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
It`s July...and half of my holiday season is already booked. 🤯🎄
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I honestly don`t know what to say except...thank you. ❤️
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We are only ONE WEEK into my Christmas in July event, and 30 of the 60 holiday sessions have already been claimed!
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Every single booking is someone choosing me to preserve their family`s memories, and that is something I`ll never take for granted.
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Six years ago, I started Novella Photography with a dream of creating meaningful images for families. Today, seeing so many of you planning ahead in the middle of summer because holiday photos have become part of your family`s tradition...that`s pretty incredible.
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If you`ve been thinking about booking, here`s your friendly reminder:
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Half of this year`s holiday collection is already spoken for.
That means there are 30 sessions remaining across all eight holiday experiences.
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Every year, my holiday calendar fills well before the season arrives, so if you`ve had your eye on a particular setup or date, now is the time.
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From the bottom of my heart...
Thank you for trusting me with your memories, year after year.
DID YOU BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY STORY?
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Christmas in July Sale happening now thru July 31st! $50 off your holiday session balance.
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
IT`S TIME!
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Holiday Sessions are LIVE!
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$50 off your session balance for any holiday minis booked during our Christmas in July Sale. Going on now thru July 31st.
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Don`t sit on this deal! I sold out almost half of my sessions yesterday when these opened up to past clients! I only take 60 sessions a year so I can give each client the most personalized experience. Once they are gone...they are gone!
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Last two years have sold out early in the booking window.
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All available sessions, pricing and details can be found below. Happy booking!
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
ONE. MORE. HOUR!!!
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Christmas in July is ALMOST here! See you back here at 4pm!
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#holidaymini #christmasmini #holidaysession #christmasinjuly #sale
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
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What kind of holiday memory do you want to create this year?
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All 8 themes will go on sale today to the public at 4pm! Holiday sessions booked during my Christmas in July sale (today-July 31st) will receive $50 off their session balance.
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See you back here at 4pm!
Hey Guys!
Happy Christmas in July Reveal Day #8! This is our final theme of 2026! See previous posts to view each theme before these go on sale to the public tomorrow!
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Today`s Theme: HOLIDAY AFTER DARK
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Not every holiday memory happens around the Christmas tree.
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Some happen beneath twinkling lights...At holiday parties. During date nights. At elegant celebrations. Or simply while dressed up with the people you love most.
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Holiday After Dark is designed for those looking for something a little different this season. Thousands of warm lights cascade overhead, creating a glamorous backdrop that feels festive without being traditionally Christmas.
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These portraits are timeless, sophisticated, and filled with sparkle.
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Come dressed to impress and let the lights do the rest.
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These sessions are perfect for:
❤️ Couples
❤️ Dressy family portraits
❤️ Sisters or best friends
❤️ Anniversary portraits
❤️ Holiday cards with a modern twist
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Wardrobe Ideas:
Think...
✨ Velvet dresses
✨ Sequins
✨ Black
✨ Emerald green
✨ Champagne
✨ Gold
✨ Jewel tones
✨ Tux jackets
✨ Cocktail dresses
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
8 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
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These sessions and all holiday minis go on sale to the public on July 15th during my Christmas in July Sale!
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