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    Laura & Brian | Chicago, IL | Chicago Wedding Photography

    Monday, July 11th, 2011

    The entire congregation sat spellbound listening to the recounting of Laura and Brian’s story. There was hardly a dry eye in the church. My shutter clicked away, but even I had to pause a moment to blink the tears from my eyes as I watched their joyful exchange of emotion and their pledge of love.  It rained lightly outside, but nothing could quench their adoring love and sweet devotion as they made their sacred commitment that beautiful May day.  And when it was time to party, there was no holding back!

    I continue to be blown away by the amazing clients I meet.  Laura and Brian are one of those couples that make me so very grateful to do what I do. It was truly an honor to capture each beautiful moment of their wedding day.  I am so thankful to Brian’s brother, Erwin Delfin, for connecting us and to Jaclyn Simpson for shooting with me.

    I confess this shot was inspired by another artist I admire, but I loved the folds of her dress as the light hit it!

    Laura’s hair and makeup were flawless thanks to the exceptionally talented Lillian of Starlight Makeup, and she was radiant!

    One thing I most love about Laura and Brian is that they are complete romantics like me! They both wrote each other letters to read before the ceremony expressing their love to one another.

    Laura tried REALLY hard not to cry!!

    Their ceremony was rich with emotion from the moment Brian saw Laura and her father gave her away…

    Among the stolen glances of joyful adoration, there were also a few tears…

    There were some poignant moments and those full of laughter.

    St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge was full of beautiful light and incredible arches.

    I loved Brian’s glee after their first kiss at the altar!!

    In Filipino tradition, there are several sponsors that bring gifts of coins, and drape them with a cord and a veil. It was so beautiful to see this incorporated into their wedding ceremony.

     

    Think these guys were excited at all?? ;)

    After the ceremony we braved the rain to capture some more moments together.

    Here’s a quick peak of the beautiful florals from Kathy of Palomino Floral Designs.

    Once at Cafe La Cave, we took advantage of the beautiful arched windows.

    The ballroom at Cafe La Cave was transformed by florals from Kathy of Palomino and Laura’s own labors of love in creating the menus and bookmarks as well as her mother’s careful hand with the favor boxes.

    One of their friends prepared a little “musical treat” for them, and had the place in stitches!

     

     

    One of the most moving parts of the night was when JJ Kim of Orange Wedding Films helped Laura and Brian surprise their friends and family with an amazing slideshow and same day edit of their wedding footage. I’m repeatedly blown away by JJ’s talent, and this was no exception. JJ and his team truly went above and beyond in delivering a beautiful experience!

    Laura and Brian also had a photobooth where guests could wear props and take 4 frames of fun and silliness together!!

    Their dessert and sweets table was to die for!

    They did not hesitate to party it up the rest of the night.

    Laura and Brian, thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to capture memories from your special day. It was truly an honor and getting to know you has been such a joy! I am so thankful to have been a part of your wedding celebration and I wish you both all the very best!!! xoxo

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Posted in Travel | 1 Comment »

    Brittany and Reed | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Destination Wedding

    Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

    The waves lapped the shore, and resort guests stopped in their tracks to stare as Brittany and Reed confessed their love to one another on the beach of sunny Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  It was only the beginning of a wild celebration that continued through the night at a beachside restaurant with fabulous food, Dominican rum, and friends and family tearing up the dance floor.  And somehow in the midst of that, we managed to sneak away for a few photos at dusk.  I am tempted to share more than this one image…but you’ll just have to stay tuned to see just how stunning their destination wedding was. ¡Espero que lo disfruten!

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    Posted in Destination Wedding, Travel, Weddings | 7 Comments »

    Daydreaming, Dreaming out Loud and Thoughts for Change in the New Year

    Monday, January 10th, 2011

    Hello 2011. I’ve seen you coming for awhile, but it’s kind of crazy we’re already over a week into the New Year.  And while every minute is just as good as any for a fresh start, there is something inspirational about a brand new day, the start of another month, and a shiny new year full of possibility and hope.

    I am a dreamer. Always have been, always will be.  StrengthsFinder pegs me as “feel[ing] enthusiastic about life when [I] contemplate everything [I] can accomplish in the coming months, years, or decades.” Yep. That pretty much sums it up.  I’m just idealistic enough to believe that I’m not alive to live an ordinary life.

