SIMPLY BY SUZY

A FEW HOURS TO
ENJOY BEING together

The Experience

"Wow, how lucky
am I."

You know that feeling, as a parent? When your kid eats all their food. Or they get a good night sleep. That feeling when you go out for the day and they have a big accident but you brought the wipes and an extra pair of clothes. When you go on a family vacation and your kids are playing together on the beach and they're all getting along. There is something about those moments as a parent that can be really profound... like... we did a good job. We're a good team. I did a good job. I'm a good parent! Wow... I really love my family...
How lucky am I?

That feeling is my favorite thing to give families - whether you're in my newsletter or following me on my instagram or you're walking away from photos with me.

and when you walk away

I'll likely text you the night before your session, "It doesn't matter what you wear or how clean your house is, the only thing I need from you is your willingness to laugh off the chaos. And have fun with your family. If you can do that, I can make something beautiful out of anything."

Below are the offerings designed for families who want it all - a fun, meaningful experience now and incredible artwork of their life to have forever.

Shot on real film

Why I still shoot film

Every session is shot on film. It's slower, it's a little unpredictable, and it looks the way your family actually feels.

Mom and daughter swimming together underwater in a pool
Family walking along the beach at sunset with a sailboat on the water
Parents cooking breakfast together in their kitchen while their toddler watches
Mom and son climbing on seaside rocks at golden hour
Dad lifting his baby into the air on the beach as mom laughs
The everyday camera

35mm

Quick, a little grainy, perfect for chasing kids around the yard.

The portraits

Medium format

Bigger negatives and the richest detail. This is where the big prints on your wall come from.

Add-on

Super 8

Real moving film. A few minutes of your family that feel like a home movie from your own childhood.

A Saturday morning, on Super 8

Add-on

Your family, moving

Super 8 is real moving film, the same stuff our parents used for home movies. A few minutes of your kids running, laughing, climbing into bed with you. No sound, all feeling.

Girl smiling down at a Canon AE-1 film camera

What film changes

  1. There's no screen to check, so I'm watching your family instead of the back of my camera.
  2. Every frame counts, so I shoot with more intention (and way less "one more!").
  3. Skin looks like real skin, on every skin tone.
  4. Your photos come back weeks later. It feels like opening a gift.
Little boy holding a disposable camera with his mom and dad on the beach
For the film lovers

Bring your camera

Have a film camera at home you've been dying to use? Bring it to your session. I'll show you how to load it and we'll play with it together.

"I can’t say enough good things about working with [Suzy]. If you’re considering it - just do it! You will be glad you did."

We have spent the last nine years since with her capturing everything from the perfect family portrait, to what we have grown to love most about her… capturing those tiny little everyday moments and expressions of our family that truly feel like US. Suzy has a way of seeing the beauty in the simplest parts of life and helping you recognize the beauty in that too. After all, when we look back - it’s those images of real moments & interactions of every day life that will mean the most. We love the way she sees life, light & family - and even better - that she captures it so beautifully on film (our fave).

— Christy, Google Review

WHAT TO EXPECT

First I want to know you

Before your session we'll hop on a planning call. I want to hear all about you and your family, and what this season looks like for you. From there, we'll brainstorm some ideas to make the session an experience you can't stop thinking about for weeks after. 

The privilege of time together

A session with me is not 2 hours of posing stiffly over and over until we're done. A session with me is about having fun together, and walking through play and challenges. Because even when things don't go as planned (as they often do with kids), my favorite part of a session is getting to show families how to be a really great team.

Creating more than just photos

I shoot every session on 35mm and medium format film (plus super 8 if you add it on). So what you're left with after feels like real memories. Something to come back to whenever you need to remember how good this life you're building really is. Especially in the building years, when you need that most.

NOTE FROM JEN: (this is a hidden canvas)

If you have a large amount of content for each of your services and are having trouble with it stacking and being sticky, simply click each service canvas, then set the "sticky" settings to "none" instead of top on scroll. You may add or delete as many services as you need to — just make sure you change the "stacking order" to be one higher each time so they layer!

Ways to work together

The experiences

Toddler giggling under a pile of family hands during playtimeNo. 01

The Heirloom Session

For any milestone (pregnancy, newborn, a first or tenth birthday) or a family shoot just because. Gorgeous artwork of your life, and memories made with the people you love most.

See pricing
Cozy kids' room with a canopy reading nook and a wall of picture booksNo. 02

The Documentary Commission

A full day in your home, from the moment your family wakes up until the last light goes out. Naps, snacks, meltdowns, cuddles and all. (We'll hop on a call first.)

See pricing
Black and white photo of a new mom in sunglasses sipping a drink in her hospital bed with her newbornNo. 03

Birth Stories

Pregnancy, your baby's arrival, the first 48 hours and the newborn days at home. All those incredible firsts, while you get to just be in them.

See pricing

Ready to book your experience?

Tell me a little about your family and what you're hoping for. I'll take it from there.

Let's talk

KIND WORDs

"WORKING WITH SUZY is an ABSOLUTE DREAM."

We have done three sessions to date, and after our last experience booked another three more! She is truly gifted at creating beautiful, authentic family memories. We know her photos and the experience of creating them as a family will be something we will treasure forever.

— Jenna, Google Review

"She truly is the whole package, and I feel so lucky to have had her documenting our family all these years."

Suzy is an absolute gem! She’s been photographing my family since 2018, and I look forward to our sessions every chance I get to book with her. Over the years, she has captured so many special moments and memories for our family, and I’m always in awe of the photos we receive.

— Deema, Google Review

"We loved working with Suzy. She is truly a delightful human and a calming presence."

She made our family feel so comfortable and captured beautiful, intimate pictures of us bonding at home. Her photos are stunning and we will cherish them forever!

— Sammy, Google Review

"Suzy is a true joy to work with. We keep coming back to work with Suzy because of the way she makes us feel, her attention to detail and her heirloom quality photos."

No matter the mood of your kids, Suzy finds a way to capture the true moment in a way you don’t want to forget. We’ve worked with her more than 5 times over the years and each year the photos from the year before become more precious and meaningful to us.

— Stephanie, Google Review

"If I had to use one word to describe Suzy and her work it would be MAGICAL."

— Katie, Google Review

Before you book

Questions

Do you shoot everything on film?

Yes! Every session is shot on 35mm and medium format film (plus Super 8 if you add it on). So what you're left with feels like real memories.

Where do sessions happen?

Wherever feels like your family. Your home, the beach, a favorite park, your everyday routines or a special adventure together. We'll figure it out on our planning call.

What should we wear? Does my house need to be clean?

It doesn't matter what you wear or how clean your house is. The only thing I need from you is your willingness to laugh off the chaos and have fun with your family.

What if my kids don't cooperate?

Honestly, that's part of it. Things don't always go as planned with kids (they often don't!), and my favorite part of a session is showing families how to be a really great team through it.

How do we plan the session?

Before your session we'll hop on a planning call. I want to hear all about you and your family and what this season looks like for you, and then we'll brainstorm ideas together.

How much does a session cost?

You can see every collection and what's included on my pricing page.

When will we get our photos, and how many?

You'll get 100+ unique film images in about 4 weeks, with your complete digital archive and full print permission.

Do you travel?

I'm based in Chicago and also photograph families in New York and California.

Do you photograph births and newborns?

Yes! My Birth Photography collection covers the birth, a first-48 session, and a family session one month after.

Can we add video?

Yes. The Super 8 add-on is a 2 to 4 minute film of your family. Nostalgic, imperfect and wildly alive.