A Golden Evening Family Session by the Lake

There’s something magical about family sessions outdoors—when the golden light reflects off the water and laughter fills the air. This sweet family made the session so effortless with their joy and connection. From playful brotherly hugs in the grass to tender family moments, their love truly shines.

Brothers Together

The bond between these three brothers is undeniable. They leaned into each other, laughed together, and gave me the most genuine smiles. Photos like these become lifelong treasures—capturing the sweet bond of childhood before the years fly by.

Family Portrait by the Lake

This portrait of the whole family shows the warmth they share. The backdrop of the water and trees at sunset made the perfect setting. Their outfits coordinated beautifully with neutral tones that allowed their smiles and personalities to be the focus.

Sweet Playfulness

Candid moments are always my favorite—especially when siblings tumble into laughter. These two little brothers couldn’t stop giggling while playing in the grass, and the result was pure magic.

Why Family Sessions Matter

Time passes so quickly, and having professional family portraits ensures you’ll always have these fleeting stages captured. Whether it’s the goofy grins, the warm hugs, or just being together in your favorite season, every detail is worth remembering.

📸 Ready to book your own family session? I’d love to capture your story.
👉 Book your session here

Newborn Session | A Family’s First Memories 💙

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s greatest joys, and capturing these early days with family portraits is something parents will cherish forever. This sweet baby boy’s session was filled with love, cozy setups, and the most heartwarming family moments.

Family Portraits Full of Love 💕

There’s nothing more meaningful than capturing the bond between parents and their newborn. These portraits radiate pure joy and the beginning of a brand-new chapter together.

Heart Bowl Setup in Blue 💙

For a timeless newborn setup, we placed him in our rustic wooden heart bowl with soft textures and rich blue tones. This simple yet striking setup kept all the attention on his sweet little features. Why Family Portraits Matter in Newborn Sessions

Newborn sessions are not only about your baby—they’re about your family’s story. Including parents in these images creates heirlooms that will be cherished for generations, reminding you of how small they once were and how much love filled these first days.

Sweet Baby Boy Milestone Session in Glen Carbon, IL

This handsome little guy came into the studio with the biggest smiles and bright blue eyes that melted hearts instantly. Milestone sessions are some of my favorites because they capture your baby’s growing personality—those sweet giggles, curious expressions, and tiny details you’ll want to remember forever.

For this milestone session, we kept the setup simple and timeless. Neutral wood tones, a cozy textured rug, and soft accents allowed his joyful expressions and playful personality to shine. His blue outfit was the perfect pop of color, highlighting those sparkling eyes.

Whether your baby is sitting up for the first time, starting to crawl, or celebrating a first birthday, milestone sessions are the perfect way to freeze this fleeting stage.

📸 Ready to capture your little one’s milestones? Book your milestone session today

Newborn Session | Nature’s Touch and A Musical Moment 🎶🌿

Every newborn session is unique, and this gallery was the perfect mix of natural beauty and personal touches. From a greenery-wrapped basket setup to a special moment with dad and his guitar, these photos tell a story that’s both timeless and deeply personal.

A Musical Memory with Dad 🎸

One of the most special parts of this session was incorporating dad’s love for music. Holding his baby boy across his guitar, this image captured the perfect blend of fatherhood and passion—a keepsake that will mean even more as the years go by.

Nature-Inspired Basket Setup 🌿

This little one looked so peaceful nestled inside a wicker basket wrapped in lush greenery. Paired with cozy knits and soft neutrals, the setup created a natural, organic feel—perfect for families who love earthy tones.

Why Personalization Matters

Your newborn session should reflect your family’s story. Whether it’s through nature-inspired setups, heirloom props, or hobbies that matter to you, I love creating images that feel both personal and timeless.

Newborn Session | A Little Football & A Lot of Love 🏈💙

Every newborn session tells a story—and this sweet baby boy’s session was filled with the perfect mix of personality, simplicity, and love. From football-themed details to timeless heart-shaped props, and ending with heartfelt parent shots, this gallery is one to cherish forever.

Football-Inspired Newborn Setup 🏈

This little guy gave us the BEST expressions while wrapped in cozy brown tones. Surrounded by tiny footballs and hearts, it was the perfect nod to a sports-loving family while keeping everything soft and newborn-safe.

Classic Heart Bowl Simplicity 🤎

For a timeless look, we tucked him into our rustic wooden heart bowl. The neutral tones and soft textures kept the focus on his sweet little features—proof that simple setups create the most stunning results.

Family Hands Holding Baby 🤍

We ended the session with a black-and-white shot featuring mom and dad’s hands holding their tiny miracle. These images are always client favorites because they capture just how little their baby is in the early days—and how much love surrounds them.

