This session was just plain fun. It is obvious to see that these three are happy to be one another and to be a family. We played. We ran around trees, we picked flowers, we sat in the grass and they giggled as they chased one another. Sammie can tend to be shy, but as soon as the fun began she opened right up and you could see the charming personality that lies beneath. She told me she had been practicing her smile for days. It paid off.
Brit and Joshua are brand new to Chicago. They pulled their moving truck up to their new home only four weeks ago. Much to our delight they chose to settle into our lovely community of Lincoln Square. They are celebrating three years of married life together. They have been on quite a journey already and you can tell are excited to see what Chicago holds for them. ( as am I) They have such a charming little place and as Brit was talking of their move, the hope it brings, the fresh beginnings for big new things, I knew that was the place for their shoot. Not big skylines and city presence but their own escape together and intimate home. They selected their new home blindly from across the country, praying and hoping it would be for them. Brit and Joshua were pleasantly surprised to find it fit them just right. It has a darling little kitchen that I knew was going to be fun to take a few pics in.
So here’s to Joshua and Brit, welcome to Chicago and to a love that allows you to walk hand and hand into new adventures.
We slipped right out their back door. I love love the color and light.
Brit and Joshua live in a classic Chicago courtyard building. The evening light was dreamy…
I haven’t seen sweet Zadie since she was just a newborn. Click here to see how tiny and brand new she was! She is now nine months old with big beautiful girly eyes and easy going parents. The Keelings know how just to be, to play like they do everyday and flawlessly pull off the coordinated family attire without looking like they tried. It was still a hot humid evening, so we sat in the shade and played until the sun dipped low enough to see the gorgeous blue of Lake Michigan.
Mason is a gift. He had a bit of a rough beginning, two months premature, a few pregnancy scares and complications yet here he is and doing just fine. I received an email from Kimberly a few days before our session and it really touched me. She shared a bit of their story, how their moments with Mason seem a bit richer because of the difficulty to get him to them. Mason is adorable, with big blue eyes and soft coo-ey expressions.
Kimberly, your open hearted email and my time with your family reminded me of how precious my job is and what a grande responsibility I have to capture life. I looked forward to it, enjoyed myself while with you, and smiled as I prepared these images. Thank you for sharing some of your family’s story with me. It makes my job matter and reminds me why I do what I do.
Thank you.
By the way… let’s talk about their dog….. in love with Mason. Such a nice playmate to have!
It is a huge responsibility to capture love in imagery. I never tire of witnessing the way people find each other, uniquely complement, and walk through life together. Ashley and Phil, love like yours makes me love my job and creativity run wild. Thank you for listening and trusting me on light and location. Congratulations you guys. Can’t wait for January.
I love love this series of photos. We were playing in the richest of light day has to offer. After days of humidity and heat we were kissed with this lovely evening. Dreamy Chicago romance…..
Click here if you missed out on Part 1 !
On our way back to the car, we decided to stop and do some fun night photography down Michigan Avenue.
Phil and Ashley are quite special. It has been a real treat getting to know them in front of the lens, and just chatting about life stuff. As they sat across the table from Eric and I, it struck me just how sure they know they are about one another. They are comfortable, confident and seem to be relaxing into one another. If you are a new reader you will soon learn that I believe your heart recognizes when it has found the one that makes your heart sing. It just does. These two know in an obvious sure way and are relaxing into what’s to come….
They are getting married in January in Miami at a Spanish monastery at sunset. So we kept their engagement shoot similar with blue water and intimate courtyards. Part 2 is coming up with incredible lakefront at sunset…. stay tuned.
I love this black and white. An Eric special.
Phil proposed with this journal. He was reading to her about the first week he met her, and proposed by reading to her why he loved her.
More to come on these two!
We were so thrilled to have been featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs. It is a fantastic blog and Ami was so easy to work with. Click here to our feature ! Did you miss Jill + Les Married on our blog? Click here to see Part 1 and here for Part 2!
This lovely Saturday morning was complete with bright blue skies and everything summer should be. We had been rained out of our first scheduled session, and I was so glad we rescheduled. This summery morning was worth the wait.
Now little Miss Claire was having a rough morning. First thing she did a graceful face plant to the concrete. This did not give us a cheery little girl. Now let’s just be clear, I am not above doing whatever I can to make a disgruntled little gal giggle. I have no shame. There was tickling, singing, and yes…. even jumping. I jumped, Claire smiled, Claire jumped. We still had fun.
We did have a few moments like this….
Maria is so beautiful and Luis adoring. This session is in my top five ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me fully and allowing me to create these images of intimacy and expectant waiting. Maria has five weeks to go. Congratulations to you both.
Five years ago I was upstairs staring in a mirror preparing to marry my love Eric. We were married at sunset under pecan trees in Alabama. We decided to spend the morning together taking photos. It was a big celebration for all. All of our dearest friends and family had come from near and far to be with us as we became husband and wife.
This anniversary has been different than ones in the past. It feels like a very big milestone. We live our lives in an open honest way, and we joke about how we’d like to strike year one off the record. Those who know me well, know that I am a big cheerleader for marriage. It is the only thing in life I have experienced that is guaranteed to get better with hard work and laughter. Other things in life just aren’t that way.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into five years ago except that I wanted it. I wanted to be married and live life together. The intent and dedication in the beginning from us both has brought us here. Now we stand two very different people yet way more in love than when we began.
Things about us you may or may not know…
We hold hands a lot.
His wedding ring is a tattoo with my initials.
He is into good beer, I’m into good red wine.
I love all things green.
We’re very honest.
His mind is always creating.
I always have nature around me.
He designs modern stuff.
I get carsick.
We take walks often.
He proposed with twine and not a diamond.
We both love coffee.
He has a patent.
Our kitties are spoiled.
He drove a plaid VW bus when we met.
He asked me out. I declined. Persistance wins.
He flies kites on our rooftop.
Our first apartment was $325 a month.
I am happiest when I am outside.
We believe in naps.
My diet consists of 75% beans. They are just so good!
We value people and their dreams.
I leave my shoes all over the house. Then can’t find them.
I loose my keys daily. He finds them.
We are in love and happy to be Mr. and Mrs. Stevens.
Thought you might enjoy some photos from the last 5 years. WARNING: not all are of professional quality!!
Wedding day – All of these photos were film and scanned in. Carson Studios Photography.
Year 1
Year 2 – We came to Chicago!!
Year 3- We lived on Lake Michigan. Night time strolls on the beach.
.
Our first office.
Year 4
Photo courtesy of Oijoy Photo
Here’s to Year 5 and many more happy years to come. Yay marriage!!
Brit and Joshua are brand new to Chicago. They pulled their moving truck up to their new home only
I haven’t seen sweet Zadie since she was just a newborn. Click here to see how tiny and bran
Mason is a gift. He had a bit of a rough beginning, two months premature, a few pregnancy scares a
It is a huge responsibility to capture love in imagery. I never tire of witnessing the way people fi
Phil and Ashley are quite special. It has been a real treat getting to know them in front of the l
We were so thrilled to have been featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs. It is a fantastic blog and Am
