On being a Chicago Wedding + Engagement Photographer: Relationships

There are many things I enjoy about being a Chicago wedding + engagement photographer. For one…I really enjoy meeting new people that I would never have met if I had not been in this industry. When you do a good job with one couple…then you photograph their friends and pretty soon…a wedding reception is filled with past wedding couples and bridesmaids & groomsmen! Stephanie and David found me through their friend Roseanne (whose wedding I just posted earlier this month). Roseanne found out about me through their other friends and past clients of mine…Theresa & Robert! The city of Chicago has become a lot smaller these past five years!

On being a Chicago Wedding + Engagement Photographer: Locations

Another aspect of being a Chicago wedding + engagement photographer that I enjoy: Finding new locations for photo sessions! The city of Chicago is so full diverse backdrops and vibes! While I do take photos at the typical Chicago locations, I really enjoy finding a ‘new’ location and creating a ‘new’ set of photos from that site!

I was glad that Stephanie and David wanted a more urban vibe for their Chicago engagement photo session. Right off the bat…they were laughing a lot and having a good time together. They both work crazy schedules, and this photo session was the first time they really had a ‘date’ in two weeks!

David can’t take his eyes off his beautiful fiance!

Smiles all around!

Pulled back for a more dramatic photo-

One set of railroad tracks on the ground with another train passing above-

They were having a good time throughout!

We took a more ‘high fashion’ type photo- This engagement photo looks like a magazine ad!

By this time during their engagement photo session, they were really comfortable with the whole process and we came up with this photo!

Their laughter makes me smile when I look at these photos!

There was a cool bridge that we had to take photos next to! So dramatic!

I think David enjoyed ‘seeing Chicago’ through a different lens as we walked around and found all these cool spots for their engagement photos!

One of my favorite engagement photos from the day! I felt like a fashion photographer, not a wedding/engagement photographer!

I Love the Chicago landscape!

A fun moment while winding down our photo session

Thanks for a great time Stephanie & David! You guys really made the photo session a ton of fun! Have a great time this holiday season with your friends and family!

with love,

your engagement photographer,

Kenny

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Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

The holidays are here! I’ve been working non-stop trying to get up all my shoots online before Sunday! I wanted to wish Lauren + Michael a Happy Hanukkah with their Chicago engagement photos!

Both Lauren + Michael (and their families) have a strong appreciation for the arts and I am honored to be their wedding photographer! They appreciate so much of what I do…my creative portraits, landscape portraits and my ability to capture real moments and emotions!

Chicago Engagement Photos in Lincoln Park!

Michael + Lauren have both spent a lot of time in Lincoln Park, and so it was only fitting that we took their engagement photos there! But before we headed out- we took a few photos in an old warehouse!

And as I say sooooo often…my clients are ‘normal’ people who get nervous before a photo shoot! It’s my job as your engagement photographer…to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera so you can be YOURSELF! Lauren was sooooo nervous…she was almost shaking! =) Michael was great at keeping her loose and smiling!

I LOVE their smiles! I feel their love and joy when I look at this photo!

Love this silhouette photo and the colors around them!

We climbed into an old freight elevator for this cool photo!

Love the colors and the moment-

We left the warehouse for our Lincoln Park Photos! I made sure the Chicago Skyline was in the background for this photo!

What a fun moment!

I love how their clothing colors just ‘pop’ in this photo!

And I love the contrast of their colors with the brown prairie grass! And their is so much life in their facial expressions – juxtaposed with the dormant grass-

This feels like something out of a fairy tale or a Tim Burton movie! Oddly enough…it’s just a building in Lincoln Park!

Like I said…so many fun moments throughout!

LOVE the colors! Brown hydrangeas, purple lilacs with the orange scarf and red jacket!

Getting that purple lilacs in the foreground and their great smiles in one photo!

A great photo of the engaged couple!

Last photo of the day – in front of the Lincoln Park Conservatory – one of two conservatories in Chicago!

Thanks Lauren & Michael for a great engagement photo shoot! And great idea to take photos in Chicago’s Lincoln Park- it turned out great! Thank you for opening up to me (your photographer) during this session- you guys really made the photos!

Happy Hanukkah!

with love,

your Chicago wedding and engagement photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

Lincoln Park Engagement Photos!

