I'm Danielle Crowley,
I’m a family, lifestyle, micro wedding, and elopement photographer based in Northwest Illinois. My passion lies in capturing real, candid moments—whether it’s the joy of a family session, the intimate connection of a lifestyle shoot, the excitement of brand imagery, or the love and emotion of an elopement. I truly believe that authentic moments tell your story and preserve the legacy you’ll leave for generations to come. 📸
Every session with me is an opportunity to create imagery that feels personal, timeless, and effortlessly elegant. I love planning and paying attention to every detail, but I thrive even more on the spontaneous, unscripted moments that make your story unforgettable.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll usually find me with a cup of coffee in hand, reading my Bible (Jesus is #1), hiking, watching reality TV, making memories with my family, sipping on Fresca, or cheering on the Chicago Cubs. 🐻💙❤️
I’d love to capture your story in a way that feels real, joyful, and completely you.
Let Me Introduce Myself
Let's Connect!
Currently
WATCHING:
DRINKING:
READING:
CRAVING:
LISTENING:
The Great British Baking Show
Fresca
Sunrise on the Reaping
Dots Pretzels - the honey mustard ones
Forrest Frank
This or That
Beach
Waffle
Cake
Pepsi
Coffee
Early Bird
Video Game
Shine
Mountains
Pancake
Pie
Coke
Tea
Night Owl
Board Game
Rain
Fun Facts About Me
01
I've professionally photographed a John Mayer concert.
You Might Be My Client If...
the process
When you work with me your session is not your typical “stand and smile” photo session — this is a luxury, story-driven experience designed to capture your family’s personality with heart, movement, and a little magic.
Here’s how it all unfolds:
Here’s how:
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Listen to Your Story. Every session begins with connection. Once you submit your inquiry, we’ll schedule a quick 10–15 minute call to chat through your vision, personalities, and what you hope to preserve.
It’s lighthearted, personal, and the first step in making sure we’re the perfect fit—because the best imagery comes from real relationships, not transactions. -
Design With Intention. Your session is guided by the story you want to tell. Locations, mood, and moments are chosen to highlight your family’s personality and connection.
No stiff poses here—just space for real, joyful moments to unfold naturally. -
Create With Artistry. This is where the magic happens. I’ll guide you naturally so you feel relaxed, confident, and fully present. Through both photo (and occasionally video), we’ll capture timeless, emotive imagery that feels effortless, elevated, and uniquely you.
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Celebrate & Have Fun. Expect laughter, movement, and genuine moments—not perfection. This is a space to play, snuggle, dance, and simply be together.
It’s a luxury experience, yes—but one that feels warm, natural, and joy-filled from start to finish. -
Preserve Your Legacy. Your final gallery is more than just photographs—it’s your legacy, ready to be remembered, shared, and cherished for generations.
Let's get this party started.
Whether I’m capturing a lively bunch of siblings, a tender moment with a newborn, an intimate engagement, or bringing your brand story to life, my focus is always on the genuine, heartfelt moments. No rigid poses, no forced smiles — just real connection, joy, and authenticity that will be treasured for generations.
Let’s skip the rulebook and embrace the beauty of life as it really is. From family sessions to lifestyle portraits, and everything in between, we’ll capture laughter, messy hair, and all the little moments that make your story uniquely yours.
What I Offer
From start to finish I seek to give you the most genuine and enjoyable experience possible.
When working with me you're guaranteed a quick turn around time with photos to last you a lifetime.
*Pricing varies and is based on photo session location.
Family & Couples
Timeless portraits that honor the bonds, laughter, and legacy — cherished today and preserved for generations.
Creative Brand Content
Luxury portraits and storytelling visuals that elevate your brand and reflect the heart behind your work.
Maternity & Newborn
Elegant, intimate images that celebrate new beginnings and the love that grows as your family does.
Engagement & Vows
From the first yes to the vows you share, I capture intimate love stories through timeless imagery and cinematic storytelling.
Senior
Authentic, elevated portraits that showcase individuality and mark this milestone with confidence and style.
Special Events
Refined coverage of life’s meaningful celebrations — anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events and gatherings preserved as timeless keepsakes. This also includes non-profits!
