Most of my brides know I’ll go anywhere to get a great picture. I say anywhere because I have yet to run into a location that I couldn’t make work. I would be lying if I told you this spot didn’t make my palms sweat a bit. If you have ever been to the top of The Allerton Hotel in Chicago you know there is a great view of the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Ave. What you may not know is there is a set of fire escape stairs located outside of each of the towers. I don’t remember the exact floor count, but if there were an actual emergency I might take a chance and use the elevator. Thanks to Leah and David for braving the heights!<br>

As a photographer I am fairly spoiled in the profession I have chosen. A wedding is really just a big party. Yes, that means I am at parties every weekend. My weeks are filled with playing with my wife and boys, and often scattered with babies and young kids portrait sessions. Yes there is a lot of computer work that is far less glamorous, but we don’t need to get into that. What’s the point you ask? I love my job and I love all of the people it allows me to meet. I photographed Kate and Ted’s wedding about a year ago and last month I was able to photograph their new baby, James. Weddings and baby shoots are complete opposites. Wedding days are a little crazy. Okay a lot crazy, but fun. Baby shoot are much calmer and almost relaxing. Looking through the camera and seeing a happy little face like this makes everyday seem pretty special.

We have had the honor of shooting the Ronald McDonald House Charity Big Mac Under Glass dinner for the last few years. The various donors provided some wonderful silent and live auction items. To go along with the magic theme of the evening there was even a surprise appearance by Chicago Bears Coach, Lovie Smith! To find out more about RMHC click here.

Click here to view the entire image gallery from the RMHC-CNI – 6th Annual Big Mac Under Glass. ***ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO RMHC-CNI***

I love shooting at the Chicago Lyric Opera House on Wacker. It is easy to get to and for the most part it is relatively uncluttered with the normal Chicago tourists. If you’re looking for something different on your wedding day the Opera House is definitely a picture location to consider. Use the lines of the pillars and the amazing natural light for a memorable wall print, or come in close and use the shadows and small areas of light for a classic black and white. The wedding picture possibilities are endless here.

Lyric Opera of Chicago

20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 332-2244

A cake is one more piece of the wedding that helps to tie all of your design elements together. The wedding cake often uses colors from the wedding color palette and quite often includes flowers that match the bride’s bouqet as well. Tomorrow, Keli Fayard from Vanille Patisserie will share some tips to consider when designing your wedding cake.

Chicago has a plethora of great landmarks to use as backgrounds in wedding photography, but some times simple is more than enough. Step off Michigan Ave to any side street and you will be surprised by some of the places to shoot. As you know, there are no shortage of bus stops in Chicago. I say use them as backgrounds. You never know what you might come up with.

We have been spoiled in Chicago lately with 40 degree weather. I find that my thoughts are already drifting to summer time. Then, like the rest of you my dreams are shattered when I look at the weather for next week and I see snow seven days in a row. So, if we can’t have nice weather why not look at wedding pictures that remind us of how great summer can be in Chicago. Nothing says summer like a linen suit and a golf course wedding.

It’s June, it’s hot, and we’re on a golf course at the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort.

A lot of my friends ask me how I can keep things interesting week after week when a lot of my clients want the same locations and backgrounds for their wedding photography. When I’m on location the first step is to find a background that creates the mood that fits my clients. I think a lot of people tend to focus on their background strictly because it looks cool. We (photographers) are certainly used to members of the bridal party saying, “Wow, look at that. We should shoot there.” The shots below use the Trump Tower in Chicago in two completely different ways. The bridal party image works really well with the massive tower due to the amount of people. I think just the bride and groom would have seemed tiny in comparison.
The second round of images with the bride and groom were taken up on the 16th floor balcony at the Trump Tower. This view of the building still shows off the city, but seems to be a bit more intimate. On a side note, if you want to shoot on the balcony make sure the door handles are on the door. We went to shoot and were informed that the handles are actually removed to keep people off the balcony. It took a little work, but as you can see we finally got to shoot outside!

I had to share a few more images from Klein Creek Golf Course. Brides always ask where a reception would be held at the course since their is not really any seating inside. The answer, a large tent complete with chandeliers is placed behind the club house.

Amy and Dean’s wedding on July 3rd was my first trip to the Chicago History Museum. There are so many great photography options here you never have to leave. The front entrance has some great vertical lines and the backdoor has massive concrete pillars and steps. If that’s too much concrete you can always turn to the park right out the backdoor. If you are not familiar with it, you can find it at 1601 N Clark.