Lifestyle & Portrait photography Investment
Family, milestones, couples, and more
I get it—choosing a photographer is a lot. You’ve probably got a dozen tabs open, bouncing between galleries, reviews, and Pinterest boards, wondering who’s actually going to understand & Invest into you and your day.
My goal? To make this feel simple, honest, and clear—so you can figure out if I’m your person or not. No pressure. Just the real info, so you can move forward with confidence (and close a few tabs while you’re at it).
“I don’t know how to look natural in photos.”
I focus on feeling over perfection, capturing real, fleeting, joy-filled moments that age with meaning. You want photos that look and feel like you. Not awkward. Not overly staged. Don’t worry—I’ve got you. I’ll guide when it helps and step back when it matters. I focus on movement and connection — most of the time, you won’t even notice the camera.
"What should we wear?"
I want you to feel like you when we’re together. All the expectations of perfectly coordinated outfits, every fly away hair, fly out the door when I aim to capture you and your loves exactly as they are in this very moment. My best advice is to wear what you feel your best in and are most comfortable. When it comes to your kiddos, if they want to wear their superhero costume - let them. Their favorite stuffy is a necessity? I’m in. Diaper babies in the summertime sunshine - yes. I want your photographs to scream, “this is us”.
"What if my kids aren't having it today?"
The expectation of your littles to smile and say “cheese” will never be on my list of to-do’s. I want to meet you and your family where you are. Let the kids steer the ship and consider your family’s favorite things to do together (go to the outdoor theater, an ice cream date, swimming at the lake, a boat ride, etc.). Where do you all feel most comfortable and most like yourselves? Even if that means it takes us some time to get comfortable with myself & my camera present. Remember, these moments are yours. My job is to document them accurately. I want to document the small shrieking interruption when your little finds an ant hill, the way they are so intrigued over the moon and the sun in the same sky with their little chubby fingers tugging on your pant leg, the snuggle into your neck when you’re holding space for their emotions, and the laughter when the cold sprinkler water touches them on hot summer day. The real, raw, authentic this is us moments to store in your archives.
What memory do you want preserved? Easy answer, all of them.
After all, these are the good old days. When you look back, you’ll want to remember your life in motion, the milestones, and everything in-between. I aim to make memories during our time together. So let me meet you where are you, where your love is the loudest.
Remember, we’re making memories during our sessions and my goal is to meet you where you feel most comfortable. At the movies, on an ice cream date, the bar where you met? What’s your favorite traditions, activities, snacks? Let the expectations go of the perfect portrait session and spend this time loving on one another. Less “look at us” - 100% “this is us”.
Photos like these aren’t just pictures—they become part of your story. They’re the moments you’ll pass down, the ones you’ll come back to when life feels like it’s moving too fast. They remind you who you are, how it felt to be fully present, and how deeply you were living in that season.
That’s what I want for you—not just pretty images, but something that feels like home. Something that grows more meaningful every time you look at it.
If you want a photographer who’s all in with you—not just behind the camera, but in your corner every step of the way—you’re exactly where you need to be.
Portraits,
Every Portrait Collection Comes With The Essentials,
Details on what you get,
Sessions typically can last between 30 minutes to 2 hours. You can expect to receive on average, 50-200+ images per hour we’re together. You will receive a digital gallery with high resolution and social media friendly versions. You receive unlimited downloads for the lifetime of the gallery (6 months), full print rights and access to my print shop. Prior to your session, you can expect me to spend time getting to know each other, and time for you to share about your love and the loves you’d like joining in front of my camera. My portrait sessions are aimed to encapsulate your life in motion, your everyday joys, milestones, and everything in between. I want your images to be archive worthy for your family to enjoy 10, 20, 50 years from now, remembering all the tiny details at the dinner table.
How do we get locked in on NKP's calendar?
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When should we schedule maternity & newborn?
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What if we need to reschedule or cancel?
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Do you travel outside of Hebron, IL?
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This is Us Portrait Session
Sessions can last 1-2 hours, with the option for an outfit change, or an adventure. Remember, we’re making memories during our sessions and my goal is to meet you where you feel most comfortable. At the movies, on an ice cream date, the bar where you met? What’s your favorite traditions, activities, snacks? Let the expectations go of the perfect portrait session and spend this time loving on one another. Less “look at us” - 100% “this is us”.
$750.00
A signed Contract & non-refundable retainer to book
Do you travel outside of Hebron, IL?
Yes! I currently book sessions in the McHenry County Illinois & Southwest Wisconsin areas. My portrait sessions include travel within a 30 mile radius. A travel fee of $150.00 applies to any sessions that extend from 31-40 miles, and a $250.00 travel fee applies for sessions that are 41-60 miles. If your location falls outside of this travel range, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
What if we need to reschedule or cancel?
Life happens & weather! If you need to cancel or reschedule, make sure to let me know early on. I try to be as flexible as possible and we can find a new time that works for all of us. Make sure to peek at your contract for full details on cancellations and reschedules. In terms of rain reschedules, rain dates are often pre-scheduled because it's the Midwest and sometimes we can observe what I like to call, 'whiplash weather'. Hello random unpredictable thunderstorms & snow! I always try to lock in a scheduled date & a rain-date if we are currently in a rainy season at the time of booking.
When should we schedule maternity & newborn?
