Blog

Eric and Liana are the definition of clients turned friends. After meeting with them over coffee about year and a half ago (crazy!), we met up for their engagement shoot, Liana sent me pins of the flowers she was imagining, her dress once she found it, and Eric even helped me find a job! I felt so connected to them and the wedding once the day came that it provided me with that same exciting anticipation I remember having for my own! Crazy, love these two.

Their day was so detailed and well-planned. The minute I walked in and saw the girls in matching Plum Pretty Sugar PJs (that I immediately envied) I knew the day was going to be so incredible. The Germania Place provided the most beautiful, light-filled ceremony location with a gorgeous, custom-made arch as their backdrop.

Bands just bring down the house. And this was no exception. I left that evening thinking “Dang, I wanna stay!” It was truly a party and celebration of these two tying the knot.
2015-10-17_0007 2015-10-17_00042015-10-17_00022015-10-17_00062015-10-17_0008 2015-10-17_0009 2015-10-17_0010 2015-10-17_0011 2015-10-17_0012 2015-10-17_00212015-10-17_00222015-10-17_00232015-10-17_00242015-10-17_00252015-10-17_00262015-10-17_00132015-10-17_00152015-10-17_00142015-10-17_00162015-10-17_0017

2015-10-18_0001
2015-10-17_00272015-10-17_0018 2015-10-17_00192015-10-17_00202015-10-18_0019
2015-10-17_0028
2015-10-17_0029 2015-10-17_0030 2015-10-17_0031 2015-10-17_0032 2015-10-17_00332015-10-18_0002 2015-10-17_00352015-10-17_0036 2015-10-17_00342015-10-17_0037 2015-10-17_0038
2015-10-17_0041
2015-10-17_0039

2015-10-17_0044
2015-10-17_0045
2015-10-17_0051 2015-10-17_00472015-10-17_0048

2015-10-18_0004
2015-10-18_00052015-10-17_00402015-10-18_0017 2015-10-18_0006 2015-10-18_0007 2015-10-18_0008 2015-10-18_0009 2015-10-18_0010 2015-10-18_0011 2015-10-18_0012 2015-10-18_0013 2015-10-18_0014 2015-10-18_0015 2015-10-18_0016

Hugs to my second shooter Beth of BethLaurren Photography for helping me out! xo

Ceremony: Germania Place | Reception: Germania Place | Caterer: Kenmare Catering | Cake Artist: Oak Mill Bakery | Photographer: markit photography | Videographer: Lexoria Wedding Films | Coordinator: Naturally Yours Events | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Florist: The Bread and the Butterfly | Makeup Artist: Elana Darrus Makeup and Hair | Hair Stylist: Elana Darrus Makeup and Hair | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Bridesmaids Dresses: Their own pick | Men’s Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse | Band: Stephanie Rogers Band  | Rings: Steve Quick Jeweler | Custom wood goods: Little Victories Fine Goods

 

mp_airport

From Chicago to Austin, Chicago to Michigan, Austin to Chicago. I’ve made packing for weddings quick and easy (but not so light!). Everything needed for a wedding day strategically fits into a carry on-size suitcase to ensure I’m taking everything I need on board and not needing to be checked. Thank you, Frontier, for losing my checked bag causing me to have to repurchase a wedding-appropriate outfit Friday night, reminding photographers to ALWAYS carry on equipment.

So, what’s in there? What’s in my bag? What gear can’t I live without day of a wedding…

I can tell you it’s been a journey. Not once have I taken out a loan for this gear, and I would advise anyone to do the same. It’s been a slow build, typically one large purchase per year, with a little travel expenses, CF cards, and camera strap here and there thrown in as the income allows. Since starting this little business 6 years ago, I’m now so happy with the lineup of gear I own. Knowing the quality of the gear, matches with the quality of photos I want to deliver to my clients every. single. time.

See below for that list, as well as a list of my “coming soon” purchases for 2016 🙂

