Children Photography

Because They Won’t Stay Little Forever…

From tiny fingers and first wobbly steps to missing teeth and growing independence, childhood is a series of ever-changing moments—each one more fleeting than the last. Portrait and milestone sessions are about more than just beautiful images; they’re about freezing time, preserving the details, and giving you something to hold onto long after the moment has passed.

One day, you’ll look back at these photos and remember the way their little hand fit in yours, the sparkle in their eyes, and the pure joy of childhood. And one day, they’ll look back at these images and see just how loved they’ve always been.

Let’s capture these moments before they slip away.

Why Viewing a Full Gallery Matters

A single photo can tell a beautiful story—but a full gallery captures the entire journey.

When you book a session with me, I don’t just deliver a handful of “perfect” shots; I document the real, unfiltered essence of your children. The big, joyful moments. The quiet in-between ones. The way your child's nose wrinkles when he/she smiles. The laughter that erupts after a silly joke.

By viewing a full gallery, you’ll see exactly what I deliver—natural, heartfelt storytelling that preserves your family as you are. I want you to trust that every session results in a collection of images that, together, tell your story in the most beautiful way.

Take a look, immerse yourself in the moments, and envision the memories we can create together.

Empowerment Session

Icon Session

Milestone/Cake Smash Session

What to Expect

Picture of young girl in cream colored dress holding blue flowers and sitting on a sofa looking up at the camera. Photo taken in Warrenville, IL

1. Say Hello

Start by filling out an inquiry form for the session you're interested in. This is where you can share your vision—whether you’re drawn to an outdoor setting or a studio session, who will be part of your photos, and if there’s a specific season you’d love to capture your child in. If you already have a location in mind or a particular feel you’re going for, this is the perfect place to share your initial ideas so we can begin bringing your session to life.

2. Booking Your Session

Once I receive your inquiry, we’ll find the perfect date for your child’s session. To officially reserve your spot, a signed contract, completed questionnaire, and $100 retainer fee are required.

 

The questionnaire is more than just paperwork—it’s a way for me to truly get to know your child. The details you share help me connect with them from the very first hello, making them feel seen, valued, and comfortable in front of the camera. This connection is what allows me to capture their true personality in a way that feels natural and genuine, so I encourage you to take your time filling it out. I promise, this isn’t just busy work—it’s the secret to creating portraits that feel like them.

 

With your date secured, the fun begins! We’ll start tailoring the session to your vision—choosing outfits that reflect your child’s personality while keeping everything beautifully coordinated. You’ll also have access to my client closet at no extra cost if you'd like to explore curated wardrobe options. We’ll go over location choices in more detail and fine-tune every element to ensure the session is a perfect reflection of your vision.

Two boys lying on their bellies during sunset under autumn colored trees. Taken at Danada Farms in Wheaton, IL
Picture of young girl leaning up against a tree during the fall. Picture taken at St James Farm in Warrenville, IL

3. Your Child's session day

Get ready for a fun, relaxed, and laughter-filled experience! During our time together, you can expect high energy, lots of funny noises, and probably a few happy squeals as I capture your child's personality.

 

I take plenty of photos to make sure we capture the perfect moments—both the beautifully composed shots and the in-between, candid magic that truly tells your child's story.

4. Choose your favorite images

Within three days of your session, you'll receive an email with a link to your online proof gallery. This gallery will include 2-3 fully edited images, giving you a preview of the final look and feel of your photos. The rest of the gallery will feature unedited proofs—straight-from-the-camera images where you’ll focus on composition and expressions rather than final edits.

From here, you’ll select your favorites! Your session includes 10 images, but you’ll also have the option to purchase additional images for full editing. If your proof gallery contains 40 images, you can even choose to upgrade and receive the entire collection.

Picture of two boys with their young sister all standing with their arms around one another and smiling at the camera.
Young girl leaning up against a vintage school desk with her other hand on her hip. Photo taken during a mini session in Warrenville, IL

5. Receive & Enjoy Your Final Gallery

Once you've selected your favorite images (don’t worry, I’ll guide you through this simple process!), I’ll get to work perfecting them. Your fully edited gallery will be delivered within two weeks, ready for you to download and cherish.

 

If you loved your experience as much as I did, I would truly appreciate a Google or Facebook review—it means the world to my business! And don’t forget to share your experience with friends and family—word-of-mouth referrals help me continue capturing beautiful moments for amazing families like yours.

