Hey friend, I'm so glad you're here! On this space you will find little pieces of my life, my favorite imagess and some of my photography tutorials! Take a cup or coffee or glass of wine and enjoy exploring around! Love, Kristin

welcome to my journal

Hey there, welcome

READ POST

The Fisher Fair is finally here! Each year the entire Fisher community looks forward to the fair! This little community fair in Champaign county packs a big punch! the festivities kick off tonight with the Miss Fisher Fair Pageant.

Fisher Community Fair | Champaign County, IL

Best Friends, Champaign, Children, Film Photography, High School, Illinois, Natural Light, Photography, Portraits, Seniors, Tweens

Fair Queens at the Fisher Fair

READ POST

Photographing fireworks on film – I want to pass on what I have learned over the years to you! No crazy technical terms, no formulas or calculations to make. Just plain Jane easy to understand terms.

How to Photograph Fireworks

Education, Film Photography, Photography

READ POST

My job often leads to interesting and unique opportunities and today was no exception. Opening up my email this morning I saw an invitation to take part on a media flight on the “Berlin Express,” a fully restored B-25 Bomber which will be available this weekend at Flightstar in Savoy (behind Willard Airport) for ground tours and flights.

B-25 Bomber Flight | Champaign, IL

Champaign, Family, Photography, University of Illinois

B-25 bomber restored from wwii

READ POST

Recently, my film images were featured in a blog on the Happy Tog’s website.  My friend Holly writes about a truly epic night when we were reminded to slow down and pay attention.  That is exactly what film does for me.

I’ve got a new love | Film Photography | Central Illinois

Babies, Best Friends, Champaign, Children, Connection, Family, Film Photography, High School, Illinois, Light, Love, Marriage, Maternity, Natural Light, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Pregnancy, Seniors, Toddlers, Tweens, Weddings

READ POST

Often people ask me what my favorite age or genre is to photograph.  That is an almost impossibly question for me to answer.  If I’ve just photographed a newborn, I say, “Newborn!”  If it’s a wedding, my answer is, “Weddings, I love LOVE!”  So if you had asked me after Gibson’s 1 year photo session, the answer would have been, “One year old sessions with a cake smash – hands down!”

Gibson | One Year Cake Smash | Champaign, IL

Babies, Champaign, Children, Family, Film Photography, Illinois, Light, Love, Natural Light, Photography, Portraits, Toddlers

READ POST

My neighbor and friend Kristina and her hubby Ricky are getting ready to welcome their third baby any day now!  Kristina was so kind to model these dresses for me the other night – doesn’t she look gorgeous?!

Kristina | Summer Maternity Session | Fisher, IL

Babies, Champaign, Childbirth, Children, Family, Illinois, Light, Maternity, Natural Light, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Pregnancy

READ POST

When my lifelong best friend, Heather asked me to photograph her family on the front porch of their new home in Cissna Park, I was over the moon excited!  Being invited to photograph families in places that are so special to them makes our time spent together even more meaningful.

The Morrical Family | Our Happy Place | Cissna Park, IL

Babies, Children, Family, Illinois, Love, Marriage, Natural Light, Photography, Portraits, Tweens

READ POST

Sweet little Olivia slept peacefully as she was cradled on the bed for photos with her proud big sister Brooklyn.  She flashed us her sweet double dimples and gave us some adorable baby smiles.

Olivia | Newborn Baby Girl | Decatur, IL

Babies, Children, Family, Illinois, Newborns, Photography, Portraits

READ POST

Do you remember what it was like to be a pre-tween/tween?  Stuck in limbo between no longer being a “little girl” and not quite a “young lady?”  Not quite ready to give up your American Girl Doll and definitely not ready for makeup and boys yet.

Let Them Be Little | Tween Session | Fisher, IL

Best Friends, Champaign, Children, Connection, Family, Illinois, Light, Love, Natural Light, Photography, Portraits, Tweens

READ POST

There is no doubt this lucky baby boy is surrounded by and abundance of love!  His mommy and daddy were so attentive to his every need, and grandma and grandpa couldn’t get enough of their sweet new grandson!

Gianluca | Newborn Baby Boy | Savoy, IL

Babies, Champaign, Childbirth, Children, Connection, Family, Illinois, Love, Maternity, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Pregnancy

103 N. FIRST ST.
FISHER, IL 61843

©2025 kristin darling photography

serving families in Champaign - urbana & all of central illinois

217-778-1325