Mommy & Me Session | Early Morning | Lilacia Park

5/5 - (1 vote)

Up With The Sun

When I was a teenager, I could never understand why my dad was up at 5am….even on the weekends! I would roll out of bed at 10am and think I was waking up early. “You’ve already wasted half your day” my dad would say. As I got older…I realized he was right. And when I started photography…I REALLY realized the impact of waking up early. There is such a calmness to the day when you wake up with the sun. The beauty of how the light just hits the top of the trees…how the shadows change and how the air smells. Normally extremely busy places, are empty… and the most beautiful family pictures can be taken without having to dodge a bunch of people.

Timing Is Everything

Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL is known for their absolutely beautiful tulips and lilacs that emerge at the end of April and into the early weeks of May. With the park itself being free and the park district NOT charging photographers a permit fee to have sessions here…this place is no secret. Don’t believe me? Head on over there on a Saturday afternoon and you won’t be able to find an area without swarms of people.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The above picture was taken at 3pm in the afternoon when I went to enjoy the park with my family…not for pictures…but just to enjoy the tulips. And by the way…it only got more crowded as the day went on. That picture right there is the exact reason why I just may suggest an early morning session.

Same Same But Different

I was so incredibly happy when mama agreed to meet for a 7:45am Mommy and Me session at Lilacia Park in May. We got to enjoy the same beauty of the tulips without the crazy amounts of people. Mama’s handsome little guy had just learned how to run so he wasn’t going to be standing still very long for any type of “posed” shots. It was so nice to be able to run around and allow him to play in his own space and be in his natural element without worrying about getting in other people’s shots or having people get into ours.

Mom lifting her baby up in front of red and orange tulips at Lilacia park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Worth the wake up call

Waking up early to get pictures like this is soooo worth it! Plus, the lighting is gorgeous…your little ones are fresh…which usually allows them to be their happiest early in the morning. So set those alarms and let’s capture some early morning memories together!

18 month old smirking at the camera while running in front of pink and orange tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Mom and 18 month old walking away from the camera under 4 blooming crab apple trees at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC
Mom and 18 month old walking toward the camera under 4 blooming crab apple trees at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Mom and 18 month old posing in front of pink and peach colored tulips while at Lilacia Park in Lombard and being photographed by Novella Photography LLC

18 month old boy sitting on limestone stairs and smiling at mom at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

18 month old being lifted up into the air by his mom at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL during a family session with Novella Photography LLC

Want to check out more about this beautiful park?

http://www.lombardlilactime.com

Kim Novella is a lifestyle family photographer based in the Western suburbs of Chicago.  She services Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, Oakbrook, Lombard, Downers Grove and surrounding areas.

#novellaphotography

#mommyandme

#mommyandmesession

#familysession

#lilaciapark

#westernsuburbs

#lifestylephotography

#familyphotography

#familyphotographer

#Chicagophotographer

#napervillephotographer

#winfieldphotographer

#warrenvillephotographer

#wheatonphotographer

#westchicagophotographer

#lombardphotographer

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    What's New on the 'Gram

    Top reasons I don’t pose families:
    .
    1. Real life isn’t posed!
    *and the most meaningful pictures never are.

    2. Connection is greater than perfection
    When families are free to move, laugh and snuggle, the photos hold emotion, not just faces.

    3. Kids aren’t meant to sit still
    Kids are curious, wiggly, silly and loud (sometimes all at once). Posing asks them to be something they’re not. Prompts and games allow them to be exactly who they are.

    4. Prompts and games create genuine moments.
    Instead of telling families where to stand, I guide them to what to DO (walk together, whisper secrets, snuggle). Those moments create real connection…moments you can’t fake.

