Montrose Harbor Engagement Session with S & K {Chicago, IL}

When I first talked to Staci about her engagement session with her fiancé Kevin, she told me that they love to spend time outdoors & basically just be goofy and laugh together. All the time. She was not kidding - I witnessed this first-hand and got to document it for them & it was a blast! These two have the best time together, no matter what they’re doing. I was able to photograph their engagement session just a few days before their courthouse wedding last summer and I loved getting to know them. Staci even wore her wedding dress at the start of the session and then changed into a gorgeous jumpsuit. They love rock-climbing, hiking and being outside so they wanted to incorporate nature into their photos. Montrose Harbor is the perfect spot for that! It’s got a forest area at the bird sanctuary, it’s got the beach, the boats and it’s got that majestic view of the great Chicago skyline. We met just before sunset and the sun showed off that evening. The harbor photos are some of my favorite couple photos I’ve ever documented! Those colors, that sunset and this adorable couple - it all blew me away! Congratulations, you beautiful souls - I hope you’re loving newlywed life and enjoying your pups!

At the very end, they changed into their rock-climbing gear and we took a few more photos.

Chicago Engagement Session at Two Hearted Queen Coffee Shop

Liz & Tony are getting married in Chicago this summer! We spent a sunny morning at my favorite coffee shop, Two Hearted Queen, having coffee and photographing. When you book a wedding with me, an engagement session is always included in your package. This helps me get to know you both and helps you get comfortable with me. I'm going to be with you all day on your wedding day, so it helps to get to know one another and to establish trust. My engagement sessions are customized to you and what you like to do as a couple. Whether it be having coffee on a lazy morning at home, having a drink at your favorite pub, rock-climbing or strolling through this beautiful city. Although we will definitely take some nice portraits of you as a couple, I focus on details and take a lifestyle approach to documenting your engagement. I give direction, then let you cozy up and that's when the magic happens! The way you look at each other, the way you cuddle, the hand-holding, etc. It's the moments when you forget I'm there that are my favorite! 

If you're in Chicago, you must check out Two Hearted Queen in Lakeview. They're seriously the best! Thanks THQ for having us, and for the delicious coffee.

Liz and Tony, I can't wait for your summer wedding - it's going to be so lovely!

Chicago Snow Globe Engagement Session

You may remember LeaAnne & Raj from this summer when we took some photos in their Streeterville home. I'm back to let you know they're OFFICIALLY engaged and in the midst of planning their wedding! The two weekends prior to their engagement session, it snowed like crazy in Chicago. One of those weekends was a monster storm that shut down the city and I was out of town and sadly missed it all. However, I thought that since there was over a foot of snow on the ground we would for sure at least have a little blanket for LeaAnne & Raj so it didn't look so muddy out. Boy, was I wrong! The Friday before we were supposed to shoot, ALL of that snow was gone and I was heartbroken. ALL I had wanted for their session was snow. Fast forward to Saturday morning and me checking the weather the second my eyes opened. Miraculously there was a chance for some snow showers later that afternoon. I hoped and prayed all day and then 2pm came and the snow the hourly forecast predicted was nowhere to be found. An hour later, though, it started ever so quietly and by the time our session started at 4:30 we were COVERED in white, wet snow and it was magical. One of my most favorite sessions ever and L & R were fantastic.

My favorite

I have always loved sessions in winter, but my first "active snowfall" engagement session was unforgettable and I am so thankful that it worked out so perfectly. 

Much love, friends!

xoxo Courtney