Engagement

From our first Zoom call, I could sense the compatibility between Lizzy and Andrew! Every time one was talking, the other was smiling and admiring the presence of their loved one. I often get asked “how do you know when you’ve found the right one?” as if I’m some sort of love guru because of my line of work. The truth is that love looks different for everyone , and through this couple’s engagement photographs, you’ll see what that love looks like for Lizzy and Andrew!

Mayslake Forest Preserve is a beautiful nature trail that houses the historical Peabody Estate and the Portiuncula Chapel! There are multiple lakes, a trail, picnicking and even an off-leash dog park. Flower and herb gardens surround the mansion and greet you with a warm welcome. The sound of wildlife echoes through every turn as the trail gets more vibrant as you progress! Mayslake is the perfect place for a photo shoot, or even just a walk in the park.

For this Chicago engagement shoot, we opted to head into the woods and leave the busy city behind. Ann & Rollin asked me if I would photograph them surprising their niece and nephew with news that they would be flower girl and ring bearer! I didn’t hesitate to say yes as I knew this would be a beautiful moment and a great start to our photo session.

After the kids were met with their surprise, we wandered deeper down the nature trail. One thing was very clear – Ann & Rollin have a very pure love filled with truth and trust! As I checked the back of my camera every few shots, I grew with excitement about their October wedding at the Wilder Mansion that I would be capturing. The faces on their guests as they profess their love for each other will be something to behold. This story is to be continued!

This session takes place right outside Chicago in Teason’s Woods, a Forest Preserve of Cook County in Illinois. Catlin and Bobby showed up just shy of sunset, leaving us time to walk around the forest floor. Before their arrival, I hiked a majority of the trail looking for spots that caught my eye. This walkthrough helped the flow of our photos as we bounced from one spot to the next, finishing this shoot in under two hours!

The gnarly riffs of Chevelle echoed through the forest, a band that I uncovered was a favorite of Bobby’s when the couple filled out my engagement session questionnaire! I kept instruction pretty loose, letting them play in the moment as I framed each scene. The results are beautiful and raw, showcasing the bond these two share for one another. It was the perfect environment for a relaxing and intimate shoot. There’s also a nice level of privacy off the beaten path. No fancy clothes or crazy makeup required, just two humans and their hearts.

This love story takes place in Aurora, IL (home of Wayne’s World & also my high school, go warriors!). Shay reached out to me about being the photographer for her wedding at the Hotel Arista in Naperville! We somehow managed to skip the small talk and found ourselves in an engaging conversation about love and life. The more I heard about the relationship between Shay & Grant, the more I wanted to capture their story.

I headed to Grant’s childhood home for our engagement session. Shay previously mentioned that Grant was a bit out of his comfort zone and I don’t blame him! It’s not every day we have to model for the camera. I assured them that those who are most nervous always end up doing the best. I instruct with loose poses, which means I’ll tell you to do an action, but allow you to move and get creative within that action. Shay & Grant perfected this immediately!

When they catch each other’s eyes, the warm smile that comes afterward nearly brings me to tears. Having been in so many couple’s most intimate moments, I like to consider myself a subject matter expert. And these two have an undeniable bond that will last as long as these beautiful photographs will – forever.

View the highlight video here.

Our story takes place at the White Palace Grill in Chicago, open since 1939! I saw this restaurant on an episode of ‘Diners, Drive Ins & Dives’ and knew I had to find an opportunity to shoot inside.

Tilesha told me she wanted a vintage aesthetic for her engagement photography session and chose this very location! Tilesha & Nick were an absolute pleasure to shoot. The chemistry between them feels as old as as the diner itself.

A few months after this shoot, I was asked to photograph Tilesha’s wedding in St. Louis! Make sure to take a look here.