Chicago Photographers I Love Working With
At Home with the Hastys - Chicago Photographers I Love Working With
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of talented Chicago photographers — from maternity and newborn sessions to family portraits, professional headshots, and creative collaborations for my blog. Each photographer brings their own artistic perspective and personality to the shoot, which means no two sessions ever feel the same. What unites them all is how comfortable they made our family feel in front of the camera and how beautifully they captured our life in this city we love. Take a look at some of my favorite photographers below — and the moments they helped us preserve.
Carlos Rivera - Street Photography Family Photos
“Carlos Rivera Photography offers a unique portrait experience in Chicago, blending street-inspired style with traditional finesse.”
Why I love working with Carlos
I’ve been following Carlos for some time now — his black-and-white street photography instantly caught my eye with its cinematic clarity and emotional depth. His work has a quiet power, a bit of a modern-day echo of Vivian Maier, capturing life in motion and the beauty of everyday urban moments. When the idea of a family session on the El came up for our little guy Miles, I wasn’t sure Carlos offered that kind of shoot. But when I asked, his response was immediate and enthusiastic — and soon enough we were deep in collaboration mode.
How our session came together
What followed felt more like creating art together than simply booking a portrait session. I sent him images of his street work that resonated with me, plus family-photographer inspiration images for the look we wanted. We landed on the Brown Line as our location; Carlos suggested meeting at Chicago Station, riding through the Loop, and stopping at Quincy Station — a vintage wood-and-sign-filled gem he particularly loves. He came prepared with an eye for mixing digital with film to bring out a nostalgic mood that still felt rooted in the present.
Why it worked for our family
What I love most about the result is how genuine it feels. We’re not posed in the usual way. The photos feel like us — our little family, our city (Chicago), our son’s train-obsessed wonder. Carlos didn’t just document the moment; he elevated it. The prints feel like time capsules. They feel like Chicago. They feel like Miles discovering the world. And when my husband — a night owl — joined me at dawn by Lake Michigan on my birthday this year, it reminded me how much I love those early light hours; this shoot mirrored that kind of thoughtful, quietly joyful energy.
If you’re considering a session …
Be open to something different. Carlos’s black-and-white, film-meets-digital aesthetic is not your standard family-portraits set-up, and that’s exactly the point.
Bring your ideas. We came with train-obsession, El-love, a city vibe, and Carlos ran with it.
Trust his vision. He suggested spots you wouldn’t think of (hello Quincy Station!), and the “less crowded” Brown Line cars turned out to be a thoughtful move for a toddler.
Think of it as collaboration, not just a shoot. He asked for inspiration, we worked together — and we got something deeply personal.
Hannah Schweiss Photography - Brand Photos
“Hannah is a joyful creator who loves to laugh, work hard, and create meaningful content for the world to see, all with a coffee in hand.”
Why I love working with Hannah
I first connected with Hannah Schweiss when I needed updated brand photos for Hasty Book List and The Chicago Literary Salon. I wanted images that felt elevated and editorial but still genuine — photos that represented not just my work, but the creative world I’m building around books, conversation, and community. Hannah completely understood the vision from the start. Her photography has a modern sophistication that feels warm and approachable, and she knows how to capture personality without it feeling posed.
How our session came together
Before we even picked up a camera, Hannah and her team asked thoughtful questions about my brand, audience, and aesthetic. We planned everything down to the details — wardrobe, locations, and the mood each setting would convey. During the shoot, she created an easy, collaborative atmosphere that allowed me to relax (even though being in front of the camera isn’t my comfort zone). She gave great direction while letting moments unfold naturally — a rare balance that makes her photos feel alive.
Why it worked for my brand
Hannah’s photos captured exactly what I hoped for: the intersection of storytelling and style. Whether I’m using the images on my website, in press features, or across social media, they immediately communicate the tone of my work — literary, creative, and distinctly Chicago. The portraits she created are professional without feeling stiff, polished but still full of warmth.
If you’re considering a session…
Hannah is a great fit for entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners who want brand photos that feel intentional and authentic.
She’ll help you refine your vision and offer input that elevates it.
Her attention to detail and calm, confident presence make the whole process enjoyable from start to finish.
Lisa Kay Creative - Baby Shower Photos
“Lisa specializes in corporate headshots, business branding and commercial photography.”
My friend Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman hired Lisa to do photos for our shower, which also happened to be the soft opening/ first private party of Bettie’s Chicago. Although Lisa specializes in business branding, I love the images she created for our shower. She does an excellent job of capturing moments and interactions between people. My favorite photos are those of us greeting our guests, watching the baking demonstration, and opening gifts. I love that these photos are warm, fun, and light-hearted - they perfectly capture what pregnancy was like for me. For more on this shower, read this article.
Christina Wilken Photography - Maternity Photos
“Christina is a natural light photographer, specializing in families and children.”
My hope for these photos was something dark, warm, and romantic. I love the way Christina works with light and shadows. She perfectly captured my relationship with my husband, clicking the shutter at just the right time to capture those fleeting looks of love we give to one another. I think these photos do a great job of showing how excited we were about the impending arrival of our son. They were taken at Lincoln Park in October. For more on my work with Christina, read this article.
Kathleen Virginia Photo - Newborn Photos
“Kathleen’s goal is to approach each photoshoot from our unique perspective and love for carefree and joy of living.”
I’ve worked with Kathleen more than any other photographer in Chicago. We first met when she took my 30th birthday photos, she’s taken several family photos of us over the years for our holiday cards (see here and here and here) and, my favorite, she took photos for us at the Art Institute of Chicago for our 10th wedding anniversary. Even before I knew who would take photos at our shower or who would do our maternity photos, I’d already asked Kathleen to take our newborn photos. She’s taken all of our family’s major milestone photos for almost a decade. I knew her light, airy, joyful aesthetic is what we wanted the first photos of our son to be.