Why These Details Matter

Newborn photography is about so much more than props—it’s about creating lasting memories for families. Whether you want sports-inspired touches, timeless neutral setups, or intimate family shots, every session is carefully styled to reflect your story.

Sweet Newborn Session in Soft Pinks 🌸

There is nothing sweeter than capturing a brand-new little life surrounded by soft florals and cozy textures. This beautiful newborn session was full of delicate pink tones, timeless props, and the most peaceful baby girl. Every detail—from the floral ring basket to the heart-shaped bowl—made this session extra special.

Cozy in the Floral Ring

Wrapped snugly in a soft pink knit, baby girl rested soundly inside a wicker floral ring covered in cascading hydrangeas. The natural wood texture, paired with the pastel flowers, gave the setup a dreamy, garden-like feel.

Snuggled in the Heart Bowl

We then moved to a heart-shaped bowl, where she cuddled her tiny knit teddy bear. Surrounded by fluffy layers and placed on a soft pink floral backdrop, this scene radiated love and warmth.

Why Choose a Professional Newborn Session?

Newborn photography is more than just pictures—it’s about capturing fleeting details and creating heirloom artwork for families. With over 12 years of experience and triple certification in newborn safety and posing, I ensure every baby is photographed with the utmost care.

Whether you prefer whimsical floral setups or timeless neutral tones, each session is designed to reflect your family’s unique style.

Sweet Strawberry First Birthday Cake Smash

What better way to celebrate turning ONE than with a strawberry-themed cake smash session? 🍓 This sweet girl looked absolutely adorable in her strawberry dress and matching bow, surrounded by fresh fruit and farmhouse décor.

From big smiles to little bites of cake, every moment was filled with joy (and just the right amount of mess!). Cake smash sessions are a fun way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday and capture their growing personality in timeless portraits.

This strawberry-inspired setup brought so much color and charm, making the photos extra sweet. These images are keepsakes her family will treasure forever.

📸 Ready to plan your little one’s cake smash?

Baby Milestone Session in Glen Carbon, IL

There’s nothing sweeter than capturing a baby’s big smiles and playful personality during their milestone session! This little guy lit up the studio with his bright eyes, sweet grin, and all the charm you could ask for.

Milestone sessions are a wonderful way to preserve the memories of your baby’s first year—whether it’s at 6 months, 9 months, or their first birthday. Babies change so quickly, and these portraits give families timeless keepsakes to look back on for years to come.

During this Glen Carbon milestone photography session, we kept the setup soft and neutral with cozy textures, natural tones, and rustic accents. This simple style keeps all the attention where it belongs—on your baby’s personality.

If your baby is reaching a milestone soon, now is the perfect time to book a session!

👉 Book your milestone session here: www.connerjamesphotography.com/booknow

A Timeless Newborn Session – Capturing Sweet Beginnings

There’s nothing quite like those early days with a newborn—so much love, joy, and the excitement of welcoming a new life into the world. This beautiful family’s studio session was the perfect way to freeze those fleeting moments in time.

We began with classic family portraits against a soft, neutral backdrop, highlighting the pure happiness and love between mom, dad, and their newest little one. The baby was swaddled in a deep navy wrap, perfectly cozy in his parents’ arms. Their genuine smiles and proud expressions made these images truly heartwarming.

Big sister joined in with the sweetest curiosity, gazing at her baby brother with wonder and joy. Her gentle touch and bright smile created priceless sibling moments they will cherish forever. We also captured a tender shot of her leaning in to kiss her brother while he rested in a rustic white bucket—an image that radiates pure innocence and love.

Every detail of this session, from the soft lighting to the tender interactions, was designed to create timeless portraits that will be treasured for generations. These are more than just photographs—they are the first chapter of this little one’s life story.

Golden Hour Family Session by the Water – Capturing Pure Joy

Some photo sessions simply radiate love, connection, and timeless beauty—and this golden hour family session was exactly that. Set against the warm glow of the setting sun, with soft light dancing on the water, every moment felt natural and full of joy.

The family arrived ready to have fun, and their energy made my job effortless. From playful lifts and giggles to sweet snuggles and soft kisses, each interaction was genuine and unscripted. The kids laughed as their parents twirled them in the air, while Mom and Dad shared quiet moments that spoke volumes about their love for each other.

Photographing at golden hour is always magical, but combining that perfect light with a family’s genuine connection creates something truly unforgettable. The gentle greens of the tall grass, the shimmering reflection on the water, and the rich golden tones made for the dreamiest backdrop. Every image captured not just a pose, but a story—one they’ll be able to relive for years to come.

If you’re dreaming of a session filled with authentic laughter, tender moments, and that gorgeous sun-kissed glow, golden hour by the water is the perfect choice. Whether it’s a milestone, an annual family update, or simply celebrating togetherness, these are the kinds of sessions that create timeless heirlooms.