She was the new girl in Chicago. He was the seasoned resident. When Nikki moved here from St. Louis almost three years ago, she never imagined meeting a guy within the first few weeks of arriving. Mutual friends set the two up, and their chemistry was instant and compelling. It was clear Eric was just the man for the task of showing her the city.

They continued to cultivate their relationship, and as their connection deepened their hearts confirmed their desire to continue their journey in life hand in hand. Two years later in the stunning Riviera Maya in Mexico, Eric professed asked Nikki to spend the rest of her life with him. She jubilantly consented.

I was captivated by Eric’s devotion and Nikki’s honesty and laughter. They are lovers of life, and their warm spirits drew me to them instantly. They are the kind of people that leave you feeling rejuvenated after having spent time with them. And I am so grateful to have spent an afternoon capturing their expression of love!

We stopped off the get Ollie, their beloved dog, for the last series of photos at Montrose Harbor. He was such a doll!! I hear he is going to make a special appearance at their wedding…

By far my favorite time to shoot is in the evening right before the sun sets to get that warm glowy light.

Eeeeeee, don’t they just make you squeal with delight?! Seriously cannot wait for their wedding!!!

One of the things I most adore in the wedding industry is the talent I am surrounded by from my fellow creatives- photographers, floral designers, event planners, stationery designers, and blog editors. Whether it’s a styled shoot, a wedding, or an engagement session, I am continually challenged by my colleagues’ work to see things differently, think outside the box, and push myself to a higher level of artistry.  One of my greatest sources for inspiration is the ingenuity that shows up almost daily on my favorite wedding blogs. With a knack for finding the most unique trends for weddings, the best blogs appeal both to brides and industry professionals. I started following Landlocked Bride last year, a modern wedding blog dedicated to providing design inspiration for Midwest and Mountain weddings. Brit Tucker Stewart started the blog in 2009 and has since been sharing her exquisite taste and fabulous resources in a fresh and creative way. I am so honored to have Matt and Lesley’s Naperville engagement session featured today on Landlocked Bride. If LLB isn’t on your radar,  you’ll definitely want to start following to see what else Brit has in store!

On days like today all I want to do is cuddle up with a blanket, a warm mug of coffee and my laptop.  And dream about sunshine. In that spirit, I thought I’d share one of my favorite sessions from this past autumn at Chicago Botanic Garden.

It was Match.com that brought Maria and Tim together, but it was their enjoyment of the same amusements, their respect and admiration for each other, and their ardor for life that made them fall in love.  The two share a passion for cooking, dancing and travel- so much so that they decided to spend a romantic vacation together in Italy this past September. They explored the streets of Rome, sipped wine, looked in awe upon illustrious duomos and magnificent sculptures, savored authentic cuisine, shopped in Florence, sampled gelati, and soaked up the sweet melodies of Italian conversation that rolled off people’s tongues.  While in Cinque Terre, they made it a point to stroll along the romantic Via dell’Amore. It was a trail that had been built in the 1920′s to connect the cliffside towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola, which eventually became known as a lover’s lane.  Lined with impassioned graffiti and padlocks placed by lovers in a popular ritual, the Pathway of Love is rich with romantic tradition.  And on that day, a new chapter in their own story began. There on the Via dell’Amore, on a little incline away from the passersby, Tim got down on one knee and asked Maria to spend the rest of her life with him.

And there on the edge of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, Maria said yes to the man she loved.

It was a little over a year ago that I met Maria, and over coffee last month with our mutual friend Amanda, we marveled at the beauty that has transpired in her life. I remember the first time she spoke of Tim, her voice softened and her smile reached her eyes as she said she had found the man she had always dreamt of.  I could not be happier for them!

The vibrant fall colors, the fresh blossoming flowers and the unique European feel of the lush gardens was the perfect place for Maria and Tim’s engagement session.

I just adore the rose gardens. They are so romantic. And apparently Maria and Tim thought so too…

Maria just takes my breath away in this photo.