    5. Because your photos should be about how it felt.
    Years from now you won’t remember whether everyone was standing perfectly. You’ll remember how their small hands fit into yours…how you all laughed when you talked about dad tooting.
    .
    The most beautiful moments happen when connection leads the way
    .
    #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #novellaphotography #familyphotographer

    7 3
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18119724595600315
    Top reasons I don’t pose families: . 1. Real life isn’t posed! *and the most meaningful pictures never are. 2. Connection is greater than perfection When families are free to move, laugh and snuggle, the photos hold emotion, not just faces. 3. Kids aren’t meant to sit still Kids are curious, wiggly, silly and loud (sometimes all at once). Posing asks them to be something they’re not. Prompts and games allow them to be exactly who they are. 4. Prompts and games create genuine moments. Instead of telling families where to stand, I guide them to what to DO (walk together, whisper secrets, snuggle). Those moments create real connection…moments you can’t fake. 5. Because your photos should be about how it felt. Years from now you won’t remember whether everyone was standing perfectly. You’ll remember how their small hands fit into yours…how you all laughed when you talked about dad tooting. . The most beautiful moments happen when connection leads the way . #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #novellaphotography #familyphotographer

    Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋
    .
    With so many new faces lately, it felt like the perfect time to re-introduce myself.
    I’m Kim, the photographer behind Novella Photography. I specialize in capturing real connection, movement, and emotion (the in-between moments) that feel like you. I’m not about stiff poses or forced smiles. My sessions are full of gentle prompts, games, silly sounds, laughter, and letting kids be kids.
    I photograph families, mamas, milestones, seniors, and all the seasons in between…because I truly believe these everyday moments deserve to be remembered. The messy, loud, quiet, joyful, tender ones… those are the good ones.
    .
    ✨ Five things that make me unique as a photographer:
    1️⃣ I don’t “pose” families; I guide them. Expect movement, snuggles, laughter, and moments that feel natural (no hand-placement instructions here 😉).
    2️⃣ Kids don’t have to behave to be photographed. Wiggly, shy, loud, or wild; I meet them exactly where they are.
    3️⃣ I care just as much about the feeling as the photo. If you tear up when you see your gallery… that’s kind of the goal 💛
    4️⃣ I design sessions around connection, not a checklist. I’m watching for glances, pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening.
    5️⃣ Many of my themed sessions are inspired by client feedback…you share an idea, and I run with it!
    .
    When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me spending time with my family, at a volleyball tournament, volunteering, traveling, or dreaming up new session ideas.
    .
    ✨ Three things about me personally:
    1️⃣ I have two different colored eyes (heterochromia) and yes, they’re real 😉
    2️⃣ I’ve been vegan for over 10 years and love recreating comfort foods in a plant-based way (even my non-vegan friends approve!)
    3️⃣ I’m newly obsessed with college and professional volleyball—my daughter and I have taken day trips just to watch a match live.
    .
    If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year.
    .
    And if you’ve been here awhile, thank you for being part of this little community of mine 💛

    15 0
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18081740471169251
    Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋 . With so many new faces lately, it felt like the perfect time to re-introduce myself. I’m Kim, the photographer behind Novella Photography. I specialize in capturing real connection, movement, and emotion (the in-between moments) that feel like you. I’m not about stiff poses or forced smiles. My sessions are full of gentle prompts, games, silly sounds, laughter, and letting kids be kids. I photograph families, mamas, milestones, seniors, and all the seasons in between…because I truly believe these everyday moments deserve to be remembered. The messy, loud, quiet, joyful, tender ones… those are the good ones. . ✨ Five things that make me unique as a photographer: 1️⃣ I don’t “pose” families; I guide them. Expect movement, snuggles, laughter, and moments that feel natural (no hand-placement instructions here 😉). 2️⃣ Kids don’t have to behave to be photographed. Wiggly, shy, loud, or wild; I meet them exactly where they are. 3️⃣ I care just as much about the feeling as the photo. If you tear up when you see your gallery… that’s kind of the goal 💛 4️⃣ I design sessions around connection, not a checklist. I’m watching for glances, pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening. 5️⃣ Many of my themed sessions are inspired by client feedback…you share an idea, and I run with it! . When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me spending time with my family, at a volleyball tournament, volunteering, traveling, or dreaming up new session ideas. . ✨ Three things about me personally: 1️⃣ I have two different colored eyes (heterochromia) and yes, they’re real 😉 2️⃣ I’ve been vegan for over 10 years and love recreating comfort foods in a plant-based way (even my non-vegan friends approve!) 3️⃣ I’m newly obsessed with college and professional volleyball—my daughter and I have taken day trips just to watch a match live. . If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year. . And if you’ve been here awhile, thank you for being part of this little community of mine 💛

