Lisa and Chris’ Loyola University Wedding

by Maggie Rife Ponce

One of my favorite things about photographing weddings are the stories I over hear during the day. Whether it’s the father’s speech, which more often than not leaves me choked up, or a passing comment in the buffet line. There were many of these moments during Lisa and Chris’ wedding. I loved hearing about the letters Chris wrote to Lisa while he was traveling that made her friends swoon, or about Chris’ hunger for learning and Lisa’s mini-urban farm complete with six chickens and her own fresh produce.

One other thing that struck me about Lisa and Chris is their complete comfort with each other. Granted they’ve been together for 10 years, but when they danced, they seemed to completely let go; when they hugged, Lisa would look at Chris with such longing, and when they cut the cake, well, you’ll just have to see what happened…

Big thanks to Leigh Loftus for her wonderful help photographing this wedding with me.

Day of Planning: Laura Susin Koo www.honeybeeweddings.com/

Florist – Tina and Dollie www.bloomsbytinaanddollie.com

Venue – Loyola University Madonna della Strada and Crown Center

Ceremony dress – Grandmother’s wedding dress from 1952

Reception dress – J Crew Arabelle

Caterer – Loyola Catering Services

Hair and Makeup – Morgan Blaul www.morganblaul.com

Dj – Toast and Jam – Kate and Rachel www.toastandjamdjs.com/

Kate + Tj’s-from the tracks to the beach

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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 their engagement 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

DJ- Something 2 Dance 2

Stefanie + Andrew’s Belmont Harbor Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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!

Molly and Nick’s Nebraska Country town wedding

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Over a year ago Molly visited her fiance’s (now husband) hometown, Avoca, Nebraska. During her stay she had a vision of a country wedding in the middle of the town park.

There are not many Nebraskans who know where Avoca is. If they do, it’s probably because they visited for the Annual Quack-Off duck races. Yep, it’s true, this town hosts such an event each year drawing big city folk from Lincoln and Omaha to come place bets on the oh so exciting, never a dull moment, nailing biting competition.

Outside of Nebraska you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who’s familiar with the town. Here’s what came up when I googled “Avoca, Nebraska”:

Population in July 2009: 262. Population change since 2000: -3.0%.

Molly saw something very special though on her trip and she wanted to share Nick’s old stomping grounds with the rest of their family and friends.

She imagined an event with diy details-Wine bottles with lace trim, a clothesline adorned with photos from throughout the years, mason jars with lemonade, classic coca cola, popcorn and caramelized pecans. She pictured carpenters lights strung above picnic tables, a buffet of comfort food, homemade pie along with an assortment of desserts. With her family, friends, and a U-hual truck full of supplies driven eight hours from Chicago, she arranged a true backyard wedding.

I’m completely blown away by the attention to detail, patience, and creativity given to this wedding. Molly, Nick, friends and family, you all did an amazing job and I am so grateful to have photographed the occasion, and been able to be a guest at the end of the night.

Chris

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Bikram in the City Staff Portraits

by Maggie Rife Ponce

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.

Lindsay and Matt’s Evanston Engagement Session

by Maggie Rife Ponce

We started at Northwestern’s library, a location Lindsay and Matt have spent a lot of time in over the past few years. Both graduate student at Northwestern University, the two share a common love of books, travel, and now Brazilian music. Matt wasn’t always a fan of the samba rhythms, but he developed an appreciation after dating Lindsay, who DJ’s a Brazilian radio show every Monday.

Between Northwestern’s library, modeled after Oxford’s famous shelves, and 2nd Hand tunes with rows and rows of music to flip through, I was in heaven. Thank you Lindsay and Matt for choosing such out of the box and IMHO interesting locations! I can’t wait for the wedding! P.S. To the viewers-It just so happens that one of the locations we photographed at was a wall with the graffiti art reading “Don’t buy diamonds.” Coincidentally, Lindsay’s engagement ring is diamond free.

Simply Cold.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

It was cold when I woke this morning, but gold light filtered through the windows.

“I’ll take it,” I thought.

The frigid, finger numbing, skin burning, cough inducing winter air is unpleasant, but so long as the sky’s not grey–100 shades of grey, I can deal. I suck it up. I layer. I wear two hats, a sweatshirt, a jacket, fury boots, tights, jeans, double up on the socks, then top it all off with what my aunt calls the “El coat”–a puffy black number covering me from head to nearly toe during the winter months. It may be fugly, but it’s functional.

Then I play a “get pumped” mix. Today’s included “Power” from Mr. West’s most recent release. I eat my words while listening to the song. A few weeks back I went off on a tirade about Kayne-“I’ve been with him since ‘through the wire,’ but I don’t think he’s that good anymore.”

“Well I hear this ones supposed to be the album of the decade,” Amanda says to me.

“He can’t sing!”

I still don’t think he’s a very good singer, but neither am I. The album…well….I might just be slightly, maybe, sorta kinda, hate to admit it, but if I’m going to be honest, addicted. I can own up when I’m wrong. I was wrong.

So, I’m pumped, dressed, armed with my camera, charged battery, and my arsenal of lenses. Off to North Ave. Here’s the thing about the winter, the days are SO short. In July, you’ve got hours and hours to shoot. Today the sun was set by 4:20; my grand ambitions of shooting the Lake Shore then heading back to Gary were quickly adjusted. I’ll have to save Gary for another day. Till then…

This last shot is dedicated to my cousin Lizard. Merry Christmas. I’ll make you a print. <3

Lifted…Chicago Wedding at the Willis Tower Skydeck Lounge.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Lifted…Chicago Wedding at the Willis Tower Skydeck Lounge is the photo story of Lisa and Jason’s wedding. This one literally took my breath away. Stepping out on the ledge of The Willis Tower, formerly and often still referred to as the Sears Tower, was enough to make my stomach drop. But Jason and Lisa were cool as cucumbers, creating a quiet, peaceful moment in which rested in just after they’re vow exchange.

I had a great time working with Sonya Martin for this wedding. She has a beautiful spirit and unending amount of positivity. She’s a sweetie!