Little Ones, Big Memories: A September Sunset Session
Late September light has a way of turning everything golden, and this family session at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg caught it perfectly. The kids were full of energy, the parents were relaxed, and we had about forty minutes of the warmest September sunset session light we’ve seen all year.
Following the Moments That Matter
We always tell families the same thing: just be yourselves. Play, laugh, pick the kids up, chase them around. The posed frames are nice, but the ones that end up on the wall? Those come from the in-between. A toddler sprinting away from you. A look between parents when their kid does something hilarious. That’s what we’re watching for.
Spring Valley gave us open fields, soft trails, and that hazy backlight that makes everything feel cinematic. We shot wide to let the landscape breathe, then pulled in tight when the family got close. The contrast between those two perspectives is something we love in a finished gallery.
These two were completely relaxed, and honestly, that is when we do our best work. No stiff smiles, no awkward posing. Just a family being themselves in gorgeous light. If you’re thinking about family photography in Schaumburg or anywhere in the Chicago suburbs, a nature preserve like this is hard to beat. The open space gives kids room to move, and the light at the edges of those fields is a photographer’s dream.
Kids grow fast. One year they’re being carried, the next they’re running ahead of you. That’s exactly why we love sessions like this. Every image is a timestamp of exactly who your family is right now.
Is Spring Valley Nature Center a good location for family photos?
It’s one of our favorite spots in the Schaumburg area. The open meadows and wooded trails give us variety within a short walk, and the light at golden hour is consistently beautiful. Just keep in mind that the preserve closes at sunset, so we plan timing carefully.
How do I book a family session with Twig & Olive?
Head over to our contact page and tell us a little about your family, your preferred location, and the time of year you’re hoping to shoot. We’ll handle the rest.
