 2 sessions left (1 on each date)
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Get ready for stunning photos coming your way! If you are still looking to book, get in there and get your session or join a waitlist!
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
ON SALE NOW
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Summer is officially underway!
3 Different locations over multiple dates.
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For more information and to book, link in bio and below
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
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#warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #NapervillePhotographer #minisessions #limitededition #limitededitionsessions #summertime #summertimevibes #summerishere #familyphotography
ON SALE ON MONDAY AT 4:00pm.
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* Unless you are a past of current client. If that`s YOU, these sessions (and all other late summer sessions) are on sale NOW. Check your email for link!
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Late summer at Cantigny is pure magic.
Golden sunsets, blooming flowers, and dreamy garden paths make the perfect setting for capturing your family just as you are in this season of life. 🌞💛
📸 Summer Mini Sessions go on sale Monday—limited dates available in August. Let’s freeze time before the school year rush begins.
ON SALE MONDAY at 4:00pm
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Unless you are a past or current client. If that`s you, check your email because these are available to you NOW.
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Sunset skies, fields of cosmos and dahlias, and space to explore without the crowds...
These flower field sessions are straight out of a dream.
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Limited spots. Two dates only. Let’s play in the petals. 💫
🐶 Dogs welcome (on leash!)
#familyphotographer #flowerfields #novellaphotography #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #familyphotographer #chasinglight #sunsetsessions
ON SALE MONDAY AT 4pm
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Unless you are a past/current client then check your email because they are on sale for YOU now.
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A private prairie with native flowers, a stunning pond, and your favorite people (and yes, pups too!). 🐶💛
This gorgeous 5-acre spot in Homer Glen is all ours for family sessions—wildflowers, sun-drenched meadows, and space to run, explore, and splash around. Sessions are up to 40 minutes so we don’t have to rush the magic.
On Sale Monday—let’s make some memories. 🌞
#DogFriendlyPhotos #FamilyPhotographer #HomerGlenSessions #PondPlay #PrairieMagic #ChicagoFamilyPhotos #novellaphotography #familysessions #photographersnearme
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