This family is the sweetest! I had last seen them all a few years past during winter when they still lived in the city. The boys were a lot smaller back then and it was a lot colder too! This time, I got to meet them at their new home in the suburbs. They wanted to document this time in their lives after such a big change.
We all experienced the pandemic differently, but I know most families just wanted a little normalcy back into their every day lives after so much time away from each other. A fun photoshoot at home was the perfect way to bring out the needed smiles.
The boys were so interactive with me and not afraid to smile and be silly in front of the camera from the start. We started at home and then made our way to a park nearby, staying cool in the shade. I’m so grateful to this family and all my other #egpfam families that allow me and my camera to glimpse a part of lives. I truly cherish these moments as I hope they all will too.
By the way, how cute is this first picture with their family dog?!
Rachel & Connor’s Cafe Brauer Wedding.
So many details! A warm August day, a larger than life wedding party, the sweetest duo, and one adorable dog. Rachel & Connor’s wedding day was unforgettable and one of my favorites of the year.
I first met these two a few months prior on a cold afternoon in the city for their engagement session. It didn’t take long before realizing just how fun these two would be to photograph. They were so engaging, trusting, and honestly so excited for any and all photos. They really did make my job more fun. Add in the most adorable dog, Dakota, and you’d never notice just how cold it was outside.
Flash forward to a few months later…
After a quick trip to say hello to the guys, I continued the afternoon running up and down the stairs with the ladies in Rachel’s mom’s gorgeous Lincoln Park home. I was obsessed with Rachel’s Mira Couture dress and absolutely loved the color! It was so unique and fit her like a glove. Add in that amazingly long veil, and she really was a. picture perfect bride.
We didn’t have to go far for their first look as we used the beautifully landscaped backyard that luckily provided some much needed shade cover. Those first moments when Connor turned and saw Rachel were so cute to watch. They were beyond giddy and just happy to finally see one another. The best part was their sweet gift exchange. Moments later, Dakota came running out and before we knew it we were rushing to get in as many wedding party photos as possible.
I had so much fun with their wedding party. You truly can see why certain people are picked to be a part of a couples special day. Each person in that group was helpful, sweet, never complained about the heat, and happy to smile in as many pictures as I asked. They were all truly a joy to be around.
After a quick 1st dance practice under the honeycomb, we made our way up the stairs of Cafe Brauer into the great hall where Rachel and Connor finally got to see in person what all those months of planning created. They were pleasantly shocked and we all couldn’t get over how amazing the creative team was putting together every last detail. The turnover to the reception was so much fun to watch and photograph!
The best part of the day was the dance floor. EVERYONE was out there and having a blast, lifting the newly Mr. and Mrs. up on the chairs during the Hora. The food, the sweet speeches, and the cutest story behind a family recipe for their cheese cake cutting made this night unforgettable.
I love an intimate wedding day. Add in a Chicago rooftop view at a delicious Peruvian restaurant and you get the perfect reception.
We started the day at a downtown hotel where a quick first look indoors calmed nerves from all the unexpected rain in the morning. The best part was as soon as we finished and headed outside, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Perfect timing! I was so happy they were given a few moments in that unforgettable afternoon golden hour.
Soon after in a short and sweet wedding ceremony overlooking the city in the river-north area, Bari & Kyle said I do under a gorgeous chuppah decorated by Teshuva Fields Flower Farm. When Bari first contacted me, they had originally described a small backyard wedding, but this upstairs upgrade made for one unforgettable evening.
Along with their closest friends and family, they danced the night away with music provided by DJ @thatguyjawon immersed in the decadent smells of the Peruvian food cooking in the kitchen below. The sun slowly went down as they exchanged their vows and all of their friends and family were filled with emotions as they were finally announced husband and wife with the city night lights shining behind.
Unique wedding days like these are always such a joy to be a part of. You get to see a day planned specifically by the couple down to every little detail. One of their most important details was lots of group photos with friends and family that hadn’t seen one another in so long. Being able to provide those memories is what it’s all about.
Mariah + George : Engagement session in Humboldt Park :
“We also have a connection to the Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square neighborhood.”
