10+ Dreamy Chicago North Shore Engagement Photos

06.16.23

Chicago North Shore Engagement Photos

There are magical days when the weather is just perfect. We were all hoping for a little sunshine to help give their photos that extra special touch! We took a little walk through a forest preserve to capture Hannah + John’s Chicago North Shore engagement photos.

Looking forward to their wedding at the Loews Chicago next year – and if you were needing an engagement, proposal, wedding, or family photographer, be sure to send us a message!

chicago north shore engagement photos forest preserve

chicago north shore engagement photos nature woods

There were only two other people in the park while we were there – it definitely felt a little dreamy and magical-

chicago north shore engagement photos nature woods

We headed down to the beach…the perfect ending to their Chicago north shore engagement photos-

chicago north shore engagement photos beach

They were able to take a few family photos!

chicago north shore engagement photos nature forest

Tags: chicago engagement photographer, chicago north shore engagement photographer, chicago north shore engagement photos, chicago northshore engagement photography, chicago northshore engagement photos, chicago wedding photographer

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14 Romantic Chicago Engagement Photos

06.05.23

Romantic Chicago Engagement Photos

It’s always fun when an old friend gives you a call. As a wedding photographer it makes me smile when they share the good news…they are getting married! Youssef and I go waaaay back…and I was thrilled to hear about Lily and their upcoming wedding! They were going to be in Chicago and wanted to take engagement photos around the city! Be sure to scroll through this whole blog post to see photos along the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, and Buckingham Fountain!

If you or someone else you know is looking for a proposal, engagement or wedding photographer…be sure to reach out!

This first photo includes iconic architectures with some reflected light…which makes for a perfect backdrop for these romantic Chicago engagement photos

romantic chicago engagement photos Wacker drive riverwalk

When photographing your friends…it’s always great to them smiling in ways that you have never seen them smile before!

romantic chicago engagement photos Wrigley building

Love the layers in this photo – their pose, the fountain and the Willis Tower!

romantic chicago engagement photos Buckingham fountain romantic chicago engagement pictures Buckingham fountain romantic chicago engagement grant park

Congratulations Youssef and Lily! So happy for you both as you start this new season of life together! Great job during the engagement session…you have such romantic Chicago engagement photos!

with love,

your Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Tags: buckingham fountain engagement photos, chicago engagement photographer, chicago proposal photographer, romantic chicago engagement photos, Wrigley building engagement photos

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70+ Wonderful Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos

06.02.23

Timeless Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos

The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect for Jami and Matt! We made sure to utilize all the outdoor spaces for their Loews Chicago Hotel wedding photos! There were so many wonderful moments…from the tears when Jami’s father saw her for the first time…to the energy on the dance floor…be sure to scroll through this whole blog post to see 70+ of our favorite photos!

If you haven’t previously seen their engagement photos – you HAVE to check out their Montrose Beach Engagement Photos!

Shout out to Jamie Boton for planning and the flawless execution of the day!

Wedding Details:
Venue: Loews Chicago Hotel
Florals + Decor: Kehoe Designs
Photographers: NAKAI Photography
Planner + Coordinator: Jamie Boton
Band: Gold Coast All-Stars
Dresser: The Wedding Dresser
MUA: Kelly La Banco
Hair: Tina Marie

Up first: Three of our favorites from Jami + Matt’s Loews Chicago Hotel wedding photos!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos rooftop terrace bride groom

Photographer’s Insight: We love symmetry. Love the contrasting colors and textures in this photo! Not to mention that perfect ray of light shining down on them! But none of those compositional elements mean anything without their glowing smiles!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos rooftop terrace bride groom

Chicago at night. The party dress. A beautiful embrace. Do we need anything else?

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos night time rooftop terrace bride groom

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos bridal details

Confetti photo success!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos bridesmaids confetti on bed

Sometimes you wish these moments would last forever…this photograph does just that!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos bride reveal to father

Bridesmaids reveal!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos bride reveal to bridesmaids

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos groom getting ready

Throughout the day…these two had the most perfectly matching laughs – and this photos captures their mirrored laughter!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos rooftop terrace bride and groom day time

These types of Vanity Fair wedding party photos take time to set up- but the results speak for themselves!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos lobby photos bridal party

Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos // Ceremony

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos ceremony decor in ballroom

Wanted to highlight the red rose up in the chuppah – in memory and honor of Jami’s late grandmother –

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos ceremony jewish

Such a passionate kiss knocked Matt’s kippah off!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos ceremony chuppah jewish

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos details escort card sign

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos reception details

Beautiful room design and execution by Kehoe Designs

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos reception details

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos reception flower girls on dance floor

Shout out to these two – can’t wait til your wedding next year! =)

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos reception party

Jami put on her party dress and was ready to go!

Loews chicago hotel wedding photos reception party Loews chicago wedding photos night time rooftop terrace bride groom

Thank you Jami + Matt for having me as your wedding photographer! Hope you enjoyed reliving each and every moment in these photographs! Can’t wait to share the full set!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Tags: chicago wedding photographer, chicago wedding photography, chicago wedding photos, gold coast all stars, Gold Coast events, Jamie Boton, kehoe designs, loews chicago hotel wedding, loews chicago wedding, Loews Chicago wedding photos, the wedding dresser

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13+ Unique Kinzie Bridge Engagement Photos, Japanese Garden + Wolf Point Plaza

05.25.23

Kinzie Bridge Engagement Photos

Had the opportunity to meet Kendall and Ryan while I photographing her sister’s wedding a few years ago and I was thrilled when they asked me to be their wedding photographer!

We started with a few Kinzie Bridge engagement photos. This iconic bridge has some strong geometric shapes and I love how it layers in the some Chicago architecture in the background!