For Maureen & Chris’ engagement photos, we headed out Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood! One thing I love about Lincoln Park…is the variety of locations to shoot! Since Maureen & Chris will be getting married in a more rural environment, they thought to start their engagement photos at the petting zoo in Lincoln Park!

Smiling and having fun!

Maureen & Chris are ‘normal’ Chicago residents. They aren’t models and spend most of their time in the courtroom or processing paperwork! Like most of my clients, they were apprehensive before the session started…and thankfully, they warmed up and were able to be themselves! It’s part of my job as a wedding photographer…to make my clients feel comfortable in front of the lens!

Did you know there was a petting zoo in Lincoln Park? It’s a great way to get away from the urban Chicago environment.

Taking advantage of the red ‘barn’ in this fun photo!

You almost feel like they were in a far away prairie!

The sun had come out after a cloudy morning and created some magical light!

Some tree leaves turning colors in the background of this engagement photo!

And Lincoln Park is right on Lake Michigan- so we headed out to the beach!

I LOVE this photo! So relaxing and chill!

Such a beautiful couple!

Something serene and beautiful about this image. I went a little more creative with this photo- so peaceful! In this moment I stopped being a wedding photographer…and became a landscape photographer!

Chris loves to wrap his arms around his fiance!

A great ‘in between’ moments photo

The wind was pretty fierce and I loved how it helped to create this photo

The city of Chicago in the background of this photo

A different type of engagement photo- I almost feel like it belongs in a Ralph Lauren ad!

The Chicago skyline is in the background! Thanks for a great photo session Maureen & Chris! The wedding is going to be a ton of fun! I can’t wait!

with love,

your Chicago wedding and engagement photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

The University of Michigan Connection

I met Kristin and Solomon through my fiance, as they are all UofM and Harvest Mission Community Church alumni! I’ve always wanted to visit Ann Arbor through the years and I finally had an opportunity to photograph an engagement session on their campus!

Ann Arbor Engagement Photos!

It was the PERFECT fall day for an engagement photography session! The yellow, orange and red leaves were all around! We started our engagement session at the University of Michicagn Arboretum! I’ve been to my fair share of arboretums and botanical gardens…and I really enjoyed walking around of UofM Arboretum! You have to remember…I come from Illinois…where everything is FLAT. The UMich Arboretum has great elevation changes!

Right from the get go…Kristin and Solomon were great and making each other smile and laugh! This was from the first set of photos we took! Again- I love the colors!

Kristin wore the perfect fall sweater!

A photo of them enjoying a walk in the park-

A cute photo! I love the background -almost like a painting!

The most unique graffiti ever. But the word ‘pray’ holds a lot of value to this couple-

A photo with a Michigan river/stream…

The fall foliage looking like a painting with my Nikon 50mm 1.2 lens!

A great moment caught in this photo! I love the connection these guys share- it’s so apparent in the photos!

I couldn’t get enough photos with the fall colors! =P

The happy couple!

Possibly the most photogenic spot on campus? Everyone from University of Michigan seems to tell me about this spot!

One last photo on campus!

Thanks you guys for having me as your wedding – engagement photographer! I can’t wait til this summer! After hearing your story and getting to know you both better, I’m so thankful to be apart of your lives! And thank you for giving me a reason to take photos in Michigan! =)

with love,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

Unique referrals

I’m so excited to share this Chicago engagement photo session with you! Not only because we captured fabulous photos, but because of the unique referrals that sent Nicole + Shawn to Nakai Photography!

As a small boutique business, I truly value word of mouth marketing. Most of my clients come to me because they heard about me from a friend or family member. OR they saw my photos of someone they know on facebook. In today’s economic climate I am so thankful to have friends and acquaintances who are willing to share my imagery with others.

I have two ‘friends’…who unbeknownst to each other…each shared my wedding photography with Nicole! I haven’t seen either of these two for years, but they appreciate what I do, and when they found out Nicole was engaged, they felt ‘compelled‘ to tell her about me! So thank you Stefani & Sherin! I appreciate you guys!

But enough of the background story, onto their Chicago engagement photos!

A New Challenge for this Chicago Engagement Photographer

A new challenge came in the form of fur and white paws! This guy was adorable! And he was such a puppy! Not only in size, but in personality! Though…this did mean that the engagement shoot turned into a mini family session! =)

Such a cutie! Um…sorry Nicole, I’m talking about Franklin. =)

And his white paws! Nicole had a GREAT idea…to wear shoes that have white soles to match Franklin’s white paws!

