Fall family session at Allerton Park

Ashley first got ahold of me unsure if we’d be able to get a fall family session at Allerton Park. Midwest falls can turn on us pretty quickly- as we all know! Luckily, she had a really clear vision for how she wanted her family session to look. We managed to pull everything together in a matter of days for their fall family portraits at Allerton Park in Monticello, Il. Fortunately, fall was kind to us this year and we had amazing temperatures for our session and Ashley had pretty much every clothing item on hand- most from Brass Horn and Brass Horn Too here in Decatur, Il.

After our design meeting I had driven the whole park  looking for a specific location that had Edison bulbs. I was there specifically to scout my lighting, but came up empty. I found an area that would work for family pictures but no gorgeous Edison bulbs. After getting an inspiration picture from her I realized I knew the exact location. Bonus that the light totally cooperates with golden hour pictures!

Except. The reason I couldn’t find them when I had looked for them was because they weren’t turned on. Her husband solved the problem and got the lights working for us just before we lost all of our light for the evening. I did a little photoshop magic to add in lit bulbs in a perfect family picture before we turned them on, but there’s a special magic to the images of the family when the actual lights were on. Keith fixing our light dilemma might be one of my favorite moments from a family session.

Two pictures of a family of three under the lights at Allerton Park in Monticello Il

Find your joy.

I hope you know by now my goal in this life and my job is to bring you joy. Her little one turned three last month, so our session in November was his first experience playing in the leaves. It was so much fun witnessing him find the joy of a crunchy pile of leaves and the mess you get to make when you scatter them in the air surrounding you. Family sessions often tell the story of a chapter rather than a memory or event.  I like to think we captured a specific memory for both Ford and his parents that evening. It may be a small one, but they can always enjoy and share that moment now in photos.

Two year old boy throwing leaves in the air during golden hour at Allerton Park in Monticello Il during his fall family photo session with Hidden Gem Photography by Jennifer Lange

At their reveal, Ashley LOVED the custom sizes I offer. I source my products through specific vendors so I have my choice of gorgeous mats and timeless frames. Check out waaaay at the bottom for the room view (last picture) I was able to show her before deciding on her portraits. The previous three pictures are cell phone grabs of the products after I installed them. Ultimately, they now own a plethora of gorgeous matted prints and two portraits in their dining area that they will love for a great while!

 

 

Fall Family Session in Allerton Park

 

 

Family of three snuggled up for pictures at fall family session in Allerton Park in Monticello Il Two pictures side by side. one of mom snuggling her son, one of dad and son looking at each other Mom and dad playing with son with golden hour light behind them in Allerton Park Two pictures to celebrate his impending birthday. Boy looking directly at camera. Family of three snuggled up for pictures at fall family session in Allerton Park in Monticello Il during golden hour Family of three smiling at camera in Allerton Park in Monticello, Il Three year old boy running around Allerton Park with multi colored hat on Picture of boy smiling at camera wearing striped shirt was green button down over it. In the aisle between the vines in Allerton Park with the lights glowing. Two pictures of a family of three under the lights at Allerton Park in Monticello Il Picture of boy smiling at camera wearing striped shirt was green button down over it. Mom and dad each holding a hand, but their bodies are out of frame. Mom and dad kneeling close to son, other picture is of son of stool smiling at camera

Picture of kitchen in family home with new family pictures installed at the holidays. Picture of sons individual picture in the kitchen Custom sized picture of the family together hung in the kitchenDigital rendering of hypothetical artwork for kitchen walls.