More Than Beautiful Photos
A photography experience designed to help your family slow down, connect, and remember what matters most.
Why Families Choose Summer Brader Photography
Guidance Instead of Guesswork
From choosing the perfect location to styling your family, I'll guide you through every step.
Kids Can Be Kids
No pressure to sit still or smile on command. Movement, play, and genuine connection always create the best photographs.
Stress-Free From Start to Finish
I've photographed thousands of families over the past 20 years. I've seen it all, and I promise you're never expected to have everything perfectly together.
MEMORIES THAT YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE ON YOUR HARD DRIVE
Your photographs deserve more than a folder on your computer. They're meant to be held, displayed, and passed down.
Session Options & Pricing
Maternity
A relaxed session celebrating the anticipation, connection, and excitement of this unforgettable season before your little one arrives.
• Up to a 30-minute session
• Select 10 professionally edited digital images from your private online gallery
• Full gallery upgrade available
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance
• Immediate family included
$525
BOOK YOUR MATERNITY SESSION HERE
Signature newborn
• Up to a 2-hour session in your home or in our downtown Downers Grove studio
(Complimentary
Maternity or Milestone
session included)
• Access to download ALL images from your entire gallery of professionally edited digital images
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance
• A beautifully designed keepsake Storybook, thoughtfully curated by me and delivered ready to enjoy, no designing or decisions required, just your family's story beautifully preserved
• A private mobile gallery app so your favorite moments are always at your fingertips and easy to share with family and friends
• Immediate family included
Designed for families who want to document not just their new baby, but the connection, emotion, and joy of welcoming them home.
$1025
BOOK YOUR FULL NEWBORN SESSION HERE
mini newborn
A shorter studio session designed to beautifully document your newest little love while keeping the focus on baby.
• Up to a 1-hour session in our downtown Downers Grove studio
• Select 30 professionally edited digital images from your private online gallery
• Full gallery upgrade available
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance
• Immediate family included
Perfect for families who want a beautiful newborn experience with a shorter session and a baby-centered approach.
$725
BOOK YOUR MINI NEWBORN SESSION HERE
1st year Milestone
Celebrate your baby's growing personality and all the little milestones that make the first year so unforgettable. Milestone sessions are perfect for babies 3–12 months, before those first birthday celebrations.
• Up to a 30-minute session in our downtown Downers Grove studio
• Select 10 professionally edited digital images from your private online gallery
• Full gallery upgrade available
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance
• Immediate family included
$525
BOOK YOUR MILESTONE SESSION HERE
Signature Session
• A relaxed, personalized session up to an hour
• Your complete gallery of ALL your professionally edited digital images
• A beautifully designed keepsake Storybook, thoughtfully curated by me and delivered ready to enjoy, no designing or decisions required, just your family's story beautifully preserved
• A private mobile gallery app so your favorite moments are always at your fingertips and easy to share with family and friends
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance from booking through gallery delivery
- Immediate family included
$925
BOOK YOUR Signature SESSION HERE
mini Session
A streamlined session designed to beautifully capture this season of your family with a shorter timeframe and a simpler experience.
• Up to a 30-minute session
• Select 10 professionally edited digital images from your private online gallery
• Full gallery upgrade available
• Comprehensive styling and planning guidance
- Immediate family included
Perfect for annual updates, young children with shorter attention spans, or families looking for a quick refresh.
$525
See below for fall mini session dates and locations
BOOK YOUR MINI SESSION HERE
Family Sessions are perfect for children, immediate families, couples and graduating seniors. Whether you’re documenting a growing family, celebrating a milestone, updating portraits, or capturing your senior’s personality, each session is thoughtfully planned around you.
Looking for an Extended Family Session to include more family members?
Keep scrolling, details are below
2026 Fall Mini Sessions
Offered on select dates at beautiful, pre-selected locations, Fall Mini Sessions include everything listed in the Family Mini Session above at the same price.
Looking for more flexibility?
The Signature Session allows us to customize the location,
timing and experience just for your family.
