Chicago Family Portraits: Celebrating togetherness

Well, I certainly let the busy holiday season get the better of me when it came to blogging. But after a wonderful holiday season with family and friends, I am getting back on the horse and with what a fitting family session post to begin.

Sandy called me this fall to do a family portrait session for the holidays. I knew Sandy from grade-school and she and her children had just moved back to the Chicago-area from Tulsa. She was very excited to be near her family again, and so we included the whole clan-siblings and parents too. Wanting to celebrate Chicago in their first holiday portrait session back, we chose a couple landmark locations beginning the day in Millenium Park.

Loved this!! The family created a coat-walled human dressing room for Sandy and her kids right in the middle of the park for their Chicago Bears wardrobe change!

After we left the park we headed over to the iconic Union Station. I was surprised to see all of the old wooden benches removed from the lobby when we arrived. I can only imagine what a job that was for whoever had to do that! But of course we had alternate options with staircases and architecture of the building itself.

Her family had such a great sense of playfulness with each other. That kind of chemistry just makes the shoot. I really enjoyed catching up with Sandy again and getting to know her whole family. Sandy and fam, thanks for the opportunity, and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday celebrating togetherness.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Wedding: Lisa & Tim

I’ve been so excited to post on the blog about Lisa and Tim’s October wedding in Milwaukee, WI. We had a fantastic time at their engagement session this spring. Lisa and Tim are active, outdoors people, very down to earth and we became fast friends. Their wedding day was no different. Just one night with their wedding party and guests it was obvious that they are surrounded with love in their lives, though they perfer to be the ones showering others rather than the ones at the center of attention. I left that night with many fun memories.

I met Lisa and Tim through a referral, so I was already looking forward to seeing Jeanne Hudon who I photographed some years back as part of the band Solset. But it turns out that I share more friends than I knew with Lisa and Tim. As I was waiting for the ceremony to begin I was shocked to run into an old friend who apparently played softball with our couple. First time that’s ever happened to me while shooting a wedding–no wonder I like them so much! 

The ceremony took place at the Old Saint Mary Parish, just a few blocks away from the Pfister Hotel where the ladies got ready that morning and the reception was held later that evening.  

After the ceremony I boarded a trolly with the wedding party and headed out to Hubbard Park in Shorewood. There was a small crew of people already there setting up chairs for another wedding. Luckily we had about an hour to shoot before their guests would start arriving. The park was a buzz with people taking advantage of a beautiful fall day. 

Tim forgot his glasses at the hotel and had to wear his perscription sunglasses throughout the shoot at the park. But no worries, because the bridal party came to his aid as though it were part of the uniform. I had never seen so many pairs of aviators on one trolley! Can you guess what song the DJ played as they all marched into the reception hall that night? Hint-Top Gun.

Lisa and Tim were suprised twice that evening with generous and unique gifts from the bridal party. Two arcade video game machines were a big hit, especially Police Trainer among the groomsmen. But overall the biggest surprise of the night and most popular guest was the appearance of Hot Dog, one of the Milwaukee Brewers famous racing sausages. The sausage also brought the couple a gift–a glass encased, signed baseball. Of course Hot Dog raced the room, stuck around for photos with the guests, and even danced the electric slide before saying goonight and wishing the couple well. 

Lisa and Tim, I’m so grateful that I have gotten the chance to know you both and to share in this special day with you. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to capture this story in your wedding album and slideshow. Many, many happy years to you!

Muskego, Wisconsin Family Portraits: Getting ready for the holidays

Moving into the holiday season once again, the time of year that often sparks that need for a new family portrait for holiday cards and gift giving.  Recently I had the great honor to meet and photograph the family of one of my college professors. Among other activities with the communication department, I served as a department secretary and am still fairly active as an alum with the department. His grandaughter made me chuckle when she asked why I kept calling him Dr. Hemmer. For as long as I know him, I’m not quite sure I could address him any other way. 

Being the unpredictable fall season we hoped for good weather, but we were prepared for the rain we were given that afternoon. Our weather plan was to shoot in front of the fireplace in the livingroom of their home, so I brought with me a 44″x36″ reflector, a 32″ umbrella, a set of Speedlights and Pocket Wizards. Following the session, I was invited to stay and partake in Sunday football cuisine and television. During a commercial break in the first half, the rain lifted and the sun came out just long enough to run outside for a quick football themed group photo before a light shower and the game resumed.

A lovely family and afternoon-many thanks for the good food and good company. And happy holidays, Hemmer family! 

Colorado Springs Family Portraits: Mommy and her trouble makers

Earlier this month I had the privledge of traveling to Colorado Springs to shoot family portraits. Sirkant was stationed overseas with the Air Force for six months. KC and I are already old friends (think preschool friends), so while her husband was away, we decided it was a good time for a girls visit and photo session with the kids. Genesis (8), Sela (5), and Solomon (3) are all very smart, very funny little kids. Each with these big, but unique personalities. And of course in Colorado you are never far from spectacular backdrops.

