“We had a great time spending the afternoon with Kurt + Carrie out on their summer Libertyville engagement photo session. After delaying the shoot a few times ( due to rain and then two weeks of bachelor and bachelorette fun in Vegas, so jealous ) we were happy for finally a dry day. Except the day was more than just a little buggy, there were a ton of mosquitos outside… especially at dusk. With it definitely being one of those super hot summer and very humid days, thanks Kurt + Carrie for sticking things out until the end, even through the bugs to capture night shots. : )

 

We first met with Kurt + Carrie last Winter during their search for a north shore Chicago wedding photographer for their wedding. Carrie told us she searched in nearby areas like Lake Bluff, Libertyville and other North Shore suburbs, but eventually stumbled on Miller + Miller and loved our unique wedding photography style. With all the Chicago area wedding photographer options out there, we’re glad you found our photo blog.

 

For Kurt + Carrie’s engagement pictures, Carrie asked if we would be up for heading up to the Chicago Northern suburbs. Of course, that was no problem as we love traveling anywhere for engagements and weddings. We enjoy shooting couples located anywhere in and around Chicago… often too in other States or Countries outside of the US. For Carrie’s engagement session, she had a few of her and Kurt’s favorite locations around Libertyville in mind for the shoot. Libertyville is a big part of their relationship as it’s the location where they originally met and are currently living. Their unique “falling in love story” started several years ago while attending Libertyville High School… yes they have known each other for nearly a decade. Carrie was telling us of her memories of the older senior grade level Kurt, back in her freshman year, and being out with other cheerleader friends in the back of Kurt’s Jeep. Hearing stories of the past are always cute. Ryan and I have our own high school and college era stories too.

 

Thanks Kurt + Carrie in spending the day with us and providing the tour around your place! We enjoyed roaming around Libertyville, meeting Kurt’s mom, visiting with your dog for a bit, and exploring your home town. Libertyville looks like a great place to live. See you in a few weeks for the big wedding day!!”

 

 

 

Kurt + Carrie are going to be married in a few short days… their wedding is this upcoming September. Both their ceremony and reception are going to take place at Ivanhoe Country Club in Mundelein located nearby their Libertyville home. Kurt was telling us how the golf club has 27 holes, with three different designed terrain styles one course is a prairie, one a marsh and the last 9 holes are in a forest setting. Sounds beautiful… looking forward to hopping in a cart and exploring the course.

“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.