Sweet Shop Is Open in Warrenville, IL

4.6/5 - (18 votes)

Sweet Shop is Open in Warrenville, IL

You guys know I’m obsessed with pretty dresses, right?  I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these gorgeous Little Dreamers Tutu rentals!  The colors…the poof!  These dresses had me at flutter sleeves.  As soon as I saw them, I knew exactly how I wanted to utilize them.  Well, in reality, I would have loved to get them in front of some fun murals downtown Chicago or downtown Naperville, but being that we live in the midwest, it was only 32 degrees outdoors.  I had a feeling my models wouldn’t be so happy with me if I had them out in the cold.  So we brought our session indoors and did it right here in my studio located in Warrenville.

The Setting

This Sweet Shop from Babydream Backdrops was the perfect drop to use as it incorporated all the same colors as these gorgeous dresses.  Pinks, baby blues and just a hint of yellow.  My mom and dad had purchased a gumball machine when my brother and I were growing up as they thought it was a fun addition to our game room themed basement.  It also just happened to be the perfect prop to use in my session! 

Girl in pretty dress sitting on blue crate and holding lollipop during studio photography session in Warrenville, IL

The Donut Dilemma

I went to pick up donuts and the location I went to only had vanilla donuts that day.  How boring…but because I didn’t want to drive around town all day to find “the perfect donut”, I came up with a solution.  A white vanilla donut is just a blank canvas, right?  I had my models add sprinkles to just half of each donut.  We may or may not have “lost” a couple of donuts to some hungry tummies in the process.  Haha!  One of them ended up with a couple sprinkles on their lips and an idea was born!  Who wouldn’t want sprinkle lipstick?!? 

close up of girl in pretty pink dress with sprinkles on her lips and holding two sprinkled donuts over her eyes like glasses in warrenville, il

Just Create Fun!!

Being that I coin myself as a lifestyle photographer, I don’t do a lot of rigid posing.  Even in the studio setting.  I like to set up a scene and let the child decide what to do with just a little guidance.  Now of course, I have a vision in my head of what I hope will take place, but I play games and use prompts to make my visions come alive.  By doing this, it makes kids comfortable, and we get much more natural smiles and reactions.  Because the child is comfortable in this setting, 9 times out of 10, even the shyest little one will be telling me what type of “poses” they want to do by the end of their session.  These “poses” always get included in their proof gallery and many times, 1 or 2 will be picked as a favorite.  It’s a happy balance between photographer and model =)

If you would like to do a session such as this one, please reach out.  It is perfect as a birthday theme or just a fun session!  The Sweet Shop is OPEN!

girl in pretty pink dress smiling at the camera and holding a lollipop in each hand in warrenville, il

A Little About Rental Dresses

I love renting and purchasing my dresses from Little Dreamers Tutus.  The owner and creator, Whitney, is absolutely amazing.  Her dresses are stunning, and her rental program allows me to photograph girls in beautiful dresses without breaking the bank.  With that being said, the secret is out!  With her increasing demand, she needed to change her business model and now these dresses are offered on a very limited basis.  If you see me promoting an upcoming session with a rental dress…I most likely won’t be able to get that dress again!  If you fall in love with a dress…book that mini session!  Or, if you have a different idea for the dress (it’s amazing the inspiration these dresses provide), book a full session over the dates of the rental and we will make your vision come alive!  

https://www.littledreamerscouture.com

Girl in pretty dress showing off the flutter sleeves of her dress during studio photography session in Warrenville, IL

close up of girl in pretty pink dress with a surprised face and holding a sprinkle donut in each hand in warrenville, il

Girl in pretty dress sitting on blue crate and holding a lollipop with surprised look on her face during studio photography session in Warrenville, IL

girl in pretty pink dress sitting on blue crates smiling in warrenville, il

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. 

#prettydresses

#littledreamerstutus

#napervillephotographer

#warrenvillephotographer

#wheatonphotographer

#lombardphotographer

#familyphotographer

#lifestylephotographer

#lifestylephotography

#sweetshop

#babydreambackdrops

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What's New on the 'Gram

Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋
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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.
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✨ 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!
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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.
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✨ 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.
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If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year.
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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!
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#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.
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Voting is open until 11:59pm on January 11th
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#myfavoritethings #contest #familyphotography #familyphoto #warrenvillephotographer
SMALL  BUSINESS  SATURDAY  SALE
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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.
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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.
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 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!!!
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HOW THE SMALL BUSINESS SALE WORKS:
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*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
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Sale ends at 11:59pm on Sunday Nov 30th or when the 5 slots are booked.  Whichever comes first.
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https://book.usesession.com/t/fbkyNXeyjc
BLACK FRIDAY SALE
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Selling out of Holiday sessions the first week in October was great for me...but not so great for some of my clients. Here is your chance to get a 2026 Fall or Holiday slot NOW to get $75 off and not have think about anything until session themes are released in July.
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HOW THE BLACK FRIDAY SALE WORKS:
You say "YES! Sign me up! I don't want to miss my chance for a fall or holiday session with Novella Photography in 2026"
$100 retainer fee and contract is due upon booking
You paying your retainer now is your placeholder. Once themes are finalized in July, my Black Friday clients will have first dibs at picking their themes and timeslots. I will contact you and get all of those finalized before opening up sales to the general public.
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Your $75 discount will be applied to your final balance right before your 2026 Fall/Holiday session takes place.
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NITTY GRITTY:
I am only taking 10 sessions at this discounted price
This is the largest discount you will see on 2025 Fall/Holiday minis. My Christmas in July sale will not have this large of a discount.
Fall/Holiday minis are designed for immediate family only. If looking to include grandma/grandpa, cousins, or more than 5 people, please contact me for special pricing. A mini session typically would not be sufficient due to the time.
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https://book.usesession.com/t/WU3L3IxiAF

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