Everytime I am out in the mountains I wonder why I don’t live there yet, and swear that I would never take the view for granted. We started with a trip up to Pikes Peak. America’s mountain, at over 14,000 feet in elevation it was a symbol in 1850 to gold seekers heading west. We were 5 people of half a million people who will reach the summit this year. We ended the shoot at the Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs. This park isn’t very large in comparison to some protected areas, but the Gods sure did a lot with the space they were given! It was a blast to have the family in tow, making up adventure songs the whole hike through.

KC, thank you for a wondferful visit and I hope your family enjoys the photos. Next time we’ll schedule it so Sirkant is around too.

Kenosha, Wisconsin Wedding: Lauren & Adam

What was predicted for a week to be a rainy day, turned out to be beautiful. Perhaps a bit steamy, the first truely humid day of the summer, but blue skies. I met Lauren and Adam through the alumni network at Carroll College and shot their engagement photos in Chicago last summer. They were married at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wisconsin in June. I think my favorite part of photographing their wedding was the time we spent driving around the golf course shooting portraits of the couple. It was really the first time they had to be together and seperated from the excitement that day. It was an opportunity to breathe, and to recount all of the excitement and chaos that had unraveled while they had been apart that morning. They kept talking and laughing through their teeth and smiles through the whole session on the green. The BFF vibe was thick. It was fantastic! Of course the country club surroundings were also gorgeous, as were the couple.

And I can’t go without mentioning the photo booth by ShutterBooth that they had at their reception - best prop wardrobe I’ve seen. What’s more fun than that?! Lauren and Adam, I had so much fun shooting your wedding and getting to know you both. It was really hard to choose images from your gallery for the blog and I can’t wait to start working on your album photo story!

Engagement Session: Lisa & Tim

My primary goal with every engagement shoot is to get to know my couple better and for all of us to have fun making pictures. Getting to know each couple helps me tailor my photography approach to their personalities, but this time also helps them get comfortable in front of a camera. And in every sense of the word, my session with Lisa and Tim was a success. I got the best compliment from Tim when we said good night–he thanked me for making the shoot fun for someone who finds being photographed awkward. I couldn’t ask for more than that! 

Lisa and Tim will get married in Milwaukee in the fall. We started the engagement session downtown in the loop, for a little antique, a little modern and a little gritty…  

…but also wanted to find some off-the-beaten-path locations.

I loved, loved, loved shooting at the Montrose Harbor Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary. No end to the amount of backdrop choices! And I had so much fun hiking through the brush in the golden light…

…and even more fun watching Lisa and Tim as they became naturals in front of the camera. When a couple is having fun and being genuine their pictures are naturally gorgeous.

To see more of Lisa and Tim’s engagement session, click here to view the slideshow.

Chicago Blizzard 2011: Adding to the Tapestry of Stories

Since the slow of the wedding season my efforts have been diverted my other projects. We’re making headway again on Lion in the Street post-production, and I’ve spent an afternoon experimenting with light at Your Shooting Space in Chicago this month. Both I hope to blog about coming up. But this week’s winter storm brought a welcome day of pure photographic fun and adventure. Stories of perilous commutes and hours of shoveling are echoing each other across the web today, and I thought I’d add to the tapestry with a few photographs of the aftermath in the Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park. Once the last band of snow and wind lifted from the city, a photog buddy and I hit the streets to see what had transpired. To see more, hit the jump.

Portraits: Nicole & Robert

Most of the couples I work with are celebrating their engagement or wedding, and then later the beginning of their family. These are all wonderful milestones in a shared life, and that my job allows me to get to know these couples during these moments is a gift. But often couples forget to continue celebrating their relationship between the milestones. This month I had the opportunity to work with a couple who wanted to do just that, and what a gift that was to share. Nicole and Robert,  I hope you love your photography, and enjoy sharing these images with your friends and family through the holiday season and beyond.

Nicole & Robert

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Engagement Session: Amanda & Scott

I’ve had several opportunities to do fall portrait shoots this month. Such a beautiful season. This week I have an engagement session slideshow to share of a couple whose chemistry with each other shines. 

Not many people would call themselves entirely comfortable in front of a camera, especially in an intimate portrait setting. It’s the photographer’s job to create an environment and relationship with each couple that puts them at ease, but couples with a pure chemistry and comfortability with each other bring that extra spark that can not be orchestrated. When a couple can let down their guard, take risks and share their personal brand of intimacy without fear - playful, comical, spicy or tender – this is when we create magic.

Amanda and Scott, your chemistry is explosive. You guys are so comfortable with each other and shared such a range. I had so much fun shooting with you, the morning was like a playground. I hope you love your images! 

Amanda & Scott | October 2010

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Guest post on “Beyond the Studio”

Today my post is a little off normal thread and more thoughful as I spend some time thinking about my art and what keeps me motivated. Probably something artists should muse on, if only to themselves, more often. But this particular incident was afforded to me by a friend and fellow artist, Frank Juarez. I have known and occasionally collaborated with Frank for more than a decade. He is one of the more motivated and connected artists I know, and rivals or exceeds me in the busy department. His latest endeavor is to connect artists all over the country by sharing a diverse collection of ideas and tips through guest posts on the blog Beyond the Studio. So, when Frank asked me to guest post on this blog it seemed like the perfect opportunity to spend some time thinking about what keeps me moving forward. I thought I would share with my readers a link to the post here, as the practice of experimentation is something I try to apply to art and life.