On a perfect summer day, I photographed Anna and Scott, long time love birds, at the Nature Walk in Lincoln Park. This engagement session was so much fun, full of laughter, playful teasing, and tender moments. 
Tag: Chicago Engagement Photography
Anna and Scott’s Engagement Session in Lincoln Park
Laura and Earl’s North Avenue Beach Engagement Shoot
One of my favorite moments during Laura and Earl’s engagement session at North Ave beach was when Laura burst into a run, chasing the sea gulls into flight. Her enthusiasm made for great photography, if only for the laughter that came after. I can’t wait to see what happens during the wedding! Something tells it’s going to be a great time!
Jessica and Marcus’ engagement Session
I’m so happy for these two-they are a super sweet and vibrant couple, getting married next year. I can’t wait for their wedding. I had a ball shooting their engagement session–it was so much fun, a beautiful day, and they had great energy. Didn’t feel like work at all!
Jennifer and Jason- Promontory Point Engagement Session
Jennifer is a self-proclaimed romantic. Halfway through the shoot, I had to stop and ask, “Did you read love stories growing up?” She smiled and said, “Yes” and that she loved fairy tales. I had a feeling as I photographed her and Jason–they were just soo romantic! I love how tender they were with each other.
I had such a great time capturing them “cuddle” (Jennifer said I may be the only professional who can get away with telling clients to “cuddle up.”) I’m looking forward to the wedding this Saturday!
Jillian and Michael are all smiles during their Engagement Session
For Michael, Jillian was literally the girl next store. The two grew up on the same block, becoming life long friends. Now, this summer, they will become life long husband and wife. Congratulations Jillian and Michael! I had so much fun on this shoot. I can’t wait for the wedding!
How Facebook Brought Them Together…
We’ve all done it…you know, facebook stalking 🙂 Well in this case, it worked out well for Engy and Jason. She spotted his image on a friend’s facebook page. He was part of an accounting group at their alma mater, U of I. He caught her eye, so that when she met him the first time while out, she made sure to introduce herself.
They went from facebook stalking, to facebook poking, to being facebook “official,” and next summer, they’ll once more update their status to “married.”
Congrats to you both! Looking forward to the wedding this summer.
Ashley + Rex’s Winter Engagment Session at Millenium Park and North Ave. Beach
For weeks Rex told Ashley he wouldn’t make it to Christmas in Cincinnati with her family. The two hadbeen dating long distance since Ashely moved back to her home town to work as a pediatric physical therapist. Because of the distance, Ashely was really hoping to see her far away love.
Two days before Christmas, her mother asked Ashley to make a last minute gift run. The shopping route took them past Ashley and Rex’s Freshman dorms (where they met nine years ago). There, waiting on the same steps they climbed together on a daily basis, was Rex. Ashely’s mom pushed her out of the car, (she at least stopped first) leaving the two alone. As she approached, Rex bent to one knee and amongst hundreds of glowing candles, asked Ashely to be his wife. She happily accepted!
Sunday shoot day with second photographer Tom Root
One of my second photographers,Tom Root and I went out shooting on Sunday to stir the creative juices and talk about the upcoming session. We’re both closet hipsters, or wait no, were real artist, or does calling ourselves artist therefore make us hipsters? Either way, we love urban settings, graffiti, chain link fences, cool texture, and exploring-so, I guess according to that description, we might have hipster tendencies 🙂 No matter–if in fact we are, than I’m embracing it!
Chicago Ave. was our location of choice for this adventure. If you follow the train tracks beneath the overpass, you find a walls of graffiti and remnants of vagabonds. The light poured in like one big, oversized soft box, creating a perfect source for going over different descriptions. I made Tom turn this way, that way, then all the way back around again while I showed him hatchet, Rembrandt, and back, rim, and beauty light.
We had a blast shooting-(though our next workshop we’re happily accepting volunteer models). We channeled scenes from Stand By Me-balancing on the rails like gymnast on a beam. We took the tracks one direction, than back the other. After about an hour or so, our fingers were numb from the cold and it was time to go back. I’m already looking forward to our next workshop adventure!
Purvi and Mohit’s Engagment Session at Millenium Park and The Magnificent Mile
When Purvi brought up their engagement session, she told me she really wanted pictures captured beneath Christmas lights. She also hoped for snow, not for the whole season, mind you, but rather for the sake of the pictures. “It’s funny because for the pictures, I am hoping for snow on the ground, but in reality, I’m hoping the snow never comes! ”
Unfortunately the snow did come, but not soon enough. Still, there’s one redeeming factor in the streets being dry–it made it much easier for Purvi to cross the streets in her Christmas gift from Mohit, classic black Louboutins, with that signature red strip that matched perfectly with her darling peacoat.
Agustina and Johann’s Day After Portrait Session in Uyuni, Bolivia
A few days after Agustina and Johann’s wedding, we jumped in a pickup truck with our guides, Joaquin and Dani, gas tank loaded on the back of the bed, and headed North. After two days of driving, we arrived in Uyuni, Bolivia. Llama farms dotted the countryside and locals sold hand woven fabrics along the road. After having a quick bite of local fare, we headed outside of town to the salt flats. This celestial terrain stretches for miles as far as the eye can see. The expanse of salt is remnants left over from what once was an ocean or sea.
On the dry cracked land, dressed in their wedding attire, I snapped pictures of the newlyweds. It was a beautiful setting for a couple that radiates. Thank you for having me along to document your wedding and experience Bolivia and Argentina!
A few Outtakes:
Our guide Dani strikes a pose. He wanted to be a part of the portrait session. Dani and Joaquin smile for a photo.
Dani uses a stick and plastic tube to siphon gas into the tank. This was a first for me!
