The 6-Month Session Sweet Spot
The 6-Month Session Sweet Spot
If you’re planning baby photos and trying to decide what’s “most important,”
I’m going to be super direct: don’t skip the 6-month session. I have had so many clients regret skipping this session in particular!
Newborn photos are amazing, and first birthday photos are an important milestone.
But around 6 months is the sweet spot where everything just works.
This is when your baby is still very much a baby, but they’re starting to show you who they are. And the photos? They are the kind you’ll keep coming back to.
Why 6 Months Is My Favorite Age to Photograph
1) The expressions are everything
At this age, babies are more interactive. They smile on purpose. They lock eyes with you. They react to my voice, my goofy noises, or mom or dad standing behind me. This is when personality really starts showing up in a way that photographs beautifully.
2) They’ve got that “baby look” still
The rolls, the cheeks, the tiny fingers, the squishy legs. This is peak baby photo age. A few months later, it starts shifting into toddler territory and it happens fast, and you will wonder where you baby went!
3) The session feels easier
Newborn sessions can be unpredictable, and that’s normal. Around 6 months, babies are usually more alert, they give me more, and we can move through the session with a smoother flow. That means more variety and more images you’ll love. This is also a great age to really capture them with their siblings, including the 4 legged variety.
Super Important Timing Tip: Wait Until They’re Sitting Up Well
Here’s the part that matters if you want the best results:
I love photographing babies around 6 months, but what I really want is for them to be sitting up confidently.
Not just wobbling for one second. Not propped up and immediately falling forward.
Sitting up well gives us:
more variety
better expressions (because your baby is comfortable)
cleaner, classic portraits
and a session that feels fun
And yes, some babies sit at 5 months and some sit closer to 7 or 8 months. Totally normal. That’s why I’d rather plan this around milestones than a specific birthday on the calendar. Speaking of planning, the time of day for this shoot is important, you know your baby best, make sure we book this during a time they are typically happy, not right before or directly after a nap, you know that sweet spot when they are the happiest of the whole day!
What If My Baby Isn’t Sitting Yet?
Then we wait a bit. Seriously.
If your baby is close, sometimes giving it even 2 to 4 weeks makes a huge difference. I’d rather you have a session with a confident sitter than rush it and end up with limited options or a frustrated baby.
And if you’re not sure? Tell me what they’re doing right now (rolling, pushing up, sitting with support), and we’ll make a plan that actually makes sense for your baby.
Why This Session Gets Missed (And Why You’ll Be Glad You Didn’t)
A lot of families do newborn photos, then jump to the first birthday. I get it. Life is busy.
But the 6-month stage is such a big change and it’s so easy to miss because it’s not tied to a big “event.” And honestly, it’s one of the most photogenic stages of the entire first year.
First birthday sessions are so cute and I always love doing them, but babies are on the move at this point, and they start to look a little less like a baby and more into the toddlers that they are becoming!
Six-month sessions are different: simple, classic, expressive, and focused on their face and personality.
Want the Quick Rule?
If you take nothing else from this post, take this:
Book the 6-month session when your baby is sitting up well.
That’s the magic combo.
If you want help timing it, reach out and I’ll guide you based on milestones so we can make this work and get you the kind of portraits you’ll actually print.
Ready to book your 6-month sitter session?
Great, just contact me via my email at carol@deandaphotography.com or at the inquiry form at the bottom of the page here.
Sessions take place at my studio in Algonquin, and I photograph families across Chicagoland and the northwest suburbs in their homes. You can see my session pricing by clicking here.
Capturing the Glamour of Chamber Royale 2025
A Night of Elegance, Celebration, and Unforgettable Moments
The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala, Chamber Royale: Black Tie & Blackjack, was nothing short of spectacular! Hosted at the stunning Boulder Ridge Country Club on January 25, 2025, this event brought together business leaders, community members, and Chamber supporters for a night filled with sophistication, celebration, and fun—and DeAnda Photography was honored to capture it all.
A Casino-Themed Night to Remember
From the moment guests arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary gala. Dressed in black-tie elegance, attendees were greeted with a luxurious atmosphere that set the tone for the night ahead. The evening featured:
🎲 Thrilling casino games – Blackjack, roulette, and craps tables brought the Vegas energy, keeping the excitement high throughout the night.
🏆 Prestigious awards ceremony – Recognizing outstanding businesses and individuals who have made an impact in the community.
