Grand Opening of Revealed Studios

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Today is officially the relaunch of Revealed Studios, formerly known as Revealed Boudoir. Laurie Peacock and I first started Revealed to capture classy yet sexy images of women in the lingerie as a gift for their partners or self. We loved the work–it felt great to wrap a shoot up with our clients beaming from ear to ear with self love, pride, and excitement. Often times Laurie and I would turn to each other with our own big smiles and say how happy we felt to find a niche where we loved what we did AND it made others feel great too! This spark got us thinking, what if there are other women out there who’d love to have a beautiful, long lasting portrait or picture with their sister, best friend, or daughter. We realized we didn’t want to leave these women out because boudoir is more about the bedroom. That’s when we decided to broaden our reach and open our doors to every woman, no matter size, shape, or age. We realized Revealed Studios was the way to go, offering a similar experience to our boudoir sessions, just without the lingerie.

To celebrate our grand reopening, we’ll be running a special for the rest of April! We are offering hair and make-up, a personalized portrait session with either principal photographers, myself or Laurie, plus $100 print credit for only $99. Interested in booking a session today? Contact us! 773.273.9063 or by email to info@revealed-studios.com.

NBC Weather Woman Cheryl Scott

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Cheryl Scott, weather woman for NBC Chicago, came to the studio to have her portrait taken for Chicago Cub’s Weather Day Education Day at Wrigley Field. We had a ball swapping out different umbrellas and calling to mind scenes of Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain! I lost track of how many years of bad luck we were in for when we wrapped the shoot, but let’s hope we’ll be ok since our intentions were good!

If you haven’t already, like Cheryl’s facebook page for latest updates on Chicago weather and fun pics! Just click HERE.

Love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment after the break.

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Arhianna LeBlanc

by Maggie Rife Ponce

I had a blast working on this shoot transforming Erin Johnson into her alter-ego Arhianna LeBlanc for interior design firm AK Lifestyle. We worked with extraordinary makeup artist Tracee Badway who used pin-up super star Bettie Page as inspiration for hair and makeup.

Crimson Lounge graciously allowed us their space for the shoot. I adore the space-the furniture is ohh la la so gorgeous!

Thanks to the ladies who made this shoot happen!

Here are a few behind the scenes shots at Tracee’s place during Erin’s makeup session.

The Ponce Brothers for WLS 890 am

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Dan and Anthony Ponce are well known local reporters for news stations WGN 9 and NBC 5, respectively. Now they’re being recognized for additional coverage on a different kind of medium, airwave-radio. Tune into WLSAM.com or a.m. 890 on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. to hear The Ponce Brothers discuss national and local topics from the week.

I refer to Ponce brother Anthony, as fiance, and Dan as my soon-to-be brother-in-law. Obviously, I know them well. So, I wasn’t surprised when they spent the entire shoot rifling off nonstop movie quotes, and cracking each other up. I’m glad they have each other, so someone thinks they’re funny. Just kidding guys, you’re great comedians, but please keep it on the radio and out of my photo shoot.

Dan and Anthony learned from their father, Phil Ponce, longtime host of Chicago Tonight. Phil will be a frequent guest on the The Ponce Brothers show, and even fill in on occasion.

Keep up the good work guys.

City Wide Super Slow Fitness Member Portraits

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Big thanks to City Wide Super Slow Fitness for bringing me in to photograph a handful of their members, who get their workout for the week in 20 minutes!

Nick + Molly’s Trash the Dress

by Maggie Rife Ponce

“Do you guys think I should just go for it?” Molly asked her girlfriends, who came to watch and cheer the recent couple’s after-wedding photo shoot.

These were the girls from her running group, the ones whom she’d meet every week downtown to pound miles on Chicago’s asphalt. Of course they said yes. They were the women who’d encourage her to go for any challenge; who were plotting their next race, even as one was still recovering from a recent injury and was explicitly told NOT to run yet.

“Yes!” They all agreed. “Just don’t jump from the rocks though. Why don’t you wade in?”

And just like that, Molly was in the water…Lake Michigan water. At the very beginning of June. Did she complain about the frigid temperatures? Not once.

Nick followed suite. After rolling up his pants high-water style, he went after his bride…A sign of years to come? If so I think they’re in for a lot of adventures!

The Outtakes

Chris

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Bikram in the City Staff Portraits

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Bikram Yoga Instructor Portraits for Chicago studio Bikram in the City

Below is a collection of images from my recent portrait shoot with Bikram in the City staff. The studio maintains an urban feel and brand, so we decided to use the Chicago city as the background for these images. The shoot was held over three days in four different locations: Millenium Park, The Chicago El (until CTA kicked us out, waa waaa), The Observatory, and Montrose Harbor. There were logistical challenges we were to overcome-rain and more rain, a stringent policy on permits by the city, and timing (thank you Starbucks for opening so early). I had a great team working with me, Manase Latu did an amazing job on the makeup, my dear friends Agustina Agustina Diez Sierra and Laurie Peacock were along to assist for some of it, and the staff were amazing!

I started “practicing” bikram this January during the worst of Chicago winter. Like most, I thought I was going to die during my first session, but I’ve since grown to really love this type of yoga. I don’t pretend to be on a level even close to these instructors, but my appreciate for the form grew deeply after hearing of their rigorous training and complete dedication.

Hilary Schwartz of Estera Events Portrait Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

“I love your hair!” I called over to Hilary at an event earlier this summer. “You could totally rock this cut” she said in response, or something along those lines. At the time I didn’t know “Hilary” was her name, or anything else about her, other than she had great style. After a quick introduction, I discovered she is also an alumni of the University of Missouri and involved in the wedding industry. We exchanged cards and planned to meet again soon.

The next time we did, it was one of those amazing late summer nights where everyone in the city is vying for a patio spot. I was able to snag a table at Rockit on Clark where we both ordered salads the size of our heads. So much for healthy eating with portions that size! We spent two hours talking like old friends, sharing how we each started our business’ and how we approached our work. With a background in interior and graphic design, a side talent for flower arranging, and a fine-tuned sense of what looks good, Hilary’s a natural candidate for wedding and event planning. With a generous smile, down-to-earth nature, and love of health food products and wine, she’s an instant friend.

http://www.esteraevents.com/ and http://www.esteraevents.blogspot.com/

Engagement Shoot with Nick and Molly-Out of the city and into the country.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

The morning of Nick and Molly’s engagement shoot, the sky was overcast and threatening. I worried the rain would fall exactly when we began shooting. Glancing up at the dark gray, sad sky, I said, “Why today of all days?” Then I checked myself, backtracked and pronounced, “It’s going to turn out amazing. The light’s going to be beautiful.”

Thirty minutes before the shoot, it started to sprinkle. It seemed my declaration faded without a response. It was a light drizzle though, so we didn’t cancel the shoot. By the time I met up with Nick and Molly, the rain was finished, and the sky was beautiful.

The rest of the shoot turned out great. We snapped a few pictures in the city before heading out to the “country,” aka Barrington Hills aka the most picturesque suburb I’ve visited to date.

Molly and Nick are a case of a successful blind date. “I asked Molly to marry me the first time three months into it.” Granted there wasn’t a ring at that point, but it was promise of what was to come for them. They just “knew.”