Photographing this family session in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois was extra special for a few reasons—first, because it was my very first session with my brand new-to-me full-frame camera, and second, because it was with people I love: the Babicas.
From Point-and-Shoots to Passion
Let’s rewind real quick. As you know by now, I’ve always loved taking photos. I went through so many point-and-shoot cameras growing up (RIP to the ones that didn’t survive my family’s adventures). But it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I really ended up getting serious about it. I had finally declared my major as graphic design and only took an Intro to Photography class to fill a requirement for that major. I grabbed the cheapest DSLR kit I could find on Amazon—fully expecting it to collect dust after the semester.
Well… the joke was on me.
That one class ended up totally shifting things for me. I loved learning about the history of photography and figuring out how to actually use a DSLR camera (they always scared me). One class turned into a whole ass minor, and I ended up taking every single photography class the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay offered. My senior show? Fully photo-based. Sorry, graphic design.
Fast Forward to Full-Frame
Fast forward to this sweet session in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, and there I was—with my very own full-frame camera in hand, finally taking things up a notch at Krop Kreative and preparing to re-launch Krop as a photography business. That original DSLR from 2014 (already used when I bought it!) served me for nearly a decade. Talk about mileage.
Investing in new gear was a huge move for me, but an exciting one. I do want to say it loud for the people in the back: it’s not about having the fanciest gear—it’s about knowing how to use what you have. Some of my favorite images did come from that old Amazon camera. But as I reintroduced Krop Kreative, I wanted gear that could grow with me and support the vision I have for my clients.
Meet the Babicas
Enter: The Babica Family. We spent the afternoon laughing our way through Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary in Sleepy Hollow. It was early May, and everything was juuust starting to bloom. The greens were popping, but we also had tall, golden grasses that gave us great neutral tones. It honestly felt like the best of both worlds and worked so well with their outfits.
The Babicas are not just amazing clients—they’re my family. Photographing my nieces is always such a gift. My brother-in-law? Let’s just say he’s not always thrilled about photo sessions, so I made sure to pull out alllll the inside jokes to get him smiling (it always works eventually). Between giggles, silly faces, rock collecting (girls after my own heart, I also love rocks), and even a four-leaf clover sighting, this session gave us a little bit of everything… including a mini meltdown from the youngest. (IYKYK.) But honestly? That’s what I love most. Capturing the real stuff. The in-between moments. The joy, the chaos, the quiet glances. All of it matters.
Sleepy Hollow, Illinois Has My Heart
I’m already dreaming about my next session in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois—this town has so many hidden gems and cute parks beyond Jelke Creek. Highly recommend if you’re local!
As my first session with my full-frame camera, this shoot will always be special as it came right before I officially introduced Krop Kreative as an LLC. At the time, I didn’t have all my new creative tools yet—no fractals, prisms, or the experimental techniques that are now part of my signature style.
That’s why I can’t wait to return to Sleepy Hollow. It already gave me the best of both worlds with its colors and textures, but next time, I’ll be able to fully lean into the style Krop has moved in to and blending timeless lifestyle moments with creative, artistic twists.
This session reminded me why I love what I do. Family photos don’t have to be stiff or formal—they can be full of life, laughter, and little moments you’ll want to remember forever.
📸 Scroll through some highlights from The Babicas’ session below—make sure to click the images for a few hidden gems. If you’re ready to capture your own beautifully chaotic family magic, book me and let’s make it happen.
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