Erin and her Getting Ready Story

My sweet, beautiful friend Erin asked me if I would swing by her hotel last week before she got married(!!!) so I could take some photos of her details. If you know me, you know details are my absolute faaaaaaaaaaaaavorite thing to photograph; especially wedding details. The prettier the better. The sparklier the better. The blingy-er the better. I just made up words to prove a point - you get the idea! I showed up to a hotel room at The Langham and was greeted with squeals of delight from all of the girls and a giant hug from Erin. Her girls and her mom all surrounded her and the love and excitement was just infectious. I mean, I was so thrilled for Erin before arriving, but after spending the morning with this crew, I was excited beyond words. Erin's posse is legit! And her MOM... You can just see the pride beaming out of this woman for her daughter. Not gonna' lie, my eyes were welling up in the room with them and did so again while culling through my photos. These photos are some of my favorite wedding moments I've ever captured and I've done this a lot! Enough talking, let the photos speak for themselves!

I'm so excited to share these with you all and am so honored, Erin, that you asked me to document your special morning for you. I love every detail that you put into this wedding almost as much as I love you and Kevin! I'm so happy for you both and I hope this helps cure your post-wedding withdrawals! I can't wait to see the photos from the rest of your perfect day! Congratulations!

XOXO

Shannon & Brian - Anniversary Session

My dear, sweet & adorable friends are close to celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary! Before they got married last summer, they lived in separate cities and were long-distance. They got married in Missouri but immediately after, Shannon moved here to Chicago with Brian to officially start their married lives together. These photos are to celebrate their anniversary and to document their love in Chicago. The second I got out of the car at their apartment, this wall is the first thing I saw and told them we MUST do some photos here first!

Isn't Shannon SO beautiful?! The best part is that she's JUST as beautiful inside. She's one of my favorite people! 

We took a Lyft down to the Planetarium and we couldn't get close to our destination because of the U2 concert going on! We had to walk quite a ways, but we found a few spots along the way to take some photos. This grove of birch trees had the PERFECT light!

Found another spot!

Made it to the Planetarium just in time for some beautiful light, right upon sunset!

I LOVE how much these guys laugh together!

Quick impromptu dance party to the Lumineers playing across the way at Soldier Field for U2!

My favorite.

My other favorite.

Oh, and this one too! Who am I kidding, they're all my favorite!

I was adjusting my light and told them it was a test and this is what I got! It's an outtake but I just love how silly they are.

After we wrapped up at the Planetarium and I had claimed The End, we walked toward Lake Shore Drive to try and get a Lyft. Walking through Museum Campus, I saw this view and made them stop for "one more" and I'm so glad they humored me! 

Shannon & Brian, thank you SO much for having me document your Chicago love! I adore you both and love how much you love each other and the people in your lives. 

We asked a passerby to take a photo of the three of us and the girl thought we were taking prom photos! 

Bryann & Derrick

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I'm feeling extra thankful this year to get to be able to do what I love doing for a living. I also get to work with the best people around that trust me to document the most special times in their lives! This was my last big event for the year and my heart is so full and grateful. 

I met Bryann a few years ago when I was living in Sun Prairie and we lived in the same building. I was having Valentine's Day mini sessions and she brought her then-two year old daughter Daylin by for photos. I fell in love with this sweet little girl instantly and have been photographing their growing family since. Last year they welcomed little Ellie and this year she asked me to photograph their small intimate ceremony where they officially tied the knot with their girls in tow. So much love and happiness! Also, don't they make the most adorable babies ever?!?! Take a peak at some of my favorite images from their day.