Dana Magnus Photography

09/10/2024

Mini Sessions in my business are quite robust and such a great value!
Here are the things you don't want to miss in a mini-session!

09/09/2024

Hi!
So, I’ve been hearing from a lot of you that you’d love to book your family photos this fall- it’s time to do so!

I am opening up two weeks of a very special discounted price including the full gallery of images at high resolution! All for you ❤️

Let’s play Oct 1st-19th! These colors are going to be amazing 🍁
http://danamagnusphoto.com/specials

09/08/2024

Words in a post can’t explain or express my excitement for two of my friends, Christina & Scott!

I met Christina among the first few hangouts in the city with my boyfriend, now husband and wedding partner, and we instantly clicked!

She and I became dog moms, tore up the weekends as city gals with big dreams, and fell in love with our Eagle Scout hunks!

Scott, you impressed me right away as a guy who would make this girl so happy! Your ability to bring live music to our evening gatherings with your ukulele, and dream up our little vision of owning property together in Costa Rica and raising our kids with adventure and nature everywhere. I loved that about all four of us right away!

Last night felt so complete, watching your love take that next level to marriage, God bless! 🙌

We were honored to be your photographers but even more blessed to be your friends for life ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

09/08/2024

Those September Wedding vibes 🎊☀️🍁

08/30/2024

Monday, Oct 14th (right in the middle of the Fall Specials) is Columbus Day / Indigenous People’s Day. You and the kids may have the day off. Great time to book your holiday photos!

08/29/2024

This is the biggest theyve been, and the smallest they will ever be!

Celebrate your family with photography - specifically a 90-minute photo session + package (includes all downloads plus an album!)

Now is the perfect time to consider what type of gifts you are giving for the holidays! If it’s a photo story book, consider booking me with my packages for the session + an album!

08/29/2024

Why should you start thinking about the holidays and gifts now?

It’s not too early to begin the plan of who is getting wet for the holidays, specifically with customized photo gifts!

This is a great opportunity for you to create a plan around your photo session and book your appointments, plan your outfits, and coordinate schedules for the most relaxed photography session of your family or extended family!

I also have a delicious deal for October, perfect timing for photo sessions, with changing colors and the most moderate temperature to be in the elements and create the most fantastic images!

Capture the moment and save with our exclusive photography specials for 2024. These offers are limited and very time-sensitive, making them the perfect opportunity to save on your photo package.

08/29/2024

08/26/2024

This weekend was filled with so much love & celebration 🎊 💒 🥂

Now booking 2025 Weddings & Showers http://danamagnusphoto.com/wedding

08/10/2024

Yesterday, I trusted a 5 year old with my camera.

She only dropped it once when her sister ran into her.

But, I got this really cool picture of me in action. It's so cool, actually.

Things are meant to break, but memories are forever

08/10/2024

Today felt like a fall day, but it didn't keep us from the 🏖️ beach.

I love the impossibly fast & fidgety youngsters whose energy keeps me on my toes.

Fall is coming up super quickly (we already had a taste of it today!) and you would kick yourself if you didn't book your session today.

IF YOU ARE READY: https://danamagnusphoto.com/specials/fall2023portraits-p3bsa-ea4b8

08/10/2024

Parenting lately 📸

08/04/2024

Now is the time to book your family photos
Now is the time to book your family photos
Now is the time to book your family photos

And I’ll keep saying this until October when I am completely booked- get your time spot and best time scheduled for your family while availability is on your side!

08/02/2024

She's 3.5! My little girl is celebrating her half birthday today.

Recently, she's busted out these playful 🐝
bee wings 🪽 as play - a great photo prop recycled many times!

These all were captured in my home studio - balloons always included! Step outside for a serene fall backdrop as well (see other posts of my yard!) to make an all-in-one stop for your family photo session and birthday portraits!

Do you know of someone with an upcoming birthday? They may take full advantage of the October fall special (30 min for $350!) while booking spots last!

08/01/2024

This gorgeous custom home needed a little updating from a portrait captured 7 years prior where the boys were still young and cherubic 👼👼

My client was looking to have her family picture look like them now, who are college graduated and all grown up.