🎶 Live entertainment by the Sam Schatz Organ Trio – Adding the perfect soundtrack to an already lively event.
🍽️ A decadent dinner and cocktails – The Boulder Ridge Country Club’s chef prepared an incredible spread of food and desserts.
🎟️ Exciting raffles & prizes – A fun way for guests to take home something extra from the night.
Capturing the Magic
At DeAnda Photography, I specialize in documenting the energy and emotion of special events, and Chamber Royale was no exception. Through my lens, I captured:
📸 Candid moments of joy and connection – Genuine smiles, laughter, and the camaraderie of the night.
🏆 Award winners taking the spotlight – Their well-earned recognition as they accepted their prestigious honors.
🎲 The excitement at the casino tables – Guests trying their luck and enjoying the interactive entertainment.
💫 The elegance of the evening – From the glamorous attire to the stunning setting at Boulder Ridge Country Club.
A Special Thank You
A huge thank you to the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce for putting together such a fantastic event and for trusting DeAnda Photography to capture it. It was an honor to document a night that celebrated community, achievement, and connection.
And of course, congratulations to all the award winners! Your dedication and contributions to the community were truly celebrated, and we loved capturing your big moment.
Want to relive the magic of Chamber Royale? 🎉 Check out the full gallery here:
📷 View the Photos
Looking forward to capturing more unforgettable moments for this incredible community!
Professional Headshots in West Chicago
Why Team Headshots Are Key to Your Company’s Image
Your team is the face of your business, and in today’s digital age, a cohesive and professional image is essential. Team headshots go beyond just capturing a smile—they present a unified and polished representation of your brand to the world. Whether for your website, social media, or internal communications, great headshots speak volumes about your organization’s professionalism and attention to detail.
Case Study: Slawek Family Holdings
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Slawek Family Holdings at their stunning office at the DuPage Airport. Their goal? To elevate their company’s image with professional headshots that showcased their team’s personality while maintaining a consistent, branded look. We set up an on-site studio at their location, allowing their busy team to easily step in for their photos without disrupting their workflow. The result was a series of clean, classic, and timeless portraits that reflect their company’s values and professionalism.
Why Choose Professional Team Headshots?
Unified Branding: Consistent headshots across your team create a cohesive and polished first impression.
Versatility: Use them across platforms—LinkedIn, your website, proposals, and beyond.
Convenience: With options for on-site photography or sessions in my Algonquin, IL studio, I make the process seamless for teams of all sizes.
Instant Proofing for Effortless Selection
One of the highlights of my service is instant proofing. Your team can view their images on-site and choose their favorites immediately, eliminating guesswork and saving time. This ensures everyone is happy with their final portraits before the session even ends.
Ready to Update Your Team’s Look?
Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, I specialize in creating professional headshots that capture your team’s personality while aligning with your brand. Reach out today to discuss your vision and explore my team pricing options. Let’s create portraits that make your company shine. You can see pricing for teams by clicking the link here.
Algonquin and Chicago Holiday Photography
Algonquin Holiday Limited Edition Sessions and Chicago Holiday Mini Sessions!
Well everyone the time is here! Each year, I have a few days for my specially-themed holiday mini and petite sessions! This year I have a beautiful new backdrop that will be revealed soon, a classic red tricycle, and a big white bed, perfect for Holiday pajamas!
Petite Sessions are available on 11/18 & 11/19
They include -
20-minute session
4 digital images
$265
Garfield Park Conservatory Limited Editions Session on 12/3
30-minute session
8 digital images
$400
You can book either type of session below!
You can see a sample of Garfield Park above and my studio below. Keep in mind this was last years set, but this year has a similar color palette and will be revealed soon!
I love to include my new fine art black and white images that are classic and timeless! Take a peek here! These are perfect as gifts and heirlooms that will be treasured for years to come!
Book Holiday 2023 Sessions Now
Algonquin Family Photographer
Are you looking for an amazing photo studio experience that can capture your children and your family in a timeless fashion? I am an Algonquin Family Photographer. I have been working with families now for 15 years and during this time I have perfected my studio sessions at my Algonquin family photography studio! No matter what you would like to capture, the studio can be the perfect setting! I have photographed maternity, newborns, first birthdays, all the milestones in between, first communions, graduates, seniors, and families! The options are really endless at my studio! The photo studio is located right in the heart of downtown Algonquin and is easily accessible from the surrounding suburbs such as Lake in the Hills, Barrington, Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, and Sleepy Hollow. Clients have come to me from as far as 2 hours away so it is really worth the trip!
