When the Dvoraks said they wanted pictures of the kids playing rather than traditional posed portraits, they were speaking my language! I love candid family photography–capturing those real smiles that come from amusement and joy rather than me telling them to say “cheese.”
We had a ball hanging out in their front yard for an hour, letting the kids play tag and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. It was a perfect, relaxing Sunday morning shoot for us all. 
I met Dane about eight years ago while waiting for the Red Hot Chili Peppers to come on stage at Lollapalooza. He was in the handicap section, sitting in a wheelchair after having surgery just before the festival and I was pressed against the fence separating him from the crowd. The wait for the rock band dragged on for hours, so eventually, we struck up a conversation. After the show, we kept in touch via Facebook, using the site for years like modern-day penpals. As happens in life, we eventually fell out of touch.
Our friendship started with social media, and it was social media that reconnected us. When I joined Instagram a few years back I got to catch up on Dane’s life through pictures. Most of his photos at that time were of his very handsome dog with a charming personality. After a while, a beautiful girl with a striking smile became peppered into the mix. That was Malee–the person who became his wife this past September. From posts of her, I could see she was a kind and unique spirit. She complimented Dane’s energy…even enhancing it, like salt in a recipe.
When Dane called to ask me to photograph their wedding, I was completely surprised and touched. It’d been years, but I still had a great fondness for my friend and was thrilled at the prospect to capture this special day for him.
The wedding was an intimate affair, taking place on their property along the river in Elkhart, IN. The guest list was small–close friends and family, the details handmade, and the vows were written by the couple.
Malee was even sweeter in person than I imagined. Dane was full of tears throughout the day, so happy and overwhelmed by it all.
Dane’s dad, his best man, gave a great speech, reminiscing about the first time he met Malee. He described it like a movie scene in which she speeds toward their dock on a wave runner, backlit, with cottonwood seeds waft through the air behind her.
The first dances were touching for all. Malee’s Dad made it through the whole song, before getting choked up at the very end. Dane’s mom danced like no one was watching, embracing her son with the love of a mother.
As though specially designed for the couple, the day was capped off with a breathtaking sunset-a perfect storybook ending.
Scroll down for all the photos from their backyard wedding.
Dane’s works on his vows only hours before the ceremony.
I can’t say this about many people, but I’ve known Holly since the first grade. We went to the same school together all the way through 12th grade, before heading to different states for college. When she sent out a facebook message last year announcing she was moving to Chicago with her fiance Rob to work at Lurie’s Children Hospital as a nurse practitioner, I was thrilled. Holly’s always stood out to me as someone incredibly down-to-earth, genuine, kind, and joyful.
This past year, I’ve gotten to know Rob as her perfect match. He’s laid back with a great smile and a touch of quirkiness. It’s not uncommon to catch them from the corner of my eye making each other laugh at an inside joke or affectionately holding hands. I’m so happy to see my long-time friend paired with such a great guy.
Since Holly and Rob were new to Chicago, for their engagement photos, they wanted a few of the most iconic Chicago backgrounds. I’ve spent 10 years in this city, so these spots aren’t as new and sparkly to me as the first time I visited. So taking these two on a tour de force around downtown felt like I was seeing it through their eyes for the first time again.
I’m a sucker for the Met Ball in New York. If there’s one event in social pages that I can’t ignore, it’s this one. I love the combination of theatrics and high-end fashion that inspires attendees outfits. We channeled the timeless glamour of the event on the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago. Then riding the Hollywood vibes, we headed over to The Chicago Theater for a few pictures at dusk with the sign lit up behind them.
After two stops, most grooms are usually ready to call it a day, but not Rob. With a boyish grin, he back in the car and said where to next. To the stars! Sorry, talk of Hollywood’s making me a bit dramatic. “Well you have to see the skyline at night from The Observatory,” I replied.
Off we went, zipping down lakeshore and cutting east toward the lake, circling past Soldier Field.
When we pulled up along the magnificent concrete steps leading toward the water, the city sparkling in the background, I once again saw the view threw their eyes. I still give it to Manhattan for the best skyline, Chicago’s no shabby second. We wrapped our whirlwind engagement session through Chicago’s downtown with our last few pictures capturing the buildings creating soft, glowy reflections in the water behind them. It was the perfect place to end. 
