Chris and Carolyn packed up their home here in Chicago a couple of years ago and headed down to Florida where Chris had an amazing job opportunity waiting. They both still love Chicago, so decided it was fitting to have their wedding here (next May at Salvage One – my favorite!) Chris & Carolyn flew in for Memorial Day weekend to do a little wedding planning, visit friends & family and have a little engagement session with me.
Our first location for this shoot was at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. Farmer’s markets are a favorite spring/summer spot for me, I’ve been waiting for the day when I couple would choose to visit one for their engagement session.
Purchases: A little pie from Hoosier Mamma (if you haven’t tried this place, go!!) and a baguette from Bennison’s
After a quick wardrobe change we headed in to the city for some more urban/industrial shots. I love this first one. A lot.
Love these!
Chris & Carolyn, I hope you love this little preview of our session! I can’t wait to show you the rest.
Green City Market Engagement :: Chris & Carolyn
Salvage One Engagement Session: Molly + Nate
Any of you Chicagoans who have never visited Salvage One in the West Loop, should definitely make some time for it. Salvage One is a unique event space as well as design-salvage-home-art shop. It is HUGE with multiple levels and a really great outdoor courtyard filled with treasures…they have weddings all the time and I think that it is such a great venue for a trendy, urban, unique wedding. Its the kind of place that will really ‘wow’ your guests.
I met Nate and Molly at Salvage One on Saturday afternoon, and got there about half an hour early so that I could look around a bit…there are endless spots to use for backdrops, I was in engagement-shoot heaven! The shots below are some of my favorites from the day. 
This is the outdoor courtyard, where they have some wedding ceremonies…there is another really great ceremony space inside as well. I love this Chicago sign, it would be really fun for photos around dusk when it is all lit up
I love this shot! They really are Rockstars…
I was loving the light in there…it was a nice warm filtered light coming through some windows, a perfect indoor location.
Ok, below are probably my favorite set of shots from the shoot! Nate and Molly were workin’ it…
You could not ask for better props than this…so much fun.
Molly & Nate, I had so much fun working with you. I hope you LOVE the photos as much as I do!
(Note: Salvage One does not allow engagement photography without paying a fee of $250/hour unless you are getting married there.)
Old Town Engagement :: Jessica & Brent
I love these photos. Normally, I don’t start a blog post off by saying that, but I can’t help it…because I do! Jessica and Brent chose great locations, which never hurts – but I think its more because these two are just so happy, and have such fun and vibrant personalities and that is what shines in the photos! (Not to mention, we shot again at my favorite time of day and it was BEAUTIFUL out.)
We started off at North Ave…definitely one of the best spots in the city for a great skyline shot.
I just love these!
So cute right?! You can’t force stuff like this…they just have fun together and that makes for great photos.
Oh…the light! I love it. Jessica, you are gorgeous – serious.
I loved that Jessica and Brent were up for trying some creative/different things during their shoot…you can’t always bank on this kind of thing for perfect photos, but usually the result will be some fun and unique shots that have great character…SO worth a try.
Lincoln Park Engagement :: Chad & Kelly
These photos are from last night’s engagement session. I know, I think I might be a little crazy. The thing is…I have scheduled myself very heavily for this wedding season. This is a wonderful thing, to be busy and love what you do. I just had to give myself a little pep talk about a month ago, and commit to getting my editing done in a really timely manner – basically, edit like crazy whenever I have time!
I came home from Chad and Kelly’s shoot yesterday to an empty apartment…Jamie was in class until 10pm so I had close to 4 good hours to put in…which was perfect really, because the shoot was so great last night that I couldn’t wait to work on the photos anyways!
Love. This. Light. My favorite time of day to shoot, hands down.
I don’t know what it is about feet. Ask my parents, I’ve taken ‘feet shots’ since I was little…I just love them! Something about a person’t personality is reflected in their shoe choice. 
I think Kelly looks so gorgeous in this photo! Just stunning. 
I just love it when there are random props available…like this table and chairs on the beach at North Ave. Its like someone left them there just for us.
Chad and Kelly’s wedding is coming up this July…their venue is the beautiful Bella Vista Suites in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin! I can’t wait. As much as I love shooting Chicago weddings, it is always fun for me to go elsewhere…its like having a new palette to work with.
