More Than Beautiful Photos

A photography experience designed to help your family slow down, connect, and remember what matters most.

Couple sitting on a wooden dock by a serene lake at sunset, surrounded by lush green trees and weeping willows.

 

Why Families Choose Summer Brader Photography

 

Pregnant woman in white dress sitting by large window in bright studio, maternity photography session.

Guidance Instead of Guesswork



From choosing the perfect location to styling your family, I'll guide you through every step.

Young girl in a light blue tulle dress twirling barefoot in a bright white studio near large windows.

Kids Can Be Kids



No pressure to sit still or smile on command. Movement, play, and genuine connection always create the best photographs.

Young girl in blue dress hugging pregnant woman in white lace gown during maternity photo session.

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.

A pregnant woman in a white gown poses with her husband and young daughter in a bright studio setting.

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


✔️ Up to 30-minute session

✔️ Select 10 images to download from a private gallery of 20+

✔️ Style guide or stylist recommendation

✔️ Immediate family only

$495


Add on an additional 30 minutes and 20 images for $195


BOOK YOUR MATERNITY SESSION HERE

Full newborn



Maternity or Milestone

session included


✔️ Up to 2-hour session at home or in the studio

✔️ ALL images to download from private gallery of 60+

✔️ Extensive style guide provided

✔️ Immediate family only


These sessions are designed to capture the full connection and story of your growing family, with plenty of time for baby, parent, sibling, and family-focused moments throughout the session.

$995


BOOK YOUR FULL NEWBORN SESSION HERE

mini newborn


✔️ Up to 1-hour session in my Downers Grove studio

✔️ Select 30 images to download from a private gallery of 45+

✔️ Extensive style guide

✔️ Immediate family only.


These sessions are designed with a strong focus on baby, with simple family and sibling moments woven in naturally.

$695


BOOK YOUR MINI NEWBORN SESSION HERE

Milestone


✔️ Up to 30 minute session in my Downers Grove studio

✔️ Select 10 images to download from a private gallery of 20+

✔️ Style guide or stylist recommendation

✔️ For babies 3–10 months - immediate family only

$495


BOOK YOUR MILESTONE SESSION HERE

FULL FAMILY



✔️ A relaxed, personalized one-hour session tailored to your family's story

✔️ Your complete gallery of professionally edited digital images (30+ images)

✔️A beautifully designed keepsake Storybook, professionally curated by me and delivered ready to enjoy. No designing or decisions required, just your story beautifully preserved

✔️A private mobile gallery app so your favorite moments are always at your fingertips and easy to share with loved ones

$895


BOOK YOUR FULL FAMILY SESSION HERE

mini family


Short + sweet session


✔️ Up to 30 minutes

✔️ 10 final edited images

✔️ Styling and planning support


Best for family milestones and multiple sessions spread across the year

$495


See below for fall mini session dates and locations


BOOK YOUR MINI FAMILY SESSION HERE

2026 Fall Family Mini Sessions


All of the fall minis are set at specific times and locations, so the location is chosen for you rather than selected individually. This is how we’re able to keep everything running smoothly with back-to-back sessions.


If you’re hoping for a different location or more flexibility, the best option would be to switch into a full session where we can fully customize everything.

September



3-6 Dean Nature Sanctuary

Oak Brook


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

 

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.

 

Happy family of five sitting together on grass by a pond, laughing and embracing during a fall outdoor photo session.

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.

Elegant cursive handwritten word Summer in black ink on white background, stylish calligraphy font.
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!