May 24, 2018

Liz & Sean are Married! Chicago: South Shore Cultural Center Wedding

May 24, 2018/ South Shore Cultural Center/ Courtney Laper

A few weekends ago I had the honor of photographing my friend Liz as she married her guy Sean. Their ceremony and celebration was at the South Shore Cultural Center on the south shore of Chicago and I was blown away at how beautiful it was. The whole day was perfect! It down poured while I was on my way to meet Liz & the girls and I was a little worried we wouldn't be able to do outdoor portraits. But it stopped as soon as I got to Liz's house and didn't rain the rest of the evening! I'll let the photos show my favorite highlights from their beautiful day.

Sean gave Liz's daughter a ring also, when he asked Liz to marry him. *Heart exploding*

chicago-wedding-photographer-daughter-looking-at-moms-wedding-dress©COPYRIGHTCMP-7771.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bridal-shoes

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bride-shoes-rings©COPYRIGHTCMP-7846.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-floral-centerpieces©COPYRIGHTCMP-8013.jpg

Liz's friend (also a Courtney!) did the flowers for their big day and they were incredibly beautiful. Every detail was perfect!

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-floral-centerpiece

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-glassware©COPYRIGHTCMP-8027.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-mom-and-daughter©COPYRIGHTCMP-8146.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bridal-bouquet

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-ceremony-laughing

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-ceremony-bride-and-groom-holding-hands-vows

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-vows

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-wide-view

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-table-centerpiece

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-lake-michigan-portrait-bride-groom

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-groom-portrait

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-portrait-bride-groom

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bride-groom-shoes©COPYRIGHTCMP-8850.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-first-dance

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-groom-daughter-dance

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-father-daughter-dance

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-dance

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-father-daughter-dance©COPYRIGHTCMP-9112.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-dancing

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-dance-party©COPYRIGHTCMP-9151.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bride-groom-first-dance©COPYRIGHTCMP-9325.jpg

chicago-wedding-photographer-south-shore-cultural-center-bride-and-groom-taco-truck©COPYRIGHTCMP-9523.jpg

Liz surprised Sean with a taco truck at the end of the night for him and all of their guests. It was a huge hit!

Congratulations, Liz, Sean and Kate - I loved photographing your day and getting to witness something so special!

January 23, 2018

Beautiful Milwaukee Wedding with Angelic Angles Photography

January 23, 2018/ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum/ Courtney Laper

When I was still living in Madison, I photographed weddings with one of my favorite photographer friends very frequently for years after graduating from photo school. You would often find us together (some have been known to call us the Dream Team!) many a weekend every season of the year but since moving to Chicago, I rarely get to see her anymore. So when I got to meet up and second-shoot for Jennifer, of Angelic Angles Photography, this past fall in Milwaukee, I knew it was going to be a great day. The couple was SO nice and not to mention gorgeous. As was the beautiful location we took wedding party photos at. I mean, you know I love beautiful things and this place was truly gorgeous. So much character and charm - wait until you see it below. The second we arrived, I knew I was going to have to share its beauty.

But first, I photographed the groom and his guys at the Potawatomi Casino while Jennifer was downstairs with the girls where they got ready for the big day. You know I love the details! So much time goes into picking out all of these important pieces of the day and I have so much fun documenting them.

We photographed the couple portraits & wedding party at the Villa Terrace on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and my jaw dropped upon arrival. I'm not kidding! I must get back here soon.

villa-terrace-patio-milwaukee-wisconsin-weddingIMG_8528.jpg

A few of my favorite reception details. The whole day was just beautiful!

Check out Jennifer's work - she's FANTASTIC! Based out of Madison, WI. Have a look here.

January 05, 2018

Favorite Moments of 2017 - Year in Review

January 05, 2018/ Courtney Michelle Photography/ Courtney Laper

2017 was an amazing year for me and I'm so grateful for all of you for trusting me with your most precious/intimate/honest/real moments. I love what I do. For real. I get to document some of the most meaningful moments in people's lives. As well as the more "everyday moments" but I love every second of it. I like to do an end-of-year website update so I go through all of my sessions from the year and pick my favorites. It helps me see how far I've come, and how much I've grown. This year, I got out of my comfort zone. I took chances. I pushed myself to photograph from my heart; to photograph what spoke to me and to tell more honest stories. In addition to updating the website, I wanted to do a re-cap of the year, highlighting my favorite photos & moments but then this post got crazy long. If you know me, I couldn't narrow it down any further than what I've come up with and this isn't even all of it! So here goes. A selection of some of my favorite sessions, moments and personal treasures from all of last year. Druuuuuummmmmroooooooooolllllllllll, please.

I love love love love love LOVE so let's start with the beautiful couples!

Photographed my beautiful friend getting ready on her wedding morning on a steamy July morning in Chicago at the Langham Hotel.

I second-shot with Jennifer of Angelic Angles Photography for a beautiful Milwaukee wedding. We photographed the wedding party at Villa Terrace Museum and I was BLOWN away by the beauty. I can't wait to go back there and photograph! I really miss shooting with Jennifer. We used to be the dream team when I lived in Madison. She's amazing - seriously, the best.

Second-shot with Melissa Ferrara of Iron & Honey Photography this fall. So much fun to work with a fellow Chicago photographer.

Babies! So many friends had babies this year!!

Boudoir - a few of the ones I can show!

I photographed a few events for PAWS. Also made some portraits of my friends' dogs while they were vacationing because I can't help myself!

High School Seniors

My Family. I went home a handful of times this summer for many birthdays! My sister and her littles did the Bubble Run so I took my camera for that. After that, it was Skyler's first birthday and then Avianna's SIXTH birthday. Squeezed in a quick shoot with all of my nieces with some goats... it didn't go as planned but we still got some beautiful photos!

Photographed all season long for Vintage Garage Chicago. If you're in Uptown Chicago on the third Sunday of the month from April through October, you must check them out. Must!

Grabbed some quick family photos for the best people on earth to celebrate them becoming a quartet!

Purposely took my camera down to the Loop a few times this summer. Normally I'm without it but made a point to take it, especially for the Chicagohenge.