Our favorite part of this piece is how it fits, and fills the space. Specifically, once you walk in their home, this perfect piece to welcome friends and family into their home with such a warm and inviting touch!

07/30/2024

Delivery day for this fabulous wedding album from June! Leslie & Thom’s reactions made my day!

Now through 8/7, request to order your wedding album at a special price! Details found when you are on my email list (DM me with your email and I’ll send it to you!) 📚📖📕

Print your photos 🙏🙏🙏🙏

07/30/2024

Meeting her new best friend!

I don't know about you but my kids are my best friends. I love them so much and spend so much time with them and going to explore new places with them.

Today is International Day of Friendship and I can't think of a better moment than when mom first meets her newborn baby to describe friends, or when sibblings welcome their newborn baby into the family.

I'm on a mission to capture these instant moments & bonding between family members, especially those welcoming their new best friends to the crew!

Tag an expecting family- all referrals that book gift you an instant $50 cash return!

07/24/2024

Home or out?

When selecting a photography session location- how do you know what type of setting to choose?

I would say at SOME POINT in your family's photo shoot journies, you try both.

Usually, I suggest going out to fill your home with artistic artwork prints that help to bring the "outside, in"

When opting in for a home session, I really love these photo sessions for books/ albums for your annual "year in review" book.

Do you need to capture your growing family or put some adorable new artwork on the wall?

Asking those simple questions is how I guide my clients in selecting a photo shoot location that works for them, at this given time.

Are you going to be capturing a session at home or go out somewhere?

07/20/2024

Take a walk: one of my favorite location designs!

If you are stuck in selecting ONE location for your photo session because you crave variety, opt in for going on a walk and capturing a little journey of pit-stops along the way.

Since Chicago opened the 606 Trail, I've loved this spot to start with and incorporate a coffee run, maybe a little treat for icecream or cookies, nature background, and a playground spot at Lucy Park!

When you select a photo shoot location that works best for your vision, be sure to consider where else you can walk to easily to add more variety to your photos.

Now booking Fall Minis! Reply back or send a quick message for more!

07/19/2024

Have your photo session and….

So many folks avoid my mandatory review session after their session. It is in my contract.

What it’s there for is to discuss what happens next.

I guarantee you didn’t want to create the time, effort, and save the money just to have more photos on your phone storage.

Book that review session with me, you will see a whole new side of creativity I have that will allow your:
- gifts to be elevated to tears with customized albums
- homes be warmer and more welcoming with wall art and galleries
- your shelves to be more personalized with blocks and small frames

It’s not the end of my services after your photos are digitally delivered.

I want you to feel what these two clients feel!

If you are a client of mine and have no idea where to start, book a quick consultation session with me and let’s just get a conversation going!

07/17/2024

Why phone photos aren't as good as professional family photography (Part 1)

There aren't enough photos of YOU holding your babies.

Go ahead, take all of the amazing candid shots of your kiddos on your phone. I'm sure you get moments I couldn't ever capture in the moment when they are doing their favorite things.

However, you can rest assure that I will always capture a great photo of you holding your toddler, infant, and entire group of babies on a session!

It's rare to ever find that amazing shot a parent has taken of their entire family on the phone that also includes them. I love being that person to not only take the photos of the kids that the parents love, but also the photos of the parents that the parents love!

Get ahead and select the BEST weekend time or week day evening time that will work for your family during the Fall Family Photo special ($350 for 30 min- location of your choice!)

I can't wait to see what we can come up with!

Pictured here is a family that stepped into my backyard around this time of year, and also combined their session with a studio portrait! All in one place, you can get many different looks!

https://danamagnusphoto.com/specials/fall2023portraits-p3bsa-ea4b8

07/14/2024

True or False: Monochromatic photography draws more focus to the emotion of a photo.

I am excited to capture Rob Siebert family at the tail end of the summer, a photo shoot tradition for their family is to play with the camera and stop time for their two girls with a photo session.

Each year, I look forward to playing, busting out the snacks and bubbles, and exploring their Kenosha neighborhood. And it's never easy leaving a session without an encore play with my two kiddos that I also bring with.

We have the best time, and one of my favorite things is how comfortable the girls feel with me after photographing them each birthday since they were born.

