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!
After seven years of marriage, Anna got the itch and decided to commemorate their relationship and time in Chicago with a photo shoot. They married shortly after college in St. Louis, Missouri, and have lived in Chicago since. Having fallen in love with the city, Anna and Mike had me capture them enjoying a few of the iconic spots in the city in celebration of their seven years together. Congratulations you two!
Lindsey and Jon’s wedding brought their closest family and friend’s together in celebration of their love. It was Jon’s grandfather, a retired pastor, who married the two. He spoke to the couple of the joy, beauty, and commitment of love. Friends and classmates at Garrett Evangelical Theology Seminary ushered guests to their seats, and one performed a song of worship that brought tears in the chapel.
From here, Lindsey and Jon will say goodbye to the Evanston campus and continue their journey in Michigan, where Lindsey will start her new pastoral position. Good luck to you both and warmest wishes to your lives together!
Lots of gratitude goes to my second, Michael Boyd. Thanks Michael!
Big Thanks to these vendors:
Florist: Flowers Flowers (Evanston, IL)
Cake: Rose’s Bakery and Oak Mill Bakery
Caterer: Hilton Garden Inn
Wedding Service: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful
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!
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.
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!
Dan and Anthony Ponce are well-known local reporters for news stations WGN 9 and NBC 5, respectively. Now they’re being recognized for additional coverage on a different medium, airwave radio. Tune into WLSAM.com or a.m. 890 on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. to hear The Ponce Brothers discuss national and local topics from the week.
I refer to Ponce’s brother Anthony as my fiance and Dan as my soon-to-be brother-in-law. I know them well. So, I wasn’t surprised when they spent the entire shoot rifling off nonstop movie quotes and cracking each other up. I’m glad they have each other so someone thinks they’re funny. Just kidding, guys, you’re great comedians, but please keep it on the radio and out of my photo shoot.
Dan and Anthony learned from their father, Phil Ponce, longtime host of Chicago Tonight. Phil will be a frequent guest on the Ponce Brothers show and even occasionally fill in.
A little more than a year ago I met with Agustina for the first time in a small coffee shop in Lincoln Square. She friended me on facebook earlier when she say pictures from one of my trips. She mentioned she was going to be married in a Argentina the following year and was interested in having me photograph the union. Since then we’ve become great friends, so this trip to South America was extra special for me. Not only was I taking pictures and exploring Argentina and Bolivia (those photos to come in a few blog posts), but I was sharing the experience with two great people!
Argentina was stunning, full of joyful laughter, and inviting. Agustina’s family was incredibly warm and sweet. It was amazing to meet them in person after hearing so many stories!
Check back soon for Johann and Agustina’s day after session in Uyuni, Bolivia.
I thought I’d share a few images of the remarkable vistas just a short drive outside of Agustina’s hometown, Salta.
Salta is famous for traditional gauchos, cowboy’s who herd the native horses.
The Wedding Day:
On the way to the venue where Agustina was to get ready, a person driving beside pointed out a low tire on the vehicle. “Do you think I should pull over?” Agust asked. “I think we better. You don’t want the tire to blow out along the way.”
We pulled off at a small auto shop, where the mechanic said she’d need to change the tire. “Well ok then, but can you just try to do it fast because I’m getting married today, ” Agust said with a smile. Throughout the whole trip she referenced the Saltena lifestyle–a casual approach to things, especially schedules. For such a thing to happen in America might send the day in a tail spin, but Agustina just shrugged and carried on.
Agustina finalized the table arrangements for the reception while having her hair done.
Agustina’s grandma, Mamama, goes over last details for the day. She is an amazing woman, a classic matriarch with a big heart and impeccable taste.
Agustina had her one of a kind dress made in Salta, inspired by a dress worn Christina Applegate wore to the Oscars.
The church was overflowing with guests excited to see the couple married.
In Argentina, it’s tradition to follow the religious ceremony with a civil ceremony, which took place at the reception site.
When Agustina first came to America, she lived with The Borelli’s as their family au pair. Seven years later, they are all very close. Lisa and Mark Borelli flew in from Chicago for the occasion, to the delight of her family and friends.
Johann’s sister’s, Annie and Carina toasted the happy couple on behalf of their parents, who weren’t able to travel from Chicago, and their distant extended in the Philippines. Carina wasn’t able to hold back her tears, so Mamama, gave her a few hearty slaps to snap her out of the crying.
I thought I’d share a few images of the remarkable vistas just a short drive outside of Agustina’s hometown, Salta.
Salta is famous for traditional gauchos, cowboy’s who herd the native horses.
Carina wasn’t able to hold back her tears, so Mamama, gave her a few hearty slaps to snap her out of the crying.