There are so many diverse nooks and unique textures at Chicago Botanic Garden! This one section of the English walled garden actually felt so reminiscent of Italy, we had to linger here for quite awhile.

And autumn at Chicago Botanic Garden?! Breathtaking. I am so thrilled Maria and Tim chose to have their engagement session here during the most colorful season of the year.

The evening ended with warm, sultry, glowy light….mmmm, it gets me every time.

Maria and Tim, I so enjoyed our adventures at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I am so very thankful our paths crossed and to have you in my life!!

They weaved their way over the bridges along the river walk as the air grew chillier and their stomachs began to rumble.  ”Why in the world are we still walking?” Lesley wondered.  They were on their way to dinner and Matt had suggested they go for a quick walk. It had sounded like a great idea, but now she was growing suspicious.  She knew Matt was hungry, and this had been a particularly long walk.  But before she could further analyze it, Matt groaned as he rolled his ankle and collapsed to the ground.  Lesley helped him hobble over to a bench to nurse his ankle.  Or so she thought.  When they got to the bench, Matt was suddenly on one knee asking, “Lesley, will you be my buddy forever?”  Completely shocked by his ankle hoax, she could barely answer!  But in the next breath, she found herself saying yes. A self-proclaimed smart ass, Matt had pulled off the proposal with the wit and humor for which she fell in love with him.

Lesley and Matt had an on-again off-again relationship that first began in high school. He broke her heart.  She broke his.  And then one day finally decided they couldn’t live without one another.  Because when it came down to it, not only were they madly in love with one another, but they had an unshakeable friendship that could weather any storm. The stuff real life love stories are made of.

For their engagement session, we decided to head to an abandoned barn in Sugar Grove (huge thanks to Melissa Diep for showing me this awesome location last year) for a rustic sassy look.  We ended on an outrageously playful note at the beloved Naperville River Walk.  I am so glad to have had Alaina Bos with me on this shoot- she outdid herself!

I cannot get enough of Lesley’s Anthropologie coat with her hot pink pumps & scarf, paired with Matt’s plaid and jeans.

Alaina’s shot on the left, mine on the right.

Right after I captured this…

Alaina caught this. Love the sunflare!

Classic Lesley and Matt.

I adore Lesley’s exceptional sense of style, head to toe. And Matt’s looking pretty charming as well!

One of my favorite photos of Les and Matt, below.

Lesley and Matt really are the perfect match! Rarely serious, always fun-loving, and right on the ball with spontaneous dance moves and playful banter, they kept us laughing all day.

These guys are total goofballs….and I love it!!!!!

Reenacting the rolled ankle right where it happened…

I seriously can’t decide who has the better smile….and those EYES!!!! Fierce.

Couldn’t help but share some BLING. What incredible taste!

For better or for worse??

And seriously, Lesley, STOP with those eyes… Clearly Matt never stood a chance!

Thanks for braving the cold and spending a fun winter afternoon with us!  It’s so refreshing to see your unabashedly silly and adventurous love. I cannot wait for your wedding. I’m especially excited to see the loveliness put together by Heather of Greatest Expectations and Kelly Marie of Fleur. September just can’t come fast enough!!

Not all of us are celebrating the Packers’ victory over the Bears yesterday, especially after it seemed so close for awhile.  But I know a couple who’s having a dance party with their friends and their furry little dog, Lambeau. Yep, that’s right. They are so hardcore they named their puppy after the Packers’ football stadium. ::sigh:: Maybe next year, Chicago.

There’s nothing like a snowy day in Central Park over the holidays.  Add some fabulous friends and their adorable Yorkie, and it’s the perfect way to spend a day in the city.  I met Kristin and Brian back in college, and while our journeys have taken us down very different paths, we’ve stayed in touch over the years. It’s hard to believe it was already two years ago on a snowy December day we fought a blizzard (that Kristin had prayed for!) to join them for the perfect winter wedding in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  They had us all in tears as they exchanged vows on top of a quintessential New England hill tucked away in the woods. The bridal party braved the cold for some outdoor photos, and Kristin and Brian romped in the snow that fell around them while my camera shutter clicked.  So these two are no strangers to the blustery winters of the northeast. And in the wake of one of New York’s largest blizzards, the day we spent in Central Park was considerably mild! They brought along their sweet puppy for a “family session,” and within minutes Lambeau had won my heart.

