For many years, Chicago families trusted David Sutton to create heirloom portraits celebrating the people and pets they loved. His work became part of countless family stories, and his dedication to craftsmanship earned him the respect of clients and fellow photographers alike.
As photographers retire and studios close, many families find themselves asking an unexpected question:
Who will tell our family’s story next?
The answer isn’t about finding a replacement. Every photographer brings a unique perspective, style, and way of seeing the world. The goal is to find someone whose vision feels right for the next chapter of your family’s story.
When choosing a portrait photographer, look beyond a beautiful portfolio. Ask yourself:
- Do these images make me feel something?
- Can I imagine them hanging in my home?
- Do they tell a story?
The portraits you’ll treasure for decades won’t simply remind you what someone looked like. They’ll remind you exactly how it felt to love them.
My portrait experience begins long before I ever pick up a camera. Every family starts with a complimentary consultation where we talk about the people and animals you love, your home, and the memories you hope to preserve. Every studio session also includes a professional animal trainer, allowing pets to relax so their true personalities can shine.
Before opening my portrait studio, I spent eleven years as a staff photographer at the Chicago Tribune and was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team. Today, I combine that documentary storytelling background with fine-art portraiture to create artwork designed to become part of your family’s history—not just another collection of digital files.
If you’ve found this article while searching for your next portrait photographer, I’d love to welcome you to my Chicago studio.
You can explore my pet and family portrait portfolio here.
I’d be honored to meet you, learn your story, and help create artwork your family will treasure for generations.
Because one day, these portraits won’t simply remind you what your family looked like.
They’ll remind you exactly how it felt to love them.
