Thank you to all my clients for their amazing reviews of my services...please check out my fb page for updates and become my friend/fan!




"I would recommend CHC Photography to anyone for any occasion. Carmen really goes out of her way to make the photo session personal for the person. She is very open to going anywhere and is flexible as we had our photo shoot on a Sunday morning!! The pictures came out beautiful and need little touchup. I would have to say this was one of the best photo shoots that I have ever seen and worth every penny! We couldn't be more happy with her!!!"
Gwen Perfetti, Lowell, Indiana

"My sister is a photographer in Wisconsin and did some research for us on talented photographers in the area and she came across CHC photography, and we are definitely glad she did! Carmen was absolutely wonderful to work with; she is very personable, accommodating and professional. She truly has a passion for photography and it shows in her work. She captured every romantic, beautiful, and fun moment of our wedding. Our pictures tell such a beautiful story of our amazing day…they are absolutely breathtaking! Thank you Carmen for capturing our special day and helping us to relive the memories forever! We highly recommend Carmen for any wedding and will definitely continue to use her for our future pictures! Thank you again, it was a pleasure working with you and we were so blessed to have you as our photographer!"
-Love, Linsey and Stephen Waterstraat, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen - Words really cannot express how happy and please my husband and I with the wonderful pictures. We wanted a nice family picture that included our dog. I figured trying to get a three year old to pose and smile for a picture was going to be hard enough, let alone adding in a hyper dog. Your creativity and patience with us all was amazing. The shots turned out better than we could have imagined. We now have the perfect family picture that I know will be treasured for years to come. I love that the pictures are natural and do not have any sense of posing; as well as the fact that you totally captured our sense of family and fun.
You are an ease to work with, very professional, and fun..... even playing with Spiderman to get that perfect smile from our little superhero. Truely the best and we could not ask for more! =)
-Bill and Holly McDonald, Munster, IN

"Carmen was amazing. I would highly recommend her services to anyone looking for newborn pictures.
She came to our home when our son was 1 week old. She was patient, friendly and professional.
The pictures turned out to be amazing and I couldn't be happier with our choice to use CHC-Photography to help capture our memories."
Christy Miller, Crown Point, IN

"A maternity shoot was something I wasn't sure I even wanted to do, but I am now so glad we did and we will always be able to look back on these. My husband and I are very happy with what you have done and we are so thankful for the beautiful photos! Your editing techniques
are very nice and I truly understand the time and effort it takes to do the type of work that you do. Great job again and we look forward
to seeing you when our son Christian arrives!!"
- Erica & Brian Stanley, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen is an amazing photographer !!! No matter what kind of photoshoot, she always uses her artistic talent in a way that
will make you look at her work thousands of times and simply admire. The end result is always stunning.
I'm so thankfull for the wonderful pictures she took of my family."
-Karolina & Wojtek Wiak, Chicago, IL

" The Surdy's Love CHC-Photography, Inc... Not only did Carmen work her magic and take Amazing photos of our son Mason- but she also did a fantastic job on our engagment photos as well!!!!"
Garza Family/Surdy, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen is the BEST! She is very dedicated and passionate in her work. She definitely captured the spirit of our weddinng with her photos! Her eye and creativity are amazing! Plus, we have made a good friend in her. We completely recommend her and hope to always use her for our photography needs!"
- Jill Peters/Grecco

"Carmen did a wonderful job on my senior pictures. She had so many unique ideas that made my pictures one of a kind (the red balloons).
I couldn't have found a better photographer. I would and will go to Carmen for any pictures in the future!"
-Brittany Hargis, Valparaiso, IN

"Carmen is an amazing photographer. We absolutely loved all of the photos she took of our daughter at 4 weeks. It is definitely not easy photographing a young baby,but Carmen was a pro.... sweet, patient, motherly! Being so young we didn't want to take our daughter to a studio and Carmen came to the house, which was so convenient for us. She also took so many photos and poises, so many to choose from which is so nice (and hard because we like them all but can't possibly have 200 photos on our walls!) We've received so many compliments on the photos she took, and would highly recommend Carmen to anyone!"
- Ivanov Family, Crown Point, IN

