Category: Chicago Event Photography

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A Day in the Life Photographing a Kids Festival

A Day in the Life Photographing a Kids Festival

Every summer, my family and I gear up for one of our favorite traditions: running the photobooth at some of the biggest music festivals in the country. We’ve just celebrated our 6th year at Kidzapalooza, the lively kids’ area at Lollapalooza, and are diving into our second year at Austin Kiddie Limits, the family-friendly zone at Austin City Limits. This isn’t just a job for us; it’s a chance to immerse ourselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere, enjoy incredible music, and connect with a community of like-minded, kid-loving business owners.

Table of Contents

The Morning Hustle: Setting the Stage

Our festival days start early, as we jump into setting up the photobooth. There’s a lot to prepare—backdrops, cameras, and ensuring everything is perfectly in place. At Kidzapalooza, we’re surrounded by the buzz of excited children and their parents, all ready for a day of music and fun. Over at Austin Kiddie Limits, the Texas sun greets us, and the anticipation builds as we prepare to capture memories that families will cherish for a lifetime.

But it’s not just about the setup. One of the perks of working these festivals is getting to see some of the best artists perform live. From the soulful tunes of Mumford and Sons to the electrifying performances by Labrinth and Childish Gambino, we’ve had the chance to enjoy world-class music while doing what we love. Watching Chance the Rapper light up the stage or grooving to The Q Brothers and The Pop-Ups with our kids is an experience that blends our professional work with personal joy.

Capturing the Magic: Photobooth Fun

Once everything is in place, the photobooth becomes the heart of the kids’ area. At Kidzapalooza, we’ve seen toddlers dressed as mini rock stars and families in full festival-themed costumes. Each photo captures a moment of pure happiness, a snapshot of the festival’s magic that families can take home with them.

In Austin, the vibe is just as energetic, with its own unique flair. Kids pose in cowboy hats, families embrace the eclectic Austin style, and sometimes even pets join in on the fun. The diversity of the people we meet and the creativity they bring to the photobooth make every day a new adventure.

More Than Just Music: A Community of Kid-Loving Vendors

While the music is a major highlight, what makes these festivals truly special is the sense of community. We’re surrounded by other kid-loving businesses and vendors who share our passion for creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment for families. Working alongside these incredible vendors, whether it’s at Kidzapalooza, Austin Kiddie Limits, or local events like Bubblespalooza with Bubbles Academy, is always a pleasure. It’s a supportive network where everyone is dedicated to making the festival experience unforgettable for the little ones.

We’ve also had the chance to collaborate with local businesses at events like the Chicago Baby Shower and the Hippo Social Club’s dog-friendly 5k in Austin. Each event offers a unique opportunity to connect with families and other businesses that prioritize fun and community.

A Family Affair: Working Together, Playing Together

The best part of this journey is that it’s a family affair. My husband and kids are just as involved in the festival fun as I am. Whether they’re helping set up, testing the equipment, or just enjoying the music, it’s a way for us to bond, share experiences, and create memories that we’ll cherish forever.

As we pack up after a long day, there’s a deep sense of satisfaction. We’ve been a part of something bigger—capturing the essence of these festivals, one photo at a time. And as we head home, tired but fulfilled, we know we’ll be back next year, ready to do it all over again.

From the electrifying performances by artists like The Killers and Childish Gambino to the camaraderie of working with amazing vendors, every festival season leaves us inspired and excited for what’s to come. Here’s to many more years of music, memories, and family fun!

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Capturing the Magic of Youth Theater: Stages Chicago Productions

A child performing as Anna in Frozen Junior

Introduction

Since 2016, Stages Chicago has been a beacon of arts education in our community, offering high-quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences for children and families. As photographers, we’ve had the incredible privilege of documenting their journey, most recently capturing the vibrant productions of Annie Jr. (2023) and Frozen Junior (2024). These shows not only showcase the talent of young performers but also embody the spirit of creativity and collaboration that Stages Chicago fosters.

The Unique Advantage of Dress Rehearsal Photography

Photographing dress rehearsals offers a special window into the world of youth theater. During the recent “Frozen Junior” rehearsal, we witnessed a heartwarming moment that epitomizes this advantage. The young actors playing Sven and Kristoff had some downtime, and our photographer, Thomas, seized the opportunity for an impromptu photoshoot. The resulting images captured their camaraderie and the pure joy of performance – moments that might have been missed during a live show.

