Chicago Wedding and Elopement Photographer

Art Institute Engagement Session : Rachel + Chris 11/18/18

September 20, 2019

What is one of the best ways to spend a crisp fall morning in Chicago? Coffee and the Art Institute!

You may recognize Rachel as she is the sister of Leah who is one of my previous brides and I’ve photographed her and Luis (and furbabies) a few times! So I was thrilled to hear from Rachel when she got engaged.

I met them at Art Institute where we walked around, found some of their favorite paintings and of course made a stop at the gorgeous staircase.

Unfortunately the gardens were closed for the season, but we made the most of what we could and still snuck in a few with some color. And what’s a morning session without coffee?! We walked over the cutest coffee stop around that is tucked into an alley. If you didn’t know it was there you would miss it, but thanks (or not thanks?) to instagram it’s become more and more popular.

They sipped some lattes and snuck some kisses before I sent them of to meet the parents for lunch!

I can’t wait to see photos of their destination I do’s!

Here are some favorites!

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Chicago Neighborhood Proposal : Erich + Courtney 11/16/18

September 8, 2019

Photographing proposals is super exciting and also very stressful for a photographer. I met Erich the week before to gameplan for this as I was very worried about it being so dark.

The plan was for him to drop to one knee on this corner on their way to dinner. Why this corner you ask? They used to live in this neighborhood a few blocks from each other and this was the corner they would always meet on to head elsewhere. Super cute right?!

Meanwhile I hid in the dark across the street behind the mailbox like a creep lol. It was soooooo dark. Only a street lamp really. And I gave him very specific instruction to be in that light as setting up a lightstand with a flash wasn’t really possible in this situation. All went well and she said yes! Full disclosure I did pop up a light stand after and do a little recreation for a couple of shots with better lighting. I think Courtney was still in so much shock that the reaction to the second time is pretty much the same as the first lol.

From there they continued onto their “dinner” plans. Little did Courtney know that surprise number two was coming! As we headed into the back room at Summer House and their families were waiting!

It’s such a treat to be able to capture such joy! Here are some favorites!

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Tivoli Theater and Morton Arboretum Engagement Session: Rachel + Robbie 10/17/18

August 4, 2019

Welcome to one of my favorite engagement sessions! You may recognize Rachel and Robbie from her sister Kimmy’s wedding.

I was thrilled when they reached out to me and so excited when they told me about their idea to do some photos for their engagement session at Tivoli Theater. What a better idea for movie lovers than that?!

Let’s just say we had a few complications when we arrived as they had mixed up the dates and weren’t ready for us, but it all worked out in the end. Popcorn was popped, we laughed, we faked our best scary movie faces and had a great time.I LOVE their names on the marquee that they used for save the dates. Which by now I think everyone should have received since we’re less than 3 months out. I’ve been dying to share them, but I know they didn’t want anyone to see them until those went out in the mail.

From there we headed out to Morton Arboretum to explore. I have to send a shout out to Mrs. Grimmer for being our chauffeur and pulling over anytime I said “ohhhhh… I like the light over there” which was about every 5 feet haha. We covered some serious ground as we drove all over the whole place in search of good light and great fall color.

I can’t wait for their November wedding! Until then please enjoy their engagement session!