A couple hours later I get a phone call, “Kenny this is Nora, DISREGARD MY EMAIL! I HAVE to have you as my photographer- If that means no limo, then we’ll get a school bus, but I HAVE to have you!” =) And true to her words, we rode around Chicago in a converted school bus on the day of her wedding- But you know what? We have images that will last forever- =)

So you can be assured that I really wanted to do my best for Nora & Scott-

Here’s a couple images from their engagement session from Wicker Park in Chicago. You can see the rest of the images here.

***you can find more images from this wedding on my facebook page – feel free to ‘friend’ me if you can’t see them!”

We started the day at the Embassy Suites right off Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Nora wore a pair of ballet shoes- I love the personal touch in all the little details-

I was able to find a little ray of light to grab this creative shot of the wedding bouquet.

Since the guys were all done, we headed downstairs from some creative portraits. The Embassy Suites has a cool restaurant that let us use their facility.

As a surprise, Nora gave Scott and his family cufflinks made in Scotland with their family crest- Talk about sweet-

The church was none other than St. Mary’s of the Angels in Chicago-

I always try to show the overall ambience when shooting a bride walking down the aisle. St Mary’s of Angels definitely has a nice backdrop! =)

A bagpipe sounded to lead the newly weds down the aisle!

We headed out to Washington Park in downtown Chicago (right across from the Newberry Library) for our creative portrait session.

A view of the Embassy Suites from above-

One of my favorite moments from the night-

Before we called it a night, we headed outside to grab a couple shots- after all, we are in downtown Chicago!

Thanks you guys for having me as your photographer and for giving up so much for me to be there- I hope it was worth it! =)

with love,
Kenny Nakai

***to see more images, head to my facebook page*** (feel free to ‘friend’ me if you can’t see the images)

The dress…I loved the juxtaposition of the shapes in the image-

The shoes-

Poking through! Make sure not to mess up the hair and makeup! =)

The traditional Filipino formal attire is a “barong”. The groom and groomsmen were all sporting their barong’s.

I love this shot of Rey looking out the window

Check out the third little guy in the back- =)

A glance back at the boys-

They wanted to shoot at Millennium Park, as that was the location of their engagement. We had a “Random” portraiture of the group- It can be interpreted in many ways-

My favorite bridal party picture-

Aileen wanted to shoot an Abbey Road picture (a la the Beatles)

And since the reception was at the Holiday Inn – Merchandise Mart, we had to take advantage of the city.

There was a great view from the reception hall- as the Holiday Inn – Merchandise Mart is located on top of the Sun Times building.

Thanks you guys for a great time! And I will always remember how it thunder stormed before and after our photoshoot in the city. =)

Take care!

with love,

Kenny Nakai

I loved all the details of their wedding. Starting with the Independence Grove in Libertyville, IL to the colors of the dresses and suits, Grace really knew what it takes to put together a beautiful day.

Thanks to Alex Roy for coming out to second shoot-

***more photos on my facebook page - feel free to ‘friend’ me if you can’t see the album***

What an amazing day! The rain clouds went away, the sun came out, and everything was just gorgeous! Congrats again and thanks for the privilege to be apart of your special day!

with love,

Kenny Nakai

There are a few more images posted on my facebook profile- so if you want to see more- head on over there!

This photo cracks me up everytime I look at it! =)

Glenn thought I was switching lenses and just threw a fireball at Nicole! I didn’t tell him to do this pose…but I helped his cause with a little photoshop. =)

Thanks you guys for being so willing to try new things! I had a great time, and I hope these images make you smile as you remember all the laughs from the day-

Can’t wait til the wedding!

with love,

Kenny

Min started her day at Sonia Roselli’s boutique in Rogers Park to get her hair and makeup done. This was my first time there and I absolutely loved the decor and ambiance. I am excited to be working with them again for a couple more weddings in the future-

Ben & Min shared a first look together before their ceremony at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I love how you can see Ben wringing his hands as he waits to see his beautiful bride-

Friends help friends with their hair before a photoshoot- =)

I loved these next two images of the bridal party-

My favorite image of the two of them-

What a way to show respect and honor to your parents and future parents-

They surprised us all when they sang together to Jason Mraz’s song “Lucky”-

The emotions came out during the father-daughter dance-

Thanks for a great time Ben & Min! Congrats once again!

with love,

Kenny Nakai

I photographed Voltaire & Jamie down at the museum campus. It was a gorgeous day and both of them were really comfortable in front of the camera. I loved how playful they with each other…completely catching me off guard at times! I think you can see some of the fun in the images below- Goodtimes!

Thank you guys for all the trust! I can’t wait til your wedding!

with love,

Kenny Nakai

We had a great time just hanging out and enjoying the weather. I think that Jinu was secretly practicing his ‘model’ pose as it seemed to come a bit ‘too’ natural for him. =)

Thanks you guys for being so chill and willing to do anything I asked. I think it was worth all the effort! I can’t wait til the wedding day!

with love,

Kenny

Marilyn & Manoj were such a fun couple…and their nerves were calmed through their laughter and their connection with one another.

And for those of you who live in Chicago, you know that we have been having some miserable weather recently. April was cold and wet. So when we headed out to the lakeshore near Rogers Park for this eSession, I was thoroughly enjoying every minute of being outside without feeling cold.

A great combination for a wonderful engagement session.

This cracks me up everytime- I just have the Mortal Kombat theme song going on in my head when I look at this- =)

Manoj caught her off guard with this one-

Thanks guys for a great time! Can’t wait til the wedding! Have a great time at your engagement reception! =)

with love,

Kenny Nakai

And so it is with life.

Seasons of abundance and seasons of drought,
Seasons of growth and seasons of frustration,
Seasons of love and seasons of loneliness,
Seasons of beginnings and seasons of endings.

And while we are all in different seasons of life, we can always know that these seasons, like all other seasons will pass and we have hope towards brighter days.

I have known Helen since our days at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We both attended Covenant Fellowship Church where we share many of the same friends. Needless to say I was thrilled when she told me she was engaged! And as I love to do during an engagement session, I listened as they shared their story with me. They made me laugh and through their openness, blessed me with their testimony.

Stan & Helen: through the different seasons you have endured and are enduring may these images always remind you of this season of Love that He has brought into your lives.

We headed out to Helen’s old stomping ground…taking a stroll through Lincoln Park and North Ave Beach. It was raining all day including up to the moment I arrived! Thankfully the skies opened up and we didn’t get rained on at all! It was a blessing in disguise as the beach and park were less crowded than they normally would be on a Sunday afternoon.

These two were always joking around and laughing…and so I love this image of the two of them…enjoying a moment together-

This was a Nakai Photography first: A jumping piggy back ride! lol…for the record, this was not my idea! I love it when things just happen spontaneously! But I absolutely adore their expressions!

And if you can’t tell by Helen’s face…let me tell you that there were some serious G-Forces going on during this spin! I’m surprised her shoes didn’t fall off! =)

My favorite shot of the day-

Thanks for a great time guys and I can’t wait to head out to St. Louis for your wedding!

with love,

Kenny Nakai