Tagged: chicago engagement photography

Chicago Engagement Session – Katie & Brian

When the winter wind whips, Chicago is the last place I want to be. At least, that’s what I tell myself. In truth, I’ll make a trip home to Chicago anytime I have the opportunity. Thanks to Katie & Brian, I had opportunity to return once more to the city I love. A winter Chicago engagement session might seem odd, but it makes perfect sense for Katie and Brian. After all, they’re Cleveland wedding will be in the December, 2016. While it may have been a bit chilly, I thrilled with how the photos turned out.

Initially we met at Chicago’s Rockery building, only to find out that we couldn’t shoot there without prior permission and paying a huge fee. So we headed out into downtown Chicago, stopping initially at the old Union station. We simply worked along the river for the rest of their engagement session. Starting from Union Station, we worked north to River Walk and then south to the Chicago Museum of Art.

By the end of their Chicago engagement session, we were all a little bit cold. After some hugs goodbye, we all hoped in cabs and set off across Chicago. I might have stopped at The Gage for a quick Manhattan (I highly recommend it). Below are some highlights from their wintery Chicago engagement session in downtown, all captured on film. Hope you enjoy.

A winter Chicago engagement session with Katie and Brian A winter Chicago engagement session with Katie and Brian A winter Chicago engagement session with Katie and Brian A winter Chicago engagement session in downtown with Katie and Brian A winter Chicago engagement session in downtown with Katie and Brian

For the photographers among us, the above was shot on Fuji 400H using a medium format Contax 645 and developed/scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Annie & Kevin – A Downtown Chicago Engagement Session

“You know, I’ll be in Chicago in September,” I said looking across the table at Annie and her parents. I think that was all I needed to say. Just a few days later, Annie and Kevin booked me for their wedding. My trip to Chicago for another wedding was already planned, so why not add an engagement session while I was there? Brooke and I just made the trip a day earlier than originally planned.

The plan for Annie and Kevin’s engagement session was pretty simple. There were a couple definite locations on the plan – the Chicago Art Institute, a stop by the Chicago River, and North Beach. The rest we would just make up as we walked through the city. I still know Chicago well, so I was comfortable traveling in and out. However, I still took the time to scout their entire session before hand.

We started in the gardens outside the Art Institute and chatted as we took photos. We talked about how they landed in Chicago, their favorite restaurants, and Kevin reminded me about how he met Annie. Annie and Kevin were both Students at Wittenberg University. One year, they both volunteered to be orientation assistants. You know, those upperclassmen who help freshmen move in on their first day? During the orientation, they met for the first time. Annie remarked that she was surprised it took so long – Wittenberg is a very small school.

Thereafter, Annie and Kevin became fast friends, but there was a speed bump ahead. Kevin had already booked a long trip to London, which could cut short a relationship that had just begun. Instead of faltering, Annie visited Kevin while in London. As I’m told, things moved forward pretty fast thereafter.

Which brings us back to Chicago. Below are some highlights from Annie & Kevin’s session in downtown. I’ll have more work to share soon from my second hometown. I was quite busy while visiting…

A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin

I love those last two photos. The look on Annie’s face is breathtaking. For the photographers, all of the above was captured on a Contax 645 using a mix of Fuji 400H and Kodak Portra 800. However, the wide black and whites were captured on a Leica M6 with Tri-X. Hope you enjoyed!

Annie & Kevin – One Frame from Chicago

We ended Annie and Kevin’s downtown Chicago engagement session by the shore at North Beach. “Beach” might not be the right name for it, but the timing was perfect. Silvers between building let the coral-colored setting sun find Annie & Kevin, alone at the shore. Below is just one frame. More will come on Monday. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

A downtown Chicago engagement session with Annie and Kevin

For the photographers, the above was shot on a Contax 645 with Portra 800 and developed by Richard Photo Lab, my favorite!

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