One of my favorite things to do in summertime Chicago is walk through the streets, just enjoying this beautiful city! We love Grant Park, the art museum, State Street, the Chicago Riverwalk — all the highlights — but we also love the hidden gardens and pretty parks scattered everywhere. And so this past weekend, when […]

Sarah and Jeff started their wedding day at the beautiful and historic Deerpath Inn, moved on to their ceremony at Christ Church of Lake Forest, continued on to wedding portraits at the lovely Elawa Farm, and ended the evening with a stunning tented reception, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

The first day that they met, Brittany and Mike played a round of golf at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois — and so, it was absolutely perfect that they chose Arrowhead as their wedding venue! These two are planning an incredible wedding reception next year, but in the meantime, they chose to marry each other on a bright and sunny Saturday in late August, with their wonderful, lovely immediate families by their sides. It was a quiet, perfect, intimate wedding ceremony.

We chose Fullersburg Woods for their engagement session location because that’s where Steven proposed to Lauren! It was so much fun to wander around through the woods where they got engaged! Lauren brought confetti and champagne (GIRL AFTER MY OWN HEART), and Lauren’s sweet sister helped with their adorable pup, Titan! (Steven bought him for Lauren as a college graduation gift! How could he not be in their photos?!)

I first connected with Rachael — the incredible photographer behind Rachael Watson Photography — through a random Facebook message from her! We were both taking a year-long business course together with photographers from around the world, and she took the initiative and reached out to find fellow photographers in the Chicago area who were willing […]

When we were planning their engagement session, it only made sense to head back to the beach in Michiana, Michigan where it all started! We began their session at Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana, and then headed to the beach in Michiana! I was so grateful for beautiful weather, the tiniest bit of a breeze, and a calm, quiet evening on the beach. These two are wonderful people! They are fun and kind and hilarious, and I loved spending the evening with them!

What a treat it was to walk around Lincoln Park South Pond and North Avenue Beach with Sarah and Jeff, laughing together and documenting this beautiful time in their lives! On the day of their session, it rained unexpectedly all morning and most of the afternoon… and then, just before we met, the skies cleared and we had so much beautiful sunshine! (Notice all the beautiful light in this session! It would have been so different if it was overcast and dreary! I’m so thankful for all that beautiful creamy light!) You’ll also see a huge variety in their photos — from classic garden-like shots, to a wildflower meadow, to some interesting architecture (hello gnome house!), to the beach and the pier and the skyline! Summertime Chicago didn’t disappoint!

Chris and Christy had originally planned a big, ginormous wedding at a different venue, but like everyone else getting married in the summer of 2020, their plans were forced to change! Rather than throw a pity party, they chose to get married anyways, giant party or not, because they knew they had found the one, and not even a worldwide pandemic would keep them apart! They pared down their guest list to their closest family and bridal party, relocated their ceremony and reception to Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien, and celebrated with laughter and tears and so much joy.

Every family session is different, and comes with its own set of surprises, and I’m finding LIFE as I shoot and create for my families. I miss weddings like crazy (and we’re shooting our FIRST ONE since Covid began, next weekend!!), but I’m grateful for this creative space, for families who trust me to capture their memories, for the chance to try new techniques and stretch my creativity, and for the ability to keep shooting, even when the world is a little topsy-turvy right now.

I first sat down with Christy over coffee last year, and her eyes lit up when she talked about Chris. “We’re just nuts together,” she laughed. “We have so much fun.” Christy is an avid runner, and told me how Chris proposed to her at the finish line of their very favorite Thanksgiving 10K, surrounded […]