Engagement Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Rife Ponce Photography

Ashley + Rex’s Winter Engagment Session at Millenium Park and North Ave. Beach

For weeks Rex told Ashley he wouldn’t make it to Christmas in Cincinnati with her family. The two hadbeen dating long distance since Ashely moved back to her home town to work as a pediatric physical therapist. Because of the distance, Ashely was really hoping to see her far away love.

Two days before Christmas, her mother asked Ashley to make a last minute gift run. The shopping route took them past Ashley and Rex’s Freshman dorms (where they met nine years ago). There, waiting on the same steps they climbed together on a daily basis, was Rex. Ashely’s mom pushed her out of the car, (she at least stopped first) leaving the two alone. As she approached, Rex bent to one knee and amongst hundreds of glowing candles, asked Ashely to be his wife. She happily accepted!

Purvi and Mohit’s Engagment Session at Millenium Park and The Magnificent Mile

by Maggie Rife Ponce

When Purvi brought up their engagement session, she told me she really wanted pictures captured beneath Christmas lights. She also hoped for snow, not for the whole season, mind you, but rather for the sake of the pictures. “It’s funny because for the pictures, I am hoping for snow on the ground, but in reality, I’m hoping the snow never comes! ”

Unfortunately the snow did come, but not soon enough. Still, there’s one redeeming factor in the streets being dry–it made it much easier for Purvi to cross the streets in her Christmas gift from Mohit, classic black Louboutins, with that signature red strip that matched perfectly with her darling peacoat.

Kate + Tj’s-from the tracks to the beach

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Kate comes up my front steps carrying a bag full of clothes on one arm and a bag of shoes on the other. “I brought options.”

“Wonderful!” I said. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

I’ve known Kate for a few years now. She is tall, striking, and fun. Her fiance TJ is laid back and with all-American features and a Midwestern easygoing nature.

Kate shows me her options and we select a black dress with a slight cowl-neck paired with jeweled flip-flops for her first outfit. For the second, she chooses a grey-blue dress with ruffles that reminds me of the soft tones of dusk and the waves on Lake Michigan.

It’s the part of the summer when nearly every evening ends in warm-golden light. During Kate and Tj’s session, the sun is low in the sky–it cuts through the steel beams of the El and wraps around their figures. It carves out the texture in the bricks and brings out the amber in her eyes. Then later, it softens into pinks, blues, and purples.

They walk together on the beach, Tj’s arm draped over Kate’s shoulder. They move toward the shoreline, where Kate, barefoot, walks carefree through the waves and Tj pulls at his pant legs to keep them from getting wet.

When the sun is nearly set, they sit together in a position of comfort. Kate leans into Tj and their limbs tangle together.

It was a beautiful evening. Thank you Kate and Tj for letting me document it.

Stefanie + Andrew’s Belmont Harbor Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Andrew and Stefanie are a blue-eyed duo who share a love of travel (currently pinballing their way through Europe) and business (both recently finished University of Chicago-Booth’s graduate program). Stefanie looked radiant in her royal blue dress and Andrew made me smile and chuckle a bit when referencing poses from other e-sessions on my blog. I’m excited to hear tales from their most recent travels…and a little green with envy. I hope they took lots of pictures!

Lili + Michelle’s lakeside engagement session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

The day was cool but sunny. Lili wore heels in the name of fashion, Michelle a pin stripped shirt and white slacks. Together the two were warm, affectionate, and quick to laugh. What impressed me the most was both their willingness to climb over rocks to make it to the end of the pier where the sun hit from behind, casting a dreamy glow on the scene. We’re all crossing our fingers for the same weather conditions, albeit slightly warmer, for their wedding this September. They’re set to marry at sunset on the waves of Lake Michigan. I’m looking forward to shooting the ceremony! Thanks for a great afternoon Michelle and Lili!

Amber and Sean’s Train Station Engagement Shoot in Lincoln, NE

by Maggie Rife Ponce

I’ve known Amber since the days of TLC, Step-by-Step, and my baggy jeans phase. She is my sister’s best friend and like family to us. I’m so happy

for her and Sean! Their wedding is this August; it will be the second time I return to “The Good Life” (State slogan, but who can argue?) for wedding photography this summer. What a bonus-I get to return to my roots for a job I love to do! It’s going to be so special to see Amber marrying her love-who happens to be a GREAT GUY!

Love you both!

A few side notes:

1. I was nearly arrested during this session. Ok, ok, I wasn’t nearly arrested, just nearly ticketed for photographing on the tracks-an old school habit that didn’t use to be a big deal. Luckily Amber charmed the police officer and even got him to pose for a picture!