And then we lost the ‘kid’ and we back to our engagement photos! =)

I love the moment in this photo!

Walking down Oak St (right off Chicago’s infamous Michigan Ave)

Shawn can’t help but to check out his beautiful fiance =)

Yes…as this engagement photos clearly indicates…these two can be quite the show stoppers!

A unique angle for an engagement photo!

Chicago Engagement Photos at Night!

We waited for the sun to set in Chicago and then went out on the town for some photos at night!

Love this photo!

Nothing says Chicago like the “EL’ train tracks-

And one last photo of these two high school sweethearts!

Thanks so much for a great time Nicole & Shawn! It was great to see Franklin too while he’s still small! You guys did a great job during the photo shoot! More photos will be posted in facebook later this week!

Thanks for having me as your Chicago engagement photographer!

with love,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

I’m sure you know this by now…but being a wedding photographer has many perks. One of them being: I get to connect with so many past friends. Joe-is-the-brother of-the-wife of one-of-my-old-friends from Faith Alliance Bible Church, John. And how could I turn down the opportunity to photograph his younger brother-in-law?

Chicago Engagement Photography Session!

I was honored that Grace and Joe would ask me to be their wedding and engagement photographer- and I really wanted to do a good job for them- Since they were a bit nervous in the beginning…I thought to bring out the ‘kid’ in Joe to help loosen things up!

He had a good time climbing all over the steel beams-

I love their smiles in this photo-

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For their urban Chicago engagement photoshoot…we found a patch of wild sunflowers!

Some cool railroad tracks that don’t see a lot of use-

I love the variety of buildings and style in Chicago…a little something for everyone. I love how Grace’s sweater matches the window panes!

Of of my more favorite moments captured-

Taking advantage of the recent rain-

The street pole adds a bit more to the composition in this photo

We waited for the sun to set for our Night time engagement photography session! Love the yellow leaves on the ground. It just adds that little extra color

A cool black and white engagement photo

My favorite Chicago Night time engagement session photo from their set! The Chicago red line entrance made for a great narrative in this photo

Thanks Grace & Joe for having me as your wedding & engagement photographer! I can’t wait til this weekend!

with love,

Your wedding + engagement photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

All the way from Kansas City-

Anita and Bret have fond memories of Chicago. Kansas City is now home for them. So when we planned their engagement photo session in Chicago…they were ecstatic to say the least! I was thankful to be their engagement photographer, as they were so excited for their photoshoot! I wanted to make sure they had some great photos from Chicago to hang on their Kansas City walls! =)

Engagement Session in Chicago-

We found a really cool urban spot- a railroad over run w/grass…and the setting sun was just gorgeous! And though they were a bit nervous…I loved how they laughed so much together! Laughter and smiles make a photo session so much more fun for a photographer! =)

A cool silhouette photo of them walking on the tracks-

Hard to believe we were in Chicago for this shot! Almost feels like a prairie somewhere-

Urban Chicago-

A cool photo with sunflare in the background-

Such a fun couple to hangout with- it’s going to be a long wait til their wedding next year!

We did a little urban exploration for these next photos!

Chicago Engagement Photos at NIGHT!

As the sun set…we captured these photos at night! By now you may have become used to seeing these night sessions on my blog! It’s been a blast to do something different during an engagement photo session! If you like these night photos, search ‘night photography’ on the blog…and you will find more posts with photos like these!

You have got to get the Chicago Skyline in the background

We loved the Chicago bridges!

Enjoying a moment together!

And…my absolute FAVORITE CHICAGO ENGAGEMENT PHOTO from the night! So freaking cool!

Thanks Anita + Bret for a great time together! We really came up with some unique images together! Thanks for being so excited throughout the whole shoot!

Can’t wait til the wedding!

with love,

Your wedding + engagement photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

Janice + Peter are Chicago natives…but have been supplanted to Seattle! They are getting married this upcoming weekend and wanted to have an engagement photo session here in Chicago! I am honored to be their wedding photographer and I can’t wait until their wedding in a few days!

We started with a more ‘urban’ vibe for their engagement photos. Chicago has so much variety within the city…and it’s really fun to explore the different neighborhoods in search of new sites to shoot in! I think Peter really enjoyed driving around Chicago…and seeing how much has changed in such a short time! And while I’m sure Seattle is great…it’s not Chicago…and definitely doesn’t have a skyline like we have! =)

The sun came out and provided some warmth!