Here are some key benefits of rehearsal photography:

  • Closer Access: Thomas can get nearer to the stage and action, resulting in more dynamic and intimate shots that truly capture the essence of the performance.
  • Relaxed Atmosphere: Children are more at ease, leading to natural, candid expressions.
  • Flexibility for Creativity: We can experiment with angles and compositions without disrupting the flow.
  • Attention to Detail: There’s time to focus on costume intricacies, set designs, and subtle expressions.
  • Opportunity for Retakes: Ensuring we capture each child’s best moment.
Photographed by Thomas | © 2024 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

Photography Tips for Capturing Youth Theater Magic

For those interested in photographing youth theater, here are some tips we’ve learned:

  1. Use a fast lens: Theater lighting can be challenging. A lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) allows for better low-light performance.
  2. Anticipate the action: Familiarize yourself with the play to predict key moments.
  3. Capture reactions: Some of the most powerful shots are of performers reacting to their co-stars.
  4. Experiment with angles: Don’t just shoot from the audience perspective. Get low, go high, shoot from the wings if possible.
  5. Focus on details: Capture close-ups of costumes, props, and set pieces to tell the full story.

The Impact of Theater on Young Performers

The transformative power of theater on children is truly remarkable. As Sarah Johnson, a parent of a Stages Chicago participant, shared, “My daughter was incredibly shy before joining Stages. After her first performance as a munchkin in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ she blossomed. Her confidence now extends beyond the stage and into her everyday life.”

Recent studies support this anecdotal evidence. According to numerous reports, including those by the National Endowment for the Arts, children who participate in theater programs show significant improvements in public speaking skills and overall confidence compared to their peers. These benefits are part of a broader positive impact of arts education on children’s development.

Involvement in the arts offers numerous benefits:

  • Enhanced Creativity: Children learn to think outside the box and express themselves uniquely.
  • Boosted Confidence: Performing builds self-esteem and public speaking skills.
  • Improved Communication: Both verbal and non-verbal communication skills are honed.
  • Teamwork: Productions foster a strong sense of community and collaboration.
  • Cultural Appreciation: Early exposure to theater cultivates a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Our Partnership with Stages Chicago

Our collaboration with Stages Chicago goes beyond photography. It’s a shared commitment to nurturing young talent and preserving the magic of youth theater. From capturing the nervous excitement backstage to the triumphant bows at curtain call, every photograph tells a story of growth, friendship, and artistic expression.

Photographed by Thomas | © 2023 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

A Family Affair

As a family, our involvement with Stages Chicago since 2021 has enriched our lives immeasurably. Watching our children and others grow through each production, from summer camps to main stage shows, has been a joy. The friendships formed, skills developed, and memories created are priceless.

Conclusion

The impact of youth theater extends far beyond the stage. It shapes confident, creative, and compassionate individuals. Through our lens, we’re honored to document this journey with Stages Chicago.

Call to Action: Support your local youth theater! If you have a production that needs photographing, we’d love to help capture its essence. Contact us through our website or social media to discuss how we can bring your show to life through photography.

For more about Stages Chicago and their transformative programs, visit Stages Chicago. CopyRetry

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Glenview’s Best: Kohl Children’s Museum Family Touch A Truck 2024

TK Photography Chicago: Capturing the Joy at Kohl Children’s Museum’s Touch a Truck Family Festival

Hey there, parents! It’s TK Photography Chicago, your go-to Chicago event photography and Chicago family photography experts. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be back photographing the Kohl Children’s Museum’s Touch a Truck Family Festival. As a leading Glenview family photographer, this event is one of our absolute favorites to capture, and we can’t wait to see the excitement and joy on the faces of your little ones.

Vibrant Scene at the Kohl Children's Museum Touch a Truck Event

As many of you know, Kohl Children’s Museum is not only a fantastic place for events like Touch a Truck, but they’re also one of our regular Chicago marketing photography clients. In fact, we had the privilege of photographing all the photos on their community outreach van seen in the image above. It was essential for us to feature kids from the community and have them interact with actual items from the museum. So, we reached out to our client families and held a casting call for those who love the museum. The results were incredible!

Families Engaging with Trucks at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

Now, let’s talk about the upcoming Touch a Truck Family Festival. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, with VIP access starting at 9:30 AM. The festival will take place at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) located at 2300 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026.

Children Exploring a Fire Truck at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

At Touch a Truck, children will have the opportunity to learn about trucks, cars, and other vehicles through hands-on experiences. They can look, climb, and play on over 40 different vehicles. Plus, there will be music, train rides, food trucks, and more at this incredible outdoor family festival.

Kids Enjoying a Thomas the Tank Engine Train Car at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

Ticket prices vary depending on whether you’re a museum member and if you want VIP or general admission. VIP tickets are $50 for members and $60 for non-members. General admission tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Tickets are required for each adult and child over 12 months of age, and they include access to all activities, including concerts, face painting, and kiddie train rides. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Family Enjoying Food Trucks at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

It’s important to note that tickets are non-refundable after purchase, and the event will occur rain or shine. You can purchase VIP tickets here and timed entry general admission tickets: 10:30am Entry, 11:00am Entry and, 11:30am Entry. General admission tickets include timed entry windows, so please select your preferred entry time.

