Aica & Marcos // Brooklyn In-Home Session

I've been looking forward to my trip to New York for about a million reasons, but getting to photograph Aica and Marcos was really high up on my list. They are such a genuine and fun couple — I loved getting to hear about their travels, their art, and getting the inside scoop of their neighborhood in Brooklyn. They met in Louisville (where they're both from) when Marcos was visiting from NYC. From Aica, "After he left to go back to NYC I thought I would never see him again. A week later he came to Louisville and did freelance from Kentucky for a month and then I eventually moved to New York."

They took their first road trip together after knowing each other for a week (it was an ELEVEN HOUR drive to Philly) which I feel like is a perfect way to really get to know someone quickly....and it also sounds like the plot of an adorable indie flick. "I liked his adventurous spirit and he liked that I was down for whatever," Aica said about their spontaneous trip together. Marcos shared more about their explorations over the past six years, "We've been to Peru, island hopping in Greece as well as the Philippines, lived in Barcelona for a month, drove around the rest of Spain and the south of France, hiked the Pyrenees, Germany, Puerto Rico, Amsterdam, Mexico, Canada, and Columbia. We lived in Portland, Oregon for a year (drove across the country for a month camping everywhere to get there and we also drove across again to move back.) We plan on settling in New Mexico one day because we both love it."

We went out for beers after the session and shared stories from Peru— turns out the rug in the living room is from the Cuszo region and it was quite the struggle to get it home. Also that gorgeous painting over their bed? Marcos painted it. Oh yeah, as if they aren't already all of our couple goals, Aica is an art director at Steve Madden and Marcos is an art director for Speedo. Double art directors. I don't think it gets better than that. Okay, enough from me, here are some images!

Also if you're looking for more in-home sessions Alex & Collin's is one of my favorites and I've also been sharing a ton over on Instagram lately! 

Anniversary Couples Session at Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago

I've known Chris & Cassie for nearly a decade and have been photographing them for just as long. It's been amazing watching them grow individually and as a couple, and being able to document that growth has been nothing short of special. Four years ago at their wedding, I was both a grooms person and their photographer, and I still hold those photographs really close to my heart (as you can probably tell since I can't bear to take it off my weddings page even though it's from 2014). You should check it out, then head back over here. 

Anniversary sessions are quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Like I said before, I love documenting how a couple's interactions change over the years. For Chris & Cassie, I'm seeing so much more confidence in each of them as well as a comfort in those quiet moments together. Despite all that, they still have the same intense, big love as when they were first engaged— as was made clear by an interaction we had with a woman who wandered by: "Congratulations!!!" She exclaimed, "you can just tell you're newly engaged!!" Chris responded, "We've actually been married for four years!" I don't think she believed them, but they both totally loved being mistaken for a newly engaged couple. I got one of my favorite laughs from the session as they talked with her, so thanks, stranger! 

When I visit Chris & Cass in Chicago we almost always visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory— it's hands down one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon, but it is also amazing to photograph, especially during the winter! If you need more greenhouse goodness in your life (how could you not?) check out Micaha & Austin's Lexington greenhouse engagement session or Chris & Erin's Yew Dell Botanical Garden wedding.

In-Home Engagement Session

Where do I even start for Lauren and Joey? I first met Lauren several years ago when she was helping to plan her sister Jenny's gorgeous backyard wedding. I had the best time getting to know their family. Full disclosure: I did creep a little bit trying to figure out if Lauren was going to be getting married soon because I really wanted to get to photograph her and Joey. Is that wrong? I'm gonna go ahead and say no. 

We decided to do an in-home session for their engagement photos— needless to say, I was head over heels for their tall ceilings, big windows, exposed brick, and loads of plants. It was one of those times I felt like I was hanging out with friends (and also happened to be taking photos) as they made breakfast, brewed some coffee, listened to records, and talked Twin Peaks. I am really excited to share the images with you today!

If you are looking for some more in-home goodness Alex & Collin's session was so cozy and sweet (and included the softest sweetest pupper). I've got a few more in-home sessions queued up to share with you as well— so be sure to check back on the blog in the coming weeks!