    I’ve learned quite a bit about dreaming this past year though.  I showed up in Chicago ready to take on the world and excited about what the year would bring.  I had been working in other people’s photography businesses for years and had even been running my own for a good year, but 2010 marked my plunge into the world of full-time photography.  And it was good. But I was very much like Donald Miller in  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. As he began to reframe the story of his life in such a way that it would translate well into a the movie screenplay being written about him, he realized the elements that make for a powerful story are the very same elements that make for a meaningful life.  ”A character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it is the basic structure of a good story.” He decided his plot line needed some change.  He needed a goal. And so he decided he’d start biking.  And….he did. Except at first that consisted of him sitting on the couch watching Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. As Lance overcame sweat and pain with each mile towards victory, Don would pump his legs every once in awhile and cheer him on, as if he were riding with him.  It sounded a lot like what I had been doing- watching friends and others in the industry run their businesses, getting inspired, and every once in awhile booking a job on my own.  In a lot of ways, I was merely daydreaming. I had no idea what was coming.

    Oh 2010, you just had to slap me with a dose or two of reality. And thank God.  Miller talks about how as humans, we seek comfort.  We get really excited about an idea, but when it comes to down to it, we don’t want to do what it takes.  In a story, the author creates an inciting incident for his character- something that forces him to jump into the fear and discomfort and undergo the transformation he needs on the way to accomplishing his goal. For Don, it was buying a bike and some gear. He told his friends about it, and signed up with 18,000 cyclists to ride across the bridges of Portland.  It was a start of a change in his story.

    For me, it was being gut wrenchingly honest with those who were closest to me and then doing something about it. We must dream and long for things.  But it is not enough to simply daydream. Accountability comes in writing down a vision and even declaring it to those we trust.  My dear friends, Bob and Dawn Davis, know something about that. Their lives and business have been transformed radically over the past several years by a vision that continues to grow.  It is Dawn that first encouraged me to keep these dreams in front of me at all times. So in this spirit, a few friends and I decided to “Dream Out Loud” in 2010, to have just enough audacity to confess to one another those big things we we working towards.  I couldn’t hide behind vagueness any longer.  And while it had every bit as much to do with hard work, there was something in that dreaming out loud that made a huge difference for all of us.  By admitting what we wanted, we realized we had something to lose.  And so we had no choice but to choose failure or to jump into the story wholeheartedly. It was an epic year.  One friend began to book various sessions locally and across the country specifically themed towards her style, and had her work published multiple times. Another had the boldness to change career directions and relocate his family creating many more opportunities for them.  One gained greater freedom to travel more extensively on adventure trips while continuing to be a valuable educator and resource to the local and national industry. One went to Africa for a non-profit event and had a chance to work with musicians in Nashville and LA. Another photographed two weddings in Mexico, and broke into several photography niches among specific local communities.  I was invited to photograph a wedding in India and traveled with good friends and colleagues across the country and internationally. I was blessed to meet some incredible professionals in the local wedding industry and to see my work published in several national blogs. And I began to meet clients with a similar vision and an outstanding attitude towards life, who have become so dear to my heart and make me thankful everyday.

    The fulfillment of some of these dreams came with great struggle.  It became real. I was no longer pumping my legs, but actually riding and feeling the sweat trickle down my face.  And yet, this has only been a glimpse into a bigger story unfolding.  Dreaming out loud is only one part of the process. It helps propel us into the transformation we go through on the way to our goal.  But the dream is not enough.  Don says a character is what he does, not what he thinks about doing. “Good stories don’t happen by accident. They are planned.”

    In order to keep up the momentum, we need to continually introduce inciting incidents into our lives.  But it must be done strategically and with a purpose in mind. My friend, Dane Sanders, explained it to me this way. Change will happen if and only if my vision for what I want, combined with a plan to get there (even if it’s only the next step) and a dissatisfaction for the way things currently are, outweigh the cost I am willing to pay to enforce change in my life. I’ve been meditating on it a year and a half now and it still blows me away.  It’s so simple.  And yet so obvious why we often settle for the less exciting story. Change is expensive.  It is going to cost me massive amounts of something that I care about. It takes pain.

