A Quiet Morning Along the Chicago River

Syd & Jo are just the sweetest most joy-filled couple, they are so in love and it’s infectious to be around them!

We had a lovely morning starting at the Wrigley Building for portraits. We got there early to avoid the crowds, and being June, we had a perfect backdrop of Pride flags along the façade to help set the stage. After we explored the area we did a quick outfit change and headed down to the riverwalk. Syd works on the river during the summers, making it a personal and special place for them.

Finally, we ended the afternoon with a round of drinks at The Northman Beer & Cider Garden. I always love adding an experience element to a portrait session, it allows couples to let their guard down and just enjoy each other’s company without having to actively think about posing, allowing me to capture very natural and spontaneous candid moments.

A Sultry Gothic Soirée

When my longtime friends Adria & Jon approached me to be their wedding photographer, I knew it was going to be an extra special project! They have always been the couple to throw an amazing annual Halloween party, so they decided to continue that tradition and throw a full gothic bash, complete with a wedding ‘ritual,’ on Friday the 13th. They had been planning their big day for a while, and knew they wanted to do things a bit differently to make the day feel authentic to their relationship. So in an interesting twist, they hired all personal friends as wedding vendors- from the venue all the way through to the officiant they had their chosen family coming together to make their day special.

I had worked with them to plan out their timeline, including portraits around the city before their evening ceremony. However come the big day, we were faced with stormy weather and needed to switch to an alternate plan. We decided to keep the day relaxed, including extra getting ready time, and really take advantage of the luxe penthouse venue for some funky, editorial style portraits.

As guests began to arrive we took some family portraits and then the couple had a private moment alone while I documented their guests mingling for cocktail hour. As the storm passed the most amazing sunset saturated the sky, a backdrop worth waiting for as the heartfelt ceremony began.

After Adria & Jon were officially husband and wife, I had the unique perk of putting away my camera and putting on my dancing shoes to celebrate with them as a guest for the reception!

Getting Ready & First Looks

I had the immense pleasure of getting to add ‘first look photographer’ to my maid of honor duties this winter! My best friend Samantha was getting married to her awesome partner Jay, and while my main job was standing in their wedding, Samantha realized she didn’t have enough time with her venue’s photographer to capture getting ready and first looks.

I was happy to take up my camera and help set up Samantha’s first look with her father and Jay’s first look with his mother. I loved the idea of doing first looks with parents, I don’t see that as often and it is such a sweet moment to witness the surprise and overwhelm on a proud parent’s face on their child’s big day.

I was so honored to get to capture these memories for a couple I love so dearly.

An Intimate Home Wedding

I was hired by this bride’s sister-in-law as a surprise to document their private at-home wedding ceremony. Mira & Madhat are such a sweet couple, who were weathering the storm that was planning a wedding during covid lockdowns. Their original wedding day was cancelled, and they went with the flow, knowing that getting married and celebrating their relationship was the most important thing.

After doing a portrait session with their original photographer downtown, Mira & Madhat headed back to their family’s home in the suburbs to hold a private ceremony. Little did they know, I was there to document the ceremony and make sure they had long-lasting memories of the moment their marriage was official.

Their closest family gathered to receive them in style in the front yard. Everyone then moved inside for the ceremony, including some Facetimes with family that couldn’t be in attendance. After, the couple headed back outside as friends and neighbors paraded by cheering with handmade posters, and surprised them with a yard display full of hearts and a congratulations sign!

The bride later unveiled a fabulous second outfit, and the couple showed off the diy photo backdrop they had been working on. They finished off the night with a delicious spread for dinner and a sweet moment cutting the cake.

Even with the wild change in plans, they night was brimming with love and happiness and special moments celebrating these two in their new chapter.