Metropolitan Imageworks

Lisa & Todd, July 4, 2009 of the Metropolitan Imageworks Best Wedding Image of 2009 contest.  A huge thank-you to all the couples who participated and to everyone who took the time to vote. We received an incredible 149 total votes! Lisa and Todd’s wedding image won with 59 of those votes!

The winning image will be made into a 16×20 Canvas Gallery Wrap and presented to Lisa and Todd!

Congratulations!!!

The Metimages Best Wedding Image of 2009 contest is open until midnight central time on March 1st so you have 5 more days to vote!

Go to the contest blog post, look at all the images and register and leave a comment for your favorite image. Please include your name in your registration!

Best Wedding Image of 2009 Blog Post

Saturday’s wedding marked the kickoff of the Metropolitan Imageworks 2010 wedding season! I personally love a winter wedding. It’s fresh and exciting since it’s technically in the “off season”. The guests seem a little more amped up to celebrate. And of course, snow pictures!

I arrived at Denice’s parent’s home for getting ready photos before the girls got back from the hair salon, so Mom, Dad and I chilled for a bit.  Not that they could chill that much since it was their daughter’s wedding and they were a bundle of nerves. Now they will be old pros by the time of their next daughter’s wedding in September, and I’ll be there early again to help them relax!

Denice and Jake are a very creative couple and they designed, printed and assembled their Save the Date cards, Wedding Invitations, Shower Invitations,  Programs, Table Numbers & Placecards in one continuous theme.  When they are not planning a wedding, they also make their own soaps!  That venture started a couple Christmases ago when they decided to make presents for everyone instead of buying them.

Of course the Photobooth was a huge hit after dinner (and a few drinks!)

Ceremony: St. Louise de Marillac, La Grange Park, IL

Reception: Red Oak Room at Cantigny, Wheaton, IL

DJ: Toast and Jam, Chicago, IL

Photobooth: Shutterbox Entertainment, Naperville, IL

A Metimages milestone was seeing FIVE Metropolitan Imageworks couples celebrating in one place. (L-R)

Denice & Jake 2.20.10

Jenny & Lee coming soon – 7.10.10

Emily & Michael 8.15.09

Amanda & Dave 5.31.08

Jackie & Mike coming soon – 9.25.10

Thank you so much everyone for trusting Metropolitan Imageworks for your wedding day imagery.  See you all again in July!

2009 marked another fantastic year for the team at Metropolitan Imageworks and I wanted to celebrate. We’re having a contest for the Best Image of 2009 and it will be decided by a public vote!  I asked all of our wedding clients to share their favorite image from their wedding and tell me why. The consensus was that it was very hard to decide and pick just one, that’s the best response I could hope for. Fortunately, each participating couple was finally able to narrow it down.

Everyone’s invited to vote!  You can simply place your vote by leaving your name & email address and a comment at the end of the post below (one per person please). We will be verifying email addresses and IP addresses.  The image with the most votes will be made into a 16×20 canvas wrap and given to the winning couple.  Voting will be open from now until March 1st.

(Hint: Click on the image to enlarge if you need a bigger view.)

Ready? Set? Vote!

#1 – Niki & Peter – 04.25.09 – This one is my favorite because it captures the time of month that we got married, late April where the leaves still have not started coming back on the trees. Also, I like the moment it captures of just Peter and I with nature and no one else.

#2 – Eileen & James – 08.08.09 – It was 95+ degrees on the day of my wedding, and my father had been joking that he was going to wear shorts.  I kept saying that it was fine by me, but my mother told him he had to wear a full suit.  When he went to get ready at the hotel he realized that the dry cleaner had not included his pants with his suit jacket!  He would be forced to wear his shorts! I loved the AC/DC feel of the look, and his pants did show up in time for the ceremony, but heck, the man is 70 years old.  If he wants to wear his shorts he can. Since I was wearing a less traditional short dress, I loved that my father had his less traditional sport coat and shorts combo. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.  So while I adore all the pictures of my wonderful husband and me…  that’s the one that stands out.

#3 – Katie & Tom – 06.27.09 – I love it because it really shows everyone’s personality, and the spirit of the day, which was joyous and excited and ready to party!!

#4 – Natalie & Anthony – 11.07.09 – To me, this image shows a fun, happy, casual couple who are saying to the camera “we can take on the world together”.  This pose is not a standard pose and I love it for that.

#5 – Nora & Russell – 08.01.09 – Something about being in nature and the wind blowing that day, remember?  The black and white gives it an old feel and the church in the background looks great. We are not the only focus in the picture, its like nature and us are one.

#6 – Emily & Michael – 09.12.09 – This was taken right as the ceremony ended, and we turned to walk back down the aisle.  The two of us are so intimate and seemingly unaware of anyone else in the room.

#7 – Michelle & Don 02.15.09 – I like a couple of the cake pics due to the comedy factor. I think this time I’ll choose the one where I’m holding my nose as Don gets ready to feed me the cake. It’s my favorite because you can almost hear everyone laughing as I anticipate the worst. I just knew he was going to be coaxed into shoving it up my nose and I didn’t want to walk around the rest of the night with icing in my nose, and everyone thinking it was “something else”! The next pic almost goes with it because then it ended up down my dress!

