“When Daniel + Janice contacted us from California about engagement photography in Chicago, they mentioned a few urban settings they like and the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago campus. Since architectural photography is one of Daniel’s hobbies, it’s no wonder they had personal interest in capturing photos on the historic university campus and inside once we saw the grandeur of this famous chapel. The Gothic vaulted ceilings and ornate church pews provided a dramatic backdrop for the photogenic couple, and the photos taken by the limestone and ivy-covered exterior walls made for some naturally beautiful, early in the Spring time photo opportunities. This awe-inspiring engagement portrait session and incredible ceremony space gave us a sneak peek so we could gather ideas to use at our upcoming Rockefeller Chapel wedding we’ll be shooting this July.

 

Aside from Chicago architecture and wanting tons of after dark night skyline photos, engagement photos along railroad tracks were also on Daniel + Janice’s wish list. The abandoned train tracks were a perfect juxtaposition to the magnificence of the chapel, and presented a unique setting for the modern, artistic photos our couples often desire. Speaking of desires, one of D+J’s is waterfronts, and what better way to capture that passion than with night engagement photos at the Chicago Harbor and skyline. Janice’s long evening gown and Daniel’s high-fashion menswear set the tone for sexy, show-stopping and strikingly colorful engagement photos.

 

Inspired by their love for water, Daniel + Janice have selected a private yacht in Newport Beach, California, to charter their wedding reception on November 3, 2012. The couple are both originally from Fresno, but currently D+J are managing a long-distance relationship (and wedding planning!) while Daniel finishes his residency at a Chicago hospital and Janice pursues a career back in California in Huntington Beach. In the words of Janice, November 3rd is an “all-day event” including a ceremony in Irvine and the Newport Beach yacht cruise on the water reception. Unfortunately, M+M had already booked another couple’s wedding on their date, so we won’t be on board to shoot the big day. Upon meeting and discussing the details more in person, we were super bummed about not being able to be their photographers; we love boating, yachts, and just being on the water. In fact, our dream is to shoot a wedding aboard a private sailboat, boat or yacht, either on a destination or locally at places such as a reception at the Chicago Yacht Club, aboard the famous Anita Dee Yacht on a wedding cruise, or on one of the amazing vessels out of Burnham, Chicago or Wilmette Harbor.

 

Thanks, Daniel + Janice, for the photo adventures around the city and for inviting us into your lives. We wish you both the very best for your future!”

 

 

 

♥ Interested in hopping upon a boat on your wedding day? Daniel + Janice booked Electra Cruises and the Eternity yacht to host their wedding reception. The ship is docked on a pier in Newport Beach and in the evening will be setting sail into the sunset. If you’re looking for a romantic waterfront Chicago area venue, consider contacting or researching any of the nearby lakes, Chicago harbor, Burnham Harbor, Wilmette Harbor, Navy Pier or any of the number of Lake Michigan coastal towns stretching from Wisconsin to Indiana or the shorelines of Michigan.

 

Inspired by Janice’s glamourous fashions featured in this session? The green dress pictured in the evening photos was an online purchase of Janice’s and the accompanying shoes are from Macy’s. The cream, long-sleeved dress is from Victoria’s Secret. Thanks Janice for bringing along your great fashion sense and sharing your purchasing locations. We still can’t get over the amazing weather and 70 degrees in March day for this session! Janice’s hair styling and make-up provided by Laura Black.

“Introducing Tim + Morgan. We enjoyed working with these two. Over a cup of coffee during and our first meeting, we were only able to meet with Morgan. Tim was traveling out of town for work. So during the couple’s engagement session in Chicago, this was our first time meeting Tim. It’s always fun to see a second half of a relationship and how cute a couple is once the two of them are together. Tim makes for a perfect match to Morgan! Instantly identifiable is Morgan’s stunning beauty, her intelligence and warm personality… and for Tim, he is an identical match to those same traits. During the photo shoot, we stopped for a quick bite and chatted over a beer, guacamole and lunch in the West Loop during a late lunch break. T+M we’re telling us of their interesting “first time meeting” story. It’s one we had to share with the readers on our blog. On a night out, Morgan saw past the fact that Tim was dressed with a much less of fashionable efforts, and the opposite than he was dressed in these photos on our engagement session and his stylish of clothing selection. Little did Morgan know, Tim’s less than stellar outfit was actually a planned set of clothing after all… Tim is a very cunning kind of guy. Read on below for the funny story below.

 

“Tim and Morgan met unexpectedly at Stanleys, a dive bar in Chicago, on September 26, 2009. At approximately midnight, Morgan told her best friend that she was going to leave and head home. Her best friend wanted her to stay so she pushed Morgan hard from behind and said “Talk to him, he is cute.” Morgan went flying into Tim. After Morgan apologized for her friend’s behavior, both Tim and Morgan laughed and sat down together. They were definitely an unlikely match, as Morgan was dressed up from her high school reunion (at a dive bar) and Tim was wearing the worst outfit imaginable… Ripped jeans, skateboarding shoes, a red flannel shirt, red puffy vest and a trucker hat (Hello 1990). Despite the terrible outfit, Morgan was drawn to his funny personality and accepted his invitation for dinner. The next week, Morgan and Tim met for dinner and low and behold, there Tim was, wearing the same outfit as the night they met! Morgan tried to tell herself that he must have forgotten what he wore just a few days before and accepted a second date. The second date was like déjà vu, Tim showing up again in the same outfit. Morgan was wondering at this point whether this great guy had any other clothes. The third date came and when Tim showed up in the same outfit, but a variation of green, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She bluntly asked him, “Do you not have any other clothes? Why do you keep wearing the same outfit?” Tim responded simply, “I thought you may be stuck up and I was just testing you.” The rest was basically history and those clothes have never made an appearance since! Tim asked Morgan to marry him less than a year and a half later.” Thanks for sharing this story. LOL

 

Although our shooting day was predicting rain, we received the opposite and even amazing light and sun. Luckily we were able to complete all our stops including our arranged outdoor terrace rooftop photo shoot location, as well as shooting in the indoor luxury and stylish bar, around in the city’s loft warehouse district, and lastly the skyline at night. Incorporating an editorial style engagement photography look to the session was perfect for these two. After talking about the couple living downtown in the River North neighborhood, how they met, and their plans for a downtown Summer wedding, some sophisticated, luxurious and Chicago-esque would be perfect. The wedding day of plans and vibe are for a festive party style reception with live music and entertainment. Morgan’s career allows her to attend a number of parties from small soiree to grand galas around the City regularly. So she mentioned she is excited to coordinate her own personal event bringing everyone her and Tim know altogether. Morgan has hired one of our favorite wedding vendors Anthony and his event planning company Liven It Up to help out with the festivities. Looking forward to the day wedding. Hope you both enjoy the engagement photos Morgan and Tim. Thank you in treating us to lunch; we enjoyed getting to know the two of you more. Talk to you soon.”

 

 

 

♥ Tim + Morgan have planned for an evening ceremony + reception to take place in June in Chicago at Navy Pier inside the Crystal Gardens Ballroom. Morgan’s make up for this session was provided by M for Makeup and hair by Frankie at Solo Salon. Fashion details: Morgan gathered together a few already purchased and in her closet fashionable items. Her suede peep toe emerald green pumps were a new purchase from Go Jane. Tim’s clothing for the session was from Nordstrom department store.