It was so wonderful to catch up with two friends I just adore and see where life has taken them.  I am also especially grateful to Benjamin Young for all of his help that day!

*SQUEEZE* I just can’t get enough of you guys!! Thanks for braving the cold and introducing me to Lambeau! So glad to have you in my life….even if you are Packers fans. ; )

Some of you may remember the preview from a sweet little session with Brittany and Reed in Galena, Illinois this past summer. Today in a beautiful beachside ceremony in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic they will tie the knot with those closest to them. I have the privilege of documenting their special day, and I’m so grateful to have Jaclyn Simpson here with me. Cannot wait to share this one!!!

Reed is a mechanic, so when we saw this classic car on the side of the road, we just HAD to stop. These are definitely some of my favorite from the day.

Brittany is an avid reader and Reed an active hunter, so we thought we’d put a little cutesy twist in the session!

It’s becoming the modern love story.  Boy meets girl…on match.com. He winks. She winks back. They email. They talk. They text. They flirt. They finally go out on their first date, and (fingers crossed) sparks fly, and so begins the equally thrilling and terrifying roller coaster ride of dating.  Although usually, it involves scrolling through pages upon pages of online profiles, fielding numerous random emails and chats, and going on several dates before making a meaningful connection with someone.  But Laura and Brian?  Their story is different. Boy noticed girl, girl noticed boy. And then girl emailed boy. Go Laura!! After a week of talking (which may have involved some playful banter over middle names and some flower sending : ) they decided to meet out for sushi.  Laura smiled slyly as she slid into her seat across him, and that very night Brian knew he had found the girl he was going to marry.  Three dates later Laura said they became inseparable.  And less than two years and many unforgettable memories after they first caught each other’s eye, Brian proposed in front of the same sushi restaurant where they had their first date.  Laura could not stop saying yes as Brian slid the custom-designed ring on her slender finger.

Laura & Brian’s favorite season is autumn, and the vibrant berry trees, golden fall foliage, and the colorful blanket of leaves set the perfect scene for their session.  I am constantly surrounded by people in love, but there is something in the simple beauty and spirited playfulness of their relationship that struck a chord with me.  Laura and Brian’s joy is contagious, in the kind of way they make you smile so hard your cheeks hurt. But you don’t get tired of it because you can’t help but be swept up in their energy. Whether they are traveling, cooking together, cuddling, dancing, or trying new things, Laura and Brian share a remarkable enthusiasm for life.  Their sense of teamwork is a keystone in their relationship and the strong foundation on which they are building their marriage.  I have nothing but admiration and happiness in my heart for you two!

Once again, I was fortunate to have one of my closest friends and colleagues, Jaclyn Simpson, shooting with me. Without fail, she brings something unique to each shoot, and I always feel like I am at my best when we work together.  Thanks, J!

All these rich colors make me giddy!!! Chicago is so beautiful in autumn.

While I was capturing the one on the left, Jaclyn got this awesome shot of Laura and Brian laughing, on the right.

This field of tall prairie grass just took my breath away.

Laura’s kind-hearted smile and sparkling blue eyes are just some of the qualities Brian adores in her…and I can see why.

I had the chance to get together with Laura and Brian a few different times before their session, and as we sipped coffee and chatted about ideas, Laura’s eyes lit up when she mentioned they love flying their dragon kite together. I knew it was something we had to include in the shoot because it was so uniquely theirs!  The wind was a bit of a challenge that day, but we had a blast and were able to get a few of them in action.

Laura and Brian have a sweet tradition of leaving each other notes in a fortune cookie. They certainly are a perfect match!

And the hazy Chicago sky made for some beautifully moody skyline shots.

