I met this lovely young couple on the shores of Lake Michigan just outside of Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium on a perfect day in May. What had started out as a gray, foggy morning suddenly transformed into a glorious, cerulean and golden morning that couldn’t help but put you in a cuh-razy good mood. ..
These two just flat out stole my heart. When we met last summer during their engagement session, it was clear to see how head-over-heels in love they were from the get-go. Mariella, an absolutely gorgeous gal from Peru and Andy, a dapper native Chicagoan, make the perfect pair. Kind, funny and bright, they are the poster children for “Young Couple in Love”.
I knew I was going to love Allison and Matt from the get-go.
These two are truly the definition of lovely. Kind, funny, sweet and thoughtful, I am 1000% positive that they have a very bright future ahead of them and am so honored and excited to be capturing the beginning of the rest of their lives together next winter!
Engagement sessions are so much fun. Besides creating heirloom images that will forever capture this exciting time in your lives, they’re a wonderful way to get to know your wedding photographer on a more personal level before the Big Day.
One of the top questions I get asked by engaged couples is “what in the world do you recommend we wear?!”. That’s where this handy little guide comes in. While these are by no means “rules”, they can be helpful suggestions when it comes to wardrobe selections. So with that being said, read on!
It’s natural to feel a little (or more than a little!) uncomfortable in front of the camera at first if it’s something you’re not accustomed to. But never fear! I’ve got you ;-)! Once the initial weirdness wares off, the fun, creativity and laughter starts to creep in and before you know it your session has flown by and you’re anxiously awaiting your session’s sneak peek.
Kelsey and Miles have officially begun their life together as a married couple and I was lucky enough to be there and capture the action.
Not only was their wedding breathtaking (featuring the incredible Bond Chapel on the grounds of UChicago (this lovely couple’s alma matter) and the Signature Room of Hancock Building fame) but it was also so far beyond sweet it would give even the most hardened of us a toothache (of the best variety, of course!).
I have two words for you: Baby. Beagle. How’s that for click bait?! Read on if you dare (because this little lady is so cute you may just lose consciousness). But I’ve gotta say, Dana and Matt truly held their own during their engagement session earlier this month. And that is truly saying something. Because again, Baby. Beagle!
I met this wonderful pair on St. Paddy’s day downtown (one day post parade so it wasn’t the green apocalypse you may be imagining) and the sun seemed to be shining just for them. Having both grown up in the Chicago area, they wanted their engagement session backdrop to be representative of the backdrop to their love story. Sweeping skylines, dazzlingly blue skies and the shimmering waves of Lake Michigan lent even more beauty to this shoot. Scroll on down to check out some of the magic!
You hear this piece of advice so often that it is basically a cliche at this point: Your wedding day flies by in the blink of an eye. Like most overused phrases, it’s a cliche because this is so very true, my dear brides!
Trying to predict the future and nail down a timeline months in advance can be tricky. If you’re looking for some tips to make the planning process easier, you’re in the right place!
Katie and John are the kind of couple who radiate positive energy and, luckily for me, it’s definitely contagious. I had so much fun running around Montrose Beach with them earlier this month. This was only about two days post Polar Vortex fun (bye, Felicia!) and we took full advantage of the empty beach, the stunning skyline and the dramatic ice that created an almost alien landscape…
Everybody who knows me knows that I’m a total sucker for a good love story. I love learning about the couples I’m lucky enough to work with (how they met, how they popped the question, etc) and let me tell ya, Kate and Jake’s story is just so. darn. SWEET. It checks all of the boxes…
Looking back at this past year, I am absolutely floored by how fortunate I have been to work with so many incredible couples on some of the happiest days of their lives. Witnessing soo much love, laughter, tears of joy and top-notch dance moves amidst some of the most beautiful venues Chicagoland has to offer has been an amazing thing to behold.
Those are the five words that Brittaney and Marcus used to describe their relationship when asked, and let me tell ya, a description so apt there never was!
These two are truly the embodiment of class: they’re kind, they’re incredible dressers (a skill I have yet to master so I have the utmost respect for those who do!), they’re super beautiful (I mean, obviously) and are so full of love for one another that the typical pre-ceremony nerves couldn’t touch ‘em. The beautiful Brittaney was incredibly cool, calm and brimming over with quiet grace before exchanging vows with her handsome groom.
“Oh Agnes, won’t you go with me? We’ll be married in style. And we’ll cross Lake Michigan so blue and so wild”. - lyrics from the song“Lovely Agnes”
My dad used to sing that song to my little sister and I when we were little (and it was every bit as agonizing and mortifying as you would imagine), but for some reason that beautiful (when not performed by my father (sorry, Dad!)) song kept trilling through my mind throughout the duration of Taylor and Dylan’s beautiful wedding day.
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)…