 

The final step? Planning your next session! Whether it’s holiday portraits or making milestone photos an annual tradition, I can’t wait to see your child again and create more unforgettable memories together!

The Details

Pricing

Photography isn’t just about pictures—it’s about preserving the love, laughter, and fleeting moments that make up your story.

I offer a variety of packages designed to fit different needs. Every session includes a personalized experience, carefully curated editing, and a gallery of images that authentically reflect your family.

Packages starting at $300

Featured Blog Posts

This is where stories come to life—where I share heartfelt moments from recent sessions, tips for stress-free family photos, and inspiration to help you make the most of your memories. Whether you're looking for outfit ideas, behind-the-scenes peeks, or a reminder of why these fleeting moments deserve to be captured, you’ll find it all here.

Grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and stay awhile. I can’t wait to share these stories with you!

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What's New on the 'Gram

I love seeing reactions like these from moms when they see the back of my camera.  I love it even more when it’s a mom watching their senior shine.
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Currently booking 2025 and 2026 grads!
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#seniorportraits #senior #seniorsession #seniorphotographer #wws #wheatonnorth #napervillecentralhighschool #napervillenorth #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #napervillephotographer
Posing with my camera the same way guys pose with fish!
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Photography is actually a lot more like fishing than you might think.
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Patience is everything
*similar to fishing, photography can often be about waiting for the right moment. Whether is the perfect light or a natural smile your photographer is sitting, watching and ready.
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You need the right bait. 
* With fishing, it’s worms or lures and photography. It’s the photographers’s prompts or vibe. You have to entice the moment you’re trying to capture… Especially with kids or camera shy clients.
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Everyday is different
* the fish might not bite. A child might not cooperate.  Mother nature may decide it’s going to rain. Both require flexibility and trust that something good will come if you stay ready.
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Both are about the catch. 
* with fishing at the moment you hook a fish.  In photography is the magic of catching that perfect picture. It’s a mix of skill luck and timing.
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Tools matter, but experience wins.
* you can have the best fishing rod or camera in the world, but it’s your experience and intuition that really brings the win.
#novellaphotography #fishvscamera #familyphotography #familyphotographer #wheatonphotographer #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #photographersnearme #yourphotographer
📸🌷 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🌷🚐
Let’s dream a little… and maybe win a FREE spring mini session while we’re at it 😉
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I’m giving away one spot for my Pedals & Petals Mini Sessions on May 4th — featuring a vintage light blue VW bus, beach cruiser and a sea of tulips 🌸✨
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To enter, all you need to do is finish the sentence in the comments below: 
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“My dream VW bus adventure would be…”
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Get creative, be silly, go full wanderlust mode—I want to see what kind of adventures you’d take this bus on!
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Winner gets: 🌷 20-minute photo session on May 4th (can be immediate family or mama and her kid/s)
🌷 8 edited images of your choice
🌷 Spring vibes + vintage magic
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Contest ends April 12th — winner announced April 13th in stories!
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Let’s see those VW dreams roll in 🚐💨

***Bonus entry for each person you tag in the comments section.
WICKED!!!
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We are just over two weeks away!  Are you ready?  To find out WHY I offer these empowerment sessions and to view the amazing dresses that Lori has created for these Wicked Themed sessions... check out
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https://novella-photography.com/empowerment-session/
🌷 ON SALE NOW: PETALS & PEDALS SPRINGTIME MINIS 🌷
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Shake off the winter blues and step into spring with our Pedals & Petals Minis! These dreamy mini sessions capture the joy of the season with a charming beach cruiser bike, vibrant tulips, and a vintage light blue VW bus as the perfect backdrops. Whether you're celebrating family moments, capturing playful giggles, or embracing the fresh spring air, these sessions are all about fun, sunshine, and making memories in a setting that feels like the perfect spring day.
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📸 Limited spots available! Book now to bring your springtime story to life! 🌞🚲
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https://book.usesession.com/s/HkauYC5Vvc
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#tulips #tuliptime #springtime #shakeoffwintertimeblues #familysession #minisession #familyphotography #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #napervillephotographer #vwbuslovers #vwbus #venue5126 #oswegoillinois #oswegophotographer #familyphotographer

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