Maggie & Steve :: Chicago Engagement Session at Oak Street Beach

I really love my job. While en route to meet Maggie & Steve in the heart of downtown Chicago, I saw a lot of people hustling and bustling along the city streets. Most of them were headed in or out of stuffy office buildings, so it made me smile knowing that I was going to work here:

Steve popped the big question right here at the corner of Michigan and Oak (on a carriage ride!), so we had to return to that very same spot and make some magical images of their engagement time. Oak Street beach was just down the block, so we couldn't pass that up, either. Beach portraits on November first! It was a dream...

There are so many images from this session that I love. Seriously, you have to watch their SLIDESHOW to see more.
Or go visit their PROOF GALLERY.

Thanks, Maggie and Steve, for being such good sports about sitting in sand and walking out into traffic. I hope you love these images as much as I do!

Engagement Session in Lords Park, Elgin :: Stacey + Chris

I LOVE fall. The crisp leaves, cool air, and beautiful colors make such a great backdrop for photographs. Stacey and Chris met me in Elgin's Lords Park, and we had a wonderful time capturing their engagement portraits.

Thanks, Stacey and Chris, for such a fun afternoon. I can't wait for your wedding next August!

To see more of Stacey & Chris's session, watch their slideshow HERE.
Or visit their proof gallery HERE.

Trout Lake Outdoor Wedding :: Sarah & Abraham

This is one bride with moxy, let me tell you! Planning an outdoor wedding in the middle of October is not for the faint of heart here in the Midwest. Happily, the weather cooperated with Sarah's plans, and it was an absolutely gorgeous day as she wed Abe under a canopy of trees at the banks of the Fox River. 

My favorite part of the day came after the ceremony, when I stole the happy couple away to take some romantic portraits around the grounds of the wedding site. The sun was just setting, and it made for such dramatic and romantic lighting. Here's a peek:

As the sun dipped below the trees, we headed back to the party, now moved inside a tent, and basked in the glow of candles and twinkle lights. Add in some really great live music and a coffee bar hosted by one of our favorite brewers, The Conscious Cup, and it made for a truly magical evening.

Sarah and Abe, it was such a pleasure to document your wedding day, and we're grateful you included us in your plans. 

To see more of Sarah & Abe's spectacular celebration, watch their SLIDESHOW here,

Or visit their proof gallery here.