Family Photography FAQs: Your Most Common Questions, Answered
15 years of hearing the same great questions — here are the real answers!
Written for families served by Sheena Magnesen Photography in Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Wheaton, and the southwest Chicago suburbs.
The most common questions about booking a family photographer in Naperville include: how far in advance to book, what to wear, how long sessions take, whether pets are welcome, what's included in the investment, and how long until you receive your photos. This post answers all of them — and then some.
After 15 years of photographing families across Naperville and the southwest Chicago suburbs, I've heard just about every question a family can have before booking their session. And I love it — questions mean you're thinking carefully about this, which means you're the kind of client I love working with.
So here's my definitive FAQ. Real answers, no fluff. If you have a question that isn't here, just reach out — I am genuinely an open book.
Before You Book
How far in advance should I book a family session?
Ideally, 4–8 weeks ahead of your desired session date — especially for summer and fall, which are my busiest seasons. That said, I always encourage families to reach out even if they think it's too late. I occasionally have cancellations, and I'd rather you ask than assume I'm full.
For newborn sessions specifically: book before baby arrives. The 7–14 day window after coming home from the hospital goes faster than you think, and spots are limited. Most of my newborn clients book in their second trimester.
How much does a family photography session cost in Naperville?
My session fee is at $250, which gets your date on my calendar and starts the whole fun process with me. The balance due before your session covers the session itself — my time, all prep work, location scouting, and communication. Every session also includes 40+ fully edited digital images and a complimentary print credit toward products from my professional print lab.
For full investment details, visit my Investment page.
Do you travel for sessions?
Yes — and I come to you. I serve Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lisle, Oswego and surrounding suburbs. For sessions outside this area, a travel fee may apply. Just ask.
Location & Logistics
Where do you hold family photography sessions near Naperville?
I photograph everywhere. Outdoor sessions happen at parks, forest preserves, prairies, and open fields around the southwest suburbs — some of my favorites include Knoch Knolls Park, Springbrook Prairie, the Naperville Riverwalk, Riverview Farmstead and Downtown Plainfield. There are plenty of others depending on your location and what you want out of your session.
In-home lifestyle sessions happen in your own home — your living room, your baby's nursery, your backyard. These are some of my most-loved sessions because they're so real. For a full breakdown of outdoor locations, check out my blog post on the best outdoor photo spots near Naperville.
What if it rains on our session day?
We reschedule — simple as that. Weather is one thing neither of us can control, and I never want a family to feel stressed about it. I monitor the forecast in the days leading up to your session and I'll reach out proactively if it looks like we need to adjust. There is no fee for weather rescheduling.
How long does a typical session take?
Most family sessions run about one hour. For newborn sessions, I allow 1.5–2 hours because we work entirely on baby's timeline — feeds, sleeps and settles are all part of the process and we never rush. I'd rather go slowly and get it right than rush and miss a moment.
What to Wear
What should we wear for our family photos?
This is one of my favorite things to help with! Here's the short version:
Coordinate, don't match — everyone in the same color is less interesting than a cohesive palette
Soft neutrals, warm tones, and muted colors photograph beautifully in natural light
Avoid busy patterns, logos, and neon — they pull attention away from your faces
Layers add dimension — a light cardigan, denim jacket, or cozy wrap goes a long way
For a full guide with specific palette recommendations and what to avoid, read my What to Wear for Spring and Summer Family Photos blog post.
Sessions With Kids (and Pets!)
What if my kids won't cooperate?
This is the question I get most often — and my answer is always the same: they always do, eventually. I've been doing this for over 15 years. I have a full toolkit of tricks for every age, every personality and every mood.
Looking for crickets in the grass. Racing to a tree and back. Blowing bubbles. Throwing leaves. Whispering secrets. The best photos almost never come from "everyone look at the camera and smile" — they come from kids forgetting I'm there. That's exactly what I'm working toward from the moment I arrive.
Your job is to show up and enjoy your family. My job is to find the shot. Trust me — I will find it.
Can my pets be in the photos?
Yes. One thousand percent yes. Pets are family. I love when dogs, cats — even the occasional bird — make an appearance. Just give me a heads up when you book so I can plan accordingly.
What's the best age to book a newborn session?
The sweet spot is 7–14 days after you come home from the hospital. Baby is still in that sleepy, curled-up, brand-new phase — and you've had just enough time to settle into your new normal. That comfort and love shows up beautifully in every image.
If you had a C-section or a complicated delivery, please don't stress — I'm flexible and I'll work with whatever timeline makes sense for your family. Some of my most beautiful newborn sessions have happened at 3–4 weeks. For a full breakdown, read my post on the best time to book newborn photos after coming home from the hospital.
After Your Session
How long until I receive my photos?
Most galleries are delivered within 2–3 weeks of your session date. I'll give you a specific expected delivery window at or right after your session so you're not left wondering.
What's included in my gallery?
Every gallery includes 40+ fully edited, high-resolution digital images, a complimentary print credit and access to my professional print shop directly through the gallery. Images are delivered as JPEGs at full resolution — ready to download, share and print.
How long does my gallery stay active?
60 days from the delivery date. I send a reminder before it expires. If you need an extension, just reach out — I'm always happy to work with you.
What should I do with my photos once I have them?
Print them. Please — print them. At minimum, use your complimentary print credit to order something for your walls. The families who tell me they regret their sessions are the ones who never printed anything. The ones who tell me it was worth every penny are the ones with photos on their walls.
I have a full blog post on exactly what to do after your session — from gallery delivery to holiday cards to gallery walls. Read it here.
“The best session is the one you actually book. Everything else, we’ll figure out together.”
Still Have Questions?
I hope this answered most of what you were wondering — but if something's still on your mind, just reach out by filling out the form on my site.
And when you're ready — summer spots are open and going fast!