    Don Miller signed up to hike the Inca trail and invited the girl he wanted to impress, and ultimately date.  He had a clear vision for what he wanted in the next chapter in his story. But Don knew he wasn’t in any shape for the excruciating challenge. He continued to research how intense it would be until his dissatisfaction with his current level of athleticism increased. And then he joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. He made a plan.  And only with a compelling ambition, an explicit strategy, and a healthy frustration with the way things were was he able to face the pain of daily workouts that often had him doubled over puking. Does he get the girl? You’ll have to read the book for yourself to find that out. But recognizing the power in how to effectively introduce change set him on a course towards pursuing a more meaningful life than he had been living.

    2010 was amazing, overwhelming, challenging, humbling and rewarding all at the same time. Life really keeps getting richer and fuller.  But it’s time for some new dreams and some greater adventures in 2011. If I’m being honest, I’ve been feeling pretty frustrated and uninspired recently.  I’d venture to say it’s because I’ve gotten a little comfortable. And it doesn’t feel very satisfying at all. So I locked myself up in the library for a few days to get clearer on my goals for 2011, to increase my understanding of what steps I need to take next, to allow myself to be dissatisfied with the status quo, and to determine what price I am willing to pay to live a greater story.  Sitting there amidst thousands of books and silence surrounded by the magnitude of words penned by other writers, philosophers, artists, dreamers and adventurers, I became very aware of my own call “despite my faults and despite my growing fears.” These lyrics from “The Cave” by Mumford and Sons tell me they know a little something about taking a risk for a greater story. “And I’ll find strength in pain, and I will change my ways. I’ll know my name as it’s called again.”

    Vision makes us aware of the price we have to pay, but it also reminds us how fulfilling it is “to live life as it’s meant to be.”  I am pointed towards the horizon of what 2011 will bring, full of expectation. I’m still going to be dreaming and reveling in life’s mysteries, but now my ambition is more clear and I have some specific, measurable goals as I intentionally strive to live a greater story. <3

    These are just a peak at some of my adventures last year.  As I was preparing these images, they each brought back a different emotion- awe, amusement, laughter, giddiness, wonder, joy.  Each one represents a story (including some pretty hilarious and outrageous ones), and it makes me even more thrilled for what’s ahead!!

    Boulder, Colorado

    Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

    Chichen Itza, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

    Mosque in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Trivandrum, India

    Village in Coimbature, Tamil Nadu, India (while photographing for Thirst Relief)

    Beach in Alleppey (Allappuzha), Kerala, India

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    Posted in Destination Wedding, Keepin' It Real, Personal, Travel | 5 Comments »

    Chicago Fast Track Photographers: A New Community

    Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

    My first encounter with Fast Track Photographer was last year at WPPI through my friend, Carl Johnson.  He had been so impacted by Dane Sanders‘ seminar that he had to get me a copy. Little did I know what a treasure was to be found in these pages.  I let a few months go by before I picked it up. I was a little skeptical. “Fast Track Photographer?”  I had been shooting for two and a half years, desperately seeking vision, but knowing there was certainly no fast track in the photography world. Like anything worthwhile, photography is a craft that must be practiced over and over and over to be mastered.  But one day in May I decided to pick it up and see what this “Fast Track” thing was all about. I could barely put it down.  What I was reading was not a photography manual or an inspirational book, but a resource that would help me discover my core strengths and passion as an individual and how to transpose those  abilities into practical skills for my business.  There is no fast track to honing our skill- or discovering who we are. But the concept is that as a business, as a brand, as photographers, we are more than the images we produce. “The real value is in the engine that creates the art- the photographer.” To invest in the value of our businesses, we need to invest in ourselves. Getting clear on what we do best and focusing on that is the heart of the book.

