Adam

Just a little fun with some video lights and a strobe.



A bit of a horror flick sort of vibe

Easter weekend with the family

Lots of family gathered in Chicago over the Easter weekend for some great times.

Uncle Mark showing Seamus some photos


Violet in a quiet moment


Violet climbing the railing in Grant Park




and then she climbed right onto Uncle Mike's back








happy Violet!








Ping pong was a theme throughout the gathering. Here's Mike playing referee.




Violet will take you down!


Grandma took her turn




so sweet... Violet and Seamus, hand in hand


Grandma!


a quick family portrait

Neal in the Union Stock Yards

This is the start of me catching up on old shoots. A few weeks prior to my relocation to New York, Neal came for a Chicago visit and we spent an afternoon exploring the Union Stock Yards, the old meatpacking district. Our visit then turned into a mini portrait session of Neal.









The famous gate of the stock yards


On our way back we stopped at the giant door of Big Monster Toys


giant monster peeking out of the giant door

Theresa and Steve's engagement

I love when a couple chooses a location for their engagement session that is very personal and meaningful to them. Theresa and Steve chose the perfect place for theirs: back where it all started. Two years ago to the day they had their first date at Martha's Country Bakery in Astoria, and now in less than a month they'll be married! What a great way to celebrate their anniversary. The folks at the bakery were so excited for them and extremely accommodating. Plus they have really great cupcakes, and I'm all about a shoot that involves sweets!

I was cracking up at Steve's various expressions as Theresa kissed his cheek.




As soon as Theresa told me where they wanted to meet, I was envisioning a shot like this.


Yum!




A little trial run for the wedding day cake cutting








Through the window


Adorable!

Top Secret Mission! Part 2

The mission can be revealed! About two weeks ago Neal and I boarded a plane to Buffalo to meet up with Eddy and Nicci, who where to be secretly married that day! Neal became ordained to be able to marry them (he likes to say that he now has a new super power), and I was the photographer for the day. We were sworn to secrecy until they could let their families know.

Neal helping Nicci tie her skirt together in the beautiful parking garage (who says you need a fancy hotel to get ready in?)


Loved the tie!


Nicci's charms


The light was great in the parking garage, so we stuck around there for a little portrait session


All smiles all day!














Once we finished the portrait session, we headed over to the Maid of the Mist boat ride in Niagara Falls for the ceremony.

Brother Neal!




We all opted out of the ponchos they gave us for the boat tour, though I did use mine to protect my camera lens.




Husband and wife!




We understood quickly why the boat was called Maid of the Mist; we were all pretty soaked by the end.


I couldn't let the day go by without a trendy poncho photo. That's style, ladies and gentlemen.


Neal attempted to conduct a unity candle lighting on the boat, but strangely enough a windy and wet boat ride is not quite conducive to fire. Opting for plan b, we finished that part of the ceremony back in our parking garage. It was still a bit windy there, so it took some work for the candle to light. Eddy and Nicci said that was symbolic of a marriage needing hard work to succeed. I liked it :)




Congrats you two! Thanks so much for having us be part of your fabulous day!