Their Best Proposal Engagement Photos in Chicago // Christina + Lindon

07.25.19

Their Best Destination Engagement Photos in Chicago

Christina and Lindon decided to celebrate the 1 yr anniversary of their Chicago proposal with an engagement session! We recreated the moment…exactly 1 year later…in the same spot on the Dearborn Bridge!

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Since they live out of state, they were super excited for their destination engagement session. Here’s one of the best photos of the night- right on State Street! As a Chicago photographer with 10+ years experience, it’s my job to know the best locations to fit my clients needs!

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Love this cute moment along the Riverwalk-

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Our Chicago River and bridges are iconic. Love how Christina’s dress color just pops in all the photos!

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Love this moment!

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He jumped waayyy too close! (He got higher than this…but then you couldn’t see Christina’s expression)

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We wanted to include the Chicago Skyline in some photos as well! After all…Texas doesn’t have a skyline like this!

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I could have posted a photo of them kissing, hugging or laughing in this perfect spot…but I think this just about sums up their relationship! =) As a photographer, some of the best pictures are the impromptu ones!

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A photo with our iconic Ferris Wheel. For those that don’t know, the first Ferris Wheel was unveiled in Chicago!

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Had to take a photo on Michigan Avenue!

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We were able to get a photo with the Chicago Theatre sign and the blue sky! When the lights turn on…it’s the best!

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One last photo at their proposal location. Looking down the Chicago river!

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Thanks Christina + Lindon for having me as your destination engagement photographer! We were able to create some amazing photos together! Congrats again on your 1 year Proposal Anniversary!

with love,

Kenny Nakai

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Ritz Carlton Wedding Teaser Photos!

07.14.19

Best Chicago Ritz Carlton Wedding Teaser Photos

It’s 1am on Sunday morning…Blake and Lauren were married just seven hours ago! They are probably still hanging out with friends at their after party! For those that don’t know the recently renovated Ritz Carlton is one of the best hotels in Chicago for a wedding. There are so many amazing photo locations on their premises! There are so many photos to share, but I just wanted to post these four teaser pictures before heading to bed!

Shout out to Heather from the Ritz Carlton and Brianne and Diana from Marquette Avenue Events for planning and executing a flawless day! So great to work with you all!

Wedding Details:
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Ritz Carlton Chicago
Planner: Brianne from Marquette Avenue Events
Decor: Flowers for Dreams
Photographers: Nakai Photography
Videographers: Mirar Weddings
Dress: Romona Keveza

Rooftop on the Ritz Carlton

Love this shot. This can only be captured on the rooftop of the Ritz Carlton. The building behind them is iconic in it’s architecture. The two of them laughing together perfectly captures their relationship!

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The ballroom looked amazing for their reception!

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This little puppy didn’t want to miss out on the tuxedo action, though he may have missed out on a kiss! The Ritz Carlton is a pet friendly hotel!

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One last photo to share…a pictures from their first dance! The monogrammed floor was a surprise to the bride and groom from the bride’s mother!

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Congrats again Blake and Lauren! There are so many wonderful photos from your day, it was hard to pick just four to share tonight! Enjoy the rest of your time with friends and family! I hope to post more in the next 2 or 3 weeks!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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Engagement Pictures at Swift + Sons, Riverwalk + Condo

07.12.19

Chicago Engagement Photos at Swift and Sons

In the West Loop, there’s a hot ‘new’ restaurant called Swift and Sons. This was where Tom and Bessie had their first date…just about a year ago! They decided to return to commemorate their engagement with photos at one of their favorite restaurants!

They wanted to do something a little cinematic…so we created this cute little moment! Bessie – definitely caught his eye when he first met her!

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Swift and Sons layout and interior decor fit the couple’s style perfectly!

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Tom’s smile says it all – would he have thought a year after his first date….they’d be engaged and planning a wedding!!!

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As a photographer, I appreciate the interior design of spaces. Swift and Sons is such a photogenic space! Place a beautiful couple in…set up a flash and you have an amazing photograph!

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Engagement Pictures on the Chicago Riverwalk

We headed to their condo which sits along the Chicago River and took a few photos along the riverwalk!

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A kiss with a variety of Chicago architecture in the background!

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Engagement Pictures in their Chicago Condo

As new chapters in life are written, old ones close…and they wanted to take a few photos in her condo before moving into a place together!

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Finished their session with a few photos along Michigan Avenue!