#8 – Kristi & Jake – 12.12.09 – The picture captures all of the emotions from our special day. It was magical, romantic, and absolutely perfect to us. We truly felt like we were part of a fairytale, and this photo shows just that.

#9 – Jenny & Christian – 06.26.09 – This is our favorite picture because after all the planning from the flowers to the invitations to the photographer (yay Rachael!), this is what it is all really about: both of us saying our vows in front of our family and friends.

#10 – Kate & Josh – 03.21.09 – It was taken in Daley Plaza in front of the Picasso as were dancing, enjoying ourselves (and the unseasonably warm weather for March). The one word to describe this photo is “whimsical”.  Having such a beautiful photo in front of the Picasso, a Chicago icon, is icing on the (wedding) cake.

#11 – Linda & Roger – 05.24.09 – The reason we love this photo is because it captures the whole day for us and every time we see it, it brings us right back.  The light wind picking up my veil, the sunshine, having Mango there and our happiness as we look forward to walking down the aisle.

#12 – Erin & John – 10.11.09 – Our favorite wedding picture is the black and white picture where John and I are kissing on the railroad tracks at the train station. We are walking and our backs are toward the camera.  We love this picture because it has the gorgeous clock tower in the background.  It also is like we are starting out a wonderful journey together.

#13 – Dusty & D.J. – 07.11.09 – This image is my favorite because it is a piece of artwork. The colors, composition and feeling of the image are absolutely beautiful. It also portrays the tone of the day so well; complete joy!

#14 – Christina & Jon – 07.25.09 – We loved how this picture captured the action and emotion of the moment… The looks on out faces are priceless!

#15 – Rebecca & Ryan – 09.19.09 – We love this picture because there is something intimate about it, even with neither of us looking at each other or the camera.  We also like the design of the architecture behind us.  The composition is perfect and the color is soft.

#16 – Lisa & Todd – 07.04.09 – Among so many of our amazing photos, this one became one of our personal favorites.  It caught a quiet moment between the two of us that captured everything we are:  happy, joyous, casual, silly, giggly and absolutely in love.  The softness of the photo also portrays so well of who we are and the beautiful setting of our day.

#17 – Mandy & Anton – 05.09.09 – There were many favorites to pick from, but I love this one because it captures the water-front yet laid-back setting and our complete joy at our wedding!

#18 – Nikki & Scott – 07.12.09 – We really liked this black and white picture because it not only included the whole bridal party, but it captured everyone’s excitement on our special day!

#19 – Lauren & Jeffrey – 08.01.09 – It captures the pure bliss I was feeling on the most wonderful day of my life – so far!

#20 – Nicole & Don – 06.05.09 – Seeing that Don was up to his usual shenanigans, Nicole selected the perfect “Teacher Look” to let him know that Rachael wanted us to pose BY the Kangaroo, not IN the kangaroo.

#21 – Ashlea & Cody – 06.20.09 – This is my favorite picture because I think that it shows off walking off into our new lives together and the lighting and my dress look amazing!

Thanks for participating!

Rachael & the Metimages Team – Victor, Elizabeth, Kira & Ariel

Things have a funny way of working out, and the way things worked out for Erin and John allowed me to be a part of their special day and capture the imagery.  I wouldn’t have had it any other way.  October 11th was a significant day as not only was it Erin and John’s wedding day but it was also Erin’s parents 28th wedding anniversary! (This should hopefully make it very easy for everyone aka the guys to remember.)

Erin and John met at a high school football game and their love blossomed through high school and the college years and also as they settled into a new home and new jobs in Minnesota.  The high school sweathearts had their ceremony in the church Erin attended growing up and also where she was baptized as a baby. They each processed down the aisle with their lit baptismal candle. Talk about special meaning.

Although fall in Chicago can be hit or miss, Erin and John lucked out and had moderate temps and a stop for outdoor pictures at the local train station after the ceremony.

In my line of work, I see lots and lots of brides (and I like to admit that at Metimages we only photograph stunning brides) but there was something extra with Erin – she has this ear to ear grin that truly does envelope those around her and light up a room! Once she got out to the dance floor (way to coax your wife, John) the party really started.

I also wanted to take a moment and remind Erin and John how much fun I had with their wedding party and I would like to personally call dibs on the next weddings!
Ceremony:  Annunciata, Chicago, IL

Reception:  Georgio’s, Orland Park, IL

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Sometimes you have a dress bride. Sometimes you have a hair bride. Sometimes you have a shoe bride (see previous post). And few and far between you sometimes get a food bride.  If I had to sum up the food at the reception it would be – flowing, flavorful and oh my goodness – there’s more?!  Food is one detail that Courtney emphasized at her wedding reception and not one guest (or vendor) was unimpressed. From the passed hors d’oeuvres to the cocktail room with the gourmet seafood hors d’oeuvres stations to the main reception room with the fresh sliced proscuitto, breads, spreads and veggies to the three meal choices which included bone-in fillet as an option to a delicious wedding cake served for dessert and ending with the fabulous spread of sweets, fruit and delectables at the chocolate fountain.