I love photographing first communion photos at my Algonquin studio. I not only have indoor and dramatic options, But I also have lighter background options and natural light available as well.
Maybe you want to head outside for some images, and at my studio, we can do that. This was taken behind my studio, which opens up to a nature area.
Want more outdoor images? If we walk just a few steps further there is a picturesque creek, trees, path and wildflowers!
Not so into mother nature and dealing with unpredictable weather? No worries, we can just stay inside where we can get a ton of variety in a very short amount of time!
I have furniture the gives the studio a more lifestyle look in both modern and boho styles and classic options as well for those who want a more timeless portrait of their family and little ones. I even have a big fluffy bed that is perfect for kids to play and jump on!
I have a very cool blue wall in the studio that I love to photograph families and children in front of. It also gives a more modern look especially when paired with what this two adorable girls are wearing.
I love the boho look and have a cool peacock wicker chair and a mixture of real and fake plants and pampas grass to give you that kind of a vibe.
I am always drawn to that classic look of timeless portraits, which is why I have this beautifully hand painted, slate grey canvas backdrop. These images will never go out of style and when we chat about outfits I can help guide you in clothing choices that will be best for photos!
I hope this gives you a good idea of what my Algonquin family photo studio looks like and inspires you when coming to see me, your Algonquin family photographer! Contact me now to book your session today and check out my family photography pricing page.
Cantigny is one of the best spots for family photos in Wheaton!
So do you want to know the best places to do family photos? I will let you in on one of my absolute favorite spots in the western Chicago suburbs. Cantigny is located in Wheaton Illinois and what makes it so special is the immense variety of looks in a relatively small area. All of these images were taken in just a tiny tiny portion of the park, but one of my favorites, is the rock garden. Sunset here is just so dreamy for family portraits, everything just glows. They do have a permit fee here but it is really reasonable, check their website for current rates.
I have been working with this Suzanne and her family for the past 10 years! I am so lucky to have clients that come to me year after year to document their families as they grow. I always love how she dresses everyone and we both share a love of Stichfix (I have that same sweater she is wearing in the photo)
Algonquin Petite Holiday Photo Sessions and Mini Shoots 2022
Well everyone the time is here! Each year I have a few days for my specially themed holiday mini and petite sessions! This year I have a beautiful new backdrop with vintage Rocking Horse along with a big white bed, perfect for Holiday pajamas!
Mini Sessions are available on 11/13
They include -
30-minute session
10 digital images
$350
Petite Holiday Sessions are available on 11/19 and 11/20
They include -
20 -minute session
4 digital images
$250
Garfield Park Conservatory Mini Session on 11/27, 12/4, 12/11
30-minute session
10 digital images
$370
You can book either type of session below!
You can see a sample of Garfield Park above and my studio below.
I love to include my new fine art black and white images that are classic and timeless! Take a peek here! These are perfect as gifts and heirlooms that will be treasured for years to come!
Book Holiday 2022 Sessions Now
Downtown Geneva Engagement Session
I was pretty excited to be the one telling Cesar what to do as he is usually the one kicking my butt as one of my Orange Theory coaches! I was so excited when he and Erin his fiancé spoke with me last year about me doing their wedding and engagement photos. How photogenic are these two though, and of course their adorable dog Leo was a ham as well! We met up right outside Riverside Receptions then we walked around the area, checking out the fox river, the bridges, Island Park and every area in between!
I had such a fun night with Erin and Cesar and can’t wait till their wedding at The Brix this coming winter!
How can you not love a couple who wants to end their session with finger guns and these sweet poses, all by them I might add.
Hindu and Jewish Fusion Wedding at Wilder Mansion
I was so excited to capture the wedding of Laura and Romil. They had a beautiful fusion wedding with their immediate family there to celebrate with them at the Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst. The combined both parts of Laura’s Jewish faith and Romil’s Hindu faith with both a Rabbi and a Priest. It was such a joy to celebrate with them and I am so excited to share some images from their day with you!
Venue - Wilder Mansion
Hair - Rocco and Rocco
Holiday Mini Sessions 2022
It is the season of holiday mini sessions and I just wanted to show you what I had going on at the studio this year! It has been an amazing year thus far and I can’t wait for my last full day of sessions on 12/5. I still have a few sessions at my studio left so book now!
