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Their wedding reception was held at one of my favorite venues in the Northern suburbs of Chicago…the Armour House at Lake Forest Academy!

We started the day at L’s house for her getting ready photos! A quick detail shot of her wedding shoes-

THE BIG DAY!!!

The moment I saw L’s wedding gown…I thought…”WOW…that is NICE!” And I quickly looked to see find the designer…and I was not surprised to find out that Linda had her dress made by Carla at VWIDON! L had nothing but rave reviews about Carla…how she helped her through a dress change at the last minute…and how Carla went the extra mile by making a custom jacket with the same lace that is on the dress! Great vendors never cease to amaze me…and VWIDON is definitely one of the great wedding vendors in Chicago.

A close up of the lace and the VWIDON belt – I love it!

Simply stunning! A custom dress like the ones VWIDON creates…they are truly special-

Nothing but style for this couple…a Rolls Royce pulled up to drive the bride to the wedding ceremony!

The grand entrance-

A gorgeous church!

And then we headed to the Armour House in Lake Forest for their wedding reception! I love the classic style of the Armour House – and it’s such an elegant venue for a wedding reception! Natalia from Abby Hill Flowers did a great job with the centerpieces

The centerpiece works so well with the sconces of the Armour House

Every last detail was thought of by BCR Events…the golden goblets and the little pine branch!

My favorite part of the Armour House- the grand staircase!

A creative portrait of the bride and groom.

One of my favorite photos from their wedding day!

Here I thought to incorporate some architectural details into their wedding cake photo.

Table card floral arrangement by Abby Hill Flowers.

A photo of their first dance! This room is separate from the dining area of the Armour House

I ran outside to grab this photo of L and W…a photo of them dancing through the doors. Congrats L and W! Thank you for having me as your wedding photographer! You guys were so great to work with! I hope you enjoy your wedding photos every time you look at them! =)

with love,

your wedding photographer,

Kenny

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

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

Warning: There are a TON of AMAZING WEDDING PHOTOS in this blog post. Please take the time to scroll through them all! =) You won’t be disappointed! Here’s one of this photographer’s favorites from the day:

We started their day at the Ritz Carlton Chicago. Their rooms have great window light and an amazing view of Chicago. You look out and see the famous Chicago Water Tower on Michigan Avenue.

A photo of her wedding dress-

A fun moment with her mom as the garter was going on-

Nina looked stunning! I love her hair – done by my favorite hair stylist Livia Caporale! I’ve photographed brides throughout the years…and one thing I can say…good hair and make up matter! And when it comes to hair…not many stylist stand out to me as a photographer. But I can honestly say…Livia Caporale is consistently the best hair stylist I work with. Don’t believe me? Check out her yelp reviews- I’m not the only one who thinks so!

I love this photo of Nina- simply stunning!

How about this moment on their 11-11-11 wedding day…11:11am!

We took photos at throughout the Ritz Carlton-

Bruce was all smiles when he saw his bride!

Love the Ritz Carlton decor- Makes for a ‘classic yet modern’ photo look even better!

I love their expressions. I love their gaze. I love the Ritz Carlton furniture. I LOVE these photos!

A timeless wedding photo.

Since they will be living in Canada- we wanted to grab some wedding photos throughout Chicago. But you know me…I don’t like to be cliche with my wedding photos. My fellow Chicago wedding photographers know that I am a creative wedding photographer and so I sought to find cool poses and locations for these Chicago photos!

First up: the Bean in Millennium Park! My creative take on one of the most photographed icons in Chicago

Had to incorporate these fall colors in Millennium Park into the photo session.

These metal panels are well known in Millennium Park. And they make for a great backdrop!

I love the smiles in this photo!

Nina’s wedding dress and shawl were perfect!

Downtown Chicago in the background-

Incorporating Millennium Park’s fall colors and the pavilion into this photo! The pavilion in the background lets you know this photo was in Chicago without it being cliche-

Had to take a wedding photo under the Chicago “EL” train tracks.

The most STUNNING WEDDING PHOTO from the whole shoot- They look like models! Except they are ‘normal’ people getting married on 11-11-11!

So romantic! Almost feels like a scene out of a movie! This wedding photo was taken on a Chicago bridge…just one more way to bring Chicago to Canada!

This wedding photo of Nina and Bruce almost feels like it belongs in a magazine!

This photo was requested by the groomsmen- and it turned out perfectly! Right off the pages of Vanity Fair!