I was surprised and stuffed after dinner and made a comment to the bride and she simply smiled and mentioned that she didn’t want anyone to be hungry.  Not a chance of that at all!

Earlier in the day Courtney and Miguel had a beautifully sweet ceremony at Old Saint Pat’s and their son Ezra stole the show as he was wheeled down the aisle in a wagon for the processional. After the ceremony the wedding party and I attempted a quick stop at Olive Park but our plans were foiled by precipitation so we headed over to Union Station instead and beat the mad rush of wedding parties. I think there were two other wedding parties in the Great Hall when we arrived and no less than 10 with two more trolleys pulling up as we made our exit.

Courtney and Miguel’s wedding day was a long time coming for me, as we originally met and finalized the contract in the fall of 2007!

Ceremony: Old Saint Pat’s, Chicago, IL

Reception: Venuti’s, Addison, IL

As a self-proclaimed shoe connoisseur I find my fancy tickled at every wedding. I love capturing the detail shots of the wedding dress, the wedding day jewelry and most of all the wedding day shoe.  Many of the Metropolitan Imageworks brides of 2009 far exceeded my shoe expectations and embraced color, style and embellishments in their shoe selections. Talk about eye candy for the visual artist!

March 21st: Maureen

May 24th: Linda (hint – look at the bottom of her shoes)

May 25th: Sabrina

June 5th: Nicole

June 6th: Hillary

July 11th: Dusty

August 15th: Eileen

September 12th: Emily

September 19th: Rebecca

December 12th: Kristi

December 31st: Elise

Thank you for letting me live vicariously through each of you (and your shoes!)

Due to my excessive shoe collecting and limited space, my husband tried to implement a rule (or compromise) that for each pair of new shoes I bring into the house I must toss out an old pair.  It pains me to do so.  Instead I have found some great hiding spaces in boxes in my closet, in the bottom of the clothes hamper and the trunk of one of the cars.

A few years ago a friend of mine was looking at property in NYC. She saw an ad for a building that suggested you “bring your architect and your imagination.” I think Rebecca and Ryan fit that description. Rebecca is the architect and Ryan is the contractor and together they are one special team.  Their current ongoing project is restoring their home in the Pullman District.  If you can renovate together then anything is possible!

I was also visually astounded by their talent during the getting ready portion of the wedding day. Rebecca and her bridesmaids were using a stunning condo on Lake Shore Drive that is owned by Ryan’s aunt. The condo was just renovated by the team of Rebecca and Ryan and it’s really a showplace. Not only are the hardwood floors, floor to ceiling windows and layout a modern and a inviting pallete, but it was also a photographers dream backdrop for the getting ready photos! Lots of light and open space and interesting lines.  It was an indication of how great the rest of the day was going to flow.

Their ceremony and reception was held in the tented courtyard of the Smart Museum of Art on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park.  The day and evening provided perfect September Chicago weather and we were able to explore some of the campus after the ceremony for photo ops.

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Ceremony & Reception: Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park, IL

DJ: Toast and Jam, Chicago, IL

Florist: The Flower Firm, Chicago, IL

Officiant: Groom’s uncle, Ron Stalzle, Indianapolis, IN

Caterer: The Entertaining Company, Chicago, IL

Day of Wedding Coordinator: Kaltheen Clickett

Emily and Michael currently live in Portland yet they decided to have their wedding in Arlington Heights, close to where Emily grew up.  During a quick hit and run visit this summer, we were able to finally meet in person and spend some time together during their engagement portrait session.

I was very excited as September quickly approached and Emily and Michael’s date arrived. The Metropolis Ballroom was the perfect venue for the ceremony and reception.  Emily spent a lot of time preparing 1000 cranes for the ceremony, although when asked she mentioned it didn’t take as long as one would think.  As the guests entered, the greeters handed them lengths of folded paper cranes strung together and the guests were instructed to walk down the center aisle and hang the cranes from the railing.

Traditional Japanese lore states that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes will be granted a wish and it will come true. Also, 1000 paper cranes are also a traditional wedding gift to wish 1000 years of happiness and prosperity on the couple.  I sure hope Michael helped do some of the folding!

Emily and Michael’s ceremony was very personal and heartfelt, as Emily’s brother was the officiant and just oozed emotion and sentiment throughout. I love it when clients have such a personalized touch. The guests enjoyed a fabulous meal and then proceeded to attack the dance floor the entire time.  I have not often seen so much action and excitement on one floor. It was so much fun, even for me as a photographer, to observe the guests having an incredible time!

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Ceremony & Reception: Metropolis Ballroom, Arlington Heights, IL

Officiant: Bride’s brother, Billy!

DJ: Beep Media, Barry Phipps, Chicago, IL

Ever wonder about how glamorous it really is to only “have to work one day a week?”  Check out the Secret Life of Wedding Photographers survey results from the ISPWP and learn the fascinating, behind the scenes details about being a wedding photographer! 

Secret Life Article