![Family photos in Forest Park, IL by photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0012.jpg)
I’m excited (when am I not? ?) to share this fun Forest Park, IL family photo session – I loved being this family’s photographer! I loved meeting this family and capturing the sheer delight their little girl had to explore the meadow!
![Toddler girl exploring a meadow with her father](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0001.jpg)
There were lots of fun soft grasses to investigate with Dad.
![Photo of a toddler girl snuggling with her mother by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0002.jpg)
….snuggle to get from Mom…
![Little girl being thrown in the air like an airplane by her parents](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0003.jpg)
And giggles!
![Little girl playing in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0006.jpg)
![Photo of Mom holding her smiling toddler daughter by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0004.jpg)
![Toddler girl picking flowers by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0009.jpg)
She loved to roar like a lion and investigate the daisies in the meadow! I took a poll on my Instagram stories – “Who thinks this toddler and my own 14-month toddler should have a roaring curly girl photoshoot together?” 100% responded “DEFINITELY.” I’m here for that!!
Forest Park, IL Family Photographer
![Toddler girl and her father walking in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0014.jpg)
I love that she’s off on an adventure and Dad’s right there one step behind. He’s letting her explore and be her own person, but present and instantly available for support. Maybe I’m being too dorky, symbolic and reading too much between the lines, but this is my interpretation and I think this photo tells a beautiful story.
![Happy toddler girl exploring an Illinois meadow](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0008.jpg)
![Sad toddler girl being comforted by her parents by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0013.jpg)
She’s a relatively new walker and fell and scraped her knee. Even though she has a sad face, I loved capturing the care and nurturing that Mom and Dad instantly gave her.
![Toddler girl picking daisies in a meadow with her mother by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0011.jpg)
![Toddler girl dancing in a meadow](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0015.jpg)
![Young couple laughing together in a meadow](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0016.jpg)
Are these two perfect models or what?!
![Young couple walking in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0017.jpg)
![Forest Park family photos by by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0018.jpg)
Laughing when she “fed” flowers to her soft elephant friend!
![Toddler girl picking daisies for her mother](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0020.jpg)
Picking flowers for mama. ?
![Happy family of three crouching in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0019.jpg)
![Toddler girl with a white hair bow](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0021.jpg)
![Young family of three dancing in a meadow](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0023.jpg)
Here we are having a Cocomelon dance party, including me as I took the photos! ? Thank goodness for high shutter speed!
![Toddler girl with brown curly hair by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0022.jpg)
![White dog with black and brown patches](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0025.jpg)
Also, here’s their beloved dog, Patches! Their little girl calls her “Didi” which means “big sister” in Hindi and it’s the cutest thing!
![Photograph of a woman giving her dog a treat by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0026.jpg)
![Toddler girl hugging her Dad](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0027.jpg)
![Woman petting her dog in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0024.jpg)
![Young family with a toddler girl in an Illinois prairie](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0029.jpg)
![Young family of three crouching in a meadow by Forest Park, IL photographer Kristen Hazelton](https://kristenhazelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/forest-park-il-photographer_0028.jpg)
I had so much fun photographing this family! Here’s what they had to say about their experience:
I found Kristen randomly through a Facebook group, and I am so glad I did! She took great pictures of my family – which includes a super rambunctious 15 month old and a pup! (Kristen) is calm, patient, energetic, and positive. She also sent over a sneak peak the SAME day with amazing pics- can’t wait to see our gallery!!!!
Kristen Hazelton is an Oak Park, IL (Chicago, IL metro area) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) senior, family, and engagement photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!