"Words cannot describe the absolute beauty of your work. I am thrilled with the results of my daughter Kasie's senior pictures. You made it fun and offered up beautiful, creative ideas for her poses. You brought her true beauty to paper. I am looking forward to sharing my daughter's beautiful pictures with my family and friends and look forward to many more photo shoots with you. You’re a true artist……"
- Stacy Antich Taylor

As a first time mom, I was on the lookout for someone to take newborn portraits. My sister had recommended I use Carmen. I knew that it would take someone with patience and a gentle hand. After looking at Carmen's portfolio I knew she would be perfect and she was! I love the simplicity of the pictures. The props she used enhanced the beauty and innocence of my baby boy. I love the leather bound book with his prints inside and the announcements Carmen made were fantastic, everyone wanted to know who took them. I have recommended CHC Photography to multiple friends and family and will definitely use her for my son's next set of pictures. Thank you so much Carmen!!
- Pat and Jill Maravilla, Munster, IN

"I chose Carmen for both my maternity and newborn photos of our son, and I'm so happy that I did. I was looking for someone that would be able to create photos that were more like works of art rather than just cookie-cutter studio photos, and Carmen has that special 'something' it takes to make this happen. I was so happy with all of our photos it was very difficult for me to choose the ones I wanted for prints, which was surprising since I was skeptical I would like any shots of myself while pregnant. Not everyone has what it takes to make photography a work of art, but Carmen has been blessed with that gift. I also really like that she is open to working with your own ideas and suggestions, and will try anything to make her customers happy. I will use Carmen again and again to capture the special events in our lives and create treasured keepsakes of our family's memories. Thank you Carmen!
- Sarah Greene, Crown Point, IN

"Dear Carmen -CHC Photography,
I stumbled upon you looking a other people’s photos on facebook. So glad I did. You did an amazing job on our family pictures. You captured the most perfect family photo that I will have forever and it means so much to me. It is very obvious what a professional you are…from all the different poses, the lighting and the setting was all thanks to you. You truly are a fabulous photographer and am forever thankful. I will definitely use you in the future. Thanks again!"
-Jennifer & Matt Havlin, Valparaiso, IN

"Dear Carmen,
My husband and I love the photographs that you took of our daughter, Allison. Your work is amazing! You have such an artistic eye that really shows through in the photos. You were a pleasure to work with and spent an unbelievable amount of time with Alli. She thought the whole experience was so much fun! We will be sure to call you again in the future. Thank you so much!"
-Dave & Lisa Hauser, Valparaiso, IN

"We had our twins first photo shoot with Carmen, and we couldn't be happier! She came to our house, so we didn't have to lug around all of our gear. She never rushed us, so we were able to feed and console them when needed. And the pics turned out great! We have gotten so many compliments on them. We are so happy we have that time in their lives captured! And my favorite part- she got the pictures to us very quickly! Thanks Carmen!"
-Mandy Greene, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen did an AMAZING job for Richard and I on our August 7, 2010 wedding. We did our engagement session with her and the pictures turned out wonderfully at the dunes. We had fun and we were able to enjoy getting our pictures taken for the first time. When it came to the wedding, I assumed the pictures would turn out just as wonderfully, but she did sooo much better! I have truely appreciated all of the pictures and love each moment she was able to capture for us. A picture is worth a thousand words, but after looking through the pictures I was speechless, the pictures were just beautiful! Thank you, Carmen, for capturing our best day together so perfectly so that we will never forget! I will always go back to you and recommend you to anyone looking for pictures! Thank you soo much!"
- Melissa & Richard Ewbank

"Carmen is one-of-a-kind. You could not find a better photographer anywhere. The first time I met her, I knew she was my choice. She is very upbeat, generous, and classy. She will go above and beyond her duty. She is very passionate about her work and every picture shows. We are so lucky we found Carmen. Thank you so much Carmen for your guidance through the pictures and being so reliable. You truly are amazing:)"
- Brittney Bertsch & Aaron Ruter, Milton, IN

