Since Elizabeth & Dan are from the north shore suburbs of Chicago, we headed out to Evanston for their photoshoot. Evanston is on Lake Michigan and I thought it would be cool to have a photo of the Grosse Point Lighthouse in the background. It was built in 1873 and can be toured on the weekends- (I might have to go back to check out what it looks like on the inside!) I don’t know why, but for some reason, I seem to like lighthouses these days- It all started with another lighthouse engagement session I had in Michigan City, IN.

I loved the colors that all came together in this photo…the blue of her dress, yellow of the flowers, green foliage, and the red painted door-

I love their smiles!

I think the “caution” tape is self explanatory-

Evanston has all kinds of cool architecture within a small area- we tried to take advantage of that during this engagement photo session.

They hadn’t seen each other for two weeks- I think they missed each other!

One of my favorite photos…by the end of the photoshoot, you could tell just how much more comfortable they were in front of the camera…it’s almost like I wasn’t there any more-

Thanks you guys for a great time! I can’t wait until your wedding this weekend!

with love,

Kenny

Enjoy!

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Enjoy!

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter

***more than 40+ photos available on my facebook page later this week. Feel free to ‘friend’ me if you want to see those!***

Jonathan wanted a more urban – industrial feel for his wedding photos, after seeing what I have done on other photoshoots. But they were getting married in Wheeling, IL. And if you are not from the Chicagoland area, Wheeling is in the center of the northwest suburbs of Chicago…nice towns and homes…hardly a place one would think to find an urban – industrial location.

But knowing that Becky & Jonathan wanted great wedding photos, I had another creative idea for them, something I have played around with for years and have been wanting to implement at a wedding: “painting with light”.

“Painting with light” is not an easy thing to do as it is…let alone on a wedding day. Yet with all time pressures we managed to pull off four (I’m only sharing three here for now) photos that I haven’t seen done in wedding photography before. Many thanks to the B&G and the bridal party…as this took a lot of work from them!

Here is a “painting with light” photo of the bride with her bridesmaids- The black dresses with pink flowers and ribbons really stand out-

The groom and groomsmen get their own photo…

And then we did a whole bridal party photograph. 22 people! Photographing 22 people can be challenging…and here we are trying to “paint with light”! This was a conceptual photo…I was lying in bed one night the week before their wedding when I thought of this idea for the two of them…I even went out and bought the rope! =)

Working title: “Who Tied the Knot?”

Becky’s wedding shoes were a nice muted color…hot pink =)

Her beautiful mermaid style wedding dress

I absolutely love this photo of Becky …so classic & elegant!

Before our photoshoot, the bride and groom had a first moment together…I love the look on Becky’s face as she contemplates seeing her soon-to-be husband standing before her….

A tear rolled down..it’s tough to see in this small photo-

And in Wheeling, IL (suburb of Chicago) – we found our urban – industrial look!

Fun times! Gotta show off the shoes! =)

The groom putting on the ring…with a very attentive Pastor Min looking on to make sure everything goes right!

One of my favorite moments from Asian weddings…the bride hugging her parents…and her sister is in the background of the photo getting emotional too-

Thanks Becky & Jonathan for having me! Thank you for giving me the time to be creative with your wedding portraits! I hope you are enjoying being in the same ‘home’ let alone the same city! =)

with love,

Kenny

When Integrity Sports needed a photographer for their summer camp, I was immediately interested. One of the founders, Roger Powell Jr, attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and played for the Fighting Illini. In fact, I had actually taken a class with Roger and remembered that he was a nice guy off the court. I’ve been able to keep up with Roger through the years through my friend and fellow photographer, Kenny Kim, who has worked with the Powell family on numerous photoshoots.

Co-founders Mike Wilks & Todd Wolfe joined with Roger Powell to create Integrity Sports. Each of them have spent time in NBA and they know what it takes to bring your basketball game to the next level. Students can receive coaching from these experienced players. But what interested me the most with Integrity Sports, is their interest in the individual and character in addition to their athletic abilities.

Each day one of the co-founders has a short talk about integrity and character. They stress how important it is to make the right decisions and to work hard in everything they do. These adolescents are surrounded by all kinds of pressures and need good role models of athletes who live their lives the right way. Here are a few of my favorite images from my short time with them!

Mike Wilks was leading some defensive drills-

Roger Powell coaching various post moves-

Todd Wolfe reviewing passing fundamentals

And the most important time of the day, where Roger, Todd, & Mike talk to the kids about integrity.

The huddle-

One last shot of the coaches and admin staff!

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Enjoy!

Contact – Portfolio – Facebook – Twitter

But Serafin persisted and his efforts paid off…she couldn’t help but notice what a great guy he was after all!

