Blog

There are some Seniors who quietly shine, and Meadow is certainly one of them. For her Class of 2027 Senior Portrait Session, we spent the evening exploring the beautiful gardens of Cantigny Park. With colorful flowers, charming pathways, and endless textures around every corner, the park provided the perfect backdrop. Yet somehow, every beautiful location simply became the setting for Meadow's natural grace and beauty. Soft spoken and incredibly kind, Meadow has a calm confi

Click to watch video! What an incredible day celebrating Abby's graduation as a 2026 Senior! Abby’s Senior Portrait Session beautifully reflected both her athletic side and her timeless, classic style, creating a collection of images that truly celebrate who she is during this exciting season of life. We began Abby’s session where she feels most at home, on the softball field. As a dedicated softball athlete, it was important to capture Abby in her element. The softball diamo

Click to watch the video! Another Incredible Year with HUGS Gymnastics! Another amazing Photo Day is in the books with HUGS Gymnastics, and we could not be more grateful for the continued partnership! We have been proudly partnering with HUGS Gymnastics for several years now, and one of our favorite parts of Photo Day is seeing so many familiar faces year after year. Watching these talented gymnasts grow has been such a rewarding experience. Every season brings new athletes,

Click to watch video! There is something extra special about Kaneland United Soccer Club Photo Day. Every year, we look forward to seeing so many familiar faces, watching the athletes grow, gain confidence, and continue developing their skills both on and off the field. This year was no exception, and it was equally exciting to meet so many new athletes and families joining the KUSC program! One thing that continues to impress us year after year is the incredible dedication w

Click to watch video! Senior Night is more than just another game on the schedule. It is a moment to celebrate years of dedication, hard work, friendships, and unforgettable memories made on and off the field. It is a time to recognize the seniors who have poured their hearts into the game and the families and community that have supported them every step of the way. This year, it was an honor to create custom Senior Night banners for the incredible athletes of the Kaneland H

Click to watch the video! The energy, teamwork, and determination of the athletes from the Cyclones Volleyball Club Winter and Spring Short Season made this Photo Day one to remember! We had such a great time photographing these incredible athletes and coaches and truly enjoyed getting to know the amazing families and leadership that make this club so special. From the moment athletes stepped in front of the camera, it was clear that Cyclones Volleyball Club is built on hard

Click to watch video! For many years, it has been an honor to partner with Kaneland Travel Baseball and continue creating custom artwork for such an incredible organization. Every season, I look forward to welcoming these athletes into the studio, and one of my favorite parts of the experience is seeing just how much they have grown year after year. From little ballplayers full of excitement to confident young athletes chasing big goals, it is truly special to witness their j

Click to watch the video! Celebrating the Incredible Athletes of SYCOS Softball 2026 What an amazing day with the young ladies of the SYCOS Softball Organization! We had so much fun creating dynamic, edgy, and memorable images that celebrate the heart, determination, and confidence of every athlete. At Michelle Conklin Photography, we believe every athlete deserves to feel proud, confident, and seen. This year, we added something extra special and fun to the experience, a cus

I am honored to announce that several of my images have been selected for publication in multiple Best of 2025 national photography magazines. Images from recent sessions have been published in: Senior Year Magazine – Best of 2025 Teen Years Magazine – Best of 2025 Infinity Magazine – Best of 2025 These publications are print magazines featuring work from photographers across the United States . Senior Year Magazine and Teen Years Magazine highlight portraits of tweens, te

Click to watch Adin's video! Adin arrived at The White Barn Property ready to create something memorable for his senior year. He chose the train car setting to start, a location filled with rich dark wood that paired perfectly with his denim attire. The whole look felt timeless. Adin was relaxed and easygoing, but when cued, that incredible smile came out and lit up the frame. We moved to the white barn next where he continued his session in the denim jacket and topped the lo

Click here to watch Brett's video! Working with Brett was an absolute blast. He’s outgoing, creative, expressive, and incredibly respectful. The kind of young man who brings great energy into every single image. His strong connection with his family and proud patriotism came through beautifully during his session, giving real heart and personality to his images. We kicked off the day surrounded by vibrant local artwork. The murals packed so much color and character into the b

Click to see Nathan's Video! Nathan Hughes is a creative young man with great energy and a natural sense of style. From the moment he arrived for his senior portrait session, he brought a relaxed confidence that made the day both fun and inspiring. He started out in a comfy flannel, totally chill and ready to roll. We began near a building covered in colorful artwork, a perfect match for Nathan’s creative spirit. While working on Nathan’s gallery, I came up with an idea to in

Click to watch Jake's video! From the moment I met Jake at his Pre-Session Consultation, I knew this was going to be a great session. He walked in with energy, confidence, and an easygoing attitude that instantly set the tone. Jake has that rare mix of charisma and authenticity that makes people naturally drawn to him, and it came through in every image we captured. From the start of his session, Jake showed strength and charm in front of the camera. He was relaxed, genuine,

Click to see Maya's Video! Maya is such a lovely young lady with a calm, genuine spirit that shines the moment you meet her. She has a soft grace about her and a quiet confidence that makes her easy to be around. When she described her vision for her senior portraits, she hoped for rich fall colors and the beauty of the changing season surrounding her. This year the fall colors were late to arrive and most of the usual locations were still very green. I wanted so much to brin

Click to watch Katie's video of images! Katie is the kind of young lady you cannot help but admire. Soft spoken and humble, with a...

Click then turn up the volume to watch Natalie's Senior Video! What a joy it was to photograph Natalie, a spirited and lovely young lady...

Every senior session tells a story, but Thomas’ was one to remember. As my final 2025 senior of the spring season, this session was truly...

Click to watch the slideshow! A huge thank you to the SYCOS Travel Softball League for another incredible photo day! It’s always such a...

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Sycamore Titans Travel Baseball program for the opportunity to collaborate on creating...

The 2025 Kaneland High School baseball Seniors are stepping into the spotlight with a celebration that honors their dedication, hard work, and passion for the game. This year’s Senior Night at Northwestern Medicine Field promises to be a memorable event, featuring custom-created senior banners that highlight each Senior we are celebrating. It’s a special night for the players, their families, and the entire community to come together and show support for the Knights as they c