Welcome!

Cue the confetti… I’m so happy you’re here!

Sunset branding photos of Good Day Photography owner and photographer

Hi there!! I’m Andrea Deets, photographer and owner of Good Day Photography. I’m an on-location, natural-light photographer specializing in documenting and celebrating the personalities of high school seniors, teens, tweens, littles and families in Lake County Illinois and beyond. 

I am married to my biggest supporter, Jace, and mama to three kids who are my motivation and greatest muse; Hadley (14), Harrison (10) and Harper (2). Together we have made a home in Grayslake, Illinois, along with our two oddball Golden Retrievers. 

I am a sunshine chasing, coffee consuming, silver-lining minded, to-do list creating, music loving, creative free-spirit. I believe Tacos deserve more than just Tuesday and Pumpkin Spice creamer should be sold year-long. And it probably goes without saying, but I love all things photography.

When my oldest daughter was born I purchased my first “nice” camera and then invested in myself, getting my Digital Photography Certification from Illinois Institute of Art. Photography became a hobby and an outlet from the grind of my Corporate America job. After helping to build brands, launch products and shape marketing communication for over 15+ years in the advertising industry, I yearned for something to build of my very own and a better balance for my family. With that, Good Day Photography was born. 

And the fact that you have made it this far, well que the confetti. My heart is just beaming with joy! So much joy. Enough about me though, I’d love to get to know you!


The Deets on the Photographer

Today is a good day for a good day

— Our mantra

We’re different here. What makes Good Day Photography unique…

  • A newborn's first year of milestones are adorably photo-worthy. And an engagement and wedding deserve the most beautiful photo-filled celebration. But what about allll those years in between? Those deserve to be documented and celebrated too. Enter Good Day Photography.

    The unpredictable personality of those 2s and 3s don’t scare me (I have one at home now)

    I see you too-cool for school age 5 and doubled-digit #10.

    Love to celebrate the official entry to teen years at age 13 and sweet, sweet 16.

    Senior year of high school, don’t even get me started on the memories to be made.

    And all the years in between those milestones ages have stories to be told too.

    With time fleeting, I want to help you remember and celebrate the quirks at every.single.age. Even the ones you may not want to remember, trust me, someday you will. Because those yearbook headshots and camera roll selfies only go so far. And future generations will surely need some quality, personality-led photos to go along with those unforgettable ‘remember when’ stories.

  • With an Introductory step right after booking a photo session, we become insta-photo-pals long before picture day. That means a photo session is planned with you in mind, and you easily and comfortably have a go-to for any styling support or questions. Plus, I have a few customer-centric surprises along our Good Day, but I don’t want to spill all the details just yet…

  • Let’s face it, figuring out who you are during the growing-up years can be tough. And sometimes it is easier to blend-in than to be different. But here, you are celebrated just the way you are and I genuinely love to learn what makes you unique. Together we’ll become insta-photo-pals, focus on getting you comfortable in front of the camera, being authentic to you every step of the way and end with photos that make you feel good about yourself now and smile later in life.

    PS - I love photographing Teens + Tweens, but admittedly cannot keep up with your lingo and realize that ‘cool’ used in the headline probably dates me - a lot. I just couldn’t figure out how to make slay, cook, or rizz work in the headline.

  • The surprises belong with the photos, not the total costs. That is why my photo session prices are listed on my website for clarity and ease. Everything is covered in the prices you see; the photo session and planning, hand-edited images along with the digital files via an online gallery, printing rights so you can make prints again and again, and support all along the way.

The moments we forget all too soon,

are the ones we wish we could remember forever.

Teen and toddler sisters in downtown Grayslake
Sisters showing smiles while exploring downtown Grayslake

Why High School Seniors, Teens, Tweens and Littles

Raising a teen, tween AND toddler all at the same time I get a front row seat to the different stages of growth and self-discovery with a daily reminder to just how quickly those personality traits come-and-go. Some days it feels like I blink and they’ve all changed.

So with all the change and time that just doesn’t slow down, I want to help you remember and celebrate your quirks at every.single.age. Even the ages you may not want to remember, trust me - someday you will. Because those yearbook headshots and camera roll selfies only go so far. And future you and future generations will surely want quality, personality-led photos to go along with all those ‘remember when’ stories.

And let’s be real, all the growth and transitions from elementary school to middle school to high school are equally as challenging as they are fun. So if I can help you feel seen, supported, celebrated and more confident… then that’s the cherry on top of what I do.

Vibe Check. We will be a good fit if you are a...

Nostalgia seeker

You can’t wait to share the photos on social media and fill the frames in your house with the new art, but your heart doubles in size thinking of passing the photos down and sharing them with future generations. So many laughs to be had over all those ‘remember when’ stories.

Kindness cheerleader

If you find yourself reinforcing the ‘be kind to others’ mantra as you drop your little humans off at activities, then we’ll get along just fine. I believe the world could use a little more kindness so I do my part to pass it onto others. So at Good Day Photography it’s ingrained in our DNA.

Value Connections > Transactions

No cookie-cutter photo sessions here. With an Introductory step after booking a session, we become insta-photo-pals long before picture day. That means a photo session is planned with you in mind, any styling or session questions are an easy go-to and you have comfort in knowing the person behind the camera instead of nervous first hellos on your big day.

Small business supporter

Metaphorically speaking, I’m a one (wo)man band. Photographer, photo editor, operations/admin, location scout, content creator, blogger, marketer, finance department… For someone that doesn’t wear hats, I sure do wear a lot of them and couldn’t be more humbled and grateful for this opportunity and support.