Jaycee and Bryan’s Arlington Heights Engagement Session

I’m really excited to share this engagement session because it happens to feature a sweet, talented friend and colleague, Jaycie Kurfess, who is one of the favorites Laurie Peacock and I work on shoots for my sister company Revealed Studios.  Over the last three years, Jaycie has become a friend and inspiration.  I jumped with joy when I found out I would be photographing her wedding.

Her fiance, Bryan is a gentle giant, standing what must be at least a foot about her.  The two play and tease like best friends one minute, then share in tender embraces the next.  They have great energy and are a joy to be around. I’m so excited for their wedding!





Photography by Maggie Rife | www.maggierife.com
Photography by Maggie Rife | www.maggierife.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tina and Manny’s Vineyard Wedding Willow Harbor Vineyards in Michigan

Tina and Manny first caught sight of each other at a Starbucks on Taylor street. After running into each other again and again, they finally made plans for a date, which of course, started at that same Starbucks. After the date ended, Tina told her sister, “He’s a nice guy! He threw away my coffee cup for me.”

They two spent countless hours at that Starbuck’s studying beside each other, supporting one another through med school and CFA exams.  After four years, they decided  to commit to a lifetime of coffee drinking together!

Their wedding was a blast! Check below for descriptions of all their unique details and cultural traditions. Congratulations Tina and Manny! Cheers to a long and happy life together!

Also, big Thanks to Alex Matzke for assisting with this wedding! And a shout out to these vendors:

-Hair stylist: Heath and Company, DJ: DJ Sultan, Videographer: Sterling Wedding Cinema, Makeup: Justina Wiegel of Eventful Makeup

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The two celebrated their nuptials with details special to their relationship-the table names were various Starbuck’s drinks, their candy table was a nod to their sweet tooth’s, and their location, a beautiful winery in Michigan, was chosen a mutual love of nature.
The event was a multicultural affair, weaving in traditions from their background, including the Mexican Lazo ceremony followed by a traditional Persian ceremony. When you see the women holding the canopy above their heads in the pictures, that is part of a blessing where loved ones sprinkle sugar over them to bring sweetness to their marriage.

The Sofreh  Aghd is a wedding spread, decorated with flowers and set with a luxurious spread for the couple.


Photography by Maggie Rife | www.maggierife.com  chicago wedding photography, chicago wedding photographer, chicago engagment photographer
Photography by Maggie Rife | www.maggierife.com  chicago wedding photography, chicago wedding photographer, chicago engagment photographerPhotography by Maggie Rife | www.maggierife.com  chicago wedding photography, chicago wedding photographer, chicago engagment photographer


The reception included additional cultural traditions, including a knife dance (Manny did his best to steal the cutlery from Tina’s dancing friend’s, before eventually having to pay them off); and a Mexican chair dance, where female guests first tried to knock Tina off the chair, followed by the males attempting the same. Things moved fast, but Manny held tight and triumphed! None-the-less, the gents got the best of him, tipping him onto his back and tossing him high in the air to huge cheers by onlookers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six month baby photo shoot of Ms. Hannah

Ms. Hannah, my has she grown!

When I first met Hannah, she was just a peanut baby, weighing in at mere ounces over five pounds.  She’s a bit bigger since our last photo shoot, and much more active. She brings so much joy to her parents with that big smile and sweet spirit.  I love that her parents John and Claudia were able to stop by the studio on their visit to Chicago while in town from St. Louis for Hannah’s six month photography session.

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Gotta get one of Grandma!

Boudoir bachelorette parties from sister company Revealed Studios

Brides-to-be, I’m excited to announce that my sister company, Revealed Studios will now offer boudoir bachelorette parties.  Celebrate the girls getting together for a weekend in Chicago with hair and makeup, champagne, and an amazing time.  These memories will be captured–keepsakes you’ll treasure forever.

For more information and all the pictures from this shoot with real bride-to-be, Ms. A, visit the full post here.

Chicago newborn baby photo shoot – little Fiona and mother Maria

This past Christmas, Maria delivered her first child. Where Maria’s skin is olive and hair a dark, raven brown, Fiona has big blue eyes, and there’s a tinge of red in her fair hair. Still, they make the prettiest mom-daughter combination, bringing smiles every where they go, even in their infant car seat.

 

 

Teachers twist, bend, and stretch for bikram yoga photos of their beloved practice.

Bikram Yoga Photos for Chicago yoga studio

This is the fourth time I’ve worked with the staff of Bikram Yoga River North Studios.  I first encountered the studio while shooting this assignment for PopSugar. The following spring, Owner Mike Frayer asked me to come back in to capture bikram yoga photos of staff members, then called shortly after with another request for pictures of merchandise.  By the time I walked into the studio for the shoot below of staff members modeling the various postures of the Bikram Yoga practice, I felt like I was returning to old friends. It’s a pleasure to work with such nice, talented, and fun people, not to mention inspiring!  I took myself to the gym the very next day!

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Chicago Newborn and family portrait session


Baby photography by Maggie Rife Ponce. Rife Ponce Photography. Natural light. Baby photography by Maggie Rife Ponce. Rife Ponce Photography. Natural light.