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As a photographer, I love the little moments that bring out a laugh and smile! =)

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Bessie + Tom! So great to hang out with you both – can’t wait until your wedding later this year!

with love,

your Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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Cafe Brauer + Ambassador Chicago Wedding Photos // Emily + Evan

07.10.19

Evan + Emily’s Best Chicago Wedding Photos

Now that the bride and groom have returned from their honeymoon, it’s time to post the best photos from their epic wedding day! The Ambassador Chicago Hotel was the perfect location for their getting ready pictures and a short ride to Lincoln Park’s Cafe Brauer for their ceremony and reception! We made sure to stop by the Art Institute South Garden, Lasalle Street and the Chicago Theatre sign as well. Shout out to Misha + her Nouvelle Events team along with folks over at Cafe Brauer for executing a flawless day! Always fabulous to collaborate with Juan and Aga from Hair by Juan Jose + Makeup By Aga!

There were so many amazing photos from their day, it was hard to pick out the best ones for this wedding blog post! Here are three photographer’s favorites up first! This first one was taken at the Art Institute: Love their smiles and her DRESS!

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Cafe Brauer is the perfect location for a wedding ceremony! Love the architecture and natural light!

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Since the sparkler photos are at the bottom of this blog post, I wanted to post a picture here to make sure you scroll down to see more sparkler photos outside of Cafe Brauer!

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Wedding Details:
Getting Ready Venue: Ambassador Chicago Hotel
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lincoln Park’s Cafe Brauer
Planners + Coordinators: Misha Newgren + Team from Nouvelle Events
Photographers: Nakai Photography
Dress: Pronovias
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Seamstress: Davis Imperial
Hair: Hair by Juan Jose
Makeup: Makeup by Aga

Getting Ready Photos at the Ambassador Chicago in the Gold Coast Neighborhood

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Epic Skyline Views from the Rooftop of the Ambassador Chicago

The rooftop at the Ambassador Chicago has an unreal view of the Chicago skyline! A perfect backdrop to start their wedding day!

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A few photos in the lobby of the Ambassador Chicago

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Evan’s impromptu moment!

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Lasalle Street Bridge Wedding Photos

The bridges in Chicago are iconic and instantly recognizable to those who live here! This photo also showcases the diverse award winning architecture found here in Chicago!

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Photographer’s Insight: Love the symmetry and the leading lines in this photo!

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LaSalle St allows for a great view of the Chicago River! Sometimes photographers need to climb a few bridges to get a unique point of view!

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Pictures at the Art Institute of Chicago’s South Garden

Love this Vanity Fair inspired wedding party picture! Photographer’s Tip: Pay attention to the little details! The spacing, the balance, the poses…all of it makes for an epic picture!

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Before heading to the ceremony we took a few pictures on State Street with the Chicago Theatre sign!

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Wedding Ceremony + Reception Photos at Cafe Brauer

Cafe Brauer is located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. Which coincidentally has an amazing view of the skyline!

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This ring bearer wanted to have his own first dance! Sometimes the best moments are the unexpected ones!

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They had a sparkler exit to end their wedding day! Cafe Brauer is perfect for sparkler exits as the front door is really close to the party!

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One last kiss to finish the night! What a day!

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Congrats again! Welcome back from your honeymoon! Hope these photos help bring you back to all the amazing moments on your wedding day!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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Ritz Carlton Chicago Lakeside Wedding Photos!

07.01.19

Ritz Carlton Intimate Chicago Wedding Photos

An intimate gathering at the Ritz Carlton for a beautiful day in the Lakeside Ballroom in Chicago!

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A photo of the bride’s squad wearing these monogrammed robes!

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Finishing touches on with her gown!

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The Ritz Carlton is next to one of Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers, the John Hancock as seen in the window!

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Stunning portrait of the bride!

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To say this bride had a killer look is an understatement!

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We had to capture a few photos with their ‘puppy’! The Ritz Carlton is a dog friendly hotel!

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The Ritz Carlton lobby has the most beautiful chandelier as a background!

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Vanity Fair inspired bridal party photo in the lobby

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A sweet moment with the Father of the Bride

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Ritz Carlton Lakeside Reception Pictures

The bride is an amazing Tango dancer…and I love how they incorporated it on to their wedding cake!

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A room photo of the Lakeside room at the Ritz Carlton – a fog periodically limited the view of Navy Pier and Lake Michigan

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A Tango First Dance

As a wedding photographer, it’s always fun to photograph a choreographed first dance…and when your clients really know how to Tango…it makes it all THAT much more fun!

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