” For Ryan + Amber’s Summer engagement session, we decided on far Chicago western suburbs shooting spot in Utica, IL at Starved Rock State Park. It was an event filled + adventurous day. R+A were down for just about anything like walking through an abandoned house + burned rubble, hiking, climbing to heights, and even sitting on a “World Famous” dumpster we stumbled upon. LOL As always, we had a great time and captured a variety of photo styles and unique engagement pictures.

 

In not meeting Ryan until the photo session, all of our initial communication was only with the bride to be, Amber had told us quite a bit about Ryan and his interest in rock climbing. ( With not many options for rock climbing in our flat state of Illinois, the first question we had was after you get married, will you be moving to a more rocky state like Colorado… and can you take us with you? They laughed. ) When initially discussing with Amber potential shooting location spots, traveling out to Starved Rock was definitely at must. The groom Ryan and his family live in the far North Chicago ‘burbs of Antioch ( near the Wisconsin border ) and Amber and her family in the Aurora / Naperville area … so as you can guess, Ryan is all too comfortable doing a lot of driving ( as he’s down near Amber pretty often. ) So planning for the 2 hour drive West of downtown Chicago to Utica and the popular Starved Rock State Park was no problem at all. Not only did Amber request photos at the Rock, but she also asked to incorporate a high-fashion element into the shoot too. That was no prob, we love hiking the rock canyons and we had a few new + secret shooting spots up our sleeves too.

 

Ryan + Amber’s love story started down state in Bloomington Illinois while both R+A were in college attending Illinois State University. Yes, they are college sweet hearts. However ironically enough, they actually met while on a church trip over Spring break in Florida. Continuing to live on campus for a few years later and in the same college dorm building, they soon became inseparable. We know their wedding is definitely going to have a good sized group of college friends in attendance. Looking forward to all the fun and details Amber has told us about. Thanks for spending the day with us… congrats to the two of you on your engagement. We can’t wait to photograph your upcoming Fall wedding in just a few weeks.”

 

 

 

Ryan + Amber are narrowing down their favorites images to feature in one of our Miller + Miller engagement photos guestbook featuring 10 image pages. Their October 2010 ceremony is planned for Gary United Methodist Church in downtown Wheaton and their reception in Downers Grove in the Esplanade Lakes Ballroom by Double Tree within the Sara Lee building. We love the architecture of the Sara Lee building, it’s western facing setting next to the wooded Morton Arboretum and the curved all glass ballroom which overlooks the private pond. The Esplanade is a favorite of ours and considered one of the best wedding reception venues in the West suburbs of Chicago.

“Valentin + Nicole are our next featured Chicago engaged couple who hired us for their Chicago engagement session and Winter Chicago wedding photography. Although it was definitely a gusty Chicago windy day, we had an awesome time roaming through the Windy City on their Summer engagement session… we are very excited to be working with V+N.

 

We met Val + Nicole six months ago on a cold February night. They were originally considering a Winter engagement session, but after a little more thought, V+N decided to switch up the season… Because they are planning for a Winter, January 2011 wedding, we suggested a summer photo session which would capture engagement portraits and wedding day images in two contrasting seasons. They decided that was a good idea. : ) In starting out their Chicago engagement session, we spent the early part of the afternoon in Lincoln Park and walked down to the sandy, lake shore capturing photos on a Chicago beach pier. We loved the moody clouds! Nicole requested we find a unique shot and she mentioned she really loves our fashion photos style of pictures. : ) No problem… we love creating unique pics like that! The fluffy cloud filled sky provided the unique setting which contrasted against their neutral colored clothes by the lake. We incorporated romance, and a bit of edgy-ness, and high-fashion looks at a few more stops for some unique engagement images for these guys. You guys look HOT in these photos!

 

Val + Nicole originally met at a Chicago Caribou Coffee shop, so incorporating a few pictures there were a definite must. Although their first time meeting was technically for business purposes, soon after their first meeting they fell in love and Val proposed a few months later! So creating a casual look with V+N both holding caribou coffee cups was one location idea. Nicole also wanted to incorporate a prop… so she did a little internet research and purchased a hand painted parasol that says “LOVE”. We love typography, did you see her love bracelet paired with the white heels… thanks for bringing those elements added along Nicole.

 

While out on the shoot, we talked about Val’s Limo company called Limo Envy. Limo Envy is a Chicago limousine company covering the limousine market from the City of Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. Wow check out his vehicle gallery images and his massive fleet! Limo Envy covers basically all needs and various size weddings and events with limos for as little as 6 up to a 56 passenger motor coach. To all our Miller + Miller brides and blog readers, we invite you to request a quote. Check out Val’s company’s web site by clicking the preview images below, use this link www.limoenvy.com or call them at 773.357.5466.

Thanks guys… we had a great time spending the day with you Val + Nicole!!! We can’t wait to here which images are your favorites. Nicole added a 16″ x 20″ canvas gallery wrap of one of her favorite engagement images to display on the wall of their Chicago condo as wall art. It will be hard to choose… super curious which one she’ll pick.”

 

 

 

 

Valentine + Nicole are finalizing plans for their upcoming January 2011 wedding day. A first glance has been discussed inside at Chicago’s Union Station, their ceremony is planned for St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, and their reception at Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante in Addison. We’re very excited for winter wedding photos outside – hoping for lots of snow!