Maternity & newborn sessions run on babies schedule. My biggest suggestions for maternity sessions, are to aim between 6.5-7.5 months for a number of reasons: 1. I want you to be comfortable if you opt for a space that requires some walking or extended foot travel; 2. sometimes babes surprise us and show up earth-side when we least expect it ('hello' to Nicole's first born who graced us an entire month early). Likewise, newborn sessions also run on babes schedule - which I know can be different for everyone and change as the days go. I dedicate my entire day to your newborn sessions so we can navigate your schedule changes very closely. My top suggestion would be to schedule those after the first AM nap. There is zero requirements for making it through your sessions without a feed, diaper change, or anything that baby needs. We are on babies schedule and anything you all need. If you’re hoping to capture your feeding journey - let me know ahead of time so I can be sure to document this part of our time as well.
How do we get locked in on NKP's calendar?
If it's me you want present for your life memories (insert me dancing like a lunatic), I require a non-refundable retainer and a signed contract to lock you in on my calendar.
Portrait photography is on 3 split payment schedule. The first payment is a non-refundable retainer. The 2nd payment is due at the midpoint, and the 3rd and final payment is due 1 week prior to your session date.
2025 Portrait Books Are Open / 2026 & 2027 Wedding & Elopement Books Are Open
"I have known Nicole for many years now and first and foremost, she is a beautiful person inside and out. Her kindness radiates in every room she is in! When my now husband and I got engaged back in 2023, there was not a doubt or question in my mind who I wanted as our wedding photographer; Nicole Kilday!!!!! Prior to getting engaged, I would be on Instagram and Facebook truly just waiting for new sets of wedding photos from her to be posted on her professional pages. The candidness and realness of her photos were beyond beautiful and awe-filled. I knew that when I looked back on my future wedding photos, I wanted them to be real life moments that I could go back in time and look at through photos, and truly remember exactly how it felt to be in that moment. To make a long point short, Nicole’s art is the epitome of life, love, candidness, and real moments captured. On top of allllll of that, being in Nicole’s presence truly gave me a sense of calm and reassurance. I remember being so unbelievably calm the morning of my wedding, and I truly think I have Nicole to thank for alot of that. Whether you have known her for years or you are meeting her for the first time on your wedding day, I guarantee she will make you feel like you have someone in your corner to guide you and support you in any way possible throughout your wedding planning journey and day. Nicole is truly one of a kind, and I don’t say that lightly. She is passionate about what she does, and it is undoubtedly evident through the beautiful work she creates."
Moira & Colton
"Nicole is the literal BEST there is. She does it all & has the best personality. She’s not only your photographer, she’s also your go to for a last minute grocery store run when you forget something on your big day, the one to find a whole new location for photos when your original is under a severe weather watch, & your hype woman no matter what. Her skills are top tier & there is truly no one like her. If you’re looking for a fun, on the dance floor & also crying with you photographer - she’s your girl. Cannot wait for her to capture more of our life’s memories!"
Samantha & Mitch
"Nicole shot our engagement photos in 2019, our wedding in 2020, my maternity photos in 2021, and our family pictures in 2022. Nicole is amazing in every session and season in life. She’s not only your insanely talented photographer but a therapist, a guide, a treasure in every step of your journey. She’s easy to get a long with, relatable and just a wonderful human in every way. We love her dearly and recommend her to everyone."
Carly & Matt
“We honestly can’t say enough good things about our wedding photographer. Believe it or not it was the first time I met Nicole and it felt like having a close friend around, not just someone there to take pictures. Nicole made being in front of the camera natural and fun. We were laughing, relaxed, and just genuinely happy. Of course our photos most definitely reflect that. Every moment she captured feels real, not staged, and looking back at them brings us right back to how the day felt.
If you’re looking for someone who’s not only talented but also a blast to be around on your big day, this is your person. We’re beyond grateful.”
Dan & Breanne
“Thank you so much for capturing every special moment on our wedding day. The day was so busy that if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t remember half of it! Beautifully done! I can’t stop looking at them!
And also, my whole family was talking about how great you were! My nana especially haha. You are so much more than a photographer! And anyone who gets the change to work with you will see that and appreciate it so much!”
Taylor & Zach
“Nicole I’m speechless and crying at your photos. They are so perfect. You absolutely nailed it. I have chills! I just wanted to tell you how much we love them and everyone keeps giving me compliments. They are honestly better than I could have imagined Nicole!”
Erin & Justin
“Nicole, I don’t even know where to begin. I am not a cryer, but I am crying at work. These are so beautiful, I can’t thank you enough. We picked the best team on the planet to capture our wedding!!! Again, thank you!!! If ANYONE asks for a recommendation, only your business will come out of my mouth. Even if people don’t ask for it, haha.”
Tori & Cory
“Nicole was amazing!!!! Her and her second photographer were sweet and helpful from start to finish of this process! She eased my nerves and truly had my back. She treated me as a friend instead of just another client and it meant the world!! She went above and beyond by making sure I had enough to eat and drink throughout the day as well! She made sure on our rainy wedding day to have umbrellas (I forgot them) in order to make sure pictures happened as they should! Not sure what I would have done without her! The photos turned out amazing and she took care of every little thing I had concerns about to truly make sure I was happy! If I had to do it again.. I’d book her no doubt! My husband and I both love her.”
Tory & Brett
“Nicole is a dream of a human to work with. She is easy going, intuitive, and truly an artist. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to capture me and my man the way she did. 11/10 recommend."
Molly & Peter