Becoming a Family Photographer in DuPage County, IL

Hi there, and welcome to my very first blog post. This is - The Edit: Notes from Behind the Lens. I'm Krystle, the face, heart & camera behind KTPhotography. A family photographer based in DuPage County, Cook County & surrounding areas like Bloomingdale, St. Charles & the beautiful downtown Chicago. I specialize in capturing real-life moments filled with laughter & love. You'll always find me chasing sunsets. Whether it's a glowing family at golden hour, a sweet toddler during a milestone session, or fun studio moments you'll treasure forever, I'll be there to catch every moment big and small!

From Feeling Lost to Finding My Passion

A Personal Chapter Behind the Lens

I'm a proud mom of two boys - Brayden and Brock (who are ten years apart!)

When I had Brayden, l fell in love with taking photos of him. There was something so special about freezing those fleeting moments in time, but as a single mom, I had to pour my energy into providing for us, and pursuing photography as a career just wasn't in the cards back then. Fast forward a decade, and life gifted me with a second chance in more ways than one.

When Brock was born, I finally had the support and the opportunity to invest in a good camera & more importantly, in myself. I carved out the time, followed that long-held spark, and decided to go for it. If you had asked me a year ago what I wanted to do with my life, I probably would've answered with a nervous laugh and a shrug. I’m a SAHM my kids are what I do with my life. Like many people, I spent a long time feeling unsure of where I belonged. I've always been creative, loved people, and found joy in storytelling but I didn't know how to tie it all together. Then everything changed. In February 2024, I picked up my camera with intention and started building my portfolio. What began as "just taking some of the boys" quickly turned into a full-on love story between me and photography.

and let me tell you …the spark was instant!

When I'm not behind the camera or editing a gallery, you can usually find me in the pick-up or drop-off line at school, jammin’ out in the car to just about every kind of music. I'm a big believer that every moment, yes, even sitting in a pick-up line, deserves a little soundtrack. l've got a major sweet tooth, and dark chocolate is my forever favorite (the richer, the better!). I also have a deep love for all things pasta! Give me noodles in any form (bet - I can guess every kind blindfolded) and I'm happy! Green is my absolute favorite color. It's calming, fresh, and a little reminder of nature's quiet beauty, something I try to bring into my photography too. I'm someone who feels most at peace hiking through the trees or soaking up quiet time in nature, but there's also a part of me that will always be pulled to the energy of the big city. I hold it close, It's shaped who l am just as much as the wide open spaces I love to wander. The balance between calm and chaos, slow moments and fast ones, is something that grounds me and shapes the way I see the world—both through my lens and in everyday life.

What l've been focused on:

Golden hour family sessions in parks and natural light settings throughout DuPage, Kane, and Cook Counties.

Milestone sessions for little ones (funny faces, wobbly walkers, baby teeth!).

I may be new to this professionally, but my heart is all in-and every session I shoot reminds me that I'm exactly where l'm supposed to be.

If you're anywhere nearby and looking for a photographer who sees the beauty in your everyday life, l'd love to connect. Whether you're celebrating a growing family, a sweet milestone, or just want to capture this season before it slips away, l'm here for it!

Thanks for following along as I build this dream. There's so much more to come!

I can't wait to meet the families I'll get to laugh, run, and make magic with.

Xo-Krystle