After the amazing photo shoot throughout Chicago, we returned to the Ritz Carlton for their Thai traditional wedding ceremony! The Thai water ceremony is truly unique! The first Thai water ceremony I photographed was in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this year with Nina and Phil-

Nina changed into her Thai traditional wedding dress for their water ceremony.

I wonder if this was the first Thai wedding ceremony held at the Ritz Carlton. =)

And after the traditional Thai ceremony was over, Nina changed back into her wedding dress and walked down the aisle for their traditional western wedding ceremony!

After the wedding ceremony- the Ritz Carlton staff flipped the ceremony room for the reception!

A full Ritz Carlton reception room photo

Bruce’s dad played the bagpipes as they entered the room!

A traditional Thai dance performance-

First dance photo!

And then something a little more fun for their first dance! Who said wedding dances had to be serious?

And to close out the night…a wish was made by all in attendance…at 11:11pm and 11 seconds! What a great way to cap off a wonderful night!

Thank you Jintana and Bruce for having me as your wedding photographer! I truly hope…with all that you went through looking for a wedding photographer…that your wedding photos blow you out of the water! I can’t wait to make your wedding album! Merry Christmas you guys!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny

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

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*

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

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

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*

There are plenty more creative photos in this wedding blog post- but here’s one of my favorites up first! We took this photo in Millennium Park – and as a Chicago wedding photographer, I don’t want a ‘cliche’ photo of Millennium Park…I want to do something creative and different. And I love the little added dimension the bicyclist added to the photo!

We started their wedding day at their condo- I saw this cool bulletin board on their wall and I thought to incorporate it into their ring photo!

Ro’s wedding shoes by Badgley Mischka

I LOVED this belt that Ro added to her Oscar de la Renta wedding dress! The belt was made by Maria Elena Headpieces.

And um…wow…an Oscar de la Renta wedding dress? Yes please!!!!

Ro having assistance with her garter- kudos to bridesmaid Stephanie for stepping up to the task!

Some last touches from her hair stylist

A gorgeous bride-

Wedding bouquet and flowers done by Yanni Design Studio

Their wedding ceremony was held at Chicago’s famous Holy Name Cathedral!

A photo of Josh getting helped by his brother-

A groom’s portrait!

The bride walking down the Holy Name Cathedral aisle wearing her Oscar de la Renta wedding dress…an epic moment!

Holy Name Cathedral is so photogenic. I had to post another wedding photo from the rear of the church!

Lighting of the unity candle photo-

After finishing up at Holy Name Cathedral, we headed around Chicago for their creative wedding photos! I love their smiles and laughs in this photo-

I got a little elevation for a unique perspective –

A cool photo of the groomsmen in Chicago’s financial district

The bridesmaids- The car in the foreground adds that little ‘extra something special’

After the financial district, we headed to Millennium Park where there were some amazing red leaves! I really enjoy ‘stepping back’ from the moment to capture something larger…more dramatic!

The happy bride!

Love this photo of the groomsmen and the colors behind them!

Another famous part of Millennium Park…the bridgeway to the Art Institute!

And not only did we find red trees in Chicago- we found yellow ones! I LOVE the color combination with the bridesmaid’s dresses and bouquets!

Another groomsmen photo

A creative crop for a different emphasis

Their wedding reception was held at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center! A large venue with great decor! Here’s another piece by Yanni Design Studio.

As I mentioned, the Schaumburg Renaissance has some great interior decor…which makes for some great wedding photos!

A relaxed wedding portrait before their reception starts!

I love the colors I found in a corner at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel-

Gigantic centerpieces by Yanni Design Studios-

A wider shot of the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center room

Their wedding cake!

Their grand entrance!

First Dance photo!

Don’t ask me what’s going on in this photo- something about a Heisman Trophy pose/dance?

The dessert table put out by the Renaissance staff- yum!

Thanks Ro & Josh for a great time! We came up with some AMAZING photos! Thanks to an awesome bridal party for being willing to walk around for all these photos! They were epic! It was my privilege to be apart of a wonderful celebration! Enjoy these photos over the holidays!

with love,

your wedding photographer,

Kenny

And for good measure: One last shot of the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center!

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

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*

To read more about their wedding, head to their wedding blog post!

Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel
636 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

Custom wedding invitations, programs and other stationary done by Courtney Callahan Paper!

Hair and make up were done by Bridal Beauty Chicago!

Flowers and wedding bouquets done by Stems Chicago!

Jewelry by The Left Bank Jewelry in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood

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