DOCUMENTARY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Real Life. Family Events. Portraits.

Based in Crystal Lake, Illinois

Huntley Storytelling family session with Zuza M Photography. Pregnant mom is holding a cookie sheet and looking at the dad who's holding their daughter. Daughter is touching dad's face with both her hands. They are all smiling.
Crystal Lake Illinois family session with Zuza M Photography, a boy is sitting in a girls pink canopy and reading dinosaur book.

I am a family documentarian, a visual storyteller and a seer of magic in everyday life.

I work with families who want one of a kind, genuine, artistic photos of their beautifully unique family captured in a relaxed and unposed way.

Newborn session with Zuza M Photography in Algonqin. Mom is holding a baby in her arms and leaning toward her older daughter to give her a kiss. They are all in the kitchen and older daughter is sitting on the countertop.
Family Session at home in McHenry County, mom, dad and child playing a board game, only hands visible.

Meet Your Photographer

Portrait of Zuzanna Mendez of Zuza M Photography, a Crystal Lake Illinois based family photographer

Hello!

I’m Zuzanna, but most people call me Zuza. I am the artist behind the lens. I’ve been photographing families and children since 2008.

I believe that life is beautiful in all its versatility and being present in the moment is the key to seeing it.

For me, every session is a unique energy exchange, the act of co-creation resulting in one of a kind photos.

My hope is that the pictures I take, will warm your heart, make you smile, maybe even laugh, and inspire you to slow down and appreciate the beauty of you and the special relationships in your family.

In whatever stage of your life’s journey you’re in, I am here to help you document it and preserve your cherished memories for the future generations.

6 REASONS TO HAVE A STORYTELLING SESSION

  • You love your family and you want to preserve your colorful, crazy, sometimes messy life, just the way it is now.

  • Your kids are growing too fast!

  • Your parents are getting older and you want to cherish every moment with them and preserve it forever.

  • You don’t like posing or forcing smiles.

  • There’s no pressure to perform or to wear uncomfortable clothes. You just have to be you.

  • You are a part of your family so you should be in the photos too!

Galleries

Algonquin Family Session at a park. Black and white image of a mom, dad and a baby on a slide.
Hospital newborn session with Zuza M Photography. Baby sleeping on a bed with her hand by the mouth.
Family event photo coverage of a baby baptism by Zuza M Photography at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, IL

Learn more about pricing and the type of sessions I offer below.

Excited to book your session?

Me too!

Storytelling session with a Crystal Lake IL family. Girl with long braids laughing in the room while the rest of the family is in the kitchen.

Thank You for considering me as your family photographer.

If we get to work together I promise you, we will have a great time. Capturing the uniqueness of every family and child, honest expressions (even the teenage ones!) and love that you have for each other is my passion.

JUST FILL OUT THE EASY PEASY FORM BELOW

I’ll see you on the other side!