“We had a blast shooting Mike + Valerie’s engagement photography in Wheaton at Cantigny Park and in downtown Naperville. The shoot was on another windy, warm Spring day. In fact, it was so windy that a branch at Cantigny park broke and fell to the ground about 100 feet from us. The wind can be a challenge to work with ( Mike + Val’s hair-do’s were blowing everywhere ), however we always love the motion and drama it creates in pictures.

 

We first met Mike + Val in January and as of then, Mike hadn’t technically proposed yet. So when we met up for their shoot, we got to see Val’s amazing engagement ring and learn how the big proposal night went down. Let’s just say Mike’s a romantic who surpised Val with a candle lit, hallway leading to a rose petal decorated bedroom. Hearing the stories of each of our couple’s proposals is great, no two are the same. When discussing ideas and location ideas for M+V’s engagement photo session, we talked about a downtown Chicago shoot in Lincoln Park and @ Second City, where M+V had their first date. But Mike couldn’t resist going to Cantigny and the Tank Park. So we planned a trip to Cantigny’s First Division Tank Museum – we loved using the army tanks as a prop. For the softer and nature side of the shoot, we enjoyed the mix of architecture, gardens, lush landscaped grounds and sprawling, 500-acre park of Cantigny www.cantigny.org. Towards the evening, we captured sunset photos in nearby downtown Naperville and planned for a few “secret shooting spots” and brought a few unique photo ideas to close the night.

 

Mike + Valerie are tying the knot over Fourth of July weekend at St. Patrick’s Church in Lemont and their reception is at the luxury, boutique Renaissance Oak Brook Hotel. As I speak, we are designing M+V’s engagement photo guestbook and have already started talking about their wedding day photo bridal session… M+V are very excited about the big day. We know their wedding is going be a great time! M+V we hope you enjoy the blog preview pictures… it was a lot of fun working with you. We can’t wait to meet each of your families and be there on your wedding day photo documenting the celebration.”

 

“Just before the winter cold set in, our close friends The Green Family, contacted us with one mission in mind… to stay away from the boring photos everyone else seems to have hanging on their refrigerators and shoot some beyond-the-norm and far-from-ordinary family portraits. We eagerly accepted – as we love creating out of the box photos! We set out upon a couple of our favorite Chicago area outdoor photo spots and captured some ultra modern family portraits.

 

Ryan “Dad” is also an artist, so he not only liked our edgy and unique portrait photo style, but also loved our photo wall art products. The Green Family recently moved into a new home so taking their artistic family photos and enlarging them on one of our huge Metal Wall Art Murals ( super mod ) was a perfect decorating solution for their home’s blank walls. They also used the photos for their Christmas cards and enlarged a few shots on Canvas Gallery Wraps for grandparent’s holiday gifts. Enjoy!”

 

 

Sarah + Ryan Miller:

“First comes love, then comes marriage. But, before the wedding is an engagement session with Ryan + Sarah. : )

 

For Ernesto and Erika’s engagement session, they came to us interested in a far from standard engagement photos style. Which was no problem at all. For E+E’s shoot, we married a combination of photo styles because Ernie wanted raw, graffiti and industrial and Erika liked both urban and edgy photos, but also wanted a few soft, romantic and fall inspired leaves locations mixed in as well. After foregoing our original Morton Arboretum plans (when we realized how crowded the Arboretum was) we choose to head straight Downtown which provided both some amazing leaf colors + unique urban shooting locations. A very chilly fall day, Erika fought the cold, especially during the phenomenal night photos! We love the overall variety of Chicago urban engagement pics from this photo session. An not to mention, E+E make a very handsome couple.

 

We had a great time shooting your engagement photos and getting to know you, Ernie + Erika! ( We especially remember discussing your wedding day’s music selection. ) After stopping at the graffiti shooting spot, Ryan and Ernie bonded about early 90’s house music, like that of Bad Boy Bill, Julian Jumpin Perez and Bobby D. Too Funny! That next day, Ryan was of course inspired to find old mixes on YouTube as inspirational music during the editing of the engagement photos. Will any house music become part of the wedding reception is the question… : )

 

Ernie + Erika are celebrating their October 2010 wedding in Saint Charles at the St. Charles Country Club and ceremony at Baker Memorial Church on Main Street. We’re looking forward to hearing the results of your upcoming wedding planning.”

 

Some of E+E’s engagement photos have been featured on the www.trendsettingwedding.com blog. Thought we’d share the link and our excitement with you all!