This was music to my ears! The last Chicago neighborhood I lived in before we moved out of the city was Logan Square and I always loved exploring the surrounding neighborhoods, especially finding new murals. If you know me, I even have my own mural finding hashtag on instagram – #MURALSFINDLIZ – so getting to actually meet up with a cute couple to take photos in my favorite places was a dream.
Right away, Mariah and George greeted me with the biggest smiles, adorably eager to walk around wherever I thought would make for a good backdrop. We started in Humboldt Park and slowly made our way Northeast through Logan and Wicker Park, incorporating all the favorite spots including the ‘swan pond’ by the Humboldt Park pavilion and the many trails surrounding it, the famous 606 trail, an extremely colorful floral mural wall that I’m still obsessed with, Ipsento Coffee, and finally, Map Room, one of their favorite Chicago bars.
These two were so much fun to photograph and I was honestly sad when we had to stop, but spending an afternoon walking around the city with them made me even more excited for their wedding day.
HIGH 5 TO THESE CUTIES!!!
“Just here to have a great time!”
Another wedding postponed during the pandemic, but celebrated like no other! Carly & Joe were officially married in an intimate ceremony at home the Fall before, but THIS July reception at Ravenswood Event Center was the party we were all waiting for.
They started the day getting ready at the gorgeous @hotelzachary in Wrigleyville.
When I walked in, I was both overly excited and honestly, more nervous than I think I’ve ever felt in 12 years. It was my first wedding back after the pandemic and just like every other wedding creative, I was anxious to get back to work! After a year of postponements and cancellations, I wasn’t sure when I would get back to any sort of ‘wedding normal’.
𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏.💙💙💙
I walked into the ladies hotel room and saw Carly with the biggest smile on her face, starting to get emotional. I grabbed my camera, took the first photo of the day, and before I knew it, every single nervous feeling I had immediately disappeared.
All day long, this group and their family & friends were so much fun and beyond kind. Everyone was just happy to be together and it showed. From start (Carly’s sweet welcoming smile) to finish (Joe’s never ending dance moves), this wedding was such a joy and the perfect way to get back into doing what I love.
One of the best surprises of the day, though, was when one of Carly’s bridesmaids was able to get their names and wedding date showcased up on the Cubs marquee while we took pictures. I was so happy she contacted me prior to the wedding to let me know so we could plan out exactly when we needed to be there. It was the coolest added detail of the day!
Also, how cool is their custom neon sign with their last name?!
Congratulations Carly & Joe! I am beyond grateful to you both for letting me be a part of this unforgettable day!
Holly + Ewan : Surprise Proposal at London House Chicago :
“Hi Elizabeth, I am proposing to my girlfriend and we would love to capture the moment on camera!“
Music to my ears!
I was so excited to get this email from Ewan when he was planning his surprise proposal to his girlfriend Holly. Finding out that he had rented the cupola at London House in Chicago made it even more exciting. The views of the city from that level are amazing enough, but getting the cupola to yourself creates a truly intimate space for one of the most important questions to ask your partner. You really get to experience such a sweet moment alone and then take it all in with breathtaking views.
Leading up to the day, the weather was not in our favor. Typical Spring weather in Chicago. However, the cupola is covered so it never really mattered if the rain came or not. Rain or shine, this proposal was happening and would be unforgettable and even better BECAUSE of the rain. No one else was out on the rooftop because of it.
It was perfect.
As I waited for Holly and Ewan to come out of the elevator door, I remember just how quiet it was up there. You only heard the rain. I quickly captured a few more photos of the rose petal details laying out with the ring and champagne and then in they came. Ewan grabbed Holly’s hands, lead her to the center of the cupola, and the rest, as I say, is…well, you can see below. <3
Congratulations you two! Can’t wait for your wedding in Arizona!
See a few highlights from their proposal on TikTok.
Chicago Engagement in Olive Park :
“My humans are getting married.”
Michelle and Doug had the most gorgeous afternoon with slobbery meatball kisses, Miss America puppy flirting, yellow monster door jumping, and first date location eating.
