So excited to be offering all my clients 2 session dates and locations for my Fall Mini Family Sessions this year! I have limited availability left on both Oct dates so please reach out to book your date as soon as possible. Can’t wait to see all my past family clients as well as meeting new ones this year.

Excited to announce my Fall mini sessions for this coming season. They will take place in one of my favorite parks in the city- Humboldt Park on Saturday October 20th starting at 10AM until 4PM. This year I’m donating 50% of the proceeds towards a newly opened elementary school in Chicago- The Nautilus School. I love how they are devoted to re-imaging education by providing a learned centered approach to the classroom.

” Each child’s interests, passions, dreams, skills, and needs shape his or her learning experience and drive the commitments and actions of the adults and communities supporting him or her.” ~ The Nautilus School

They are doing big things to include their community to help ground them in their mission and what better way to continue the support but by donating from one family to another. Please join me to help support this educational community and watch them continue to inspire and flourish!

I couldn’t think of a better way to jump start this new year with not one but (count’em) TWO Photography awards. Thank you to all my past Wedding and Family Photography clients which without you and your amazing reviews these awards would not be possible. So happy to have been awarded the Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award. This award recognizes the top five percent of local wedding professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Winners are determined by reviews left by the best newlyweds that I have had the pleasure to work with.

And for the second year in a row I have been honored as one of Chicago’s best Family Photographers by Expertise.  This award is based on credibility, reputation, experience and professionalism. With over 700 local Photographers surveyed only 19 were picked as the top in Chicago. Thank you to all the sweet families who I have had the honor to photograph such amazing memories for.

I met Taylor and Nolan up in downtown Geneva two weeks ago to photograph them in their hometown. The leaves were just starting to turn a golden color and the weather was just perfect to capture these cuties during such a special time for them. I cannot wait to see what they have in store next September for their wedding at Arrowhead Golf Club overlooking the lush green fairways. It’s going to be magical!! xo

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When we first sat down to meet with Natalia and Eric at a local Starbucks I could immediately just feel the energy and excitement they had for each other as we listened to their amazing wedding day plans. Natalia and Eric’s wedding was one for the modern day storybooks set along the Romantic and natural backdrop at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago on a perfect sun filled summer day. Voted as one of Chicago’s most breathtaking wedding venues- The Museum’s Reception space is unique and so beautiful with floor-to-ceiling windows indoors as well as a breath taking outdoor private terrace with stunning nature and city skyline views. They started the day with the best first look on the prettiest tree lined street in the Gold Coast right outside  The Public Hotel. Followed by the stunning wedding ceremony at the couple’s alma mater campus of Northwestern at The Alice Milar Chapel. The stained glass windows in the chapel surrounded the entire ceremony in a kaleidoscope of warm vivid color.

We had a blast touring the couple and bridal party around to some of the most scenic and beautiful locations around Chicago including some favorites like The Nature Boardwalk in Lincoln Park, Chicago History Museum and along the grounds of their amazing venue.  Natalia and Eric enjoy opening up their home for entertaining and love incorporating themed bar menus for their guests to enjoy themselves. Their wedding was equally as welcoming and truly felt like a big, warm, and embracing celebration for all their guests who had traveled near and far to celebrate such a joyous day.

To make the day even more amazing (if that was even possible) we had the honor of working with some of the most talented and creative Chicago wedding vendor (and friends) to help make their Romantic Art-Deco inspired wedding come to life. Eco-Friendly Wedding Planner– Naturally Yours Events brought their vision to life while helping to keep their day sustainably friendly. Fab Flora curated and designed a perfect selection of the most colorful blooms for the day. And our friends from Old North Film Co. created a wedding film for Natalia and Eric to help them relive their wedding day moments all over again.

Thank you both for inviting us to photograph your extraordinary love story and have the best seat on the house the entire day! We wish you much love and exciting travel adventures ahead! xo

Ceremony: Alice Millar Chapel

Reception: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Wedding Planner: Naturally Yours Events

Florist: Fab Flora

Catering: Food for Thought

Bakery: Scafuri Bakery

Videographer: Old North Film Co.

