Downers Grove Photographer
From personalized planning and styling guidance to my downtown Downers Grove studio, beautiful outdoor locations, and heirloom artwork, every detail is thoughtfully handled so you can simply enjoy your family while I preserve the moments you'll treasure for years to come.
Downers Grove photography that feels effortless and becomes part of your family's story.
 
What's Changing in 2027?
After nearly 20 years of photographing families, I'm making a few intentional changes to Summer Brader Photography in 2027!
My focus will be on creating a more personalized photography experience, with an emphasis on Signature Family Sessions, studio newborn photography and exclusive opportunities for my Story Members.
Here's what you can expect:
More Exclusive Mini Sessions: Beginning in 2027, my year-round mini sessions will be reserved for Story Members.
I'll still offer a limited number of public fall and holiday mini sessions, but availability will be reduced by approximately 50% compared to previous years.
Story Members will enjoy priority booking with more dates and times available to them and exclusive seasonal opportunities throughout the year!
More Flexibility with Tara: My longtime team photographer, Tara Joseph, will continue offering publicly available mini sessions year-round, along with full family, maternity and newborn sessions at her current pricing.
Updated Pricing: New session and Story Membership pricing takes effect January 1, 2027.
The Story Membership will increase from $100 to $125/month, but families who enroll before January 1 can lock in the current $100/month rate!
Book Ahead and Save: Planning photos in 2027? You can reserve eligible 2027 sessions at 2026 pricing through December 31, 2026.
Same experience, same attention to detail, just a more intentional approach to how I serve my families. I'm excited for what's ahead!
You bring your family. We'll take care of the rest
-SBP
Kind Words
Elmhurst, IL - Photography
Sarah & Mayur P.
 
Great experience! We used her for both our maternity and newborn photos. We had to reschedule due to our toddler being sick and she was so flexible and accommodating. Summer is very personable, efficient, and comfortable to work with. Being a mother herself, she was also very patient and understanding with all the nuances/stress that entails photographing young children (tantrums, distractions, etc). Would definitely recommend.
Hinsdale, IL - Photography
Jennie P.
The pictures Summer took of my husband and I are so beautiful and special. Summer was the perfect balance of assertive and natural/laid back - telling us what spots to go to but letting things play out naturally once we were there, which put us at ease + resulted and photos that feel and look natural. She also had some fun, creative photo ideas (e.g., pics of us lying in the grass) which are now my favorite pictures of the bunch. Summer, thank you for a great experience and for photos that we will treasure forever!
Downers Grove, IL - photography
Nicole D.
Summer was wonderful! She made my teen daughter feel so comfortable during her photoshoot, and they had so much fun. Her space is perfect, and the downtown area provides great backdrops for photos. We had a great experience!
Brookfield, IL
Leslie E.
We loved our family session with Summer so much! She was easy to talk to, made everyone feel comfortable, and had great ideas for photos. Even my 13 year old son had a pretty okay time! We've used lots of photographers over the years, and we are so happy to have found someone that we want to stick with to capture our family moments.
Family, Newborn & Maternity Photography in Downers Grove
For nearly over 20 years, I've had the privilege of documenting growing families throughout Downers Grove and Chicago's western suburbs. From first pregnancies and sleepy newborn snuggles to toddlers who never stop moving and teenagers somehow taller than their parents, I've learned that the best photographs come from genuine connection, not perfectly posed smiles.
My welcoming studio in downtown Downers Grove offers a comfortable, relaxed space for newborns, milestones, maternity, and children, while my outdoor sessions take place at carefully selected locations throughout Downers Grove and nearby communities. Every location is personally scouted based on the season, lighting, crowd levels, and the experience I want every family to have. Whether we're wandering through golden prairie grasses, exploring charming downtown streets, or cozying up in the studio, every session is chosen with your family's story in mind.
Families travel from Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, La Grange, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Plainfield, and surrounding communities because they want more than beautiful photos. They want an experience that feels effortless from beginning to end.
From the moment you inquire, I'll guide you through every step. Together we'll choose the perfect location, plan outfits that photograph beautifully, answer every question, and make sure you feel completely prepared before session day arrives. When it's time for your session, there is no pressure to perform or force perfect smiles. Children are encouraged to play, explore, laugh, cuddle, and simply be themselves while I gently guide your family into natural moments that feel authentic and timeless.
My goal has always been simple: create photographs that feel just as meaningful decades from now as they do today. These are the images that become framed on your walls, tucked into heirloom albums, shared with grandparents, and passed down to the next generation. They tell the story of your family exactly as you are in this season of life.
If you're looking for a Downers Grove family photographer, newborn photographer, or maternity photographer who values connection over perfection and makes the entire process feel easy, I'd be honored to help tell your story.
Our Location
Based in Downers Grove
Serving Hinsdale, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, La Grange, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Oak Brook, Lisle, Westmont, Darien and beyond
Follow me on Instagram
 
@summerbraderphotography