"My daughters and I have had the pleasure of working with Carmen several times over the past couple years. I can't imagine using any other photographer after being spoiled by the incredible quality of her work and how accommodating she has always been with our schedules. After both of my daughters' senior picture sessions, she was able to present us with such a wide range of shots to choose from that my only complaint was that it was nearly impossible to narrow our selection down! We literally wanted them all. I love the way Carmen uses the natural beauty of the outdoors to create portraits that are as much art as they are photographs. When looking at her prints, it is obvious Carmen truly is an artist by the amazing way she uses the light and the expressions she is able to draw out of her subjects. I feel so fortunate to have found her and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer who is both gifted and extremely pleasant to work with. Thank you Carmen!"
- Margaret Bucci, Molly & Anna, Crown Point, IN

"We could not have chosen a better photographer! Every moment of our wedding day was perfectly captured by Carmen. We absolutely adore all of our pictures both natural and posed, and particularly those in the forest. We have so many pictures to choose from! We appreciate that Carmen paid a lot of attention to details such as the dress, the flowers, the cake and our table decorations at the reception and it was nice to have photos of our efforts. Carmen interacted with our guests, was very professional, ever so friendly, and generally a pleasure to have with us on our special day. Our photos tell the story of what was an incredible day (and evening), and make us smile (or laugh) every time we look at them."
-Sandra & Michael

"Hi Carmen,
Taking your child for his/her senior pictures is a special time in a parent and graduate’s life. From the moment we spoke on the phone, I felt comfortable with you. You more than met DeeAnna and my expectations! The time we spent at Indiana Dunes will always be treasured. Your professionalism, warmth, talent, and eye for detail were above and beyond! I would recommend your service without any reservation and will definitely be calling you for my son’s senior photographs next year!"
-Connie & DeeAnna, Lowell, IN

"Matthew and I could not have asked for a better photographer! Carmen is easy going, humorous, personable and yet very professional with her work. She helped make our photo session enjoyable with her amazing personality and upbeat demeanor. Carmen has unique, contemporary ideas, and works quickly. She is flexible and is willing to go the extra mile to please us. Anyone would be blessed to have her as a photographer!"
-Matthew Vena & Katie McGuire, Valparaiso, IN

"What I gave to Carmen were unruly and grimacing children, but what she gave me back were cherubic and smiling ones! We were amazed at what a true talent she has for capturing those fleeting but beautiful moments."
- Sajil Unni, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen is not only a talented photographer, but an artist. The pictures she took of my daughter capture her true spirit and personality. Choosing which ones to hang on our walls was a difficult task, as all of the pictures she takes are beautiful, with great use of light and color. I have and will continue to recommend Carmen to my family and friends!"
-Colleen Lustina, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen is a delight to work with. She did both of my kid's senior pictures and I couldn't have been more pleased. The quality and number of photos I had to choose from was amazing. Carmen does a phenomenal job and you can't beat the price anywhere. I have recommended her to several people who were just as thrilled with the results as I am."
-Sharron Hilliard, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen has over the years become a dear friend of my family. She has been taking photographs for us for more than 7 years. Her portraits are real, not posed or artificial and they showcase my children's personality in a candid but professional way - as you are able to see from her galleries. The pictures are more meaningful because they take me back to times and places and what my children were like at a certain age. The fact that she is willing and prefers to go on-site and captures the kids in their natural environment has provided me with priceless memories!"
- Laurie Lustina, Valparaiso, IN

"Carmen has a great passion for photography. You can see how much she loves her work in all her pictures. During my photo session she made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. I was crunched for time when trying to get my senior pictures done; Carmen took care of my photos very quickly and made everything hassle free. Each photo was unique, creative, and beautiful. I am preparing to have my whole family's photo taken as a gift for my mother and can't wait. Even my brother, who never smiles in pictures, is looking forward to meeting with Carmen. I only hope that she is still available to take pictures by the time I get married. I love photography and have taken a few classes; I have never seen pictures more beautiful than Carmen's. She has a wonderful gift."
- Mary Galouzis, Crown Point, IN

"My sister recommended Carmen to me several years ago. Since then I have used her services yearly for family photographs as well as for my Christmas cards. My kids are not always the most cooperative when it comes to being photographed but Carmen is extremly patient and fun and waits for the right moments. Over the years my kids have grown to trust her and our family looks foward to our annual photo sessions. If you want candid portraits done in an artful way, I highly recommend Carmen."
- Julie St. Germain, Valparaiso, IN

