Meet David & Jane Mercer
A veteran-owned, husband-and-wife photography team serving Aurora and the greater Chicagoland area — with handcrafted props, genuine warmth, and over 10,000 children photographed.
From the Air Force to the Studio
David's love for photography began in high school — a single darkroom session that changed everything. He spent the next 22 years serving as an Aerospace Ground Equipment mechanic in the United States Air Force, always dreaming of joining the Combat Camera unit.
After living and working in Germany and Russia, David and Jane returned to the United States and made the leap to photography full-time. A stint with Lifetouch taught him the importance of client relationships — and the rest is history.
Today, David leads every session with the same dedication he brought to the military: patient, prepared, and genuinely invested in getting it right. He's also a published photographer in international books and magazines, and award-winning on Viewbug.
Jane's Handcrafted Touch
Jane is the co-owner and creative heart of IDTPhoto's newborn and child photography. She specializes in creating the warm, calm environment that helps even the fussiest newborns settle in — and her patience with little ones is truly extraordinary.
What sets Jane apart is what you don't find anywhere else: she personally sews, crochets, and knits many of the delicate newborn outfits, wraps, and blankets used in our sessions. Each piece is made with care specifically for our studio.
Meanwhile, David builds many of our custom wooden props — benches, boxes, and platforms — by hand. The result is a collection of one-of-a-kind session details that you simply won't find in any other Aurora or Chicagoland studio.
What We Stand For
Our values aren't just words on a wall — they show up in every session we do.
Honor & Service
David's 22 years in the United States Air Force shaped a deep commitment to showing up fully for every client — dependable, disciplined, and dedicated.
Handcrafted Artistry
Jane sews, crochets, and knits many of our newborn outfits and blankets by hand. David builds custom wooden props. Every detail is made with intention.
Patience & Inclusion
We are especially experienced with children on the autism spectrum, shy kids, and families with pets. No rush — ever. Your comfort is our priority.
Legacy Over Likes
We create heirloom portraits designed to be printed, framed, and passed down — not just shared once on social media and forgotten.
Recognition & Press
Let's Create Something Beautiful Together
We'd love to meet your family. Reach out to book your session or just ask us a question.
Get in Touch