Children Running Towards Trucks at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

We’re also excited to share that there will be a Horn-Free Hour from 1-2 PM. During this time, trucks will not turn on sirens, flashing lights, or beep horns, creating a sensory-friendly environment for children who are sensitive to loud noises and lights.

One of the things we love most about photographing this event is running into so many of the families we’ve had the pleasure of working with for Chicago family photography sessions. It’s always a joy to see familiar faces and watch as the children grow and explore year after year.

By participating in the Touch a Truck Family Festival, you’re not only giving your child an unforgettable experience, but you’re also supporting Kohl Children’s Museum’s mission to provide learning opportunities for kids. We can’t wait to see you there and capture all the magical moments!

If you are looking for event photography you can learn more about our work here.

Families Gathering Around Trucks at Kohl Children's Museum's Touch a Truck Event

Check out some more photos from previous Touch a Truck events:

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Discover the Magic of Bubbles Academy’s Enchanting Bubble Egg Hunt!

This image shows a young child, who appears to be a toddler, crawling on the floor. The child is wearing a long-sleeved blue top and dark pants, with light-colored socks. They are reaching out towards what seems to be a toy egg or ball. In the background, there's a colorful play environment featuring toys, bricks, and a grassy area. The setting looks like it could be a children's indoor play area.\n\nThe image is in portrait orientation and captures a candid moment with soft focus on the child, while the background is slightly blurred but still recognizable as a play area. There are no visible texts on the image.

Egg-citing Fun at Bubbles Academy’s – Bubble Egg Hunt!

At TK Photography Chicago, we always look forward to capturing the joyful moments at Bubbles Academy’s events, and their Bubble Egg Hunt celebrating all things spring was no exception! As one of our longest-running partners, Bubbles Academy consistently puts on fantastic events that bring smiles to children’s faces, and this year’s egg hunt was a perfect example of their dedication to creating memorable experiences for families.

Our talented photographer, Cameron, had a wonderful time photographing the excitement and laughter at the event. The Bubbles Academy team transformed their space into a colorful, festive wonderland filled with hidden eggs, cheerful decorations, and plenty of fun activities for the little ones.

The image depicts a lively indoor scene, likely at an event or gathering. In the foreground, there is a colorful play area with several children engaging in play activities. On the right side of the play area, adults and children are standing and interacting. There is a variety of play elements such as soft seating, a slide, and building blocks.

The children were thrilled as they searched high and low for the colorful eggs, their baskets filling up with their prized findings. It was heartwarming to see the determination and excitement on their faces as they navigated the egg hunt, encouraged by their parents and the supportive Bubbles Academy staff.

This image shows a young child, who appears to be a toddler, crawling on the floor. The child is wearing a long-sleeved blue top and dark pants, with light-colored socks. They are reaching out towards what seems to be a toy egg or ball.

In addition to the egg hunt, the event featured engaging activities that kept the children entertained and smiling from ear to ear. From arts and crafts, and live music performances to fun games, there was no shortage of laughter and joy throughout the day.

This is a color photograph featuring two young children, presumably girls, engaged in an activity. The child on the left appears to be wearing a pair of glasses or goggles that have a paper bunny glued to them, suggesting a craft project. She also has a red and white polka dot patterned bib around her neck. Her sibling on the right is holding a small toy with one hand while the other seems to be touching or adjusting something not clearly visible. Both children are focused on their activities.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team at Bubbles Academy for organizing yet another unforgettable event. Your dedication to creating magical experiences for children and families is truly inspiring, and we are honored to be your long-term photography partner.

The image shows a group of six individuals standing in front of a colorful display that includes a child's play area and a banner with various themed elements. They are positioned against a vibrant, pastel-colored wall. All six people appear to be posing for the photo; two women are in the foreground on the left side of the frame, smiling towards the camera. The remaining four individuals are slightly behind and to their right, also smiling at the camera.

To all the families who attended the Bubble Egg Hunt, thank you for allowing us to capture these precious moments for you. We hope that the photos we’ve taken will serve as a beautiful reminder of the joy and wonder your children experienced at this special event.

If you’re looking for a talented family event photographer in the Chicago area, we’d love to work with you! Contact TK Photography Chicago today to discuss capturing your own family’s special moments.

Once again, a huge thank you to Bubbles Academy for your partnership and for creating such a memorable celebration of all things spring for the children and families in our community. See you at the next event!

Event Details:

Bubbles Academy

Address:
Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool
2184 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Website: https://bubblesacademy.com/

Event Name: Bubbles Egg Hunt!

