Between rock n’ roll concerts and sight-seeing in Chicago, Tyler proposed to his girl friend Monique, surprising her while visiting the city for Lollapalooza. They still had the post-engagement glow when I took these pictures, bringing amazing natural chemistry to their session. Good luck you two in planning your wedding in New Orleans next year. You’re a beautiful couple and I’m sure your wedding will be too!
I’m so happy for Jon and Julianne. I’ve known this couple since I first moved to Chicago four years ago. I always tell them they’re a p0wer couple. Jon’s studying law and Julianne is going into her first year of residency as a doctor. They have more close friends than a most anyone I know, they LOVE having fun, and everyone in their presence seems to just enjoy life! Julianne said after six years, he still makes me laugh just as hard as I did on that first 3 hour car ride back from Champaign.” Also that, “Jon’s support helped keep me motivated and sane throughout medical school, and his excitement and dedication to studying law impresses me every day.”
With their wedding in Barrington Hills, I thought no better place to take them for pictures than the very location I’m set to tie the knot in a few months. This is a pretty special place for me, and even more so for second photographer Tom Root (thank you Tom for all your wonderful images) because it’s where he grew up and his parents still live. The Roots, also known as farmer Jim and Aunt Bah, generously welcomed us to their land to snap the pictures. Jon, Julianne, and even a few groomsmen, enjoyed the swing set, and we found a little shade from the heat beneath the old leafy trees.
After the pictures, it was on to the ceremony, where their long time friend Brad Pnazek officiated their vows. If he was nervous, no one could tell! He did a great job marrying this lovely couple, than rejoiced with a cold beverage afterwards.
Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Morton! I wish you both all the best!
Cake: Lovin Oven Cakery (lovinovencakery.com)
Florist: Town & Country Gardens (eventsbytcg.com)
Venue: Makray Memorial Golf Club (makraygolf.com)
Dress: Galina Signature
Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale and Priscilla of Boston
Tuxedo: DKNY
Makeup: Tracee Badway (traceebadway@gmail.com)
Hair: Desi Perna, Exquisite Brides/Maginificent Brides (onsitebydesi.com,
maginificentbrides.com)
DJ: Dustin Drase, Toast and Jam (toastandjamdjs.com)
Videography: Robert Ben Zimny (rzimny3@gmail.com)
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
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.
Here’s a little preview from Sarah and Stuart’s wedding portrait session last Saturday. They really brought it, despite the cold! More to come soon!
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!
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.
Keep up the good work, guys.
“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: Maison dbarranco22@yahoo.com
Florist: Flowers-Flowers. www.flowers-flowers.com joanne@flowers-flowers.com
Venue: Prairie Avenue Gallery – Keith House events@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
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!
