“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.

“After a few earlier in the week wedding photo posts… we are excited to feature next a Summer Chicago engagement session with Eric + the beautiful Tiffany. From the moment we imported the images from the camera to our computer, we could hardly wait to feature this engagement shoot. ( And narrowing it down to these favorites pictures to feature was a difficult task : ) We have many favorites, loved the locations + loved working with Tiffany and Eric.

 

After booking us earlier this Spring, we had only talked to Tiffany a few times, long distance over the phone. So it wasn’t until the shoot, that we actually met in person these two. It’s was great finally meeting the two of you! T+E are currently living and working in Southern California in the Santa Clarita area. Originally calling Chicago home, Tiffany + Eric moved to LA a few years ago… they currently work for the same company, a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices. Tiffany works in the company’s PR and event planning department, while Eric works in sales. Their positions sometimes cross paths, so it was interesting comparing how Ryan and I work together, and their occasional working together relationship too.

 

For the engagement shoot, we mixed in a variety of environments capturing some unique and Chicago high-fashion engagement pictures, and then in-contrast some romantic softer portraits. We loved E+T’s fashion sense and style. Tiffany requested a few location and photo stops which both her and Eric would each like… it’s always interesting hearing the different styles the guys and girls have. Once she mentioned we loved boats, we had a great, secret location in mind that we had came across earlier in the week… With them being from LA and the uncommon occurrence of palm trees in Chicago… this turned out to be a fitting location for these two.

 

Eric + Tiffany, we had a great time on your shoot and thanks for grabbing a late night bite to eat with us afterwards!! Enjoyed the good conversation and hearing about your wedding plans, jobs, travels, the lifestyle and activities in the LA area, and boating and wake boarding up North at Eric’s family’s Wisconsin cabin. After hearing about the area you live at in California and the lifestyle, Ryan and I are dedicated to finding time for a trip out your way! Hopefully we can stop by and grab drinks again. Hope your family and friends enjoy the engagement pics… talk to you soon.”

 

 

 

Eric + Tiffany are planning on using a few photos for their save the date announcement. They are in the midst of wedding planning for their June 2011 wedding. Talk about selecting a popular June wedding date… we have received 5 inquiries in the past month alone for their wedding day. : ) Both the ceremony and reception are going to take place at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and convention center in Schaumburg. A unique hotel, the Renaissance has a modern decor style and a ton of touches of bright colors. A contemporary hotel design … we love modern places, so with it’s unique architectural style it’s definitely one of our favorite reception venues in Schaumburg. Looking forward to their wedding.

 

E+T are a referral from Brittany + Bobby and friends of theirs from high school. We love + appreciate hearing our couples referring us to their friends.