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!
Category: Portrait
City Wide Super Slow Fitness Member Portraits
Nick + Molly’s Trash the Dress
“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
Bikram in the City Staff Portraits
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
“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.
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.”
