You guys probably know by now that fall is my absolute favorite season. I’m not alone here. I think autumn holds a special place in many-a-heart, because it’s sort of the unofficial “new year” where everyone can start fresh, and the crisp fall air is that reminder to us. It has also quickly become my favorite season for portraits! The foliage adds another layer of texture and depth to photos that you can only get once a year. If you want to see some great foliage in Chicago, it’s best to head up to the suburbs to really get all the fall feels. Palatine is one of my favorite Chicagoland suburbs actually, and the park we went to for this family portrait session did not disappoint.

Moms everywhere are eager to get that one perfect family photo for their annual holiday card, which is just around the corner. I can’t blame them, the online card sales start early! I am thrilled when I get these requests because using a professional photo for your card (as opposed to an iPhone pic) really makes a statement, but not in a boastful way – it says that you took time to invest in beautiful memories with your family; it says that you value sharing with your loved ones where you are in life; it says that it’s not just another year gone by, it’s a year of your life that you’ll never get back and you made it count.

Emily and Nick wanted to do just that. This year has marked some milestones for them, and they were eager to share them with friends and family alongside a joyful portrait (or two, or three)! We spent a beautiful afternoon in Palatine’s Deer Grove East, which lent us both open fields and mature colorful trees. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!