September
10-13 Cantigny
Wheaton
17-20 Dean Nature Sanctuary
Oak Brook
24-26 Cantigny
Wheaton
September rain date is the 27th at Dean Nature Sanctuary Oak Brook
October
1-4 Dean Nature Sanctuary
Oak Brook
8-11 Cantigny
Wheaton
15-18 Cantigny
Wheaton
22 - 24 Maple Grove
Downers Grove
October rain date is being held October 24th at Maple Grove in Downers Grove
November
1 Maple Grove
Downers Grove
5-8 Maple Grove
Downers Grove
12-15 studio
Downers Grove
19-22 studio
Downers Grove
27-28 studio
Downers Grove
November rain date will be November 29th in studio
Bringing the Whole Family? Here's What to Know
Photographed by Tara Joseph
Our extended family sessions are photographed by trusted Team Photographer, Tara Joseph. She specializes in creating an organized, relaxed experience while documenting the genuine connections between generations. If you're a returning Summer Brader Photography family and would like to inquire about Summer's availability instead, simply let us know when you reach out. (Extended Family Sessions with Summer when available: +$200)
Up to 10 Family Members
• Up to a 1-Hour Session
•ALL images to download from a gallery of 45+ images
• Extensive style guide provided
• Up to 10 people included
SMALL EXTENDED SESSION
$ 895
11-15 Family Members
• Up to a 1 1/2 hour session
• ALL images to download from a gallery of 60+ images
• Extensive style guide provided
• Up to 15 people included
MEDIUM EXTENDED SESSION
$ 1095
16-20 Family Members
• Up to a 2 hour session
• ALL images to download from a gallery of 75+ images
• Extensive style guide provided
• Up to 20 people included
LARGE EXTENDED SESSION
$ 1295
Professional Headshots
While you're already dressed and feeling your best, why not update your professional headshot too?
Headshots are available as an add-on to any session or can be booked separately for timeless, natural headshots.
• Available as a standalone session in the studio
• OR add to any family, maternity, or newborn session
• Up to 15 minutes
• Select 2 digital images from a private gallery of 6+
• Natural, polished editing
Because parents deserve to be seen, too.
$195
Signature Branding Sessions are custom quoted starting at $925
and scheduled based on the scope of your project and current availability.
Intimate Event Photography with Tara
FROM $695
Perfect for:
Baby Showers
Gender Reveals
1st Birthdays
Children's Birthday Parties
Baptisms & Christenings
First Communions & Confirmations
Bris or Naming Ceremonies
Family Celebrations
Coverage begins at $695 for 1 hour and is available up to 3 hours
Whether you're celebrating a first birthday, baby shower, baptism, graduation, birthday party, family reunion, holiday gathering, or another special milestone, Tara will document the genuine moments so you can be fully present with the people you love.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER
You never have to worry about getting it "right."
✔ You'll never wonder what to wear.
✔ You'll never have to figure out where to go.
✔ You'll never be expected to know how to pose.
✔ You'll never have to apologize if your toddler has big feelings.
✔ You'll never have to stress if your husband isn't excited about photos.
✔ You'll never have to wonder what happens next.
You simply get to spend time loving on your family
while I take care of the rest.
AFTER YOU BOOK
Here's everything waiting for you.
✓ Confirmation & Booking Details
✓ Welcome Guide
✓ Planning Questionnaire
✓ Styling Assistance
✓ Personalized Location
✓ Helpful Reminders
✓ Final Session Prep Guide
You'll never have to wonder what's next because I'll be with you every step of the way.
You bring your family.
I'll take care of everything else.
From planning your session to helping everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera, every detail has been thoughtfully designed so you can simply enjoy being together.
All that's left is choosing a date.
I can't wait to meet you.
Follow me on Instagram
@summerbraderphotography
Areas Served (But Not Limited To): Downers Grove, Westmont, Clarendon Hills, Lisle, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Darien, Willowbrook, Woodridge, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Western Springs, Wheaton, Burr Ridge, Naperville, Elmhurst, La Grange, La Grange Park, and Lemont.
Travel Policy: For most sessions, there are no travel fees within 10 miles of 60516. Beyond that, a travel fee of total miles x 1.2 per total round-trip mileage.
Additional Fees: Clients are responsible for any entrance fees, parking, or permits, if required.
Chicago Sessions – City Surcharge: I absolutely love a good city session, but getting in and out of Chicago comes with its own kind of chaos (hello, traffic and parking adventures 🙃). Because of the extra time and juggling involved, a $150 City Session Surcharge will be added to any session taking place in the city of Chicago. This is in addition to my standard travel fee and helps cover the added travel time due to traffic and not being able to take other sessions at that time. If you're dreaming of a city vibe, I'm totally in, just know this fee helps keep things sustainable on my end. Thanks for rolling with it!