Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year: wearing my comfy hoodie, bonfires in the backyard, the colorful leaves… I love it all. And one of the highlights of the fall is my annual backyard photo sessions. I fill my yard with pumpkins, hay bales, mums, and all kinds of fall goodies, then spend the […]

Our high school seniors may not be kicking off the academic year the way they’d been expecting, but we’re still celebrating them, their achievements and this important milestone in their lives. Below are some of my favorite images from senior portrait sessions I’ve shot over the years… and I’m looking to add some new faces […]

Celine was so excited to share with me all her beauty tips and secrets. We had a blast as she got all dolled up and then posed for a round of portraits. So many giggles and smiles… what a cutie! I’m always game for photographing young ones as they explore the world, trying out new […]

As we enter the “new normal” that this year has thrust us into, we are all thinking about ways to safely celebrate our milestones.  Backyard weddings are a personal, intimate way to connect with those closest to you, and still mark the occasion with a celebration! Here are five advantages to having a backyard wedding: […]

Leah began the day in her hotel suite as Kristina and Jen of Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists helped out with hair and makeup for the bridal party. She looked so gorgeous and she was so ready to share a first look with Mike in one of the Kimpton Grey lounges. The couple and I stopped […]

Natalie began the wedding day getting ready at her parent’s Evanston home, where Lia of Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists styled Natalie’s hair and makeup. When I arrived, I took a few pictures of the bride and then we were off to nearby Lighthouse Beach, where Kyle was waiting for Natalie to arrive so they could […]

Rebecca and Jack held their ceremony and reception at Artifact Events in Chicago’s lovely Ravenswood neighborhood. Tess, of Events by Tess, helped the couple with coordination of the day’s events, including planning a menu of the day’s food and drink, provided by Zelda’s Catering. Rebecca’s hair and makeup were styled by one of artists from […]

Ashley and Brandon were incredibly grateful for support from their friends, including pal Katy, who oversaw coordination details; Dennis, who presided over the ceremony, and Keli, who helped Ashley with her hair and makeup. The wedding party made their preparations in their rooms at Hotel Orrington, where I met up with them to begin documenting […]

How long have you been a wedding planner?  Tell us a little bit about Clementine Custom Events. I have been planning weddings for 18 years! Before I opened Clementine Custom Events I worked at a large catering and event planning company for 7 years.  I started Clementine in 2009 by myself and I worked really […]

A few places in Chicago will require permits. A lot our clients love the Chicago Park District locations so that is always a good place to start. These would include the Garfield and Lincoln Park Conservatories, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, Lincoln Park Zoo, Olive Park and a few other locations. We suggest that you check […]

We love nothing more than a crowded dance floor! We know you want everyone dancing at your reception. Who doesn’t? We always recommend that our couples dance for the first several songs to ensure your guests know you aren’t playing around! If they see you leave the dance floor they might think they are off […]

Are you are getting married outside of Chicago? We love photographing everywhere. Shooting in new places allow us to really flex our creative muscles. From NYC to Mexico City, we’ve got you covered!

It’s so important to find the right person to marry you in front of your closest friends and family. There are a few ways to go about finding the right person. Whether you hire an officiant or ask a friend to marry you, it’s so important to let them get to know you and your […]

This city lights up at night. It’s also a great excuse to have some alone time after hours of dancing. Lets escape the craziness for a few minutes and get some beautiful cityscape images with the twinkle lights of the night sky.

Chicago is one of the most colorful and vibrant cities in the world. Lets take advantage of that and scour this urban landscape for some bold murals to use as your photo backdrops. There are plenty to be had and new ones pop up all of the time. We can help guide you to the […]