  1. Canon 5D Mark iii – main camera body
  2. Canon 7D Mark ii – back up camera body
  3. Canon 35mm 1.4 – typically on me at all times for the getting ready shots and portraits and will become my second favorite lens once the 85mm is purchased (see below)
  4. Canon 50mm 1.4 – I rarely pick up this lens, but people love it and it’s definitely a solid lens and must have. An excellent lens to get started with.
  5. Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS II – the beast, and captures the most beautiful details during ceremonies, and bride/groom portraits. I don’t use for bridal parties, family portraits or receptions (unless out doors) but it is a dreamy, reliable, beast of a lens
  6. Canon 24-105mm 4.0 – typically only used for dancing shots to ensure I have some focal range to get the full room shots and your brother dancing with grandma
  7. Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite – on camera during receptions
  8. Canon Speedlite 430EX II – off camera typically set up on a tripod in the corner for those dual-lit dance floors
  9. 7-10, 16gb CF Cards
  10. 2, 32gb SD cards – to instantly be backing up the CF cards
  11. Two spare Canon batteries and charger
  12. Adorama macro filters – I’m such a cheat! This is for the ring shots until I take the plunge and purchase the macro lens (see below)
  13. Energizer rechargeable batteries – for my flashes come reception time
  14. HoldFast Money Maker multi-camera strap – my latest purchase, and smartest. This thing looks like a cowboy belt and makes for carrying two camera bodies in a quick, ergonomic fashion
  15. Sturdy, silver 3M hooks to easily hang the brides dress in that ideal window light no matter where the location
  16. Fujifilm Instax 210 – before the end of the reception, I’ll shoot a polaroid of my couple to include in their final package. A little gift from me to you
  17. My own little emergency kit of deodorant (anyone else sweat their &!$ off shooting??), chapstick, bobby pins, sewing kit, lint roller, business cards, lens wipes, etc, etc
  18. Snacks and a water bottle – whether it be almonds, a granola bar, or most-recently discovered apple sauce packs (Thanks, Jill!), it’s super easy to forget to eat or lose your energy while shooting a 10-12 hour wedding on your feet

Coming soon…

Whew! There you have it! I’m always looking for that kind gentleman to help put my bag in the overhead compartment. Benching 50lbs above my head was never a strength of mine during college tennis training…

xo

Brittney and Gary: from the moment we met at the Starbucks in Logan Square, I knew you’d be the most fun, loving couple to get to know and eventually have the opportunity to shoot. First with your hilariouly fun downtown engagement session, followed by your oh so stylish downtown Chicago wedding. With just as many laughs included.

It was truly a day of absolute celebration and the classiest, most thoughtful wedding. With a carriage ride, and bridal party entrance I’ll NEVER forget, it will go down as one of my favorite and most memorable days to date.

I hope you two are loving marriage and your (new!) house, and thank you for the incredible opportunity to capture your wedding day memories.

 

Rosie found me through instagram almost a year ago. We met at Gaslight coffee roaster during a cold, Chicago winter day over almond milk lattes and the best conversation about their relationship, faith, wedding hopes and dreams, and their hilarious Guatamalan families. They spoke of joy and tears having been together for so many years and both being the babies of their familes.

I couldn’t wait to capture their engagement shoot and finally wedding day. It turned out so beautifully, showcasing what it truly looks like to have to families, supporting their union, come together in celebration. Their reception was indeed a huge party, and I’ll never forget the moment I saw Rose and Nestor’s fathers cheers and hug. Insert wedding photographer tears…

I pray you two find such happiness in your early days as husband and wife, thank you for being so wonderful to work with from lattes to that amazing couple/photographers selfie we squeezed in at the end of the night.

I have been anticipating wedding since that first inquiry from Kristen came in.

Located at our reception venue, the Bag Factory provided the most beautiful, naturally-lit backdrop to Kristen and Brandon’s wedding day. Kristen has been such a sweetheart, and so well organized (yay!) this entire time. I will never foget the moment Kristen got into her dress, I turn a corner and return to find her and her mom praying. Needed to quickly wipe the tears prior to pulling up my camera to capture such a special, candid moment. I hope this post bring back so many memories of the pretty from that day, you two were such a joy to work with a tag alongside your most gorgeous wedding day. xo

Ceremony: Bread & Chocolate | Reception: Bread & Chocolate | Caterer: Bread & Chocolate | Cake Artist:SugaRush | Photographer: markit photography | Videographer: Lexoria Wedding Films | Invitations: Dancing Tides LLC | Florist: Matzke Florist | Makeup Artist: Jenny Poe Makeup Artistry | Hair Stylist: Jamie and Brian Longenecker | Wedding Dress: Bought Night in Paris | Wedding Shoes: Badgly Mischka | Bridesmaids Dresses: Wendy’s Bridal | Men’s Tuxes: Joseph A. Banks | DJ: Bov Knows Music  | Rings: custom made by David Klass

Rosemary (or Rosie to be extra sweet) and Nestor sat down with me at our local coffee spot, Gaslight, to talk about their August 2015 nuptials and hopeful idea for an engagement session. One where they can celebrate the city, their faith, and their love for running together. Marathons at that.

Count me in.

We chose Chicago’s prime north Michigan Ave, starting at the Drake, walking across to the UNBELIEVABLY gorgeous Fourth Presbyterian Church at Chestnut and Michigan (such a hidden gem!) and tool a literal stroll on Lakeshore in their adorable running gear.

There is nothing more wonderful than being able to capture a couple, their love and relationship, at its core. I always encourage couples to just be themselves during engagement sessions, and incorporate little bits of “them” throughout – and this session did just that!