Take me back to that gorgeous October day when Megan, Billy and I ran around Lake Katherine capturing not only this beautiful engaged-to-be-wed couple but also all of the glorious autumn colors. …

Warning: There is a dog with a flower crown in this post and it is almost too much to take. Almost.

Katie and Adam are perfect together. Sweet, funny, up-for-anything and obviously easy on the eyes, these guys were a blast to run around Lincoln Square and Montrose Beach with earlier this month.

I met Karen and Matt in the lakeside ‘burb of Wilmette one golden autumn afternoon.  The only thing more radiant than the light shimmering on Lake Michigan’s perfect blue waters was the way that these crazy kids look at each other…

When I first met up with Katie one frigid Sunday afternoon last January to talk about her wedding and she mentioned the words “summer” and “yacht” and “on Lake Michigan” my excitement level to shoot this wedding went through. the. ROOF.

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to capture Melanie and Dave’s engagement session at one of my favorite new spots in the area, per their suggestion. Throw in a healthy dose of fall colors, gorgeous light and a lovely and beautiful couple who are tying the knot next July and, well, I can’t possibly imagine a better way to spend some time on a Sunday afternoon.

Bonus points for their “Save The Date” creativity! Scroll on down to see some of the magic for yourself <3.

You know that wonderful feeling you get after spending a long summer day with really, truly goodhearted, hilarious and genuine people? Well let’s say you spend that day in a secret garden in the middle of a giant city surrounded by MORE really, truly goodhearted, hilarious and genuine people, BBQ, champagne and a dance party that can only be described as the stuff of legends (it has inspired me to conceptualize a new television show in the vein of Dancing with the Stars: Ultimate Horah Challenge. But I digress)…

jen & Alex – a shake rag alley garden wedding

 Okay, I am way, way behind in blog posts. Wedding season 2018 is drawing to a close and I am just about able to catch my breath! I have been DYING to share photos from Jen and Alex’s stunning garden wedding at the always beautiful Shake Rag Alley in the stunning little hamlet of Mineral Point, WI. 

Have I mentioned recently how crazy lucky I am to work with such amazing people every weekend? ‘Cuz here I go again!

Jen and Alex. Alex and Jen. What an awesome couple. Jen was ever-so-chill on her wedding day and hanging out with her and her best lady pals (in a beautiful little 1836 limestone cottage, no less (again, lucky!)  as she prepared to walk down the aisle was an absolute blast. Alex is just as sweet and cool as his new wife and let me tell ya, these two are clearly enamored with one another. 

The bride looked amazing her in classic, simple and oh-so-chic dress and long, be-flowered braid. And they had a Barmadillo. A BARMADILLO. Not sure what that is? Neither was I! Their beautiful garden wedding truly reminded me of a grand lawn party from days-gone-by.

Scroll on down to check out some of my favorite moments from their day.

Congratulations, Jen and Alex! Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your beautiful wedding day <3!

I met Brittaney and Marcus one early Sunday morning in downtown Chicago to capture some engagement goodness and let me tell ya: mission accomplished.

There was something about the combination of this sun kissed couple just home from the holiday of a lifetime, the gorgeously still mid-August morning in downtown Chicago and the beautiful (dare I say Parisian-esque?!) Doughnut Vault’s exterior that filled me with all of the joi de vivre!

Summerlicious definition: Mariella and Andy at Montrose Beach and Bird Sanctuary. Holy moly, this is the stuff summer dreams are made of!

On an EXTREMELY  hot July afternoon, I spent an hour or so strolling along Chicago’s beautiful shoreline with Shannon and Matt during their engagement session. Because we are warriors!

Shannon and Matt (who are every bit as sweet as they are gorgeous, by the way. Sometimes the lord gives with both hands, I tell ya!) …