Big thanks to City Wide Super Slow Fitness for bringing me in to photograph a handful of their members, who get their workout for the week in 20 minutes!
Tag: maggie rife photography
City Wide Super Slow Fitness Member Portraits
Lindsay and Matt Married at Howes Memorial Chapel in Evanston
Lindsay and Matt’s wedding was full of International flair and cultural tradition. Their love for travel and learning was expressed through their details. Guests arriving to the wedding, picked up small blue programs that looked just like a passports. They were charmed during the ceremony by a guitarist playing one of Lindsay’s favorite acoustic melodies. Family and friends were introduced to a Afrocentric marriage tradition during the Yoruba tasting ritual, representing four elements of marriage. The ceremony shows that despite hardships within a marriage, represented as sour, bitter, and spicy, there is sweetness overall.
At the reception, a collection of Brazilian musicians created drum heavy beats for guests to dance too. Above the sambaing crowd, hung rows of white Mexican paper decorations, and behind the dance floor, a dessert table was covered with an assortment of Italian cookies. Chiwara figurines, a tradition of the Bambara people of Mali were the cake toppers. Lindsay’s father hand carved the pair of antelope that represent renewal, abundance, and teamwork.
Lindsay and Matt brought their love for culture and travel to their wedding. It was truly a distinct, unforgettable experience. Congratulations to you both!
Also, quick shout out to my second Tom Root. Thanks for all your help!
Cake: Janet Lee, Flour Cake & Pastry –flourcakeandpastry.com/
Makeup/Hair: Angelica Rivera, Tigerlilie Salon-www.tigerlilie.com/
Musicians:
Luciano Antonio–www.lucianoantonio.com/
Felipe Fraga-www.felipefraga.com
Geraldo de Oliveira-www.geraldodeoliveira.com/
Reception: Campagnolawww.campagnolarestaurant.com
Second: Tom Root www.tomroot.blogspot.com
Kate + Tj’s-from the tracks to the beach
Kate comes up my front steps carrying a bag full of clothes on one arm and a bag of shoes on the other. “I brought options.”
“Wonderful!” I said. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I’ve known Kate for a few years now. She is tall, striking, and fun. Her fiance TJ is laid back and with all-American features and a Midwestern easygoing nature.
Kate shows me her options and we select a black dress with a slight cowl-neck paired with jeweled flip-flops for her first outfit. For the second, she chooses a grey-blue dress with ruffles that reminds me of the soft tones of dusk and the waves on Lake Michigan.
It’s the part of the summer when nearly every evening ends in warm-golden light. During Kate and Tj’s session, the sun is low in the sky–it cuts through the steel beams of the El and wraps around their figures. It carves out the texture in the bricks and brings out the amber in her eyes. Then later, it softens into pinks, blues, and purples.
They walk together on the beach, Tj’s arm draped over Kate’s shoulder. They move toward the shoreline, where Kate, barefoot, walks carefree through the waves and Tj pulls at his pant legs to keep them from getting wet.
When the sun is nearly set, they sit together in a position of comfort. Kate leans into Tj and their limbs tangle together.
It was a beautiful evening. Thank you Kate and Tj for letting me document it.
Becky + Darnell’s Arlington Heights Wedding
Becky and Darnell were married 30 minutes outside of Chicago in Arlington Heights, IL. I was able to spend sometime with the couple a little before their wedding during theirengagement session. They’re fun, funny, and kind people. I love Becky’s easy going laugh and Darnell’s quiet sense of humor.
Their day was full of family-including three lovely flower girls who wooed myself and second shooter Tom Root. They were Becky’s little helpers dressed like mini-me’s in layered white fabric. One of my favorite moments was when Becky captured their attention, and like magic, had them all sitting patiently as she spun them a fairytale-patiently for two minutes, but hey, that’s a lot for a day full of hustle and bustle!
Big thanks to Tom Root who seconded with me on this one!
Caterer: Heba-Hilton Rosemont
Florist: CR Flowers
Nick + Molly’s Trash the Dress
“Do you guys think I should just go for it?” Molly asked her girlfriends, who came to watch and cheer the recent couple’s after-wedding photo shoot.
These were the girls from her running group, the ones whom she’d meet every week downtown to pound miles on Chicago’s asphalt. Of course they said yes. They were the women who’d encourage her to go for any challenge; who were plotting their next race, even as one was still recovering from a recent injury and was explicitly told NOT to run yet.
“Yes!” They all agreed. “Just don’t jump from the rocks though. Why don’t you wade in?”
And just like that, Molly was in the water…Lake Michigan water. At the very beginning of June. Did she complain about the frigid temperatures? Not once.
Nick followed suite. After rolling up his pants high-water style, he went after his bride…A sign of years to come? If so I think they’re in for a lot of adventures!
The Outtakes
Stefanie + Andrew’s Belmont Harbor Engagement Session
Andrew and Stefanie are a blue-eyed duo who share a love of travel (currently pinballing their way through Europe) and business (both recently finished University of Chicago-Booth’s graduate program). Stefanie looked radiant in her royal blue dress and Andrew made me smile and chuckle a bit when referencing poses from other e-sessions on my blog. I’m excited to hear tales from their most recent travels…and a little green with envy. I hope they took lots of pictures!
Chris
Bikram in the City Staff Portraits
Bikram Yoga Instructor Portraits for Chicago studio Bikram in the City
Below is a collection of images from my recent portrait shoot with Bikram in the City staff. The studio maintains an urban feel and brand, so we decided to use the Chicago city as the background for these images. The shoot was held over three days in four different locations: Millenium Park, The Chicago El (until CTA kicked us out, waa waaa), The Observatory, and Montrose Harbor. There were logistical challenges we were to overcome-rain and more rain, a stringent policy on permits by the city, and timing (thank you Starbucks for opening so early). I had a great team working with me, Manase Latu did an amazing job on the makeup, my dear friends Agustina Agustina Diez Sierra and Laurie Peacock were along to assist for some of it, and the staff were amazing!
I started “practicing” bikram this January during the worst of Chicago winter. Like most, I thought I was going to die during my first session, but I’ve since grown to really love this type of yoga. I don’t pretend to be on a level even close to these instructors, but my appreciate for the form grew deeply after hearing of their rigorous training and complete dedication.
Eggs, Orange juice, and Equity
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.
Hilary Schwartz of Estera Events Portrait Session
“I love your hair!” I called over to Hilary at an event earlier this summer. “You could totally rock this cut” she said in response, or something along those lines. At the time I didn’t know “Hilary” was her name, or anything else about her, other than she had great style. After a quick introduction, I discovered she is also an alumni of the University of Missouri and involved in the wedding industry. We exchanged cards and planned to meet again soon.
The next time we did, it was one of those amazing late summer nights where everyone in the city is vying for a patio spot. I was able to snag a table at Rockit on Clark where we both ordered salads the size of our heads. So much for healthy eating with portions that size! We spent two hours talking like old friends, sharing how we each started our business’ and how we approached our work. With a background in interior and graphic design, a side talent for flower arranging, and a fine-tuned sense of what looks good, Hilary’s a natural candidate for wedding and event planning. With a generous smile, down-to-earth nature, and love of health food products and wine, she’s an instant friend.
http://www.esteraevents.com/ and http://www.esteraevents.blogspot.com/
