Mary & Steve’s Museum Campus Engagement Session in Chicago : There is something amazing about Chicago in the Spring time. The bright blue sky is EVERYTHING!
I met Mary and Steve on the steps of the Field Museum, one of my favorite spots in the downtown area. Everyone is always inside the museums, so taking pictures outside with the iconic architecture is perfect because it feels like we have it all to ourselves. These two were so cute together and willing to go along with all the silly and quirky prompts I threw at them. They laughed at themselves and jumped around and danced and the pictures, if I may be so bold, speak for themselves.
They also brought their adorable dog Basil along which only made the afternoon more enjoyable. I always say YES to my couples when they ask about bringing their dogs along for photos. Not only do you get photos of you with your furry family member, but it always helps to put you more at ease when you are in front of the camera. The smiles and laughs become more genuine, and you honestly just have more fun.
Of course that’s only my opinion, but, scroll through this sweet session and tell me I’m wrong. 🙂
Congratulations Mary & Steve! I cannot WAIT for this wedding and more pictures with sweet Basil!
HUGS!
Kat & Tony’s Chicago riverwalk engagement : When you plan to meet for photos at the end of February in Chicago, you really never know what weather to expect. One thing was for certain, however. We knew there wouldn’t be that many people walking around and we would have the city to ourselves.
WELL, THE SUN WAS OUT!
We completely lucked out with a gorgeous sunny afternoon on the riverwalk. It even kept us warm enough to stay out longer than we originally expected. Add that winter sunshine reflecting off of the city skyline and Chicago river, and we got the most beautiful day for their engagement.
These two were so much fun to photograph. You could tell how easy it was to make each other laugh, and for me, that was all I needed behind the camera. One of my favorite moments was putting them up on the median in the middle of Michigan Ave and a truck honked at them for congratulations. Their faces were priceless!
Congratulations you two! Thank you for enjoying an unexpectedly gorgeous afternoon in Chicago…IN FEBRUARY…with me. 🙂
Rachel & Anthony’s Wisconsin engagement session on the Lake : Boats, cars, dogs, and pumpkin heads. Enough said. This gorgeous Fall afternoon up in Wisconsin was a literal dream. Rachel and Anthony had originally talked about the different locations back near Chicago they thought would work nicely for photos, but when they asked if I’d be willing to travel to a lake house and go out on a boat, I knew no other spot would compare.
After a couple hours of driving from Chicago to Elkhorn, and through some of the prettiest and most colorful areas, I made my way to their neighborhood where the gorgeous backyard view gave us the perfect lakeside backdrop for photos.
When I first arrived, my attention went directly to the bright red BMW in the driveway and some pumpkin heads (already carved) at the front step. I knew this photoshoot was going to be fun.
ENTER RUGER. <3
I always tell my couples that if your dog is part of the family, bring them for photos. You will never regret it! And Ruger for sure outshined us all…even on the boat! This session and these two were absolutely adorable and I’ll always remember this day with a big smile.
So excited for their October 2023 Wedding!
HUGS!
Danielle + Ryan : An afternoon engagement from Montrose Harbor to Museum Campus.
My two favorite spots to see the city skyline and I got to photograph this sweet couple at both! When Danielle contacted me for photos she had a vision in mind of exploring around the city as they were planning a destination wedding the following year. Chicago photos were important to them, as was including their adorable Yorkie Poo.
I LOVE when couples bring their dogs along for photos! I also love when they contact me nervous trying to convince me they are “very awkward in front of the camera“. I can whole heartedly say without a doubt that these two NEVER looked awkward throughout the entire evening in their photos. Not once. They had fun, we laughed at their adorable dog Conrad, and enjoyed the sunset and city view. I love proving to anyone and everyone that we all might feel the same awkwardness when it comes to getting our photos taken, but with the right photographer, you will almost always be pleasantly surprised when you see your pictures. 😉
We started at Montrose Harbor Bird Sanctuary on the north side watching sail boats go by and taking in the unusually warm, but very welcomed, Fall weather. This spot is always so peaceful and quiet walking through the sanctuary trails.
To finish, we made our way South on Lake Shore Drive towards Museum Campus. I love suggesting this area to everyone. You get the greatest views of the city and during the week especially, it’s rarely busy. You get the iconic museum architecture as your backdrop on one side, and an amazing view of the Chicago skyline on the other.
For the museum location, Danielle and Ryan changed into a more formal outfit. I loved that they looked like newlyweds in a white dress and a black suit. They even had a bow tie for Conrad! It was the perfect spot to watch the sun go down, city lights come on, and use the headlights of the cars driving by as an added backdrop bonus.
Thank you both, and Conrad, for such a lovely evening in the city!
Ryan + Travis : Chicago Lakeview Engagement :
When I tell you I never stopped smiling during this shoot…I NEVER STOPPED SMILING!
Blue skies and the sweetest duo makes for one very happy photographer. I met Ryan and Travis on Zoom the year before talking about their vision for their wedding day and right away, I knew they would be fun to work with. They both were so easy to talk to, open to any suggestions, and best of all, excited for a LOT of photos. Music to my ears!
For their engagement, they wanted to stay near the neighborhood where they lived, incorporate the iconic Chicago skyline in the background, and finally, end their session at their favorite bar down the street from their house, Toons.
We walked along the lake shore, explored throughout the beautiful Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond and Nature Museum across the street, relaxed at home, and toasted celebratory drinks together at their favorite bar.
These two prove why engagement sessions are my favorite thing to photograph. I got to know Ryan and Travis more personally both individually and as a couple. Watching how easily they made each other smile and laugh and put one another at ease was probably the best part of the entire afternoon.
That, and the sunglasses pictures. 😉
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BIG DAY AT SOUTH BRANCH TAVERN!
Chicago engagement in Grant Park :
Celebrating the last days of the Summer with the sweetest couple.
I met up with Rachel and Nick in front of the iconic Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago. With literally no clouds in the sky, we embraced the sunshine and the amazingly clear view of my favorite city skyline.
Look at the beautiful blue sky!
Picking the best location for your photos can be a big decision. Or, you can simply pick a familiar place that makes you feel at home. That’s what makes it the best choice. Rachel & Nick live close to Grant Park and go walking with their dog there all the time. It made It extra special to celebrate their engagement there.
I love Grant Park and all of the little walkways and gardens that surround it. You really don’t have to go far to get different backdrops, and with that skyline view so close, it’s always the best close up view of the city.
We made our way a few minutes North of Grant Park along Lake Shore Drive by Oak Street Beach. The architecture alone is stunning. Add in the lake shore and water views and it’s the perfect Summer afternoon. The waves crashing up on Rachel and Nick were even a cool, be it unplanned, welcome on an unexpectedly hot day.
I love looking back at these photos with this cute duo!
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.
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!
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.
