Aliya & Jake - Downtown Chicago Engagement Session {Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk, North Avenue Beach}

I know that to do a blog post well, for all reasons but especially SEO, words need to help tell the story. For this session, I really am speechless and feel like the photos just need to do the talking. But I’ll still talk about how much I am in love love love with every photo from this session and how I adore Aliya & Jake, and love how they adore one another. Aliya is full of joy and light & the way she looks at Jake makes my heart so happy. The way Jake just randomly kisses her and snuggles her in close is straight out of a rom-com. Not gonna’ lie, I usually have to direct most guys to kiss their bride-to-be but Jake made it a breeze for me. These two balance each other out in all the ways and I’m SO happy for them. I’m also so honored they chose me to document this exciting (albeit weird pandemic time to be engaged!) time in their journey.

We started near their home in Lincoln Park with their two silly pups and then headed to Lincoln Park Zoo to the Nature Boardwalk & then across the street to North Avenue Beach. A big rain storm was expected to pass through Chicago just as we were supposed to start that evening so we started a bit sooner to at least get the part in with their dogs. Then the beautiful sunlight disappeared - Thanks, Mother Nature! We accomplished the photos with the pups and it still wasn’t raining & it appeared that the big storm was going to dodge Chicago so we headed to the Zoo! Thanks for real this time, Mother Nature!

While there, that storm did come through after all but it was only a light rain. Ok, Mother Nature, what is going on?! Luckily we were near an area where we could take cover. We waited it out for a bit under the Honeycomb structure because we were waiting for a wedding party to finish their photos anyway and then the sun magically came out while it was still raining! The light was BEAUTIFUL and Aliya & Jake were up for some rain photos so we went for it. It was hard to pick a favorite from this session, but the rain dancing ones are probably the most romantic photos I’ve ever made and I LOVE them! But I also love every single photo from their session… ;)

I also really owe Mother Nature a big apology for all the back-and-forth I’d been doing in my head. Turned out to be the most perfect evening!

Lincoln Park

A&J live in Lincoln Park so we started there and Jake proposed at North Avenue Beach so we finished there! I’ve known Aliya for a few years from back in my PAWS days, but North Avenue Beach has always reminded me of her so it was fitting that that’s where they got engaged! So happy for you, friends!

Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk

North Avenue Beach

I’ve started to really reflect on why I love couple sessions so much and this session was the perfect example of why. I love love. I love watching people interact naturally. I strive for genuine emotion and to tell your story in a way that captures you. All I really do is put you in poses together that flatter you and then I watch what you do naturally and go with it! Sounds kind of creepy when I type it out, haha, but it’s how the magic happens! I promise all you need to do is relax and have a ton of fun. Bonus points if you’re willing to dance in the rain :)

Recently engaged?!

Make your session all about you and what you love to do together. Bring your pup(s) for a part of your session if you have any. Stay at home and have a cocktail or cook some dinner. Or head to your favorite patio for a beer. Grab coffee from your neighborhood go-to. Swing by your first date spot, or the spot where you were proposed to. Like ice cream?! Let’s get some! Have a unique car? Bring it along?! You’re into skydiving? Let’s go! Yes, Chicago has a ton of iconic locations for your photo session, but you will make the most of your session when you have fun with it and make it your own & trust your photographer.

Signature Book Tour! Take a peek inside a custom pet book {Chicago Pet Photographer}

Wanna’ know what a Signature Book looks like?! Now’s your chance to take a look inside one. I know, I know, it’s not the same as feeling it, but 2020 didn’t get the memo on How to Not Be a Pain In the Ass so doing things in person is extremely challenging these days! If you’ve always wondered why I promote books and albums so much, I would love to show you. Books are a great way to display many of your favorite photos from your sessions, because who has 8,000 square feet of just wall space to put up hundreds of framed art work around their house? Especially here in Chicago, where small is the norm in most homes/condos/apartments. Books also make beautiful display pieces and can be left out on the coffee table or stored as a grouping on a shelf. Easy access to take a glance at your favorite moments in your life.

Here’s a look inside a small 5x5 book I created for a pet client. All books are custom-designed using your favorite photos and you approve the final layout. It’s easy and painless for you - all you have to do is open it and enjoy!

Different cover options are available as well as the size of your book and the number of spreads inside. Books also make great gifts!

What's For Dinner? How About Southwest Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad!

I made this southwest sweet potato quinoa salad last week and it was so good I had to share! I’ve been trying to eat mostly vegan since January and have been experimenting with different recipes and flavors & this has been one of my favorites so far. It’s perfect for these gorgeous summer evenings and dining al fresco in the back yard. See below for the recipe, and also for the bonus recipe of the watermelon-mint cooler.

Enjoy, friends! Hope you’re staying safe. xoxo

INGREDIENTS

• 2-1/2 cups cooked quinoa

• 1 large or 2 medium (about 1 pound) sweet potatoes, peeled & diced into small cubes

• Salt

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/4 cup minced red onion or shallot

• Salt & Black Pepper

• 1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

• Avocado

• 1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

• Spinach (optional)

  Cook the sweet potatoes in boiling salted water until tender, about 15 minutes; drain well. Toss the sweet potato, cooked quinoa, bell pepper and onion together in a bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add avocado, beans and cayenne pepper.

  Whisk the oil and lime juice together in a separate small bowl. If you’re like me and have only you in your household and split this into many meals, don’t toss the dressing with the rest of the salad. Keep the dressing separate and add only to what you’re eating, otherwise it’ll get soggy. No one likes soggy salad! If you’re a family, or hosting a party where it will all be eaten right away, toss the dressing in and mix it up to blend the flavors.

  Place your sweet potato/quinoa mixture atop a generous bed of spinach and top with toasted pumpkin seeds. You can also skip the spinach and enjoy as a potato salad; it’s just an added bonus!

  Devour.

Watermelon Mint Cooler

• Fresh Watermelon

• Fresh Mint

• 1/2 Lime Juice

• Ice

  Place your fresh watermelon, mint, lime juice & ice in a blender and juice for about 30-45 seconds until well-blended. You don’t need a lot of ice - it’s just to chill in case your watermelon hasn’t been refrigerated. I don’t know about you, but I like my drinks to be chilly in the summer! You could also add sugar or some type of sweetener to this if you like your drinks on the sweeter side. I think the watermelon is sweet enough, though, and I’m trying to kick all sugar from my life so I didn’t add any. You can also add a shot of tequila if you’ve had a day. No judgement here. 2020’s been rough!

The recipe was adapted from Epicurious but I made it my own.