Zoolight Engagement Photos // Jamie + Aric!

Creative Chicago Engagement Photos with Zoolights!

The weather during the first week of December was insanely warm! (Hello global warming?) Jaime + Aric took advantage of the 50+ degree day to take some photos around Chicago…finishing off their session at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Zoolights! A quick shout out to Jan Ehrenberg from Parties, Events + More for referring this wonderful couple! Can’t wait to work together next year at their wedding!

I think we were all surprised, but not surprised by how crowded the zoo lights were on a Sunday evening with 50+ degree weather. So we decided to take most of our photos away from the crowds of people! Here’s a photo of the engaged couple with a few Zoolight giraffes and a supermoon!

zoo lights Chicago engagement pictures Such a romantic photo with the Zoolights! As an engagement photographer, I always love creating new creative images for my clients!

Chicago zoo lights engagement pictures

As much as I loved taking photos with the zoo lights, some of my favorite photos came from this location! It’s one of my things as a photographer…to know some really cool off the beaten path places to take engagement pictures in Chicago!

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Definitely the Chicago Skyline without being cliche!

creative Chicago engagement photos west loop railroad

As a creative photographer, I love the juxtaposition of the strong steel geometric shapes and the soft grass of nature with a sweet embrace in the middle!

creative Chicago engagement pictures west loop railroad

I’m a photographer who loves sun flare. I try to photograph it anytime I can!

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Feels like a fashion magazine photo advertisement

creative Chicago engagement photos west loop railroad

Love their smiles – and the colors and textures in the background!

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Nothing says Chicago like the EL train tracks!

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Such a romantic photo with the Chicago skyline in the background!

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One last photo with the honeycomb…and the Chicago skyline!

zoo lights Chicago engagement photos

Jamie + Aric – I’m so glad you decided to have your session in December! It was such a beautiful day for photos! Can’t wait until your wedding next year!

with love,

you Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny

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Fall Westin Ohare Wedding Photos // Tanya + Christian!

Chicago Assyrian Westin Ohare Fall Wedding Photos

Tanya + Christian were such a fun couple to photograph on their wedding day! As a wedding photographer, it’s always great to have couples who love to take pictures! Since they are both Assyrian, the parents were sure to incorporate as many Assyrian wedding traditions into their day! Before heading to the Chicago Westin Ohare for their wedding reception, we made sure to stop by a forest preserve to capture the fall colors!

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Wedding Details
Ceremony: Mart Marian Chaldean Church
Reception: Chicago Westin Ohare
Photographers: Nakai Photography

A shout out to Sabrina + Jorge who helped refer me to Tanya + Christian! The two brides are sisters…and it such an honor to photograph a siblings wedding! Nothing helps me book a wedding than a personal testimony and experience. Thank you!

As a photographer, I see the forest preserve in a different way than most brides and grooms. Here I saw the vertical structures of the leafless trees and I love the texture of the leaves on the ground…juxtaposed with a kiss and just the right amount of flash in the background!

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The Chicago Westin Ohare underwent a recent renovation…and I loved taking photos in their lobby area! Here’s one of my favorites. Be sure to scroll down to see more!

Westin ohare wedding photos bride groom

Getting Ready Photos

A detail photo of her ring on the heel of her Jimmy Choo wedding shoes!

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Love this photo of Tanya and her sisters…The moments happen so fast and it is truly something special to ‘stop time’ in a photograph!

chicago assyrian wedding photo getting ready

Though this was just her bedroom, I found a beautiful spot for portraits! As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to create stunning portraits of the bride and groom where ever they are getting ready!

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The family awaited to bride in the living room-

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Traditional Assyrian dancing and dress to help escort her to the church!

Assyrian wedding traditions picture chicago bride

Elsewhere, the groom was getting ready-

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Assyrian Wedding Ceremony Pictures

Moments before his bride walked down the aisle.

chicago assyrian wedding ceremony photos

When you are friends with the priest…there are plenty of laughs to go around!

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Bridal party photo showcasing the fall season!

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When planning a fall wedding, one thing to remember: the sun sets a little earlier in the fall! Though it was cloudy all day, we were able to capture the sunset in this photo!

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After the sun went down, we continued their photos inside the Westin Ohare!

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This photo feels like it should be an advertisement from the Westin Ohare!

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As a wedding photographer…I try to push my creative juices at each wedding…here I found a window reflection of the bride and groom overlooking the streets below. It just feels so romantic!

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Loved this floral wall behind the head table!

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More Assyrian wedding reception traditions to help welcome the newlyweds into the ballroom!

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The guests were entertained by a couple belly dancers!

Assyrian wedding reception photography traditional dancing

Assyrian wedding reception photography traditional dancing Assyrian wedding reception pictures traditional dancing

Thank you Tanya + Christian for having me as your wedding photographer! We were able to capture so many amazing photos throughout the day! Thank you for being willing to stand in the cold fall weather for a few pictures! =) Can’t wait for you to see the rest!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny

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Fall Engagement Photos // Sylvia + Billy!

Fall Engagement Pictures in a Forest Preserve

We caught the perfect touch of yellow and orange fall colors for Sylvia + Billy’s engagement photos! Florals were done by Victoria from Kensington Florals + Events! A shout out to Victoria for referring me to this awesome couple! Can’t wait to shoot their wedding next summer!

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Gorgeous floral arrangement by Kensington Florals draping down Billy’s pickup truck! More photos with these flowers at the end of the blog post. Be sure to scroll down!

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I love Sylvia’s choice of color for her dress! The blue pops against the fall colors!

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One of my favorite photos from their engagement session!

fall chicago engagement pictures couple fall chicago engagement photographer greek couple Thanks Sylvia + Billy for braving the chilly weather for some photos with the fall colors! They turned out wonderfully! Thank you to Victoria for trusting me with your loved ones! =) Can’t wait til next summer!