Melissa and Seth got ready at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Chicago. The bride had a suite on the 16th floor with magnificent views and a balcony which is where Seth saw Melissa dressed as a bride for the first time.
We headed over the the Adler Planetarium to get a picture with the Chicago skyline in the background. We didn’t spend too much time there though due to the many tourists and at least five other bridal parties! The wind and sun didn’t help much either since it would be sunny and then hide behind a cloud for a brief stint and come out again. The wind got a hold of Melissa’s veil and people went chasing it but it ended up in the lake unfortunately 
She had a great attitude about it and wasn’t bothered at all. After battling all the different elements, natural and otherwise, we headed down the road to a wall covered with ivy on the side of Soldier Field and ended up taking the bulk of the formal pictures there which was fabulous! No crowds, less wind, perfect light…definitely a new favordite place for me to go when I’m in that area.
On to the ceremony and reception which was held at one location (very convenient!), A New Leaf on the north side of Chicago in Old Town. It was adjacent to a flower shop which was gorgeous and the courtyard was perfect for the reception with the ceremony ending at dusk. The food was fabulous and set up with different stations where guests could get sushi and other goodies depending on what they wanted. With bars up and downstairs there was also plenty to drink! Melissa and Seth did their first dance on the landing of the second floor so guests who were downstairs could see up as well. Everyone had a great time and partied past midnight. Congrats Seth and Melissa!
The Melissa Sweet wedding dress.
It was a windy day and Melissa had to hold on to her veil. It was a sign of things to come since it was blown off and into Lake Michigan when we arrrived at the Adler Planetarium for formal pictures.
Seth seeing Melissa for the first time on their wedding day.
The couple with the Chicago skyline in the background.
Melissa was glowing when she looked at Seth.
Walking down the aisle in the courtyard at A New Leaf.
During the ceremony.
The kiss 
The sun was setting and I love the backlight.
The “sign in book” which was a snowboard.
Guests mingling during cocktail hour.
The outside of the venue with a trolley in front.
Ready to serve the sushi!
Lights in the courtyard.
Having fun on the dance floor!
The Candy Bar…
…also had cupcakes!
“Cutting the cake” which, in this case, should be labeled “Biting the cake”.
Friday, July 24, 2009 Posted in Personal
Whoo Hoo!!!! I can’t say that I’ve been wanting these for long because I haven’t but after seeing them a few times I’ve decided that they’re pretty cool. So, as a present to myself I got them and now I’m addicted. Here are a couple of experimental things I’ve done to some photos from recent shoots just to play around…Enjoy!
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I’m going to try to not go overboard with these but for now I’m having fun!
I met Jenna and Luke this Sunday to shoot their engagement session. They are getting married in Oshkosh, Wisconsin this September. I looked up Oshkosh, Wisconsin on the internet and found out Jon Gosselin is from there from Jon & Kate Plus 8.
We shot in and around Union Station in downtown Chicago which was a location used in the film The Untouchables.
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I had never been to Wilmette but it’s a nice little suburb north of Chicago. People from Wilmette (as reported by Wikipedia) are Pete Wentz, Bill Murray, Charlton Heston and Ann-Margret. I like watching movies in case you couldn’t tell
Fun fact: The church that was used in the movie Home Alone, one of my fave movies, was across the street from us! It was the church used for the exterior shots in the movie, not the interior. It’s the Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette.
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Wilmette, Illinois.
The brides bouquet of red roses.
Got the veil on!
Reading a letter Andy sent over before the ceremony.
The beautiful rings.
Being walked down the aisle by both parents.
At the alter with the bridal party.
The inside of the church during the ceremony.
Walking out as Mr. and Mrs.
Fun shot of the girls throwing their bouquets.
Walking on the cobblestone streets to the reception.
The Woman’s Club of Wilmette.
As if they didn’t know what table they were at
Vegan cake.
From the wedding today in Wilmette, Illinois. More pictures coming soon!
Last weekend I shot two weddings. On Saturday I went to Kenosha, Wisconsin to document the wedding of Ashley and Kurt.
Kurt next to a really cool mosaic wall.
They are baseball fans so of course the rings had to be in a baseball glove.
I’ve always wanted to take a picture like this on a fire escape.
Ashley checking her dress out in front of the full length mirror in the bride’s quarters.
Ashley with her MOH.
The outdoor ceremony at the Kemper Center.
Exiting with bubbles!
One of my faves that we took at the park.
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At the Roma Lodge in Racine, Wisconsin.
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Zealous guys waiting for the garter.
The girls formed a circle around the couple and when the music stopped Ashley threw the bouquet.
Gettin’ down.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Posted in Products
Sometimes people want to see an example of products (i.e. albums, etc.) and it’s not possible for us to meet. If you can’t see something in person, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? Here is an example of a Leather Craftsmen album and the options that were chosen for it…
Horoizontal spine imprinting.
Imprinting Style: Modern
Imprinting Color: Silver
Imprinting Case: Upper-Lower
Album Size: 8×12 Vertical
Cover Material: Rustique Saddle Leather
Cover Photo: 3×5 – Centered
Imprinting Below Cover Inset Photo: Date
Flush-Mount Album: 30 Sides, 15 Pages
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Sample page layout.
Sample page layout.
Please e-mail me for information on pricing.
Sneak peak at Saturday’s wedding in Wisconsin…
At Communiversity Park in Kenosha.
The day started out stormy and rainy but cleared up as soon as I reached the bride’s house. Samantha and Tom have known each other since high school and even have a little doggie named Charlie together which they both wanted to be photographed with before the wedding He wore a cute bowtie and ran around checking on everyone until we left to go to the ceremony.
The ceremony took place at the Sancta Alberta Chapel at Lewis University in Romoeville which was only a shot 5-10 minute drive from the reception. Since I’ve only been photographing weddings in the Midwest for a little over a month, I hadn’t had the opportunity to do one at the Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet until this past weekend. I’d heard about it and it seemed very popular and nice and I was not disappointed!
The rings.
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The Bride with her Maid of Honor.
Samantha.
Cute little doggie enjoying the excitement. So curious!
The Sancta Alberta Chapel at Lewis University.
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Samantha with her dad preparing to walk down the aisle.
At the alter.
They did it!
The Bride with her maids.
I don’t usually suggest the jumping shot but if someone requests it… I thought it turned out well.
It looks like Tom and his groomsmen were looking at someone but they weren’t. I like to get the side view for portraits sometimes since I think it looks more natural than ones looking directly at me.
A casual group formal shot at the Patrick C Haley Mansion in Joliet.
Samantha and Tom.
In front of the mansion. They were naturals.
The cake.
Sharing their first dance while their guests watched.
Everyone had fun with the photo booth and props from I Do Photo Booths.
They brought cards so they could get a photo for their thank you cards. Great planning!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Posted in Personal
For all the football fans out there… after the wedding on Saturday, we decided to visit Lambeau Field which is home to the Green Bay Packers. Interesting info: they host wedding receptions here for a reasonable fee (comparable to the Hilton is what the guide said). How cool is that?
Walking up the to the side entrance…
From a different angle…
These are everywhere. Surprise!
Statue of Vince Lombardi. Legendary coach who coached the Packers from 1959-1967.
The main entrance.
A shot of the Packers flag and the residential neighborhood across the street.
Posters of great players.
A poster of the stadium the year renovations were completed.
The players tunnel that we ran through out to the field…
WOW.