***more photos are posted on facebook Feel free to ‘friend’ me if you can’t see the 60+ images there!***

They decided to have their wedding ceremony at their alma mater, Loyola University in Chicago, IL. The Madonna della Strada Chapel is a gorgeous venue right on the lake front.

Wedding Ceremony
Madonna Della Strada Chapel
1032 West Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60660

They held their reception in downtown Chicago, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) ballroom. It’s right across the street from the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue. The ballroom is a great space with high ceilings and a lot of character. You almost feel like you are stepping back in time when you walk in.

Reception Ballroom
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Ballroom (SAIC)
112 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603

Before we start with the wedding day photos in chronologcial order, I wanted to share with you my two favorite photos from the day.

I’m still working on the title, but right now I am thinking something along the lines of “Making a break for it!” For this photo, I really tried to be creative with the Loyola University campus-

Another photo I really love…taken at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Ballroom. Being a little creative with angles and poses-

The ladies got their hair, makeup, and nails done in Lincoln Park at Johnathan Breitung Salon Luxury Spa. A great space that can accommodate any of your wedding needs. The dress was put on at Hotel Sax, which is next to the House of Blues downtown.

I love this photo of Maria in her wedding dress, I love the details in the lace and ribbon.

Stunning!

This was a fun moment in the limo when the champagne was being opened-

Serafin was looking pretty good in his ‘barong’ – Filipino formal wear.

The beautiful Madonna della Strada Chapel-

This photo would be a great for a blackberry ad- =)

The bride making her entrance with her father-

A view of the chapel from the balcony-

We took a bridal party photo outside the chapel-

Though we ran into traffic on Lake Shore Drive, we managed to grab a skyline photo of downtown Chicago at one of Maria’s favorite spots on the lake.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago-

The ballroom from the balcony

Gorgeous orchid centerpieces

A cupcake tower! Filled with all kinds of cupcakes! mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Another detail shot of the orchids on the napkins-

Party favors

First dance photo

Maria & Serafin- I hope you are enjoying California! It was a beautiful wedding filled with so many awesome moments! Thank you for having me as your photographer and I wish you the best as you begin your new life together!

with love,

Kenny

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Here are a couple photos we took a week before their wedding when we hung out to talk about the two of them and the last minute wedding details.

***more than 70+ photos can be found on my facebook page. Including the prayer ceremonies at the B&G’s houses before the wedding ceremony. Feel free to ‘friend’ me if you can’t see all the photos there***

Church
Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel
190 S Prospect Ave
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Reception
The Meadows Club
2950 W Golf Rd
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

On the wedding day, we started in Des Plaines…I love Shaina’s laugh as her friend and hairstylist, Gigi, helps put the finishing touches on the veil. Not to mention that her twin sister (maid of honor) seems to almost have the same laugh…like a mirrored reflection-

A photo of the wedding bouquet-

I loved the dress and veil-

A great makeup job was done by Lillian from Starlight Chicago.

Once at the church I grabbed these two portraits of Abin.

I love this photo of Abin…like…I wish I had my picture taken there too! =)

As she began to walk down the aisle…his eyes began to well up…ever so slightly-

The bride is escorted by her two brothers down the aisle-

I love this moment Shaina has with her father just before he presents her to Abin-

Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel was a beautiful church with wonderful natural light coming through. It is located in Elmhurst College…Shaina’s alma mater.

In an Indian Christian wedding…the priest (achin) blesses the rings at the very beginning.

He surprised his bride by singing a song for her-

The ever so important manthrakodi – as he places the sari around his bride. If you want to see photos of the necklace tying (minnu/thali) you can see those in the facebook album.

A group photo in front of Hammerschmidt Chapel-

We didn’t have too much time for creative portraits, but I did manage to get this photo after climbing onto the roof- =) In my mind, it looks like a flower-

I love this photo…Abin & Shaina were so great to work with- their connection was just so obvious to me and it made my job as their photographer so easy!

What a moment- I LOVE this-

Love this photo too! =)

He picked her up with ease!

The wedding cake with matching tiffany/baby blue colors.

The ever so important milk drinking ceremony- One of the few couples that actually drank all of it! =)

Thank you Abin & Shaina for having me as your wedding photographer! And thank you for being willing to walk all over for those creative portraits! I’m so glad we took the time for those! As you were faithful to your convictions regarding your relationship before marriage…I can only imagine the wonderful things that lie in store now that you are one- God bless you guys!

with love,

Kenny

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I did a little something unique at the beginning with the audio. It is the first time I have ever done this- and even though it’s just a little something, I think it adds so much! Enjoy the HD wedding slideshow!

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