I am so thankful to Brian’s brother Erwin for connecting us.  He is also a professional photographer, and a talented colleague and friend of mine.  I feel so lucky to have met Laura and Brian, and even more blessed to be a part of capturing their story!

Just five years ago on a southern plantation in Alabama, two hearts were joined in unending love under a pecan tree as Jessie and Eric exchanged vows among their friends and family.  Their lives have been a whirlwind of change since that August day, but the journey has brought them closer and made them stronger.

Jessie and Eric are so much of what I admire.  I can hardly believe I only just met them.  Already I am so grateful for their friendship and their influence in my life. They are both refreshingly witty, hilariously fun, and ceaselessly supportive.  Fellow photographers, Jessie and Eric Stevens (of Simply Jessie Photography) are such an incredible example of what a true partnership is- not only in business, but in their marriage. Their love is deeply inspiring and so very real. And their talent astounds me.  So when I heard they were planning a vow renewal ceremony in the woods of Michigan, I was both excited AND nervous to be shooting with Jaclyn Simpson to capture their special ceremony.

Mosquitoes swarmed, cicadas buzzed and the air was thick with summer’s humidity, but nothing could detract from the tender moments Jessie and Eric shared. They stood under a canopy of trees, styled by Kelly of Fleur with ribbon, lace and twine, as they renewed the vows they had spoken to one another five years ago.  “I promise to love you, honor you, comfort you…I promise to pray for you and pray with you, to live with you in an understanding way, to grant you honor…” were among some of the powerful words they read from the beautiful stationery created for them by Suzy of Lily Red Design.  Jessie’s bouquet was made with cotton (to remind them of their wedding day), thistle (from the song she walked down the aisle to), rosemary, oak leaf hydrangea, acorns and billy balls and finished delicately with twine, for that’s how Eric had proposed.  Kelly spared nothing in gorgeously crafting their arrangements to be abundant with symbolism…just one of the many reasons I ADORE her work. A few personal touches of their own- the Persian rug that was given as a wedding gift from Jessie’s parents, a basket with their wedding album and mementos from the last five years, and a ceramic jar with thoughtful sayings to one another- added even more significance to their ceremony.  And to work with Jaclyn again? I couldn’t have asked for more! Jaclyn is one of the people I most love shooting with because she is so sensitive to the dynamics of each couple, amazingly creative, and truly just so much fun to be around. She brilliantly captured the essence of their vow renewal and I was thrilled to romp around with her, Jessie, Eric and Kelly through the fields of Michigan.  As much as I love city life, there is something so rejuvenating about the countryside!  After enjoying some of the glowy evening light, Jessie and Eric continued their celebration with a small picnic- their favorite wine and beer, small sandwiches of tomato, basil and mozzarella, and decadent pecan tarts.  Suzy’s menus and a few other paper pieces beautifully accented their treats.

Jessie looked simply stunning in her slate and silver dress. A friend of hers made a custom hairpiece to suit the occasion.

And Eric was quite strapping in his rolled khakis with suspenders and a boutonniere of billy balls and cotton, courtesy of Kelly.

Jessie and Eric, thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of your anniversary celebration.  I feel so very honored. I have nothing but love and respect for you both, and wish you many more years of love and learning!! It was a blessing to collaborate once again with Jaclyn and Kelly and to photograph Suzy’s work for the first time. We are thrilled that Eric and Jessie’s picnic and vow renewal was recently featured by Ami Price of the inspirational wedding site, Elizabeth Anne Designs. She told their story beautifully and went all out with the photos!  Also be sure to check out the phenomenal posts by the rest of the crew, including Jessie, herself!

Simply Jessie

Jaclyn Simpson Photography

Fleur, Inc.

