FAQ
Galena is more than a quaint small town in the Midwest. It’s a peaceful vacation for your entire family with hotels and rentals available to gather your whole family together in one location. Galena offers something to do for all ages, and the perfect time for a commemorative family portrait. Amy May Photography makes the session easy for your family with preplanning and years of experience.
Galena Family Photographer
Why Should You Schedule Family Photos While You're Visiting Galena?
Many families choose Galena because it naturally brings everyone together. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, reunion, birthday, or simply enjoying a weekend away, it's often the only time every generation is in one place. Take advantage of that time to commemorate your multi-generational celebrations.
We offer a portrait planning guide to all families, guiding you to look your best and make the planning process easy.
What Makes Galena One of the Best Places for Family Photography?
Galena offers historic streets, rolling hills, scenic overlooks, rivers, parks, and beautiful architecture—all within minutes of each other. Choose your backdrop and let’s create your next family heirloom.
Historic Downtown Galena
Downtown Galena offers unique backdrops from brick and stone streets, timeless architecture, street lamps, historic stairs and storefronts. These areas are best photographed when the sun is setting west in the afternoon. During the summer and fall, downtown can be quite crowded and more difficult to accommodate larger families.
Grant Park
Grant Park is across the Galena River, accessible by a walking bridge, from downtown Galena and has open green spaces, a white gazebo, fountain, and perfect for families of all sizes.
Galena Territory
The Galena Territory spans approximately 6,800 acres of residential and recreational land and is the home of four golf courses, waterfall, Lake Galena, and a marina. The terrain offers wooded trails, prairie grasses, seasonal colors, and a quiet atmosphere. If you are staying in the Territory at one of the many rental properties, you might find it convenient to utilize your rental as the perfect location. Most properties are well landscaped that offer a perfect backdrop for your family.
Please note that access to some areas in the Galena Territory are reserved for property owners.
Casper Bluff
For the family who enjoys more nature, Casper Bluff may be your choice. It offers bluff views, a native prairie, and offers a great backdrop for sunset images.
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
Horseshoe Mound Preserve sits above Galena, just East of town. With its sweeping countryside, elevated views, walking paths, and beautiful sunsets, this could be the perfect location for your family to expel a bit of energy; thinking the kiddos.
What Happens If My Family Has Young Children?
I’ll provide a portrait planning guide to help you plan your session.
Choose clothing that complements both your surroundings and one another. Coordinate colors rather than matching exactly, keeping everyone at a similar level of formality. Start with a neutral palette and add a few complementary colors, avoiding busy patterns and large logos. Layers add depth and texture, and comfortable shoes are always a good choice. If you'd like guidance, I'm happy to help you coordinate your wardrobe before your session.
What Time of Year Is Best for Family Photos in Galena?
Galena offers the perfect backdrop for family photography in any season. Your vacation to Galena, no matter the time of year, is an opportunity to preserve the rare moments when everyone you love is together—creating memories that will be cherished long after the trip has ended.
Spring
Spring offers fresh greens, blossoms blooming, and comfortable weather. If you are planning a trip in the Spring, it is advisable to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
SUMMER
Summer in Galena is full of excitement with so many wonderful festivals, and extended daylight. For families, summertime is the best time to gather the entire family in one location. Galena’s parks and walking paths may be a better choice for large families as Galena's Main Street gets quite busy.
winter
We love children and their unpredictable expressions. There is not need to have everyone sitting perfectly still in the photo. The most authentic portraits comes from their snuggles, laughter, or outbursts.
No pressure, I’ll help wrangle the group for something memorable.
FALL
During Fall, Galena is in its peak season. The Fall colors are on full display which makes this time of year optimal for family photography. These weekends fill fast, so grab your sweater and let’s create something your family will treasure for a lifetime.
What Should Everyone Wear for Family Pictures?
Don’t discount Winter in Galena! Galena is the Hallmark of the Midwest for a reason, and shows the most in our holiday festivals. The atmosphere here is unmatched, especially when it snows. Our local ski resort, Chestnut Mountain, could be your perfect choice for a family photo.
Please note that access to most areas in the Galena Territory are reserved for owners and rentals.
Can Large Families Be Photographed Together?
I love large families! You may only want a single image of your family for your mantel, but could include a list of grandparents with grandchildren, cousins, individual families, couples, siblings, and more. Let’s preplan the sessions with a list of the groups you want to honor. Pets are invited as well.
How Much Does Artwork Cost?
During your private View & Order appointment, you'll have the flexibility to purchase portraits individually with our à la carte options or choose one of our thoughtfully curated Collections. Designed to offer exceptional value, our Collections make it easy to preserve your favorite images as beautiful heirloom artwork for your home and future generations.
How much you spend for your images depends on how you'd like to decorate your home and may include wall art, fine art prints, albums, and more. Our average client spends around $1600.
What Happens After Our Session?
After your session, you’ll schedule a private ordering appointment. I offer appointments in my studio; in addition to online via Zoom. During your appointment, you will view a selection of prepared images that have been lightly edited. Anyone wishing to order images should be represented during this appointment.
Following your order, we professionally retouch, by hand, your artwork. You will have an opportunity to review the image prior to submitting to our print lab. Images will be shipped directly to the address you provide.
Images not ordered during the appointment may not be available in the future.
Amy May Photography offers wall art design, albums, and fine art prints.
Our clients choose us based on our experience working with families just like yours. Our approach is to guide you through the process through session planning assistance, guided posing to capture authentic images, creating custom artwork, and personalized service. Your family is my #1 priority on your session day and if any adjustments to time and location arise, I adapt to your needs.
How Long Does a Family Photography Session Take?
A bit of planning beforehand saves time during your session. We’ll pre-determine the groups that are important to preserve and schedule enough time to capture the family and group combinations you would like. No need to capture images you don’t want. Even with a relaxed pace, most sessions are complete in 45-60 minutes.
How Much Does A Family Photography Session Cost in Galena?
Why Families Choose Amy May Photography
Our session fee is $290. It includes securing your date in our calendar, session planning, Portrait Planning Guide (includes recommendations on what to wear), 60-90 minutes of professional photography on location or in studio, and a private image ordering appointment.
Let's create your next legacy images
Heirloom portraits in your home become living proof of love, life, and legacy.