    So when another good friend, Kenny Kim, encouraged me to go to Dane’s Fast Track Roadshow workshop in Chicago a few months later, I was all in. And it did not disappoint. I’ll save my review for another post, but the truth was it changed my life and business in many ways. And the biggest contribution was that Fast Track introduced me to an entire community of people (through the workshop and the forums) who, in this very competitive industry, were truly committed to being FOR each other.  A sense of community is cornerstone to truly thriving in all areas of our lives.  While our individuality must continually be cultivated, our personal, professional, and spiritual lives are enriched profoundly when we are connected to a group of people with common ideals and understanding. It is in realizing what we have to offer to a community that, often, our own sense of self is strengthened and we become clear on how our personal vision fits into the bigger picture.

    Surrounding myself with individuals committed to challenging and contributing to one another has fueled my growth as a business owner.  It is with this same vision that Fast Track groups, an outlet for creatives to come together in a dynamic supported body, was birthed.  These communities are now being launched all over the country and are bringing together artists who share the same values, who want to invest in one another. It is non-exclusive and non-competitive. It’s not about any one personality, or a brand, but about a collaboration between individuals who share the same passions.  So when Dane asked if I’d facilitate in Chicago, greater than my fear of stepping into a new territory was my conviction to see such a group rise up.  And when 20 of us gathered 2 weeks ago at Matt and Stevi Savage‘s place in the South Loop for our first meeting, the response was overwhelming. After spending a good 45 minutes just hanging out and getting to know one another, we convened round table style to get to the heart of what Fast Track is all about.  As we went around the room introducing ourselves, it became clear there was a greater desire for collaboration, relationship, accountability, and sharing of our resources with one another.  I looked around the room, amazed at all the different connections that were made to bring us together that night.  We were blessed to have Bob Davis with us, and he shared from his own experience the value of building relationships and how being tied into a larger community can keep us grounded. Bob and Dawn have been such an incredible example to me and to the whole photography industry of what it means to be “for each other,” as they conduct their lives and business with a genuine heart to give, and an authentic desire to connect.  Ted Suss (Neil Enterprises and Wedding and Portrait Photographers of Chicago) also joined us, and offered himself to the community as a resource. We walked away after our first meeting, some of us having talked late into the night, inspired and empowered. Can I just say, I truly love these guys!!

    (Image below taken by Matt Savage of Avery House Creative.)

    Collage below includes images from Avery House Creative, Otto Rascon Photography and Jennifer Kathryn Photography.

    So much of our success is dependent upon creating the right environment for ourselves. While I tend to be more spontaneous and gravitate towards things that don’t require planning, I’ve realized that things I do not commit to do not happen. We have launched Fast Track Photographers- Chicago with the goal of committing to be FOR EACH OTHER, as we meet monthly to continue facilitating these values in our community. Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 8th at 7pm. (More details can be found here.) We’d love for you to join us!!

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    Posted in Events, Personal, Travel, Workshops | 7 Comments »

    Discovering Italy: PhotoVenture with Kenny Kim

    Sunday, November 29th, 2009

    “Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.” Frank Herbert

    “The wise man travels to discover himself.” James Russell Lowell

    Travel is a part of who I am. It’s in my blood.  I was fortunate enough to take my first international trip when I was 15– to India. My parents were puzzled that I’d want to travel to India of all places, but I was curious, passionate and stubborn, and they relented. I went to India with open eyes and a heart to learn. And I have never been the same.  It sparked an insatiable hunger to see the world and to experience new cultures. I’ve since returned to India, traveled to Hong Kong, mainland China, Tibet, and the Dominican Republic.

    But it had been entirely too long since I had been overseas.  I was starting to get restless. So naturally, when I first started talking with Kenny Kim months ago about his PhotoVenture workshop in Italy, my curiosity was piqued.  There is something about getting out of my natural routine and experiencing a different way of life that gets me in touch with my heart and the things that are really important.  It is all too easy to get in “automatic” mode and not be fully present.  Travel is one of those new experiences, as Herbert reminds, that awakens the childlike wonder in me that I often allow to become dormant.

