BEST WEDDING PHOTOS AND ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS OF 2017
I’m incredibly honored to photograph engagement sessions and wedding photography for clients from around Chicago and create unique, artistic photos that often become their first family heirloom. Every year I always try to push the envelope on the style of photographs I deliver. 2017 provided the opportunity to photograph 20 weddings and engagement sessions throughout Chicago and offer a fresh attempt almost every week to raise the bar and exceed my clients’ expectations. I proudly present my collection featuring the Best Wedding Pictures and Engagement Session Photos of 2017.
Best Fire Feature: Chris and Scott’s love burns by the outdoor fire pit at Galleria Marchetti
Best Silhouette: Scott and Chris inside The Pavilion at Galleria Marchetti
Best Photobomb by a Bee: Katie and Ryan feeling Bee-loved
Best Creative Architecture
Best Chicago Skyline Engagement Session Reflection: Alyssa & Juan reflecting in front of the Chicago skyline during their Sunrise Engagement Session along Lake Michigan
Best Red Dress: Traditionally a Red Dress will steal attention away from both subjects during an engagement session but Alyssa gracefully manages to compliment Juan during their sunrise engagement session in Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond Nature Boardwalk
Best Wedding Photobomb: Candy and Chris had no idea their friends and wedding party were going to come running up behind them and surprise them with this funny photobomb during their cocktail hour at Katherine Legge Memorial Lodge in Hinsdale
Best Chicago Engagement Session Location: Dayana and Dionte chose this incredible location in the Hyde Park neighborhood for their engagement session. I love the way the bridge creates a leading line directly to the two of them.
Best Dress Shot: Lisa admitted she wasn’t excited at the thought of having photos of her dress until I convinced her with this dramatic shot of her dress hanging in the pergola at Galleria Marchetti’s outdoor garden ceremony location
Best Skyline Smooch: Lisa planted a kiss on Jim on the LaSalle Street Bridge
Best First Look: Kim and Jesse really stood out against this beam of light in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart Chicago
Best Chicago Bridge Wedding Photo: Jesse and Kim making it look so elegant on the Kinzie Street Bridge
Best Board of Trade Bride and Groom Portrait: Juan taking Alyssa for the plunge in front of the Chicago Board of Trade on LaSalle Street
Best Wedding Processional Photo: Alyssa being accompanied by her Mother down the aisle at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago
Best Chicago Wedding Dance Floor: Cagen Music show Alyssa and Juan’s guests how to really light up the dance floor at the Millennium Knickerbocker in Chicago
Best Baraat: You know a wedding party is about to happen when the groom arrives in a convertible car to the sound of pumping music and hundreds of guests are gathered around dancing and it’s only 8am
Most Colorful Bride: Hindu Indian Brides always look so beautiful with their colorful mehndi, haar, karn phool, choordiyan and solah shringar.
Largest Wedding Ceremony: This Hindu Wedding Ceremony, or Vivaah Sanskar, featured over 300 guests at Esplanade Lakes in Downers Grove
Best Indian Ceremony Decor: This Hindu Wedding Ceremony Decor at Esplanade Lakes was created by Yanni Design Studio
Best Wedding Party Portrait: Jackie and John’s 12 person purple-toned wedding party was photographed in the alley across from the Chicago Theater on State Street
Best First Dance: Jackie and John shared their first dance in the magnificent foyer of Pazzo’s at 311 Wacker
Best Engagement Photo in a Field of Flowers: Photographing Gina & Michael’s Engagement Session at Montrose Avenue Beach made me even more eager to capture their wedding next April on a beach in Florida
Best Wienermobile Photobomb: Gina and Michael were invited aboard the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile as they were interviewed following their sunrise engagement session
Best Smile: Paula lights up LaSalle Street in front of the Board of Trade with her amazing smile
Best First Kiss: Paula pauses for a spritz of Binaca breath freshener in this funny first kiss photo at Chicago’s Galleria Marchetti
Best Boy Band Bridal Party Pose: Dylan and Paula’s wedding party are back … alright!
Best Belting-It-Out Bride: Paula shared the stage with the Opal Staples Orchestra to belt out an incredible tune during her wedding reception at Galleria Marchetti
Best Hot Air Balloon Photobomb: Heather and Ben were balloon-bombed when this Hot Air Balloon floated over their heads during their wedding ceremony at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena.
Best Sunset Dip Shot: Ben kissing Heather in this breathtaking sunset wedding photo at Eagle Ridge Resort
Most Elegant Wedding Portrait: This incredibly elegant Black Tie / Black Wedding Dress combo are stunning
Best Black Wedding Dress: Justyna looked absolutely ravishing in her beautiful black wedding dress posing on top of the State Street Bridge along the Chicago skyline
Best Photobomb by a Dog: Jean married her best friend, Lance but that doesn’t mean she lost her Man’s Best Friend
Best Wedding Veil: Jean’s veil caught the breeze under the Honeycomb (People’s Gas Education Pavilion) in Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond Nature Boardwalk
Best Night Portrait: Jean and Lance illuminated the Chicago night during their wedding reception at the Chicago History Museum
Best Aerial Wedding Photograph: Aly & Matt picked the perfect Fall date for their wedding at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena to capture this incredible aerial photo of their ceremony
Best Wedding Wrap: Aly wrapped herself in a handmade shawl created by her mom as Matt wrapped himself around her
Best Wedding Socks (1 of 2): It’s a tie this year for who wore the Best Wedding Socks. I loved Aly’s “Furmaids are Real” cat socks!
Best Wedding Socks (2 of 2): Scott and Chris were stylin’ in their “same-sox” rainbow wedding socks
Best Sunrise Skyline Engagement Session: Angelica and Jim chose the perfect day for Fall Engagement portraits which featured clear skies, a warm breeze and colorful trees
Best Black & White Wedding Photo: Mandy descended the staircase of the Allegro Hotel in Chicago for her First Look in this year’s best Black and White wedding photo
Best Rustic / Industrial Style Decor: Chicago’s west loop wedding reception venue, Brique, features farm style tables, exposed brick and concrete floors. The industrial style reception venue though never feels cold with all the warm energy flowing from their caring and attentive staff.
Best Late Night Wedding Snacks (1 of 2): Brique sets the stage with their truffle salted mac ‘n cheese bites and saffron polenta cake appetizers but steals the show with their late night hors d’oeuvres featuring mini hot dogs and tiny french fries
Best Late Night Wedding Snacks (2 of 2): Brique brings all the boys to the yard with their mini milkshake late night wedding reception snack food
Best Wedding Rings: Jillian’s wedding bands were photographed with an illustrated wedding invitation created in pen and ink by her talented husband, Joseph
Best Wedding Accessory: Papa’s got a brand new bag … of James Brown cuff links
Best Foggy Wedding Photo: I really tried to grab the fog in this photo but I mist
Best Laughter: I told Nathan to write something on Ellie’s cheek using only his nose that she had to guess in order to prompt this natural expression
Best Piggyback Photo: You can’t beat the chemistry between Ellie and Nathan mixing with the burning sunset from this Chicago Engagement Session
Best Holiday Lights Engagement Photo: Nathan and Ellie braved the cold to capture this colorful Christmas lights photo at the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights in Chicago
Best Trippy Engagement Photo: One part Holiday lights, a dash of reflection, mix generously and serve
