Metropolitan Imageworks

Brooke is heading into her senior year in Charleston, IL. We took the RV down there a few weeks ago to visit some family and I was also able to fit in a senior portrait session.  I made the poor teenager get up super early so we could have some good morning light. It was well worth it!

Aiden is one of a handful of Metimages subjects who shares a birthday with me, June 21st. Summer Solstice babies rule!  I had previously photographed Aiden for his three-month and seven-month milestones and this last shoot for his one-year session rounded it out.  He sure has grown into a fun little boy – crawling, walking, pointing, giggling and of course finding the snacks that mom packed!

Here’s the little man back again on the Metimages blog, this time for his nine-month portrait session.  I love his smile, I love his faces, I love his hair but most of all I love his chins!

Wow. This is what it’s all about – family and togetherness. Jo celebrated her 90th birthday in Muscatine, IA surrounded by her family members and this was one of the first times in a long time that everyone was able to come together in one location. Jo’s four daughters planned the event from start to finish. They even incorporated a talent portion in which some of the grandkids shared incredible skills such as mastering the Rubik’s Cube, playing the keyboard and singing and one grandson even found the music and lyrics to a song Jo would sing to her grandkids that she originally learned from her own grandfather! Everyone joined in for the chorus and you could just feel the excitement. With the help of a technical spouse, one of Jo’s daughters spearheaded a multi-media project and put together a slide show of photos and video clips and every family member sent in a video clip of their favorite memory of their mom/grandma/great-grandma.  There was not a dry eye in the house, mine included.  The love and fondness everyone has for Jo was downright humbling and heart-warming. And the carrot cake baked and decorated by Jo’s granddaughter-in-law was delicious!

Jo and her great-grandchildren

Jo and her grandchildren

Blue skies, summer temps, gentle breeze and true love. That’s what makes for a lovely wedding! Emily and Jeremy had a perfect day in many ways – surrounded by family and friends, a beautiful backdrop and good times had by all. From a first glance, to fun wedding party photos and family photos, throughout a touching ceremony and into a festive reception their love for each other was very evident.

The ceremony was held outdoors on the veranda at Bartlett Hills Golf Club with a background of the beautiful course and late afternoon sun. A string trio provided the live ceremony music and one of their friends played a solo during the sand ceremony. The festivities moved indoors for cocktails and the reception. I can guarantee from the packed floor and faces I witnessed, everyone was having a blast! Both Emily and Jeremy are musicians and Jeremy pulled off a sweet surprise and serenaded (with the help of a few groomsmen) Emily at the end of the dinner hour.

Ceremony & Reception Location: Bartlett Hills Golf Club, Bartlett, IL

My blog is once again graced with sweet Gemma, this time for her six-month portrait session. She was pure delight and giggled and laughed and smiled through the session. Strangers even stopped during our shoot and said she was just perfect. I heartily agree.

Anjali and Paul had a jam-packed wedding day with two ceremonies, multiple outfit changes and a wonderfully fun reception while surrounded by important friends and family members. The day was packed with activities, locations, and amazing traditions. Visual eye-candy from the photo and video perspective for sure.

Anjali and Paul took a few moments early in the day for their first glance and then spent time with the bridal party on Michigan Avenue for portraits.  The first ceremony was held at the lovely and historic First Unitarian Church of Chicago.  The intimacy and coolness of the church interior reflected the intimacy and solemnity of their marriage.  Their processional and recessional were led by bagpipe to reflect Paul’s heritage.

We made time for a quick stop at the Planetarium for a few more portraits of the bride and groom and then back to the Hotel Intercontinental for a costume change and the second ceremony of the day.  The Hindu ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom and steeped with tradition to reflect Anjali’s background and featured a glowing Mandap, flower garlands, exchange of gifts and even a bounty for the groom’s shoes.  Anjali had another costume change during the transition into the reception and the next hours were filled with speeches, dancing and overall celebration.

Ceremony 1 : First Unitarian Church of Chicago, Hyde Park, IL

Ceremony 2: Hotel Intercontinental, Chicago, IL

Reception: Hotel Intercontinental, Chicago, IL

DJ: Toast and Jam, Chicago, IL

Videography: Metropolitan Filmworks, Nationwide

Sophia, Eliana and their mom and dad joined me again for portraits last month. We did the actual shoot on Father’s Day. I highly recommend portrait sessions as gifts for the folks who have everything and as a fun way to spend an afternoon with the people you love!  Sophie is a seasoned pro when it comes to posing for pictures and taking direction. Eliana totally came out of her shell this time and shared lots of smiles and grins.  Again, making my job so rewarding.  See you all again next year!!!

Adorable twin brothers, need I say much more? I’m the lucky photographer who got to work with Andrew and Nathan for their one-year portraits last month. I had a blast coaxing the smiles and smirks out of these two little guys. The morning was off to a rocky start as there was a temperature and some baby meds involved, but in all I got a lot of great moments.

Spending the day with Liz and Mark was incredible. Seriously. I might have to rethink engagement session offerings and consider adding a day in the life type session. We met up in New Buffalo, Michigan, where they spend a lot of time, and hit many of the fun spots. I immensely enjoyed myself, not only because I am happiest when I am photographing but also because I got to partake in the beauty of the scenery, at the wine tasting, a delightful lunch and my own scoop at Oinks!

Spending time with clients during an engagement session is a real getting to know you opportunity, regardless of how long or short the session lasts. I honestly feel like we are old friends now, which makes me even more excited for their Chicagoland wedding in October.

Liz and Mark graciously met me at the campgrounds where we parked the rig for the weekend. The following activities ensued:

We hiked a short trail in the Warren Dunes State Park.

Stopped by the Round Barn Winery and did a wine tasting. (HINT: go there during your engagement session and they’ll give you extra tasty samples!)

Walked the vineyard and stopped to dance a bit.

Lunched at the marina and explored the piers.

Then we had Ice-cream at Oinks, an absolute must when visiting New Buffalo.

Finally we took some time to play at the beach.

Oh yes, I did take pictures all along!!!