Coming full circle with this one! I actually met Michelle way back before I ever went full time in photography. We worked in the same office back in my corporate world days, and much to my surprise, years later, she contacted me explaining that she had followed my journey all these years. How amazing is that?!
When we first started talking about where they wanted to go, we made sure to pick places that we may not be able to get to on their wedding day. We also picked places that were important to them as a couple. They wanted that iconic Chicago skyline and Olive Park was the perfect spot for that, especially on a gorgeous sun-filled day. Their adorable dog Winston was a HUGE hit with the large group of pageant ladies that happened to be walking by too!
From there, we made our way to the west loop area and had way too much with Winston (follow him on instagram at @sir_winston_meatball ) at the Big Monster Toys yellow door. Honestly, if you are looking for a cute and easy backdrop for ANY occasion, this spot is the best! You can be goofy, silly, and as creative as you want, all in front of a big monster staring at you through an oversized yellow door. HA!
Finally, we ended up on the North side at the very restaurant where Michelle and Doug had their first date, The Bad Apple. I love when we can incorporate these big moment locations into a couples session. It’s where they began and makes that moment so much sweeter.
These two were so much fun and so easy going with every silly prompt and direction I gave. I had a blast and cannot wait for their wedding day at The Rookery! So honored to be a part of these big moments with you two!
Rainy day wedding portraits in the city :
When Crystal first contacted me for portraits in the city, we originally planned to meet at Buckingham Fountain for those unforgettable skyline views. Unfortunately, as we got closer to the actual day, the weather forecast got worse. And as with any other wedding day, we started to come up with back up plans.
One of my favorite covered spots is under the Civic Opera House pillars. It showcases the amazing architecture that Chicago offers and is the perfect spot to keep dry while being outside. We could have stayed in that one spot for their photos, but as I always say with my couples, if you are willing, so am I.
So, with everything covered, adorable jackets on, and umbrellas in hand, we ventured out for some of my favorite photos in the rain. These two were amazing and smiled through every moment. The best part? No one was around! Rainy days don’t bring a lot of tourists walking around so of course it’s the best time to go out for pictures, right?! HA! We may have gotten a little soaked, but it was all worth it after seeing what we captured.
Congratulations Crystal & Liz!
Netherlands + Michigan = One unforgettable Chicago Engagement
Exploring all over Chicago during a pandemic IN WINTER was something I’d never thought I’d say I would do. But with these two, it was beyond worth every moment, and something I would do over and over again.
Lennart contacted me after planning one very elaborate trip where he would fly from the Netherlands to Chicago and meet his girlfriend Jemmilie to propose. He surprised her with a photoshoot, rooftop drinks looking over the city, and a scheduled dance lesson while in town. We had so much fun we ended up spending all afternoon together, ending with gorgeous night photos in the snow in Lincoln Park…all by ourselves.
When I tell you I never stopped smiling…well, take a look for yourself.
Chicago Riverwalk Engagement :
Sometimes, a cold afternoon in the city the best time to take photos. It’s just us.
The Chicago Riverwalk is one of the coolest city attractions in the loop area and always a first suggestion when couples ask where they should go for their photos. I usually meet closer to the East end of the walkway, but this time, I suggested meeting Rachel and Connor right outside the Merchandise Mart building.
They jumped out of the car followed by the adorable Dakota (Kota), lint rolled off all the hair from the ride over, and we started photos immediately. (Like I said, it was a cold day.)
We picked an afternoon start time for the best light and what worked well with everyone’s weekly schedules and it only seemed to work in our favor. The sun was out and bright and thank goodness because it was the only thing keeping us slightly warm. After a few pictures of the three of them together, Kota was picked up by Rachel’s mom and we made our way up and over the bridge.
The last few photos we took were some of my favorite from the day, as you will soon find out. That sun was unbelievable, and shining through the tall city buildings creating some of the best back sun flare light I’ve seen. The warm blanket wrapped around these two added in a major cuteness factor as well.
Loved this afternoon celebrating Rachel and Connor in the city!
Specializing in couples, wedding, & Family photography