Kinzie bridge engagement photos chicago river couple

One thing about Ryan…no matter the circumstances…he can make Kendall smile – which is great for these Kinzie Bridge engagement photos-

Kinzie bridge engagement photos chicago river couple

The sun flare is just perfect-

Kinzie bridge engagement photos chicago sun flare

Wolf Point Engagement Photos

We took a walk to take photos from this new vantage point along the river. A unique view for their Wolf Point Engagement Photos

chicago wolf point engagement photos wolf point plaza river bridges

You get this beautiful background of the Chicago river!

chicago wolf point engagement photos wolf point plaza river bridges

The Lake Street bridge adds a little variety to their Wolf Point engagement photos

chicago wolf point engagement photos wolf point plaza river bridges

Japanese Garden Engagement Photos

For their last location…Kendall and Ryan chose one of Chicago’s hidden gems…The Garden of the Phoenix! Here’s a hint…don’t necessarily follow google maps for directions. It took us a little extra effort to get here…but it was worth it!

chicago Japanese garden engagement photos garden of the phoenix

I’ve been coming to this location periodically throughout my career…and kudos to The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation…the garden is the best it has ever looked!

chicago Japanese garden engagement photos garden of the phoenix

These Japanese garden engagement photos almost make you forget you are in Chicago!

chicago Japanese garden engagement photos garden of the phoenix

At the end of the session we were treated to the most spectacular sunset!

chicago Japanese garden engagement photos garden of the phoenix sunset colors

Can’t wait til your wedding next year Kendall + Ryan! Thanks for all the fun during your engagement session!

with love,

your Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Tags: chicago engagement photographer, chicago engagement photography, chicago engagement photos, garden of the phoenix engagement photos, Japanese garden engagement photos, kinzie bridge engagement photos, wolf point engagement photos, wolf point plaza engagement photos

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70+ Unique Chicago West Loop Wedding Photos // Morgan’s on Fulton

05.19.23

Chicago West Loop Wedding Photos

It was the most perfect day for Nikki + Eric’s wedding! With their ceremony at Morgan’s on Fulton, we made sure to include the neighborhood in their Chicago West Loop wedding photos. One of the highlights from their evening was when the groom’s band, The Gazebo Effect, took center stage and got their party started!

The enclosed rooftop reception at Morgan’s on Fulton was perfectly accented with floras by Erin McDonald Co and the sugar flowers from Flourish Cake Design.

Wedding Details
Getting Ready: The Emily Hotel
Ceremony + Reception: Morgan’s on Fulton
Photographers: NAKAI Photography
Florals: Erin McDonald Co
Band: David Rothstein Music + The Gazebo Effect
Planner: Shh Events
Cake: Flourish Cake Design
Hair and Makeup: RareBirdBeauties
Officiant: Zen Events Chicago

We made sure to include the Willis Tower in the background for their Morgan’s on Fulton wedding photos!

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton bride and groom

The Emily Hotel Wedding Photos // Getting Ready

The Emily Hotel is on the same block as Morgan’s on Fulton, so it was an easy decision to have their getting ready photos at this boutique space!

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photos bride details dress

The bride’s crew!

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photos bride bridesmaids fun

Nothing helps shake out the pre-wedding excitement like a little fun with your besties!

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photos bride bridesmaids fun

There is plenty of natural light in these Emily Hotel wedding photos – which wonderfully showcase Nikki’s smile!

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photography bride

The bride and groom secured this private space for their first look-

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photography bride groom

Love the classic/modern look for their full bridal party photo

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photography bridal party

One last set of Emily Hotel wedding photos!

The Emily Hotel chicago west loop wedding photographer bridal party

That time the when Nikki + Eric shut down Fulton Market for their Chicago West Loop wedding photos!

chicago west loop wedding photos bridal party Fulton Market

Morgans on Fulton Wedding Photos // Ceremony

A gorgeous floral arch by Eric McDonald Co

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton ceremony decor

An intimate Morgan’s on Fulton wedding ceremony-

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton ceremony

Love the smiles on their faces after their kiss! Officially married!

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton ceremony

Morgans on Fulton Wedding Photos // Reception

People. These are not real flowers! They are sugar flowers! Literally did a triple take walking by this cake. It is even MORE stunning in person!

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton reception details

Took a lot of photos of this space as they were setting up, but when the sun began to set…the glowing candles created the ambiance!

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton reception details

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton toasts

Shout out to The Gazebo Effect – you guys were phenomenal!

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton group photo

chicago west loop wedding photos Morgan's on Fulton at night

Congrats again Nikki + Eric! Hope these photos help you relive all the fun from your special day! Thank you for having us – can’t wait to share the full set!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Tags: Chicago loft wedding, chicago wedding photographer, chicago wedding photography, chicago west loop wedding, chicago west loop wedding photos, Emily Hotel wedding, Morgans on Fulton wedding

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10+ Dreamy Chicago North Shore Engagement Photos

Chicago North Shore Engagement Photos

14 Romantic Chicago Engagement Photos

Romantic Chicago Engagement Photos

70+ Wonderful Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos

Timeless Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos

Loews Chicago Hotel Wedding Photos // Ceremony

13+ Unique Kinzie Bridge Engagement Photos, Japanese Garden + Wolf Point Plaza

Kinzie Bridge Engagement Photos

Wolf Point Engagement Photos

Japanese Garden Engagement Photos

70+ Unique Chicago West Loop Wedding Photos // Morgan’s on Fulton

Chicago West Loop Wedding Photos

The Emily Hotel Wedding Photos // Getting Ready

Morgans on Fulton Wedding Photos // Ceremony

Morgans on Fulton Wedding Photos // Reception

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