    After hearing Kenny’s vision for the workshop- to discover the true Italy, to capture our experience through the lens of our cameras, and in the process discover more of ourselves- I was convinced this was where I needed to be in September. So much so, that even though I had a wedding scheduled before the end of the workshop, I decided to go regardless and just leave early.  Kenny partnered with Max Brunelli & Cristiana Chiacchierini, a husband and wife team who design custom tours of Italy geared specifically towards creatives. I knew we were in for a treat when I learned they are also good friends of the extraordinary Kevin and Clare Kubota, and play a key role in their incredible Secret Italy workshop. But in reality, I had no idea what was coming…

    We went out a few days before the workshop to see Rome, Florence, and Siena. I was elated to have extra time on the front end since I was leaving early. I was so excited on the flight that I didn’t sleep much. I journaled, I voraciously digested as much Italian as my brain could hold, and I began planning just how perfect everything was going to be. [Insert snide remarks for my idealism.] Of course, when I dream about how wonderful traveling is, I always remember the glamorous moments- not the ones when we arrive 10 hours later exhausted, hungry, dirty and sweaty. All I can think about at this point is taking a shower and changing before exploring Rome for the day. We wander aimlessly on the street where our bed and breakfast is supposed to be located asking all the locals in our impressive Italian if they knew where the Casa di Rossi is. 30 minutes later we find it (right next to a shop who’s owner told us he had no clue where it was) and all I can think about is the steam from the hot shower.  We manage to get our ridiculously large suitcases up three flights of stairs. (The lift was broken- go figure.) I’m beaming. We’ve made it.

    And the room is not ready. Won’t be for another hour or two. What?! I start having a mini meltdown. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to roughing it. I’ve used squatty potties in India and gone a month without a real shower. I didn’t wear makeup in Tibet or care what kind of shoes I was wearing. I’ve done my share of hiking and camping in the pouring rain where you just get used to the idea that your clothes and hair will be plastered to your skin the entire trip. But this was Europe.  Italy, no less. How could I look less than fabulous wandering the streets of Rome? Kenny looks at me like, “Seriously?”  (I jest; he was a LOT more understanding than that.) But he says, “We’re traveling. This is what happens. We need to be flexible.” In that moment I had a decision to make. I could be upset and squander the opportunity to enjoy the incredible privilege of being in Italy. Or I could accept the present, adjust my expectations and embrace the very inconsistencies that make travel such an adventure. I am thankful I chose to do the latter.

    This was the first of many lessons I learned while in beautiful Italy, and I had plenty of opportunities to practice surrender. I hadn’t realized how inflexible I had become. The moment I met Max, he smiled, wrapped us each in a big hug, and told us to “Relax! Enjoy!” He truly lives that. And he continually challenged our way of thinking. I pulled out my iPhone less and found myself soaking in the fellowship of a good meal and great company more frequently. I worried less about things going the way I wanted, and remembered the delight I’ve always had in the unexpected. Experiencing the Italian way of life had such a profound impact on me.  I learned not to take things so seriously. I saw the beauty of living simply. I observed how hard Italians work and yet how much more passionately they celebrate and enjoy life’s small pleasures. While I discovered some of my inhibitions, I also discovered in myself the great capacity to overcome them and live more freely.

    It will take a few more posts to tell of all the adventures we had and the laughter we shared, and to explain just how profoundly this trip impacted me artistically, personally and as a photographer. I have hundreds of images to share to which I simply cannot do justice in this small space. But take a glimpse at just some of the wonderful things I was blessed enough to partake in while discovering Italy and discovering myself this September at PhotoVenture with Kenny Kim.

    coloseum1coloseum

    I absolutely adore the Colosseum in Rome. We had so much to see, but I look forward to the day I get to return and explore it some more.
    firenze

    This view of Firenze (Florence) from the Cattedrale Santa Maria Firenze del Fiore was well worth the 463 challenging steps to the top!

    pontevecchio

    Ponte Vecchio in Firenze (Florence) was absolutely breathtaking.

    6-upmontepulciano

    Montepulciano in Tuscany.

    tuscaniacivitadibagnoregiocivita
    norciaspellovalnerina

    I am so blessed to had the opportunity to travel to Italy this summer. I cannot wait to share more images! In the meantime, if you’re hungry for more, check out Kenny Kim’s latest post on an incredible experience we had while in Assisi.  And please consider coming with us in February for the next PhotoVenture! If you allow yourself to experience the Italian way of life, you will never be the same. Ciao!

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    Posted in Events, Personal, Travel, Workshops | 13 Comments »