    It’s so fun to look back at the memories created this year. Thank you all for being a part of it!
    .
    #yearinreview #2025 #familyphotography #warrenvillephotographer #napervillephotographer

    7 3
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18102502096685369
    It’s so fun to look back at the memories created this year. Thank you all for being a part of it! . #yearinreview #2025 #familyphotography #warrenvillephotographer #napervillephotographer

    WHAT. A. YEAR!
    Pop over to my Facebook page to pick your favorites from 2025. Top two pictures that get the most votes will receive a 8x12 canvas :). Check out Facebook for all the details.
    .
    Voting is open until 11:59pm on January 11th
    .
    #myfavoritethings #contest #familyphotography #familyphoto #warrenvillephotographer

    5 3
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18322664866174977
    WHAT. A. YEAR! Pop over to my Facebook page to pick your favorites from 2025. Top two pictures that get the most votes will receive a 8x12 canvas :). Check out Facebook for all the details. . Voting is open until 11:59pm on January 11th . #myfavoritethings #contest #familyphotography #familyphoto #warrenvillephotographer

    SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE
    .
    September is my most absolute FAVORITE month to have sessions in. The humidity is low, the temps are beautiful, rainfalls are minimal, the sunsets are GORGEOUS, the wildflowers are out and those pesky bug ratios are pretty low.
    .
    I am offering $100 off any FULL sessions booked in September. This includes graduating senior sessions, extended family sessions or a regular family sessions. BUT, the catch is that your session needs to take place in September.
    .
    The $100 discount almost brings the price for a full family session down to 2025 mini pricing! That means more pictures, more time with me, and a more personalized session at almost the same price as a mini session cost in 2025. Do not sit on this deal!!!
    .
    HOW THE SMALL BUSINESS SALE WORKS:
    .
    *You say "YES! Sign me up! I don`t want to miss my chance for a September session with Novella Photography"
    * $100 retainer fee and contract is due upon booking
    * You paying your retainer now is your placeholder. I will contact you at the beginning of 2026 and we will start planning your session! If you don`t know what type of session you want right away or a specific date, that`s OK! We have plenty of time to get you set up for success!
    * Your $100 discount will be applied to your final balance right before session takes place.
    * I am only offering this to the first 5 booked for small business Saturday
    .
    Sale ends at 11:59pm on Sunday Nov 30th or when the 5 slots are booked. Whichever comes first.
    .
    https://book.usesession.com/t/fbkyNXeyjc

    5 0
    Open post by novella.photos with ID 18542541232065329
    SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE . September is my most absolute FAVORITE month to have sessions in. The humidity is low, the temps are beautiful, rainfalls are minimal, the sunsets are GORGEOUS, the wildflowers are out and those pesky bug ratios are pretty low. . I am offering $100 off any FULL sessions booked in September. This includes graduating senior sessions, extended family sessions or a regular family sessions. BUT, the catch is that your session needs to take place in September. . The $100 discount almost brings the price for a full family session down to 2025 mini pricing! That means more pictures, more time with me, and a more personalized session at almost the same price as a mini session cost in 2025. Do not sit on this deal!!! . HOW THE SMALL BUSINESS SALE WORKS: . *You say "YES! Sign me up! I don't want to miss my chance for a September session with Novella Photography" * $100 retainer fee and contract is due upon booking * You paying your retainer now is your placeholder. I will contact you at the beginning of 2026 and we will start planning your session! If you don't know what type of session you want right away or a specific date, that's OK! We have plenty of time to get you set up for success! * Your $100 discount will be applied to your final balance right before session takes place. * I am only offering this to the first 5 booked for small business Saturday . Sale ends at 11:59pm on Sunday Nov 30th or when the 5 slots are booked. Whichever comes first. . https://book.usesession.com/t/fbkyNXeyjc

    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