Sometimes life is ridiculously good. I’m not saying I haven’t had my fair share of challenges recently, but I’ve also frequently been feeling the need to pinch myself as a reality check that I get to do what I love.  When I met up with Sue and Rich for their engagement session, it was one of those moments.  It was an astoundingly beautiful, sunny (albeit sticky) Chicago day. I had my good friend, Nick Wrzesinski, shooting with me- a photographer who continually impresses me with his extraordinary technical skill, creativity and brilliance. And when we started talking with Rich and Sue, I realized that not only were they an outrageously gorgeous couple, but that they were laid back, fun, completely in love, and up for anything.  Sue’s energy and uplifting personality are the things Rich most adores in his fiancée, and her vibrancy shone throughout the session. Rich said life with Sue is always exciting, and he loves her spontaneity. Her upbeat attitude keeps him going and it was truly contagious as we traipsed through the city.  Susan fell in love with Richard’s genuineness and the fact that she can count on him for anything. He is unwavering and means what he says. As we chatted about his work, I was struck by his transparency and kindness. But being true to himself and others also comes with some spark- and his humor, mixed with occasional sarcasm, is another characteristic Sue is crazy about!  Sue and Rich are both full of so much life and it was wonderful to share their enjoyment of it together.  I am so thankful to Charlene Liang of Sweetchic Events for connecting us!

One of my favorite shots on the El was taken by Nick, below.

The Theatre District is still so magical to me, and I was thrilled when Sue and Rich wanted to shoot for awhile on Randolph.  They came alive with the bustle of traffic and bright lights of the marquee surrounding them.

Our downtown experience would not have been complete without a stop at Chicago’s quintessential Millennium Park, and we had some fun by the Bean and under the magnificent Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Nick brilliantly rocked out the tilt-shift in this one.

Our final stop was Adler Planetarium for a glimpse of the gorgeous skyline at twilight. The clouds were absolutely divine, and the lights of the city became more enchanting as the sky grew darker.

Another one of Nick’s gems, on the left below.

While surrounded by dear friends and family this week in Hawaii, Rich and Sue will profess their vows to one another amidst the crashing waves and the tropical sun. As they begin this new chapter in their lives, I hope they, too, have that moment when they need to pinch themselves….and smile at the reality of the love they share. Because life…is just ridiculously good.

Blogging regularly has not been my strong suit these days- an issue I am trying very much to remedy!  It certainly hasn’t been for lack of material or recent adventures, I assure you…I’ve been bursting at the seams to share it all!  This sweet little session with Seth and Izzi in Aspen, Colorado is one that has been simmering for quite awhile now, and I’m thrilled to finally be posting it. Back in June, my dear friend and incredibly talented colleague, Jaclyn Simpson and I spent a week in beautiful Colorado. We traveled from Denver to Boulder, through the breathtaking Independence Pass out to Aspen.  We were fortunate to meet Seth and Izzi through Jaclyn’s brother, and we spent a few hours with this fun-loving couple during our trip. Seth and Izzi held nothing back in silliness and affection as they cruised the streets of Aspen in their scooter, played at the ski chalet and soaked up the summer sun in the mountains.  They were an absolute riot and had us in tears we were laughing so hard!! Aspen is wildly popular for its ski resorts and amazing winters, but experiencing the town in the heart of summer was just as magical.  Here’s the first peak at some of the fun we had.  And be sure to check out Jaclyn’s gorgeous blog post for more artistic yumminess!

Sun flare isn’t something I’ve used much in the past, but I have been LOVING it lately. The warm glowy light has such a beautiful effect- perfect for Seth and Izzi’s playfulness!

The Skier’s Chalet used to be a popular lodge and steakhouse that has since relocated.  The heart details of the old worn building gave it such a romantic feel, and I envisioned generations of couples that had come here in years past, cozied up with one another, sipping hot chocolate and snuggling under warm blankets in the winter.

We were pretty excited to discover Aspen’s first single chair ski lift just behind the chalet. It was built in 1946 by Heron Engineering, the longest chairlift in the world at the time, and it was fully operational until the early 70′s.  Although parts of it showed signs of decay, it was sturdy enough to risk getting a few shots here! These are some of my favorite images of Izzi and Seth together.

Seth and Izzi, thanks so much for a fabulous afternoon in the sun. I cannot wait to share more from this session!