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!

Custom designed, handcrafted Albums and Boxes

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Your wedding is one of a kind, and so are these albums.

Individually crafted by skilled artisans, these hand-built albums use the the highest quality materials to showcase your wedding story. Each archival page is thick and substantial with a rich matte finish. The clam shell box accompanies the album to keep your story protected for generations.

Because every wedding is different, each page is custom designed to tell your story.

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Follow this link to see the complete design of this album. Call 402-304-4057 to schedule a consultation today.

Eggs, Orange juice, and Equity

by Maggie Rife Ponce

The Kellogg School of Management hosts the 12th annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference, “Value Creation in the New Decade.”at the University Club on February 9, 2011.

Photo Snowfari with Laurie

by Maggie Rife Ponce

When I told my Dad yesterday morning that Laurie and I were going on a photo snowfari, he immediately quipped about it being a a little cold for outdoor boudoir. Funny Dad, real funny.

While our shoots together these days are typically for Revealed, we try to make it a point to exercise our eye in other avenues. With two feet of snow creating a natural softbox, we agreed a trip outdoors was in order.

I can’t deny I LOVE Montrose Harbor, so we opted to go there. Parents pushed their children down well-worn sled runs, dogs ran circles in the snow, and the light made it all feel magical.

Snow DAY!

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Who doesn’t love a snow day? Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning the weather Gods had their way with Chicago. There was snow, there was lightning, there was thunder, and there was wind. Yes, I know, it’s Chicago, we’re used to the wind, but 70 mph gusts were strong even for us. After all was said and done, people made the most of their day off, taking to the street for a snow ball fights, shoveling parties, and even a game of Wiffle ball.

Bikram in the City for Fresh Guide/Pop Sugar

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Bikram in the City for Pop Sugar

“Would you like a towel?” Mike, owner of Bikram in the City, asked me as soon as I stepped out of the 105 degree room full of limber bodied yogis.

“Yes please,” I replied eagerly.

He handed me a big white one from the rental shelf. I sheepishly sopped my sweat-covered brow.

“I guess I should have scheduled this as my last shoot of the day.”

Mike chuckle said what he did not–yeah, dummy, it’s HOT yoga.

Even though I left the studio “glistening,” I still felt great. My natural high could have been from all the chanting or “chi” in the room. I think it was the shooting. The elements were ideal–floor to ceiling windows and the toned figures contorted into interesting shapes. What photographer wouldn’t be happy?

I left inspired, that’s for sure. The next night I had my first ever bikram session. If you haven’t tried it, you should. It feels amazing, especially in the cold, dry winter! Check out this link for Bikram in the City’s schedule of classes.

Sarah + Seth’s January Wedding

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Sarah and Seth were married on January 1st at the Elmhurst Art Museum. The two met while attending my Alma Mater–University of Missouri. Sarah and Seth might be opposites in many ways–he’s tall, she’s short, he’s a numbers man, she’s visceral, he’s from a small town, while she grew up in a suburb of Chicago, but they’re best friends and very much in love. It was a pleasure working with them. I feel like we’ve become friend’s over the last year–starting with our first meeting last summer and further enhanced during their engagement session. It was really nice being able to meet their wonderful family members and friends (lot’s of fellow Journalism majors-whoa who!!) who made their day so special.

The word “covenant” was a reminder to Sarah and Seth that the day was about their marriage, not just the wedding.

……………

My hungry Sister

by Maggie Rife Ponce

She picks…

spoons…

and slurps

devouring the bowl of Cheerios.

When she finishes, she lifts her face, cocks her head to the side and smiles proudly. Her hair flays about like a mass of hands at a rock concert. There’s a bit of milk beneath one side of her mouth. My hungry sister is now full.

Simply Cold.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

It was cold when I woke this morning, but gold light filtered through the windows.

“I’ll take it,” I thought.

The frigid, finger numbing, skin burning, cough inducing winter air is unpleasant, but so long as the sky’s not grey–100 shades of grey, I can deal. I suck it up. I layer. I wear two hats, a sweatshirt, a jacket, fury boots, tights, jeans, double up on the socks, then top it all off with what my aunt calls the “El coat”–a puffy black number covering me from head to nearly toe during the winter months. It may be fugly, but it’s functional.

Then I play a “get pumped” mix. Today’s included “Power” from Mr. West’s most recent release. I eat my words while listening to the song. A few weeks back I went off on a tirade about Kayne-“I’ve been with him since ‘through the wire,’ but I don’t think he’s that good anymore.”

“Well I hear this ones supposed to be the album of the decade,” Amanda says to me.

“He can’t sing!”

I still don’t think he’s a very good singer, but neither am I. The album…well….I might just be slightly, maybe, sorta kinda, hate to admit it, but if I’m going to be honest, addicted. I can own up when I’m wrong. I was wrong.

So, I’m pumped, dressed, armed with my camera, charged battery, and my arsenal of lenses. Off to North Ave. Here’s the thing about the winter, the days are SO short. In July, you’ve got hours and hours to shoot. Today the sun was set by 4:20; my grand ambitions of shooting the Lake Shore then heading back to Gary were quickly adjusted. I’ll have to save Gary for another day. Till then…

This last shot is dedicated to my cousin Lizard. Merry Christmas. I’ll make you a print. <3

Urban Photo Safari #1

by Maggie Rife Ponce

I went to the rainforest Sunday. After a morning photo shoot and before Nebraska’s sad loss, some friends and I slipped away from the streets of Chicago that were slowly filling with a soft, white layer of snow into the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

It was so warm and humid beneath the steamy, green canopy that big, wet drops of condensation formed above and fell on our heads.

The rainforest inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory is a nice substitute to the jungles sprawling across Latin America. It’s also a great place for a photo lesson when the weather outside is frightful.

We started talking about this little “workshop” a few months back. It was one of the last warm days of fall–the day of the marathon. The heat drew buckets of sweat from runners and broad, silly smiles from spectators. After the three in our group crossed the finish line, we all got together to toast their achievement.

Sometime after that first toast, over a platter of loaded nachos, Cyrus and Ali signed on to an idea I had–A chicago photo workshop. I’m pretty sure I was rambling on about how much I loved teaching photography in SE Asia and how I wanted to start something up in Chicago when Ali (Baj) piped in, “I’d be interested in a lesson.” Beside him Cyrus jumped in, “Me too.”

“Really? Great!” I said.

“So here’s what I’m thinking: informal workshops designed to be like urban photo safaris where the group explores a cool spot in the city. Along the way, I’ll teach a little something, then give everyone the chance to practice what they learn.”

About a month later (I told the guys October would be nuts and we’d have to wait till November to arrange something) I received this email:

“Hey Maggie,

I would love to take you up on that offer (if it still stands) on photography lessons. Let me know what you’re thinking. /Ali”

Followed by Cyrus’ quick response:

“Keep me posted too!”

Sunday we were all able to meet. The guys were a little green, so we went over the basic functions of their SLR’s (single lens reflex camera’s–here’s a fun link“). By the end of it, they were able to manually set their camera’s shutter, aperture, and ISO for the correct exposure, understand how white balance affects their image, and identify a few exotic species of trees and plants 🙂

“Oh, there’s the rare electric tree,” Baj said, pointing in the distance.

“I didn’t know you could find those in here.” Cyrus said.

Yep, even the Lincoln Park Conservatory was decked for the holidays…