Would you want your family photographs in color or black in white if you were to install artwork on your wall?

07/13/2024

RSVP your Fall Photos with the weekend / evening night of your choice!

It's not too early to pick your fall photo session weekend or weekday evening, even though it's July!

SAVE WHILE SLOTS ARE OPEN:
Right now, you can book a spot anytime between October 1st-19th for a $350 mini session (30 minutes). This is a limited offer and spots will not last! ----

Get ahead and select your time for the session:
Consider going shopping for your outfits & shoes, accessories, booking hair appointments for your entire family, and coordinating busy fall activity schedules.

Get your session in the books and secure your ideal weekend and week evening!

https://danamagnusphoto.com/specials/fall2023portraits-p3bsa-ea4b8

07/11/2024

Let's talk about PLAY
When parents of littles think about the idea of a family photo shoot, often times they are panicked and apprehensive to book a session in fear their toddler won't "sit still."

My response: Don't let them sit still!

Play is essential for development and children of all ages NEED to be on the move, explore, and discover their surroundings.

I would never want them to "sit still," or have to BEHAVE on a photo session. It would put them out of their natural element, force them to do something they'd feel uncomfortable with, and create distrust in the photographer.

Great locations that encourage play could include:
- Your own backyard, especially if there are toys they are comforrable with, playsets they feel confident with, and familiarity of a space if they are a bit anxious
- Local park /playground: we can get the most fun expressions and just "warm up," with a BONUS if there is a bathroom, open green space, and a pretty nature background
- My backyard (Lemont), I have toys, an open space, tree swing, and tons of nature in the background to create an all-in-one space with a BONUS studio space to switch things up!

Wherever we have your family photo shoot, I will always encourage you to bring bubbles, favorite toys, and other things that encourage play and build confidence in the experience!

Book NOW: Fall mini-sessions are filling up and you can get first-choice on the weekend or date that works best for your family!
https://danamagnusphoto.com/specials/fall2023portraits-p3bsa-ea4b8

07/09/2024

Katie & Josh were city dwellers on a big adventure. We picked this spot just steps from their apartment in Lincoln Square - and you would never guess we were surrounded by evening rush hour traffic in this spot!

When we decide on a location for your photo session (engagement session here), it’s so important to dream big!

Love this city spot at

07/04/2024

Happy Fourth of July! My children did NOT want to cooperate for this shoot- and I've snook in a few magic photoshop composites to combine their smiles / good looks into one image.

My little guy kept crawling toward me and DID NOT want to stay on the background.

Look, your kids may not always cooperate during the session time we schedule.

We made breakfast inbetween, took a little break, and tried again with some more balloons and a bit more patience.

Also, there isn't anything photoshop can't fix- I've merged a few of their individual great looks into one photo.

So, parents, take a deep breath and trust the photographer. I may not always get the shot of your kiddos in one frame, but I have the skills and abilities to make a great piece of art to hang on your wall or share in your annual album to keepsake.

Afterall- it's still them being cute and adorable, just needed to sync up when both of them were doing the cute things at the same second.

06/06/2024

A little recap of May shoots!

I'm incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to capture so many incredible moments in the lives of my clients.

I sincerely am so excited to share these all with you- life is so good!

Now booking events for June, July, and August! Please inquire about my 10% OFF summer specials and if you are a current client, get into your galleries for an EXCLUSIVE SALE off your entire gallery orders!

05/06/2024

"I went on a FB Group to look for a photographer for my shower and your name was everywhere," she told me.

Happy to be baby-shower famous lately.

I'd love to get to help capture the moments (and ALL of the planning details) that moms, sisters, best friends, and cousins put into throwing a shower of a lifetime for their best gal, send them my way!

What is the next baby shower you are going to, and do they have a photographer? Photography makes for a PERFECT group gift to the mama to be!

05/05/2024

“Napa valley, friends!!!!” Except this is the outskirts of the Chicagoland area.

💕💕💕Love this venue, obsessed with this couple, and can’t get enough of this wedding and how miraculous the whole day was.

05/03/2024

I gave my daughter my camera for the day & here's what a 3-year old captures.

What is your favorite shot?