Photos By Maxi

Capturing all your special moments from engagements, maternity, lifestyle newborn, to small events and even bo***ir.

09/04/2026

Country vibes, right here in the Chicagoland suburbs. 🤠

There’s something about a mama and her little boy that just gets me. The way he reaches for her, the way she looks at him, the little moments of play and affection that happen so naturally when they’re together.

Add tall grass, an old wooden fence, cowboy boots, and the prettiest summer evening, and you have a session that feels straight out of the countryside. Let’s not forget the deer that made an appearance. 🦌

I love when family photos feel like them. Not overly posed or perfect, just a beautiful reflection of the love that already exists.

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Park Ridge family photographer, Park Ridge motherhood photographer, Chicago family photographer, Chicagoland family photography, mother and son photography, outdoor family photography, motherhood session, North Shore family photographer, Mount Prospect family photographer

09/01/2026

The sweetest news to capture. There’s something I love about being one of the first people to know their secret. 🥹

This pregnancy announcement session couldn’t have been any more perfect. We had a beautiful Lake Michigan backdrop, soft light, gorgeous blue water, and the sweetest parents-to-be celebrating this exciting new chapter together.

And I have to talk about the star of the show because I had NO idea white Goldens were a thing and I am officially obsessed. How beautiful is she?! So white I would’ve thought she was dipped in purple shampoo haha.

Sunny was a little star for her photos, especially considering she was a hyper puppy, but you can hardly tell! If theres one person you choose to work with your pets, let it be me.

So happy for Janeen & Brendon and the little one who is already so loved. 🤍

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Chicagoland pregnancy announcement photographer, Chicago maternity photographer, Lake Michigan maternity photographer, North Shore maternity photographer, Chicagoland maternity photographer, pregnancy photographer Chicago, pregnancy photos, Lake Michigan pregnancy photos, North Shore maternity photography, Chicagoland family photographer

08/31/2026

No nursery? That is completely okay. 🤍

And honestly, it’s more common than you might think.

Your newborn photography session does not need to take place in a perfectly finished nursery. In fact, a newborn is often spending those first days and weeks right alongside you, in your bedroom and living spaces anyway.

So when I arrive for an in-home newborn session and hear, “We don’t have a nursery yet. We’ll just use our bedroom and living room,” my answer is always: perfect. We have plenty to work with.

Your home does not need to look like a magazine. I’m looking for the beautiful pockets of light, the spaces where you actually spend time together, and all those little details that make this moment yours.

And yes, maybe your newborn session will be the motivation to finally finish that nursery. But if it isn’t done yet, please don’t stress. Your baby’s first days are worth documenting exactly as they are.

Especially when the home is this beautiful. 🥹

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In-home newborn photography, lifestyle newborn photographer, Chicago newborn photographer, Chicagoland newborn photographer, North Shore newborn photographer, Mount Prospect newborn photographer, in-home newborn session, lifestyle newborn photography, natural light newborn photography, newborn photos at home, Chicago newborn photos

08/28/2026

3 becoming 4 🤍

One of my favorite things lately? Seeing so many families choose to document their pregnancy announcement and those very first moments of becoming a family of four.

There’s something so special about this early chapter. Before the bump gets big, before everyone knows, before life changes in all the ways it’s about to… there’s this little secret, this excitement, and a whole lot of love already growing.

And getting to photograph this sweet announcement for a past client made it even more special. Watching families come back to me to document their next chapter is something I’ll never take for granted.

Congratulations to this beautiful family of three on becoming four. Baby is already so loved.

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Pregnancy announcement photographer, maternity photographer, family photographer, Glenview IL photographer, Glenview maternity photographer, North Shore Chicago photographer, Northshore maternity photographer, Chicagoland maternity photographer, pregnancy announcement photography, family photography, Chicago maternity photographer, Glenview family photographer

08/26/2026

What if I told you that you do NOT need a full glam for photos?

If a full face of makeup is not part of your normal routine, that’s okay!

But if there’s ONE makeup product I’d recommend bringing to your family, maternity, newborn, or couples session… make it a lip product.

Cameras and soft natural light can wash out your natural lip color, and just a little tint can make your features look more defined and polished without looking like you’re wearing a full face.

Swipe to see the FOUR lip products that are actually part of my everyday routine and that I recommend over and over again.

