“We had an amazing time photographing Rob + Brandy aboard a friend of their’s Chicago yacht for this Chicago engagement photography session. Upon the four of us first meeting, about two months ago in June here at our photo studio, beyond us all talking first about being entrepreneurs and owning our own businesses, we eventually started talking a bit about boating. Brandy mentioned how one of her past employers and a friend owns a yacht in Chicago’s Burnham Harbor. After discussing their preferred engagement photography style and locations, before we knew it, Brandy was leaving our house considering calling up the boat owner to see if her and Rob could schedule a photo shoot sailing on the boat. Thankfully the idea turned into reality! Next we were discussing available dates to hop aboard the beautiful Bonita boat before it set sail for a 6 week Summer excursion on the shores of Lake Michigan and the waters of the Great Lakes.

 

Rob + Brandy’s love story started in college and where the couple first met. They have been together for over 10 years and Brandy told us that Rob proposed to her only a few months ago, this year on April 1st = April Fools Day. Soon after the proposal, the couple quickly decided on an August 2011 wedding date and put together all the details of their big day in an accelerated few short months. Brandy said pushing up the date and planning it in only 4 months wasn’t too hard, because they both knew exactly what they wanted. : )

 

Upon our arrival to the harbor and once we hopped aboard one of the biggest privately owned and most beautiful yachts in all of Chicago, we were in serious awe. The boat was breathtaking, four levels tall and had everything a boater could imagine having on the water. ( Our 20’ Sea Ray doesn’t stand close to this massive vessel, nor did the other 50 foot plus in size boats we were towing above while anchoring and floating on Lake Michigan near Navy Pier and museum park. ) It was a perfect early in the Summer day, sunny and warmer than the rest of the season had been thus far. A great day for sailing and also great for shooting photos. Our visit to the harbor with Rob and Brandy included a mix of both in the moment lifestyle engagement photography and our Chicago high-fashion engagement photography photographic style. Before taking sail, the captain kept the yacht docked at the harbor. So we captured Brandy + Rob first along the water walking near the other docked boats, within the private Burnham Harbor dock area, and then on the bow of the boat. The soft late afternoon sun was a beautiful golden color. Great for illuminating the blue water behind Rob + Brandy while they were on the pier, perfect for romantic photos of the couple feeding the geese dock side, and aboard the multiple decks of the boat. In closing the night, the captain headed towards one of the best views of the Chicago skyline while floating on the water of Lake Michigan. Following capturing photos of the couple in front of the night city skyline, we relaxed and enjoyed sitting watching the Navy Pier fireworks still on the boat and from the water. We almost forgot we were working by the end of the night.

 

We had a great time working with you Rob + Brandy! You guys were up for just about anything and we enjoyed getting creative with you guys incorporating a few magazine style, lifestyle, editorial photographs into the session. We were thrilled to be able to come aboard the yacht and the weather we received for the shoot was amazing! The sunset, fireworks, and hospitality was beyond words. Thank you again in coordinating and providing for us all the shooting spot. Rob + Brandy and we hope you enjoy the photos! We will see you both again, a few days from now, for the wedding.”

 

 

 

♥ We will be heading to Lemont and Itasca in a few weeks for Rob + Brandy wedding day. The couple is exchanging vows at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in downtown Lemont, Illinois in late August. Following the couple’s ceremony, the bride, groom and guests will be celebrating at the Chicago Northwest Westin Hotel in Itasca. You may remember another couple of our’s Joseph + Linsey from their modern chicago engagement photography session post last fall. Rob + Brandy were thankfully a referral by Joseph + Linsey.

“Above are a few favorite photos from another one of our awesome couples who booked us as their photographers this year… Chris and the stunning Niamh. For their engagement photo shoot in Chicago, we met up with them at their West Loop condo and decided on a few locations close by. Despite rescheduling a few times due to rain and finally we found this dry day… it was chilly and the sun peeked out from the clouds for us for a few minutes. Chris + Niamh did a great job when feeling cold in thinking ahead 10 months to their Caribbean beach wedding. For their Chicago engagement session, we stopped by a few new shooting spots, enjoyed getting to know Chris + Niamh better ( as this was the first time we had met in person ) and we talked quite a bit about their upcoming destination wedding plans. Destination weddings are some of our favorites. If you haven’t already visited our destination section of our blog, click here to view a few couple’s past destination wedding photography blog posts.

 

We love in being wedding photographers which offer to us the occasional opportunity to travel along with our couples from Chicago with them on their destination weddings in the US and outside of the country. Chris + Niamh are planning their wedding for February and a destination wedding on a white sandy beach in the Caribbean Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Niamh was telling us after her and Chris’ recent Winter visit touring a few resorts, the choice was easy and they selected Paradisus Palma Real Resort . The couple’s resort is described as the “epitome of resort elegance” and we agreed with C+N after viewing the resort’s marketing photos on their web site… what a picture perfect place for a destination wedding. We love shooting beach weddings. With crystal waters, pristine beaches and towering palm trees, along with this location’s magnificent architecture of the resort, it wasn’t difficult to see why Chris + Niamh selected Paradisus Palma Real Resort.

 

Chris + Niamh’s have been dating for a few years and Niamh sasy she was unknowing, very surprised and not expecting a ring when Chris proposed to her on Christmas Eve. She mentioned Chris gave Niamh a Louis Vuitton box ( she’s a big purse girl ) with a note inside that said, “oops, I think Farrah ( the couple’s cat Chris got Niamh 3 years prior ) has it”. Niamh goes on to write:

 

“Chris shook our cat Farrah’s treats and she came running with a big red bow around her neck. I then realized she has something shiny hanging from it. He scooped her up, got on his knee, and purposed. Completely shocked me, I had no idea… I stopped wanting a ring. : )”

 

They set a date and started planning from there. Congrats on your engagement C+N and we are so glad you found our Chicago photography blog. Look forward to hearing which pictures are your favorites… we know the Punta Cana wedding is going to be gorgeous… can’t wait to talk more. ”

 

 

 

 

♥ Niamh’s enhanced beauty for this shoot was provided by MAC Cosmetics at Nordstrom. MAC Cosmetics 40 East Oak Street, Chicago.

 

Chris and Niamh have selected a February 2012 wedding date and will be married on the beach at the Paradisus Palma Real Resort in Punta Cana. How exciting! We love destination weddings. After the couple’s oceanfront ceremony, guests will enjoy cocktails on Gabi Beach near the oceanside bar, beds, and cabanas. The Gabi Beach Restaurant indoors will host the couple’s dinner and reception.