Genuine connection captured for YOU that freezes time,
fills your walls and heart, and creates a strong sense of family for generations to come.

ROOTED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS - SERVING DUPAGE, COOK, KANE, & WILL COUNTIES- WILLING TO TRAVEL & EXPLORE

hello

I'm Danielle, a natural light family and newborn photographer in the Chicago Suburbs!

With a deep passion for connection and relationships, I choose to focus on those while creating captivating composition during your session.

Take a few minutes to look around and see if we are a good fit! Have questions? Feel free to reach out!

Learn more about me here including why pineapple juice, Chipotle and peeling bananas made the cut!

We're a good fit if you...

want connection driven images

crave authenticity over perfection

want to savor moments with your favorite people away from the hustle and bustle

believe spending intentional quality time together is the best thing you can invest your time in

want to freeze time and share it with generations to come

Rachel | Family session

"Danielle always gives us gorgeous photos! Our kids love her, and she gets the most adorable photos. She is really capturing them in photos as they grow up! She’s always got great ideas and props for the session, too. I can’t recommend her enough!”

Andrew | Couples session

Danielle’s ability to create a relaxed atmosphere allowed us to feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera, resulting in stunning photos that captured genuine moments. I’m usually someone who doesn’t look forward to getting pictures taken, but this was a great experience. Danielle's infectious positivity and genuine enthusiasm shone through in every shot, and we couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend Danielle to anyone seeking a photographer who not only produces beautiful images but also makes the entire process a positive and uplifting experience!

christina | family & mini Sessions

I found Danielle last year and I’m so happy I did. Our fall family photos turned out beautifully! She did a wonderful job making us feel at ease, getting my young kids to smile genuinely, and capturing treasured moments. She’s very responsive and easy to work with, and her skill and passion shine through in what she does. She’s extremely kind and talented- thank you Danielle!
Danielle does everything she can be to guide you into poses that are intentional, yet natural. I highly suggest booking with her!

Lana | Headshot Session

I HAVE NEVER HAD A BETTER EXPERIENCE having professional pictures done!

1. Danielle had a trauma informed approach to her photography and asked me everytime if she could adjust my hair/ outfit- making sure she got consent every time and that I was comfortable. (THIS IS AMAZING!). She was very intune during her process.
2. She asked questions and got curious when I was voicing what I was nervous about in pictures or didn't like and was able to adjust and get creative.
3. I felt seen and heard and probably the prettiest I've ever felt in that experience -purely by how she made me feel and I am sure she makes others feel absolutely beautiful as well!

I would recommend her to anyone! She truly is such a genuine, kind, and professional photographer, who is able to connect with people and make them feel comfortable in such a beautiful way.

Mary | mini session

GAH! Choose just 5? Impossible, I say!
I figured I could choose 10, and come in at $125, but my "favorites" tab kept hovering around 15...the best I could do was get it down to 11 ;) At that point, I was just like, I MUST get them all, because they are TOO fabulous.

Thank you SO much for the wonderful photos! There's no hint of a sweaty mosquito-fest, hahahahaha! Seriously, though, you captured such a pivotal moment for my little fam, and at one of our favorite all-time places, no less. I'm thrilled to have a little slice of that time in our lives and am so appreciative that you were able to make it happen on short notice, and with such flair ;)

Many many thanks!

Glenn | Creative Headshot Session

Danielle created amazing images and was totally professional throughout the process. Danielle gets my highest possible recommendation for any photography needs!

sherry | Branding Sessions

Danielle is AMAZING! So much so that I have worked with her 3 times now, and plan to work with her yearly (if not more frequently!) for branding photos for my small business, and personal photos.

Danielle does everything she can be to guide you into poses that are intentional, yet natural. I highly suggest booking with her!

maha | Extended family Session

Danielle was wonderful to work with and our pictures looked magical and flawless! Would highly recommend her!

Anonymous dad | family session

"That's it? That was so easy and fun."

tiffany | newborn session

"I recently used Danielle to take photos of our newborn daughter and our family. I had already used Danielle for our son's one year old photo shoot, which she did a great job with. For our daughter's shoot, I was amazed at how well she interacted with her as she was just a week old. She was a natural with how she kept my daughter calm and was able to get some wonderful photos. She also had a great sense of patience with my 2 year old who wasn't too fond of taking photos with his new sister. The candid shots she was able to get are ones I'll cherish for a lifetime.

I highly recommend Danielle to take your family photos!"

KIND WORDS from clients

Photography & Website Design by Danielle Hardesty

Serving families throughout DuPage, Kane, Will, & Cook County in Illinois as well as throughout the Midwest.

Illinois towns include Darien, Downers Grove, Westmont, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Lemont, Bolingbrook, Woodridge, Lisle, Naperville, Plainfield, Oswego, Wheaton, Warrenville, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Bloomingdale, Addison, Villa Park, Batavia, Aurora, Geneva, St. Charles, Wayne, City of Chicago and many more.

Indiana towns include Fort Wayne, Decatur, and the surrounding communities.

Interested in work for small businesses? Visit me here.

Terms & Conditions

Danielle
Hardesty

HOME

meet danielle

Blog

Photographers

CONTACt

FAQ

Community Engagement

INVESTMENT

eXPERIENCE

Est. 2018

Danielle Hardesty

ROOTED IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS - SERVING DUPAGE, COOK, KANE, & WILL COUNTIES- WILLING TO TRAVEL & EXPLORE

hello

We're a good fit if you...

Rachel | Family session

"Danielle always gives us gorgeous photos! Our kids love her, and she gets the most adorable photos. She is really capturing them in photos as they grow up! She’s always got great ideas and props for the session, too. I can’t recommend her enough!”

Andrew | Couples session

christina | family & mini Sessions

Lana | Headshot Session

Mary | mini session

Glenn | Creative Headshot Session

Danielle created amazing images and was totally professional throughout the process. Danielle gets my highest possible recommendation for any photography needs!

sherry | Branding Sessions

maha | Extended family Session

Danielle was wonderful to work with and our pictures looked magical and flawless! Would highly recommend her!

Anonymous dad | family session

"That's it? That was so easy and fun."

tiffany | newborn session

KIND WORDS from clients

Danielle Hardesty

Danielle
Hardesty

Danielle
Hardesty