YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS SHOULD BE AS

UNIQUE AS YOU. 

That is where the beauty and the magic are found.

Family of five, with 2 sons, ages 13 and 7 and their daughter, age 11, who are dressed up in all their glamour, hold hands and walk in front of the Wrigley Field sign

each and every photograph is

a collaboration

Elementary-aged brother and sister hold hands and run across a river bridge in Chicago, while their parents watch from the background.

Some families are loud and full of fun. Others are quiet and thoughtful. I will create the space for you to be you while serving as your guide the entire way.

My goal is to make a family photo experience EASY, RELAXED, and dare I say, FUN for you!

Life is hard enough, particularly when little people are involved. (I’m a mom too. I can relate.)

Triplets stop to pose together during a fall family photo session

“We have had family pictures taken every year by Maija and every year I am beyond happy with the end product. She is a talented artist and her work is beautiful. We make the investment so that our kids will have these moments captured as they grow, and potentially one day have their own families. You will not regret a session with Maija.”

~Amanda A.

my process

play

is how i create the space for

authenticity

Every time my mom scheduled family portraits when I was little, I fought it until I was red faced. This is why I try to keep every photo session relaxed, playful, and about the people in front of me.

Most kids are my buddies by the time our session is over. Sometimes, I struggle with them backing far enough away from me so I can take their photo!

01.

Connect

First let’s start off with a zero-pressure phone call so we can begin to get to know one another! (You can click that get in touch button to find a time that works for you.)

02.

Collaborate

We’ll plan ahead so that we make room for spontaneity. I’ll send you a questionnaire so I can get to know you more as well as my prep guides and checklists so that you know exactly what you need to do to have an amazing photo experience.

During your session, we’ll keep moving almost the entire time. This is what I call (un)posing. It’s a big mix of candid moments and posed photos. I find that when people are told to snuggle their child close or race across the sand, they forget the camera and let their souls shine. And when we stop to actually look at camera everyone is more relaxed.

I have no rules except to stay safe and have fun. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the time goes. Your loving energy is what the camera will see. And THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

03.

Celebrate

After your session, you’ll receive a preview slideshow of the memories we collected together. It is at this point that you purchase your collection. This way you get to see the images before you buy.

Every collection also includes a gift print credit so that you’ll leave this experience with professionally printed art to hold in your hands. Most products arrive ready to enjoy straight from the box.

let’s make a date to spend some quality family time.

archival printed art ready to enjoy straight from the box?

Yes Please.

The labs I partner with are all small, family-owned businesses. Each of your prints are handcrafted and are guaranteed to be gorgeous.

There is nothing comparable to holding printed memories in your hands. And it’s an automatic self-esteem booster for your kids. (Here’s scientific proof!)

Printed products include:

  • Handcrafted Lay Flat Leather or Linen Bound Albums with debossed titles
  • metal, acrylic, or canvas prints
  • framed prints and gallery boards

Black & white.

I love the classic look of a black & white image. It’s a great way to enhance emotion and texture within an image.

Retouched images are delivered in color and black and white. I’ll have made additional edits to the highlights and shadows in these images so that all details are preserved when you print.

Questions you may have right now.

No question is too small. Always feel free to ask more.

  • 1 week after your session – You receive the link to a preview slideshow set to music. (Get your Kleenex ready!) I will have selected around 60 of the very best images (from nearly 500 or even more!) an begun turning them into art for you with my initial edits.
  • Right after you select your collection, you’ll be able to select the images you’d like retouched. This is where I remove large flyaways, photo bombers, and polish your images so they look magazine-ready. As soon as I receive your selections, I’ll get to work. You’ll have the high-resolution digital files in your hands within 2-3 weeks.
  • You’re welcome to print all the images, regardless of whether the files are part of your collection as part of any products ordered through your gallery store.

I’m completely with you in worrying about this one too! I was that child. My youngest was that child (with people other than me).

However, it’s rarely a problem. I tend to befriend kids fairly quickly. I even let them take a photo or two on my camera. That often takes some fear out of it all.

When the adults present keep it fun and light-hearted, kids will too. They feed off of our energy. (And besides, I want to have fun too!)

There is no time like right now! Carving out the time for photos is the hardest part. Once the date is on the calendar, somehow it all gets easier.

I have most flexibility to schedule around the weather in the winter and spring. By summer and fall, I’m usually scheduling about a month or more in advance. I’m most hesitant to reschedule in the fall because usually the weather only gets worse. I have a timing guide on my booking link.

Indoor photos work all year! They are best scheduled towards the midday when the light is the brightest.

Pro tip: Many of my repeating clients schedule their session at the same times each year as soon as my summer/fall calendar comes out at the end of February!

Yes! I love animals. Bring your dog, cat, horse, chameleon, parrot…

A family session is about 75 minutes and a newborn session is about 2 hours. I promise that time goes faster than it sounds. Time is valuable for allowing kids space to be kids. It also takes a little bit for everyone to feel comfortable.

The print credit is a gift from me to you. It has no monetary value. Everyone should leave this experience with beautiful art from professional labs. 

Couple embraces in downtown Chicago

Let’s talk pricing.

Photo sessions are a
FAMILY VACATION.

Most people go on just one or two big vacations each year. They take the time to prepare, plan, and pack beforehand. A vacation should feel special and create a sense of overall warmth and content.

My goal as your tour…photo…guide is for you to feel welcomed and cared for when we work together. 

I want you to leave your photo session with happy memories of that quality time spent with your family.

All of this takes time.
And we all know just how valuable time is in this amazing life.

SERVICES

  • Family Story Sessions begin at $900
  • Newborn Story Sessions begin at $950.
  • With each of these starter collections, you receive a $125 gift print credit and 15 retouched digitals.

Once we have a chance to connect on the phone, I’ll send you my full pricing guide.

client love

As a mom, I’m always behind the scenes taking the pictures.

Even when I’m not responsible for the pictures, I’m thinking about the million chores left to do. I don’t want that to show up in the photos, whether in the environment or on my face. Maija, perhaps as a mother, instinctually avoids those tenser moments or sideline adjustments, and the images capture a strong little lady comfortable in her surroundings and parents who admire her. I really appreciate that.
Erica C.

baby sleeps while cropped view of parents cuddle in

I had my newborn photography session with Maija and all I can say is wow.

First of all she is so easy to work with. She is so calm and relaxed and makes you feel comfortable. I love her style of photography-very natural and the photos really tell a story. I am so pleased with how my photos turned out. I will definitely be using Maija for future photos of my family. ~Christy A.

We’ve been getting SO many compliments on the photos

you took for us that we put on our holiday card, even from people we don’t usually hear from who reached out just to let us know they loved the card! Thank you again for the beautiful pictures!
~Vivien N.

I’ll treat you like my long lost friend from the moment we meet until after I deliver your memories.

Therefore, let me finish the same way I end my emails:

“Please let me know as any questions, comments, concerns, ideas, etc. come up. I’m here for you.”

Maija Martin, personal and business branding photographer in Chicago, laughs with client during a photography session.

Collecting your beautiful moments is my specialty.

I will find them, even amidst
the chaos that we call family.