Jennifer Kathryn Photography Blog

Chicago Trash the Dress | Winter Shoot in Sugar Grove

It was a chilly Chicago day, but that didn’t stop 9 photographers, three models, two make-up artists and a troupe of assistants from venturing out to Sugar Grove, Illinois on Sunday for a Winter Trash the Dress Session. Trash the Dress? What’s that all about? Among the shifts that wedding photography has made over the past few years is an emphasis on bridal portraiture as a means of celebrating a bride’s beauty through a session dedicated solely to her in her wedding dress.  Trash the Dress takes that a step further! A bride’s wedding dress is, arguably, the most important detail of her day. She’s spent months looking through bridal magazines, traipsing across town with her friends, and shopping at boutiques, and when the decision is made, this is the one thing on which she spares no expense. To wear it for one day. Albeit the most important day of her life. Hopefully she has hired a photographer who is every bit as passionate about her gown as she is, and who will dedicate plenty of time to capturing her in her radiance, alone and with her groom. Even still, I have so many brides who are just dying to push the envelope and go down to the beach or out to the barn, but are concerned about getting their dresses dirty before the reception. This is why I love Trash the Dress. We schedule a secondary session after her wedding, and then we have some real fun! The stress of keeping things running smoothly at the wedding has passed. The bride can get all dolled up again if she wishes, or opt for a more casual hairstyle as well. Sometimes her man joins in (I love when they do!), and we have a Day After Session that focuses on the couple.  And this is where it’s time to let loose!  It’s another opportunity to capture the essence of who the bride (or couple) truly is, in an environment that most suits her. It can be a carefree, spontaneous time of silliness, or it can be a glam high-fashion shoot.  From jumping in the leaves, to going to the beach, to horse-back riding, to walking around in an urban area, the possibilities are endless.  And while we do say “trash” the dress, we don’t (necessarily) mean ripping it to shreds or destroying it completely. But the bride can rest assured if she gets it muddy or wet- thank goodness for dry cleaning!  When all is said and done, it’s an opportunity for artist and client to continue building their relationship and to create some truly powerful images to celebrate a couple’s commitment.

Chicago’s Melissa Diep has a vision to give all photographers an opportunity to start offering this to their clients. Last summer she started organizing Trash the Dress sessions at killer venues across Chicago as an outlet for photographers to connect, practice lighting and posing, and build their portfolios.  She hires stunning models and talented hair and make-up artists for each shoot.  But even more noteworthy is Melissa’s dedication to finding exquisite dresses for each shoot. She almost never uses a dress more than once, and gets them custom made from various places in Chicago and even internationally.

This was my first Trash the Dress with Melissa, and it did not disappoint! We arrived at the venue in Sugar Grove, a beaten path just off the main highway leading to an old house, a barn, a silo, and boundless ideas.  The dresses were flawless, the models were stunning, and their hair and makeup was meticulously styled by the artists to match the mood each model portrayed. Melissa even collaborated with The Left Bank to acquire some ravishing jewelry and headpieces. Amidst the winter chill, the models were gracious and fun while we, as photographers, feasted in this playground of textures and light.  Not only did I take away some incredible images, but I left with a unique experience that allowed me to play with lighting and posing to a degree I’m not always at liberty to on a shoot.  It was empowering to construct and compose my own shots as well as learn from the other photographers present. We even collaborated on a few concepts with impressive results. I am so thrilled to have been a part of the Chicago Winter Trash the Dress.

Thank you Melissa for organizing another successful event!  And many thanks to our gorgeous models Jennifer, Nicole, and Adrianna and our brilliant make-up artists Diem Angie-Nguyen and Maryam Subhani.

Tags: Chicago, Chicago Fashion Shoot, Chicago Lifestyle Photography, Chicago Photography, Chicago Weddings, Jennifer Kathryn Gaudreau, Jennifer Kathryn Photography, Melisa Diep, Photography, Sugar Grove, Trash the Dress