Photographer Amee McCaughan hears every excuse for putting off professional family photos: “I just want to lose 10 pounds.” “Maybe when the kids are older.” Her unwavering advice:: Don’t wait.
"None of us are guaranteed anything," says McCaughan, a North Shore photographer known for turning joyful moments into heirloom artwork. "Your kids don’t care if you lost five pounds. They just want to see you in the picture.”
For McCaughan, photography is deeply personal. After losing her rescue dog, she launched a series of pet portrait fundraisers benefiting local shelters. Since then, she’s captured dogs mid-pounce, mid-snuggle, and mid-zoomie—moments that now live on as custom artwork in her clients’ homes.
Pet sessions are relaxed and playful, usually outdoors and tailored to each animal’s quirks. Whether your pup is regal, ridiculous or somewhere in between, McCaughan’s calm, intuitive approach turns chaos into charm.
Family sessions follow the same thoughtful rhythm. Most take place outside, but McCaughan begins by meeting families at home, where she listens to what they hope to capture, offers design expertise and helps plan where the photos might look best—so the final artwork suits both the story and the space.
“I just think, capture the moment,” she says. “There's something so meaningful about having the moments and people you love most on your wall. Time flies and family is everything.”
Part of her session fee is designed to be applied towards custom prints, artwork, albums or wall installations—perfect for creating something lasting and meaningful.
This summer, McCaughan is giving back. For every pet session booked through September by North Shore City Lifestyle readers, she’ll donate $200 to Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook, where her daughter volunteers. Learn more at ameemccaughan.com.