"What a wonderful experience to work with Carmen. I met her by finding her website and corresponding with her. I knew right away that she was the one to photograph my family. She suggested the setting, time of day, and clothes that would photograph well. Carmen has a passion for photography, and through the many photo's to choose from, you see what a gift she possesses. I look forward in working with her again in the future, and highly recommend her. The pictures speak for themselves."
- Sheri & Matt Bruder, Crown Point, IN

"I was really late in getting my senior pictures taken, so a friend referred me to Carmen. She worked with my schedule and the weather to find a great day to go to the beach for part of the photo shoot. Carmen was so easy to work with and we had a lot of fun. She let me have a lot of say in how I wanted my pictures and that made them much more personal. She edited my pictures very fast and gave me advice on where to get the best printing quality. She was such a joy to work with and I would recommend Carmen to anyone looking for beautiful and unique pictures."
- Ashley Bernacci, Crown Point, IN

"Dearest Carmen,
THANK YOU does not seem enough for what you have given us! Thank you for the amazing portraits of our son, Brock. You are truly gifted! Thank you for allowing us to add to our 'senior memories' and for capturing the desires of Brock's heart.
God Bless You!"
-Shari Sarnecki --Brock Vale's mom, Whiting, IN

"Carmen was the final piece of the puzzle that we needed for our wedding. She had agreed to be our photographer only a few weeks before our September 29, 2007 wedding. She was incredible. Since it was an outside event, we really were hoping for a perfect day. Not only was it perfect, our pictures and the entire setting of the event was as well. She captured all the great moments, and the faces of everyone at the wedding. She helped to capture the complete beauty of the whole event and for that, there aren't enough words to express gratitude and amazement. My husband and I have decided that we are definitely calling her for all our special occasions and family events. We could not have been happier with the end results of her beautiful art on our wedding day. Thank you so much for everything Carmen!"
-Tim & Angela Mason, Cedar Lake, IN

"Our wedding was everything that we wanted it to be, romantic, relaxed, and fun! Carmen caught every single one of these aspects in each photograph she took. She was able to catch the beauty of every detail right down to the sunlight that gleamed into the church and on to the table that held the programs. She was even able to tame the “wild” children for the pictures, which anyone that can do that gets a “A” in our book. Thanks again Carmen, the memories that you were able to capture will be cherished for a lifetime."
-Katie & Kelly Miller, Crown Point, IN

"We absolutely love our pictures, they are gorgeous! You did such a wonderful job on our July 12, 2008 wedding and we would highly recommend you to anyone. Even my family from the wedding said that they would recommend you to anyone they know!! You were fun to work with and not pushy, very easy going and fun!! Thanks So Much!!!"
- Amanda & Mike Connors, Valparaiso, IN

"The pictures turned out so amazing. I'm really happy with the quality of them and how fast they were finished. Working with Carmen was so great! She made my daughter look beautiful and I'm so pleased with how they turned out! I would recommed Carmen to anyone, and I plan on using her photography for my other daughter's senior pictures when she graduates, as well as any other event that comes up."
-Marianne Reach, Valparaiso, IN

"I can't tell you how happy we are with the photos you took for us. The time you spent with Kaitlin was over and above what we expected and the photos are just beautiful. We had a really hard time picking the best ones because they were all spectacular. Thanks so much for all the effort you put into these!"
- Michelle, mom of Kaitlin Cannon, Crown Point, IN

"Carmen took both our daughter's and son's senior pictures four years apart (2004 & 2008) and she gets better each time. Wish we had more children for more pictures! It was a challenge to choose just a few for enlargements - they were all so beautiful!"
- Gail Brown, St. John, IN

"Dear Carmen,
the wedding photos turned out beautifully! Thanks so much for being part of our special day. I especially loved your attention to detail!"
- Denise & Mustafa

"We absolutely love our pictures. You did a fantastic job and thank you so much!"
- Marie & Josh Michiels, Lowell, IN