Janice and Peter have a great sense of style-

Awwwww…the soon to be newly weds!

I think they were a bit nervous before their engagement photo session…so I had to make sure they were comfortable to be themselves!

One of my favorites of the day-

And Peter is REALLY good at hiding his smile from the camera- here’s one of the few that I captured in a photo!

Another fun moment!

A Chicago skyline photograph to remind these two of home.

A nice photo for them to have from their engagement photo session w/the Chicago skyline in the background!

Another ‘Chicago’ photos without being cliche! Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel in the background- And with a more creative composition!

The city of Chicago bustles in the background!

Another Chicago skyline photo!

We headed to Michigan Avenue for more night photos during their engagement session!

On Michigan Avenue for a night photo!

And one last ‘creative’ photo before we finished the night! Thanks Janice + Peter for being willing to walk all over for these photos! They turned out great! Can’t wait til this weekend!

with love,

Your engagement + wedding photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

Chicago Engagement Session Photography!

Roseanne + Josh have a wonderful engagement story…and the first time I heard it when we first met…I knew we’d get along! So I was thrilled that they hired me as their wedding photographer, and I couldn’t wait to photograph them for their engagement photos! They trusted me completely with the location. The knew they wanted something urban Chicago…and they were up to having an extended night photography session too! They had seen my other two night engagement session blog posts and wanted in on the goods! Stephanie + Marek’s Engagement Session. Jenny + Mike’s Engagement Session.

Here’s a photo below a Chicago Interstate-

Found a cool urban location for a couple photos-

Roseanne + Josh have a great look-

And yet…they smile and were able to be relaxed during our shoot! And like most of my clients…these two were nervous at the beginning of their engagement photo session, but within moments…I was able to put them at ease for them to be themselves!

Something different on a Chicago bridge

My favorite bridge photo of the two of them!

Love the urban vibe of this photo-

Love how she makes him smile!

A creative and unique engagement photo with the Chicago skyline in the background!

Chicago Engagement Session continues with NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY!

We returned to the railroad bridge after the sun went down for some night photography! Nothing more unique during an engagement session than night photos!

I freaking LOVE this shot. It’s already on the portfolio site! =)

Another awesome engagement photo at NIGHT!

Thanks Roseanne + Josh for being so willing to do whatever for these photos! Your willingness made the session so much fun!!! We captured some epic moments with creativity, authenticity and beauty! I can’t wait til the wedding!

with love,

your wedding photographer,

Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*

Chicago is a fabulous city for pictures. Wedding photos, lifestyle photos, and engagement photos! There’s just so much variety! As a wedding photographer, I love being able find all these cool little nooks in the city that so few people know about! This engagement photo session w/Maureen + Marty is a perfect example!

Chicago Engagement Pictures: Northerly Island

Northerly Island…formerly Meigs Field, is a stark reminder of Mayor Daley. It was controversial how he tore up Meigs field in the middle of the night. But politics aside…Northerly Island is a great place to have a picnic or to take a beautiful stroll on a gorgeous day. It’s one of Chicago’s better kept secrets. The view of the Chicago Skyline is pretty epic. I hope you enjoy their engagement pictures!

We started off w/a nice casual look w/Lake Michigan in the background

Maureen + Marty are so much fun together and they were continually smiling in all their pictures!

Lake Michigan actually looks kind of nice in this picture. =) I love the serene feeling this picture evokes. A sense of peace.

A pictures standing in the rubble of what was once a runway. The remnants of Meigs Field.

They can’t wait to be married! And then they can be in the same state together!

Love this engagement picture!

Chicago is famous for it’s skyline. So many wedding photographers take the SAME Chicago Skyline shots over…and over…and over. I’ll admit that I have taken the cliche pictures too…but I love to come up with something unique and creative. Like this picture! I love it!

Maureen is so light that Marty was twirling her around for a few minutes!

Love their smiles! And the iconic Chicago Skyline in the background!

Thanks Maureen + Marty for a great time together! And thanks for being willing to come out to Northerly Island! It think it was worth it! Goodtimes! And Marty- eat some Pappy’s ribs for me down there in St. Louis!

Can’t wait til October!

Sincerely,

your wedding photographer…Kenny

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter
New Chicago Studio in Lincoln Park: 855 W. Blackhawk Chicago, IL 60642 *by appointment only*