Optional Package Additions
Because your story is one-of-a-kind — and sometimes deserves a little more.
01.
Extra Time - For when the story deserves more space to unfold.
If you need a little more room to breathe, laugh, explore, or create, additional time can be added to your session. Because your story shouldn’t feel rushed.
02.
Video - Luxury storytelling in motion.
When still photos aren’t enough, add cinematic video coverage. Perfect for elopements, micro weddings, family, milestones, or brand content — video brings emotion, sound, and movement to your legacy.
03.
Content Creation Assistance -
A Content Creation Assistant acts as a specialized planner and second set of hands while we capture your session. They help coordinate large groups, manage details, and make sure every image or video on your wishlist is checked off — stress-free.
*This is highly recommended for large groups, brand content or larger projects to make sure all of your photographs (& or videos) are captured a timely fashion.
FAQ
great question, thanks for asking
Choosing a photographer is a big decision, and I’m here to make it simple, joyful, and stress-free. From what to expect on the day of your session to how your images will be delivered, here are the answers you’re looking for.
How would you describe your style?
My style is intentional, timeless, and emotion-driven. I balance candid, documentary-style moments with a touch of editorial polish so your images feel both authentic and elevated. Yes, we’ll capture all the classic “must-have” shots — but it’s the genuine laughs, the quiet in-between moments, and the connections that tell your true story.
What do your packages include?
Each package is designed with flexibility and legacy in mind. They’re built around time, location, and the story we’re capturing — whether that’s an intimate family session, a micro wedding, or a destination elopement.
Every package includes:
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High-resolution, professionally edited images
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Full printing rights (so you can order your own prints anytime)
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A private online gallery to view, share, and order heirloom products
Elopement and wedding collections can include multiple days of coverage, and a second photographer is always available for those who want extra storytelling depth. And yes — packages can be mixed, matched, and customized to fit your day perfectly.
How long till we get our photos?
For elopements and weddings, my turnaround time is typically 6–8 weeks (contract allows for up to 10 weeks just to cover busy seasons). For smaller sessions like families, seniors, or brands, delivery is usually 1–2 weeks.
You’ll always receive a full, edited digital gallery — with all the images, no hidden limits, no surprise fees.
Do you travel for shoots?
Absolutely! I adore destination work and travel often for any session or event. Travel fees are simple and transparent — typically just covering location-related costs like entrance fees. Everything else like mileage is all-inclusive within your package.
How far in advance should I book?
The early the better is ideal, but I get sometimes you need something booked last minute. So send me a message anytime to learn about my availability.
What kind of gear do you use?
I photograph with Canon professional gear, chosen for its quality and reliability. (And backup equipment always comes along, because your story is too important for risks!)
How many images do you deliver?
This depends on the type and length of your session:
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Portrait sessions: typically 15–100 images.
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Elopements & weddings: anywhere from 150–800 images, depending on coverage.
You’ll always receive the complete story — nothing held back.
Do I have to order prints through you?
Nope! You’ll have full print rights. But when your gallery is delivered, you’ll also have the option to order luxury albums, wall art, and fine prints directly — heirlooms designed to last for generations.
Okay, I’m in. How do I book?
Reach out through my contact page to get started. We’ll talk through your vision and craft the perfect collection for your story. To secure your date, a signed contract and a 50% non-refundable retainer are required. After that, we officially get to start dreaming and planning your session!
More questions? Send me a message!
What They're Saying
"Danielle is absolutely top notch. We had a great experience shooting and she helped us have fun and loosen up when we needed it. She is fun and flexible! And obviously crazy talented. Her vision is extraordinary—she has a way of taking a shot you’d think would look a certain way and completely transforming it into literal art. Her work is so much more than photographs... it is actual art and so cool to be part of."
Jenna
Have questions or want a quote?
If you’ve made it here, it means something in my work has spoken to you — and that means everything. Whether you’re ready to book a session, dreaming up an elopement, curious about pricing, or simply want to connect, I’m truly excited to learn your name and hear your story. After all, every legacy begins with a conversation. ✨