In 2011, I had the honor of photographing Kate and Tj’s wedding in downtown Chicago. Since then, a lot has happened for this couple–the biggest life change, the birth of their son, Luke, who turned one this past month.
On a sunny October Sunday morning, we strolled through the prairie of Winnemac Park, a perfect setting for Chicago fall family photos. Luke was all smiles throughout the shoot, a happy baby with an easy going spirit–not a surprise considering his two wonderful parents.
Emily and Mike couldn’t have a more beautiful day for their fall nature engagement photos. After a day of biting our nails as we refreshed our weather apps over and over again, the clouds parted and the sun came through. Thank goodness, because this setting was too gorgeous for anything but golden light and blue skies.
It took a minute (1.5 hours in fact), but the commute was so worth it when we saw how beautiful the countryside looked. We explored a stunning property that couldn’t have been staged better with hay bales and a lone tree in the middle of the field, before venturing off to traipse through a beautiful prairie where we were the sole visitors. What a treat!
I love taking the Quinns family photos every year! Their kids have me in fits the whole time. It’s pretty much an hour of us playing. I get to be a goof while they run in circles and make ridiculous faces at me. They’re so vibrant and fun. It’s basically a chance for me to just be a kid again, playing tag, pretending to fight dragons, or recounting our favorite moments from Puss and Boots and Frozen.
For those interested in booking a family shoot for the upcoming holiday season, I still have openings available, though weekends are booking up fast! Call at 402-304-4057 or email me at maggie@rifeponcephotography.com to book your fall family photoshoot.
Omid said he always admired Golli before they started dating, but when they fell in love, she blew away the vision he had of her in his mind. After knowing each other for more than a decade and fostering a relationship across state borders, the couple couldn’t have been happier when they officially began their life together as husband and wife in a touching ceremony including Iranian traditions.
They were a joy to document for so many reasons, but especially because of their deep friendship and love for each other. Congrats Golli and Omid. I’m so happy for you two and wish you all the best!
The years of wonder, before awareness takes over before they know what it means to be cool; when all is new and everything is an adventure. They’re full of curiosity and raw emotion. Smiles may turn to frowns in a split second, laughter to sobs. These years, when plans unravel and spontaneity rules, these are my favorite. They’re candid, silly, and wonderful to photograph.
I’ve taken Alex’s picture on three prior occasions, but I loved this last session most of all. He was so active and fun. In his features, now more distinct, I saw his momma’s eyes, and his mannerisms often mimicked his Dad. We spent nearly an hour together, letting Alex run the show. Directions were futile, instead we just played, and let Alex be Alex.
To find out more about a lifestyle family photos, please contact me at maggie@rifeponcephotography.com or 402-304-4057.
Megan and David met as freshman in college when David knocked on the door of her dorm room and invited Megan and her roommates to a party. Over the course of four years, they became best friends. David even became close to Megan’s family, but neither thought anything more of their relationship until senior year. To their own surprise, they realized they both had feelings for each other, and with a foundation that makes for long and happy marriages, the two started dating.
Already in their time together they’ve experienced a great depth of human emotion, from the loss of parents to the joy of close friendship. They have an easy rapport with one another that makes those around them feel settled and balanced by their grounded relationship. I see this come through in so many of their pictures, especially those of them together outside and during their first dance. There’s pure affection in each of their eyes.
It’s a joy to see wonderful people commit to each other. I’m so happy for Megan and David and wish them a lifetime of happiness.
See all their wedding photos below and check out Independence Grove for your own wedding venue.
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Cheers to these vendors for all their work making these wedding so lovely!
Florist: Joseph’s Florist
DJ: Elite DJs
Catering: Catering by Micheal’s
Cake: Oak Mill Bakery
Makeup: Jenessa Blaine
Hair: Catherine Tsakalis
Trolley: Second City Trolley
Dunham Wood’s Riding Club Wedding Photos
The scene looked almost like a fall day for Lauren and Matt’s summer wedding. I loved shooting their Dunham Wood’s Riding Club Wedding Photos in this enchanting outdoor venue. Beneath a beautiful oak tree with fallen leaves dappling the grass, the two said “I do” after 11 years together. It was a very touching ceremony, officiated by the bride’s aunt. Happy tears were shed and family and friends were delighted to celebrate Lauren and Matt’s union.
