maggie rife photography Archives

A New Leaf Wedding – Erin + Alister’s nuptials

Erin met Alister in 1992 when he flew from Amsterdam to Chicago with his family. More than a decade later in 2010, they reunited in Amsterdam while Erin was traveling with her sister. From there, it was long distant phone calls, flights back and forth, and skyping at odd hours until Allister proposed. When she said yes, he sold his flat and moved to Chicago to live with his bride and plan their wedding (the last of the year at A New Leaf-lucky them!)

The day was just lovely, marked with tearful speeches and raucous laughter. Cheers, Erin and Allister!

Congrats Erin and Allister!

Katelyn’s Senior Portraits

by Maggie Rife Ponce

It’s a little surreal for me to post these pictures–I used to nanny Katelyn when she was seven years old! Now, ten years later, she’s a senior in high school, full of confidence and overflowing with charisma.

Lindsey and Jon are married!

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

DJ: Enchanted Evening

Dress: Tara Keeley

Tux: Men’s Wearhouse

Lindsey and Jon’s Engagment Session in Evanston

by Maggie Rife Ponce

On a sunny afternoon in Evanston, IL, I met Lindsey and Jon to photograph their engagement session. The two met in seminary school three years ago, and have been hooked ever since. They’re a beautiful couple with bright smiles and deep friendship. They even have their own handshake!

Ashley + Rex’s Winter Engagment Session at Millenium Park and North Ave. Beach

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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.

The Ponce Brothers for WLS 890 am

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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.

Keep up the good work, guys. anthony dan ponce

Patti and Alfred’s Winter Wedding at Old St. Mary’s

by Maggie Rife Ponce

“We have been a couple since before either of us was of a legal drinking age. We met at the recreation center of our college.”

Eleven years later, the couple, who scored higher than anyone EVER for knowing the other best in their marriage preparation class, sealed the deal. This self-described quiet, introverted couple, said their vows in an intimate winter ceremony in front of their immediate family and very close friends.

In an e-mail to me before their wedding, Patti wrote, “we really just enjoy each other’s company.” I could see this from our first meeting. They laugh easy, and seem utterly comfortable with each other. It was a joy to see them marry and celebrate at their reception afterwards.

I have to give the couple props (especially Patti-you’ll see why in the pictures) for bearing the cold during their portrait session. They were troopers! Thankfully, their reception was quite cozy at the Keith House also known as the Prairie Avenue Gallery. In this beautiful building in one of Chicago’s historical districts, they shared in laughs, cheers, dancing, and even a little karaoke! Congrats Patti and Alfred. All the best to you both!

I’d like to give a big shout out to the following vendors:
Cake: Amy Beck’s Cake Designs. cakes@amybeckcakedesign.com

Caterer: Maisondbarranco22@yahoo.com

Florist: Flowers-Flowers. www.flowers-flowers.comjoanne@flowers-flowers.com

Venue: Prairie Avenue Gallery – Keith Houseevents@prairieavenuegallery.com

Black Hearts Hair House- 773.525.4344

Makeup Artist: Esther Soto-esther.soto@yahoo.com

Bride’s Dresses:

Ceremony Dress – Allure Bridal

Reception Dress – David’s Bridal

Bride’s Maids Dresses-David’s Bridal

Tuxes: Formally Modern Tuxedo

Agustina and Johann’s Day After Portrait Session in Uyuni, Bolivia

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!