“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.