DJ: Cage + Aquarium

Lighting: Atmosphere Events Group

Bridal Dress: BHLDN

Bride’s Accessories: Mignonette Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: Brideside

Bridal Hair + Makeup: Debra Petrielli

Groom’s Suit:Blacktie Formalwear

Invitations: Minted

Jeweler: Stanley Brown Jewelists

Transportation: M&M Limousine

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This sweet family of four- The Milnes Family met me at one of my favorite parks in my neighborhood of Logan Square. I love the mix of backdrops that Humbolt Park offers which includes small ponds with lily pads, lush trees lined alongside winding walking paths, and a cute boathouse with great architecture. These cuties just rocked their photography session- I hope to see them again next year!

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Living only a few blocks away from this oasis in the city made for the perfect backdrop for Susie + Bill’s sunset Engagement session last week. We pretty much had the run of the place making it feel that much more intimate. I loved incorporating the mix of city landscape with all the lush greenery this scenic Lincoln Park spot provided for our session. These two had nothing but eyes for each other and I can’t wait to celebrate with them next month!

When I started imagining this solopreneur life for myself about 5 years ago never in a millions years would I think that I (me and my little photography business)  would be nominated to be on any list in Chicago. A HUGE THANK YOU to Expertise for naming me one of the Top 19 Family Photographers in the city of Chicago. I am so grateful and continue to be humbled everyday to be able to meet new families and couples every month- their stories are the ones I get to tell through photographs and help create lasting memories for them and their families. It really is the best job in the world and I hope to continue documenting stories for many more years to come. xo

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Sarah and Greg’s Classic Summer Wedding set in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast at the beautiful historical landmark Germania Place was a wedding unlike any other. So many personal details went into the making of this wedding starting with the sweet gift exchange the couple gave each other before the ceremony at The Renaissance Hotel– followed by the interactive sermon (SO fun!) given by Father Mike Gabriel at the second oldest Roman Catholic Church in Chicago Holy Family Church.You could just feel the love and support from all 200+ guests from the start of the ceremony leading into the reception. It meant the world to Sarah and Greg as they had many guests who traveled near and far to gather together to celebrate with them for their one special day on August 27th.

The weather was perfectly sunny and kept the Bride, Groom and Bridal Party in high spirits as we ventured around the city in a Chicago favorite “Marilyn Jean” Trolley. I love when couples trust me enough to lead them to the best locations that this city has to offer including the uber pretty Cancer Survivors Garden in Maggie Daley Park. Followed by my favorite The South Gardens at the Art Institute. My fav and most fun DJ- Alli Klein from  Toast and Jam curated the best playlist for the evening and helped to created some very special moments for Sarah, Greg and their families while keeping the dance floor packed and pumping all night!

Not only was this day filled with heartfelt speeches and toasts from family members and dear friends of the couple but I could feel that Sarah and Greg were as excited to be celebrating and even more excited to begin their lives as a newly married couple. Thank you both for inviting Joe and I to photograph all the sweet details, tears, laughter, and love- we are truly honored! Cheers to you both as you continue to celebrate all the beautiful milestones in your lives together. xo

Head over the Borrowed & Blue blog to see Sarah and Greg’s amazing celebration featured today as well!

Ceremony: Holy Family Catholic Church

Reception: Germania Place

Wedding Coordinator: Macrina Oscampo with Germania Place

Florist: Friend of the Groom

Catering: Kenmare Catering

Cake/Sweets: Mariano’s

Videographer: RAC Visual

DJ: Alli Klein from Toast and Jam

Bridal Dress: Alvina Valenta

Bride’s Shoes: Nina New York

Bridal Shop: Dimitra’s Bridal Couture

Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell

Bridal Hair: Salon Soca

Bridal Makeup: Deanna Lewis

Transportation: Premier Trolley and Limo

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