2. At the end of the session I gave Shawn a big squeeze. “Ah, you’re a hugger just like your sister,” he said with a wide grin. “Yep! It’s a Rife sister thing.” Sean, expect a hug come August!

Lindsay and Matt’s Evanston Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

We started at Northwestern’s library, a location Lindsay and Matt have spent a lot of time in over the past few years. Both graduate student at Northwestern University, the two share a common love of books, travel, and now Brazilian music. Matt wasn’t always a fan of the samba rhythms, but he developed an appreciation after dating Lindsay, who DJ’s a Brazilian radio show every Monday.

Between Northwestern’s library, modeled after Oxford’s famous shelves, and 2nd Hand tunes with rows and rows of music to flip through, I was in heaven. Thank you Lindsay and Matt for choosing such out of the box and IMHO interesting locations! I can’t wait for the wedding! P.S. To the viewers-It just so happens that one of the locations we photographed at was a wall with the graffiti art reading “Don’t buy diamonds.” Coincidentally, Lindsay’s engagement ring is diamond free.

Ami + Amar’s Lakeside Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

This is the engagement session I was referring to when I wrote the above comment. Ami and Amar were so incredibly fun to photography. They were playful, affectionate, and laid back. We met on the steps of the Field Museum on a fogging Chicago afternoon. The laughter started as soon as we greeted each other and pretty much didn’t stop. When I asked them about their first date, Ami explained they didn’t have an “official” one until they’d been together for a year. In fact, their “first date” was when Amar proposed. He called Ami up earlier in the week and asked if she’d go out with him “Saturday night.” He brought her to the Field Museum, where he led her into the diamond exhibit. Guess what Ami found in one of the display cases? Amar, you are a clever, clever man. Way to make your “first date” unforgettable.

Becky and Darnell’s Engagement Session at Yo Yo’s laundromat

by Maggie Rife Ponce

At the start of Becky and Darnell’s engagement session in Fulton Market, I pulled them to a halt just as we were about to begin and said, “the only advice I have for you is ‘don’t be afraid to love each other.”

“Oh we won’t have a problem with that,” Becky replied.

And they didn’t. Their session was full of hugs, kishes, licks, and laughter. Yep, even licks.

We had a great time on Randolph street, but we didn’t stop there. We hopped in the Purple Passion (my purple Toyota Rav4) and headed to Yo Yo Coin’s for a few laundromat pictures. I loved that Becky and Darnell were up for this location. Laundromats have this time warp affect that transports me back to the 70’s (or at least what I think the 70’s must have been like). I love the oversized washer and dryers, the people watching old game show reruns, and the camaraderie amidst strangers–everyone united in our common chore. It was so fun to snap shots of Becky and Darnel exploring the facility. There constant laughter definitely drew some attention from the staff and customers. They seemed to enjoy the change from our shoot and even cheered on the couples posing.

Amy, Ryan, and their Dragon-Chicago Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Amy, Ryan, and the Dragon met me for their engagement session at one of Chicago’s most famous landmarks, the Bean, on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Who or what is “the Dragon?” Well, the sweet little girl in the photos below has this amazing ability to imitate a mighty dragon when disturbed. I was lucky enough to see this magical phenomenon shortly into our shoot. “It started when she was a newborn; she would huff and puff instead of cry,” explained Amy.

After the appearance of the Dragon, Amy and Ryan decided it was best to let the mighty one head back into the warmth for fear she might start blowing flames. So from the Bean, we looped the loop over Columbus Drive and around to the Fulton Market area.

Amy and I exchanged e-mails back-and-forth for a few weeks prior to the shoot. In these e-mails I learned a little more about her and Ryan; while Amy’s an art buyer, the irony is that she has an incredible talent and it’s her work people should be buying. She shared a piece she did that hangs in the Printers Row Starbucks. Words won’t do it justice! It’s comprised of hundreds of vintage movable type pieces in a multidimensional plane. Seriously, Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn would drool over it.

Ryan’s a self-taught guitar player with a handy ability to play by ear. To top it off, he loves karaoke. “He proposed to me by singing the song “Amie” by Pure Prairie League (He also paid a band on our first date to play that song, and we had our first kiss while it was playing).”

After hearing all this, I was excited for their engagement session. Now after their engagement session I’m even more excited for their wedding. 1. It’s on a boat 2. There will be a band there called Too White Crew with back up dancers 3. I’ll reunite with the Dragon! Can’t wait!