Adventurous Hiking & Bookstore Engagement Session

Maggie and Corey met as English majors and are self-proclaimed book nerds. They also love hiking and exploring the outdoors, so naturally, we decided that Carmichael's and Cherokee Park would be the perfect locations to visually represent their relationship. It was so nice getting the chance to talk about favorite books and favorite hikes— both are topics I love. Maggie is a high school English teacher (note to self: have someone proofread this before posting 😂) so it made me smile that she picked up the same Rupi Kaur book of poetry I was reading before they arrived. 

When we got to Cherokee, I was pleased to see they were both wearing hiking boots. After all the recent rain there was quite a bit of mud on our path and if they had worn dress shoes we wouldn't have been able to get to many of the best spots. Maggie also brought a jean jacket so we could mix up her look a bit. For any of you that are planning your engagement session outfits—  comfortable, practical shoes and layers are your two best friends. 

Maggie's parents brought their two adorable dogs to join us after we had a chance to take photos of just the two of them exploring. I love getting the opportunity to include your pups in your photos, but it can be stressful for you to have them there the whole time— especially while we are trying to get photos of just the two of you. I always recommend that a friend or family member bring them for the last twenty minutes of our session to cut back on stress while still allowing them to be part of your engagement session. 

Another great way to include pets in your photos is to do an in-home session— just like Alex and Collin did with their very good boy Sirius for their anniversary photos. 

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.