“Donovan + Brianna were a fun couple to work with. Their chemistry, edgy ideas, awesome trendy clothes, and pure comfortability with each other in front of the camera made them extremely easy to work with. Not to mention, wow they are a beautiful couple. After learning more about these two while out on the shoot, we determined Brianna’s camera comfortability comes from her former experience as an actress in LA and later here in Chicago on stage and screen. It’s no wonder they are planning for their wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House. Brianna loves the stage and is planning for her reception just like that, front + center on the Opera house’s stage.

 

During D+B’s Chicago engagement photography session, we also learned of their unique “falling in love” story. Donovan + Brianna met in LA while out + about at Halloween costume party in 2002. During this first meeting time, their timing was a little off, but they never lost touch or stopped thinking about one another. In 2006, they reconnected and Brianna says “they have been crazy in love ever since.”

 

A couple years later, D+B decided they were done with LA and couldn’t wait to get back to their midwestern roots. So Donovan accepted a senior level position at the Nationally known, Inland Real Estate Auctions and they relocated back to Chicago in 2008. Brianna has transitioned away from the limelight and is enjoying being an entrepreneur who owns and operates her own organic and nutritious baked goods company called Brianna’s Heathy Fare. I sampled a gluten free brownie, which was delicious. Brides and mom’s… she’s accepting orders for a variety of cakes, muffins, cookie, cupcakes and more which are great for events, parties, showers and even weddings. : )

 

For more information about Brianna’s Heathy Fare and her nutritious products, visit her web site www.briannashealthyfare.com.

Be sure to check her September 2009 video clip and feature of Brianna’s Heathy Fare on Chicago’s 190 North television show .

 

When discussing ideas for their engagement session, Donovan and I were discussing locations. He mentioned that he proposed to Brianna ( did you see her gorgeous sapphire engagement ring? ) at The Elysian Hotel in Chicago. We have been long awaiting a look inside this hotel, and were very excited about this opportunity. In addition, to their proposal Donovan mentioned that few days after the proposal, D+B also hosted an celebratory engagement party at The Elysian’s second-floor Bernard’s Bar, so it was fitting that he requested and we returned to the Elysian Chicago hotel for their engagement session. We enjoyed shooting at Bernard’s Bar with it’s sueded lounge decor and velvet covered couches. The Elysian hotel lobby and their courtyard entrance creates a new definition in a Chicago luxury hotel. This hotel is SO VERY impressive and we couldn’t have asked for a more spectacular place to shoot at. We’d love to have had the luxury to spend more time within the hotel and especially in the lobby during our next visit… with only time for a few quick shots underneath the amazing, lobby chandelier “brooch” ( unfortunately with Donovan + Brianna it was a busy guest’s check in time ) we’d love to capture more photos here. : )

 

Thanks Donovan + Brianna in choosing us as your photographers! We had a great time spending the day with the two of you. Remember how super cold for like the last 45 minutes during the night photos on the beach, Brianna thanks for being such a trooper … you sure can’t tell from the photos how chilly it was. Good luck in the rest of your wedding day planning. Hope your family and friends in Chicago and LA love the photos as much as we do!!”

 

 

 

 

 

Donovan + Brianna are planning their May 2011 wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House which is owned and operated by the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago. The venue is considered a hybrid of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural designs and considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful opera venues! Built in 1929 and fully restored today, the Civic Opera House is majestic and will be an excellent, dramatic Chicago wedding venue for Donovan + Brianna to host their fairytale wedding. Visit the venue’s web site for more information www.civicoperahouse.com.

 

Searching for a glamourous, luxury Chicago hotel wedding venue, the Elysian Hotel is definitely one to pursue. Visit the Elysian Hotel web site www.elysianhotels.com for more information and of course, we look forward to you contacting Miller + Miller about your wedding photography.

“When we first met with Mark + Michele, it was a bitter cold and snowy January Chicago Winter day. Over a cup of coffee, we all instantly bonded and talked about the exact opposite weather — the Summer, beach, vacationing in Michigan & Wisconsin, and boating!! So we instantly decided to wait until warm weather and planned for a Summer time Chicago beach engagement session. For their shoot, although it was sunny, the beach wind was a little cold… but the chill didn’t seem to bother Michele + Mark. M+M we’re awesome still up to getting their toes wet in the sand and then they cuddled up in their beach blanket afterwards. They are a cute couple, with a lot of love for each other.

 

During our first meeting, we discovered Michele is a graphic designer ( as are Miller + Miller in addition to being photographers. ) So we bonded about this too… sorry Mark for talking too long about our business card, fun papers and type. : ) Michele currently works downtown Chicago and says she loves working in the creative field, designing with typography and too funny today as I was writing this blog entry I received their invite – an awesome mix of metallic papers and typography design. LOL

 

Michele + Mark’s love story + “how they first met” was during a group of mutual friend’s get together. ( They both attended the same middle and high schools, but didn’t actually talk until many years after high school – this is nearly identical to Ryan and my how we first met story. ) After the first night of great conversation and keeping in touch afterwards through Facebook, it wasn’t until both Mark + Michele were in London that the start of their relationship fully developed. Mark was studying in London finishing up his Masters Degree and Michele’s was visiting her sister who was working overseas. The rest is history and now they are busy planning their wedding.

 

Incorporating a prop to personalize our engagement sessions are always a fun touch couple’s bring to the session. Michele was telling us how her and Mark have had many of picnics together… And even in the colder months! Rather than picnicing outside in the Winter, they even have had a picnic in their living room ( which was actually how Mark proposed to her last November! ) When Michele ask if we could incorporate the picnic element, we put our creative heads together and decided a picnic on the beach and capturing a lighthouse shot would be perfect match for them. We love how these creative sandy, beach photos turned out!! Thanks Michele in bringing along the basket and extra sand toys! Hope you both enjoy the photos. We had fun strolling around the City with the two of you. We can’t wait for your wedding – talk to you soon and enjoy the rest of your Summer wedding day’s planning.”

 

 

 

Mark + Michele currently live in Palatine, but are originally from Crystal Lake Illinois. They are getting married in their home town this August, a Summer wedding at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake with their reception following at the Crystal Lake Country Club.