They’re especially perfect if you don’t normally wear lipstick, but want that little extra something in photos.

I pair the liner with one of the other three on the daily.

BUT if you do want full glam.. I know many talented makeup artists and would happily refer you to them.

Save this for your next session and send it to the person who is currently stressing about what to wear. 🤍

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Burt's Bees - tinted balm
Clinique - almost lipstick
OLEHENRIKSEN - peptide lip treatment
Maybelline New York - lifter lip liner

Photo by Tifa Zhou | Chicago Lifestyle Photographer edited by me at The Studio Chicago

Chicagoland family photographer, Chicago maternity photographer, Chicago newborn photographer, North Shore family photographer, lifestyle family photography, natural family photos, maternity photography, newborn photography, photography tips

08/25/2026

Big post because this newborn session deserves to be shared. 🤍

A moment for this stunning wallpaper. One of my favorite things about newborn sessions is seeing the uniquely designed nurseries you put so much thought and love into.

Every little detail of this session felt so special, from the sweetest new baby to every family member being included, pets and all. There were so many beautiful details throughout their home, but that nursery wallpaper? Absolutely worth its own moment.

And then, just when we thought we were done, the overcast weather gave us the prettiest soft light for a few outdoor family photos. Sometimes stepping outside at the end of a session is exactly what we need to finish a gallery.

A beautiful newborn, a beautiful family, their pets, a nursery filled with personality, and so many little details that made this session perfect.

Peep the diva in the last slide. 🐱

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Lake Forest newborn photographer, North Shore newborn photographer, North Shore Chicago newborn photography, Chicagoland newborn photographer, in-home newborn photography, lifestyle newborn photographer, Lake Forest family photographer, North Shore family photographer, Chicago newborn photographer, natural light newborn photography

08/23/2026

Finally got the chance to photograph a session here after wanting to for SO long. 🌆

Kristen had a vision and we NAILED it. Chicago really showed off for this one.

And honestly, I loved this session so much that narrowing down the photos was basically impossible. Kristen and Michael were absolute naturals in front of the camera, making every moment feel effortless and completely them.

Golden hour, the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and a beautiful growing family who made my job very easy. I’ll happily share way too many from this one. 🤍

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Chicagoland maternity photographer, North Shore maternity photographer, Chicago maternity photographer, Chicagoland photographer, North Shore photographer, Chicago lifestyle photographer, Lake Michigan maternity photographer, golden hour maternity photography, Chicago sunset maternity photos, Chicagoland family photographer, North Shore family photographer, Chicago maternity session

08/22/2026

Meet Marshmallow and Luna. 🐰 🐇

Who are very upset with me picking them up for content.

Clearly, between editing galleries, answering emails, photographing families, newborns, and running the whole business, what I really needed was two tiny fluffy coworkers. 😂

I’ve actually had these two for a while now.. (2 years??)

Meet the unofficial mascots of Photos By Maxi. They don’t answer emails, they don’t cull galleries, and they definitely don’t pay rent… but they’re excellent at being cute. 😂🐰

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Chicagoland photographer, Chicago family photographer, newborn photographer, lifestyle photographer, in home newborn photographer, Midwest photographer, small business owner, photographer behind the scenes, photography business, bunny mom, holland lop

08/20/2026

I almost never post just one image because, well… Instagram apparently needs a whole carousel to feel fulfilled 🥲

But this one needed its own moment.

I was changing my battery in the hallway when I looked over and caught mom and dad having a moment of their own. No posing. No prompting. No “okay, now look at each other.” Just them, completely unaware I was photographing it.

And honestly? These are the images I love most. The ones that weren’t planned, weren’t on the usual shot list, and somehow end up telling the biggest part of the story.

Photographers if you are asking why the heck I was changing my battery mid session… take a note: because letting your batteries fully die occasionally is good for battery longevity. 😉

And ALWAYS carry extra batteries. Three or four. Because I trust my batteries about as much as I trust an Illinois weather forecast. 🙊

So, Instagram, don’t let this one flop because it’s a single image. One image can say a thousand words after all.

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North Shore Chicago newborn photographer, North Shore newborn photography, Chicagoland newborn photographer, Chicagoland family photographer, lifestyle newborn photography, in-home newborn photographer, documentary family photography, candid family photos, North Shore photographer, Chicago newborn photographer, in-home newborn photography

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Mount Prospect, IL

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