Event Date: March 23, 2024

Photographer: Cameron

Photography Type: Event Photography

Gallery

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Ready to capture your own special moments? Use the contact form below to get in touch with us and book your event photography today!

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Capture Every Moment: Hire Our Children’s Photography Services for Your Child’s Birthday Party in Chicago

Chicago Birthday party Photographer

5 Reasons to hire a professional photographer for your child’s birthday party

As parents ourselves, we understand that you want to capture every moment of your child’s birthday party. It’s a special day for them, and it’s important to have those memories to look back on in the years to come. However, trying to take photos yourself can be a challenge, and you may end up missing out on some of the moments that you wanted to capture. That’s where we come in – as a children’s photographer in Chicago, we provide a solution to this problem by offering professional photography services for your child’s birthday party.

A mom and Birthday boy at a party photographed by TK Photography Chicago
© 2022 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

You are IN the Photos

One of the greatest advantages to hiring us for your child’s birthday party is that you can be in the photos too! We understand how important it is to capture these special moments with everyone who made the day extra special, including you. When you’re helping manage the event and making sure everything goes smoothly, it can be difficult to make sure you’re also in the photos with your child. That’s why we make capturing these moments of everyone a priority, so that you won’t miss out on being in the memories too. This way, you and your child can look back on those special memories for years to come. We want to make sure that you have all the photographs you need to remember this special day for years to come!

Children celebrating at a party photographed by TK Photography Chicago
© 2022 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

Get professional photos to last a lifetime

Another benefit of hiring us is the quality of the photos you’ll receive. While cell phone photos can be convenient, they often end up being blurry or low-quality, especially in a party environment where there may be low light or a lot of movement. Our professional photography equipment and experience mean that we’re able to capture high-quality photos that really capture the essence of the party. We know how to work with different lighting and environments to ensure that you get photos that you’ll love.

Limbo line at a party photographed by TK Photography
© 2019 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

Let go of the stress of trying to photograph yourself

Finally, by hiring us, you get to enjoy the party without worrying about taking photos. As a parent, it’s natural to want to capture everything, but that can also mean that you end up spending the whole party with a camera in your hand, trying to make sure you get everything. When you hire us, you can relax and enjoy the party with your child and family, knowing that we’re taking care of capturing the memories for you. This way, you can really be present in the moment, rather than worrying about taking photos.

Family gathering around the birthday girl at a party Photographed by TK Photography
© 2019 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

Let Your Photographer Friends and Family Enjoy the Party

Your friends and family are probably talented photographers who would love to take your photos—but they may not always produce results that match the quality of a professional. Additionally, having those closest to you take photos can detract from their experience at the party.  Instead of burdening them with the responsibility (or guilt!) of having to take photos, allow them to fully enjoy themselves.

With a professional photographer on board, you can rest easy knowing that your special moments will be captured without disrupting any personal relationships. Professional photographers are adept at capturing events and know the best angles and timing for optimal results.

Plus, with a professional photographer you can be sure that your friend will be in the photos too! They’ll thank you for entrusting a pro rather than forcing them to step away and take pictures.

Micky and Mini at a party photographed by TK Photography Chicago
© 2019 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com

Pros have valuable experience and relationships

The kids’ party industry is a fun and exciting field to be in as a professional photographer. We have an understanding of the flow of every event, thanks to our experience working with venues similar to yours before (After shooting parties for over 13 years, there is probably a good chance that someone on our team has shot AT your venue). We understand how to capture performers and vendors in a way that shows off their work and the entire experience. Plus, due to our frequent work in the industry, we often know performers and vendors personally. This means that we can take great shots of your event from a personal perspective as well. With years of experience, our photography team will be sure to capture all the special moments of your kid’s party in an extraordinary way! 

Overall, hiring a professional photographer for your child’s birthday party is a great way to ensure that you get high-quality photos that capture all of the special moments of the day. By working with us, you can be sure that you’ll get photos that you’ll treasure for years to come, and that you’ll be able to enjoy the party without worrying about taking photos yourself. We understand the importance of capturing these memories, and we’re committed to providing you with beautiful photos that will allow you to look back on this special day with joy and nostalgia.

Check out our Chicago Birthday Party info here

Author Bio

Thomas - Chicago Birthday Party Photographer

Meet Thomas, a Chicago-based professional photographer with over 13 years of experience capturing beautiful moments for families. Throughout his career, Thomas has dedicated himself to providing families with stunning photographs that capture the essence of their love and togetherness. His work has been published in various publications, and he has won several awards for his outstanding magazine photography work.

With over 3,000 photography sessions under his belt, Thomas has established himself as a highly experienced and sought-after family photographer in the industry. He is widely recognized for his exceptional skills in capturing candid moments and creating timeless family portraits that families can cherish for generations. You can check out his family photography portfolio here.