One of the most common questions I get from my lovely brides is , “Where should we take our engagement/wedding photos?!”

Fear not, you beautiful soon-to-be-newlyweds. I’ve collected a list of my absolute favorite spots in and around the city of Chicago in order in order to help you choose the perfect location(s) for you!

Thinking about bringing your dog along on your engagement session? Here are a few reasons why you absolutely should (plus some tips and tricks to make the whole thing run smoothly)!

Let’s be honest, having a chick crawling around in the bushes (oh yes, literally!) with a camera focusing solely on you is……not your average Thursday night’s activity (or maybe it is? If so it’s probably best you keep that to yourself ;-).

Alex and Tom were so natural in front of the camera. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re gorgeous, obviously. These people are basically Good Humans for a living (she being a nurse and he being a fireman/first responder) and that force of good definitely shines when you see them interact together.

Claudia and Izzy have one of those sweet stories that everyone dreams of: high school sweethearts introduced via family and mutual friends who have been together through thick and thin for years.

Every now and again I’ll get to a shoot location and be completely bowled over by how perfect everything is: the lighting, the way the gray sky seems to melt into a pale lake as fresh pools reflect the seagulls overhead. A calm, dark forest that is straight out of an enchanted Grimms Fairy Tale (minus all of the awful stuff, obviously!).

The morning of Brian and Kelsey’s engagement session was definitely such an occasion.

Baylie and Conner are perfect together.

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. ..

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!

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!

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. …

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.