Our loft style studio is located in beautiful downtown Highland Park, a small city just north of Chicago. We are located in a textural and cultural area, which provides for an unique "urban suburban" photo session. Our studo also features an indoor natural light shooting area, inspiring wall galleries, and a comfortable viewing lounge to watch slideshows and discuss your photographic possiblities.

Please note that sessions are booked both in our studio and on location.

our people

..... from Laurie, Owner and Principal Photographer

My name is Laurie, and I am addicted to baby toes.

I think that is why I have four kids of my own.

I love strong coffee, great books, camping with my family and kayaking on the water. I laugh easily and often, and I cry at commercials. My forbidden pleasures include anything Etsy, and anything chocolate. I play the guitar, usually with little hands helping me strum. I'll sing, too ... but only if you'll join me or promise not to listen.

I am always happiest when surrounded by children (yours and mine).

I believe the right picture can make us fall in love all over again.

I am not a traditional photographer, though I am trained traditionally and professionally. I've worked in the corporate world, and still do sometimes ... but I like the world in my studio best. Because the studio is a place of magic, where we still believe in fairy tales.

..... from Laura Nye, Studio Manager

Laurie. Laura. It’s really confusing, but we are two separate people. She takes the pictures; I so don’t. But, as Studio Manager, I do almost everything else: scheduling, client ordering, getting your child to giggle… and I’m likely the person with whom you’ll be trading emails. Perhaps not the best use of my law degree, but, well, it just goes to show: You never know where life will take you.

I joined Soben Studios in 2009 after a short hiatus from professional life to be a full-time mom. My gorgeous, silly, smart boys are now in elementary school (how did that happen?!), so when and I’m not carpooling, supervising piano practicing, and volunteering at school, my life is all about ensuring that you have stunning, treasured portraits.

I spend my spare time wishing I had more spare time…I also enjoy bargain-hunting, family bike rides, chocolate and skiing (not in that order). I love babies -- but I'm done -- so I get really excited about newborn shoots. Each and every photo shoot is an adventure. I consider it to be a privilege to be part of the creative team at Soben Studios, and I happily await the adventures that are yet to come.

...... from Susan Ryan Kalina, Associate Photographer

I earned a photojournalism degree from one of the top journalism schools in the country and have worked in photography for the past 20 years. I originally shot photos for several newspapers across the world and then moved into editing photos, most recently at the Chicago Tribune. My editing experience has helped hone my skills to see the artistic events that unfold in everyday life.

As a wife and mother of three, I decided to merge my passion for photography and family to become a documentary photographer, focusing on children. In addition to knowing how to create beautiful images that tell a story, I also understand how to blend into the background so that I can capture those unique, slice-of-life moments that make childhood so amazing.