chicago engagement photography
And then they were four! Welcome to the crew baby Samantha! love this family so much. I photographed their wedding, their newborn photos with Brody, their lakeside family photos and now this intimate family shoot with baby number two. So grateful for friends and clients like these! love!
x
j
I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Laura and Anthony earlier this month. It’s the last wedding I’m shooting this year before I give birth to my daughter in December. I have shot a couple weddings seven months pregnant with my first, and being that I’ve been active this whole pregnancy, I wasn’t too worried. However, being pregnant with all your gear, running around, bending down to get the right angle and being on your feet all day isn’t an easy task. I prefaced the wedding day that I may need to sit down occasionally and of course, they were completely understanding. I was taught that you do not sit down during weddings, unless you’re eating, so normally, I don’t. I felt completely un-judged by anyone when I had to rest for a minute, I guess the large belly helped that!
The day was overcast, 60 degrees and a slight drizzle in the morning, which was fine with me, I love the moodiness of these photos because of it. The rain would have been ok if it started, Laura and Anthony bought $100 of umbrellas just in case and of course, it never did. :) I met them near the lake on the Loyola campus, at the peak of the city limits. The energy was light and casual as everyone was buzzing around getting ready. Laura was getting her hair and makeup done with her girls in one flat and Anthony was having a beers with his buddies upstairs in another.
It was soon time to head over to the Loyola Chapel for the ceremony. I had never been to this chapel before but the location was amazing. The archways in front of the lake were beautiful and the chapel was bright. This was especially helpful since they didn’t allow flash. The ceremony was lovely and there were lots of very sweet moments with the two of them. One of my favorite shots was after they exchanged the rings and kissed, they were sitting next to each other and giggling with happiness. We took some family photos in the church and then outside to get the bridal party. I had to get a few more shots of just Anthony and Laura. I’ve found that posing has been one of my biggest challenges coming into myself as a photographer. Practice has helped but also talking to fellow photographers and just feeling the energy of the couple. These two were so flexible, all I had to say was “get close” sometimes and they their unfolded in front of the lens. I had her lean against the archway and then I told Anthony, “Approach her” and their chemistry took the shot for me! 😍
We had quite a good time on the trolley too, I got to sit down for a minute and Anthony serenaded Laura to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” everyone was beaming, especially Laura. I had suggested Montrose Beach as one of our stops for photos since it was close by and you get the lake and the iconic skyline in the back, these are some of my favorite shots of the day too. I just love the dark blue clouds on the horizon that day.
The reception was held at Ravenswood Event Center and was gorgeous. They did a perfect job putting everything together. The dinner space was rustic, the cocktail and dancing space was industrial and it all had beautiful details that all tied in together. The food was incredible and the staff was gracious. So glad I got to work with all these people that day. As the night continued there were lots of laughs and plenty of singalongs. In the last photo, where everyone is obiviously belting out a song, they’re singing “Take on Me” by A-Ha. Everyone loves a good throwback! Grateful I got to spend this day with all of these lovely people, it was such a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple. Wedding days are so special and I’m so lucky to get a front row seat to all of these moments. Congratulations Anthony and Laura!
J
The landscape might fool you because we were neither lakeside nor in the suburbs, just a quick hop, skip and a jump to Humboldt Park in Chicago and you get everything - beach, pond, prairie and open field. Katie and her family were so great to work with. They found me through a past client and we met up on a beautiful summer evening. I was forewarned that their daughter, Hannah was 1) sick and 2) the shoot was close to her bedtime. Ha! I know what that means! Luckily, she was an angel, even smiley. I just love the warm light in these photos and you can really feel the love between them. I especially loved when Hannah kept kissing her mama, full chin suck and all. Enjoy these sweet moments with the Davis Family. <3
xo
J
I’m so excited to share Adrienne and Rich’s engagement photos with you today! I braved the cold with my legwarmers, three layers, scarf, gloves and hat… it’s Chicago in December next to Lake Michigan, so yeah I bundled. My clients though, however, wanted no coats, so they smiled, listened to my bossy prompts J and snuggled close to get these shots (even though their hands were frozen). I later talked them into putting their coats on after a quick warm up so they could feel more comfortable. The wind was really whipping around and I started to feel bad for them! Haha! We returned to Diversey Harbor where Rich proposed (um, great work Rich!). I love the moodiness of these photos, the big lake waves and the cloudy sky. These two were a referral from my other client and it was my first time meeting them. Adrienne and Rich, you were so awesome to work with, congratulations!
J
So the first time I ever met either of these two was the day we took engagement photos. Annie found some of my photos through another client of mine and asked for my information (love when that happens!). Annie and Daniel met me at Olive Park in August, but because we forgot to check, the park was closed due to the air and water show (doh!). So we improvised and we walked down to Oak Street beach and got some shots with the Hancock building behind them (it’s where Daniel proposed). We then got out of there because so many people were lingering around after the event that day and we headed up to Diversey Harbor. These two were so camera shy in the beginning and by the end of the shoot, they were totally comfortable. They were such gigglers, I loved it. Giggles make happy photos so I’m all about it.
J
I am so excited I get to take photos these two and again for their big day. CJ and Jacklyn are so in love, their magnetism is hard to miss. I noticed how much they say “i love you” to each other and how almost in disbelief they have found each other. I was referred to photograph their wedding from my mother’s husband who happened to be booked to play acoustic guitar at their wedding in October of this year. Jacklyn and I met first right down the street from my condo in Chicago with her dog, Sampson. We were neighbors! So we decided to meet before she decided to pull the trigger on the wedding package.
We met each other by the big LOVE art mural in Bucktown and then we walked down a street there and headed to the park near the 606. They made my job easy because they had no problem showing some affection for the camera. I love love and these two had plenty of it. Stay tuned for their next blog post about their wedding! yay!
