“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.

Beauty + Vibrant Color + Antique Style, Mixed with Hot Locations = A Miller + Miller Vintage ♥ Love Story in Chicago with Shaun + Julia

 

“During our Chicago engagement photo session discussion, Julia mentioned she’d love to take her engagement session “vintage”. And WOW, do we LOVE how fabulously vintage this engagement session got!

 

Julia and Shaun definitely took a little time shopping, researching and ordering antique items online in preparation for their shoot. Lauren Le Pine of Ryan Alexander Events added a few vintage accessories for Julia and not to mention, did an amazing job styling Julia’s hair and make up. She looked stunning, straight out of the 40′s ! We’re looking forward to working with Lauren again ( she’s also J+S’s wedding day coordinator.) How do we get so lucky to work with such wonderful engaged couples? When we paired together our vintage inspired Chicago location stops with J+S’s 1940′s era clothing, we really couldn’t have asked for anything more… well except for maybe a little bit of a warmer day. : )

 

Both Shaun + Julia work downtown in the Chicago Loop, but outside of their 9-5 jobs, they each definitely have artistic sides and creative interests. Julia currently works for a Chicago property management firm, but is also a graduate from pastry school and has aspirations to evolve her passion for baking with the possibility of creating her own online business. We can’t wait to see her selection of tasty sweets the day of. Shaun is an accountant and Julia says he’s far from beyond the usual accountant stereotype, as he’s also a very talented artist.

 

S+J’s ceremony and reception are set for this June in Chicago at Salvage One www.salvageone.com – which from what I hear is one ultra, unique wedding space! Nearly every event at Salvage One is different because they allow reinventing of the event space uniquely for every wedding. For example, we learned that Julia + Shaun get to “go shopping” a couple weeks before the wedding to pick out what items we want to use for their day and plan out the space. It’s an awesome concept, where Salvage One let’s the couples stage their space with handpicked chandeliers, furniture, chairs, etc. – how cool is that making it your own? : ) I love this idea and of course Julia and Shaun will definitely be incorporating their own individualized pieces and adding some vintage flair into the space.

 

Shaun + Julia are originally from North Carolina and they met in high school. After attending college at the University of North Carolina, they decided to venture to Chicago a little over two years ago. They say they enjoy Chicago, living in the city and are excited to bring many out of state guests into Chicago for their wedding. As you know, Julia loves all things vintage and has chosen her wedding day’s theme colors to be of a yellow + gray palette. The bridesmaid’s will be dressed in yellow, Shaun in a grey suit, and his groomsmen suited in gray vests – we can’t wait! We’re definitely excited and ready to get vintage-y again working with these two for their wedding. Shaun + Julia we hope you enjoy the photos and in addition your family + friends away from Chicago viewing the blog in North Carolina!”