wedding photography

Wedding :: Julie + Ben [Cantigny Park, Wheaton]

Wedding :: Julie + Ben [Cantigny Park, Wheaton]

It’s the middle of winter and I’m warming up thinking about this late summer September wedding. The glow of that golden hour light is much welcome on a winter day like today.

Julie and Ben opted out of a first look and took a more traditional approach in seeing each other walking down the aisle. While Ben and his groomsmen took time to get ready at the Hyatt in Lombard, Julie and her bridesmaids prepped at Julie’s home she grew up in. On the way to the church, we walked down the back alley to Park Ridge Presbyterian Church just a couple blocks away. This was special for Julie because growing up, she and her family would walk this same route on Sundays to church.

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2016 Wrap Up

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2016 Wrap Up

2016 was year of amazing growth, closeness, emotion, and overall life fullness. From newborns to new marriages and Chicago to Oahu, photography took me to new places, familiar places and amazing hearts. I went through periods of self doubt, questioning my work and its ability to continually push further. I was inspired by so many artists' creativity. I was inspired by the faith of so many of the brides and grooms celebrating their commitment. I worked on sharing my love for photography and helping others take better photos. Here's a glimpse into some of my favorite moments from 2016. 2017 is going to be written in the salt and starts. And I'm looking forward to everyday the new year brings.

Wedding :: Shannon + Joel [Wicker Park Home; The Bedford, Chicago]

Wedding :: Shannon + Joel [Wicker Park Home; The Bedford, Chicago]

I love any marriage ceremony that means something special to the bride and groom. Whether that is a larger affair or one that is downright intimate. This backyard ceremony was all things special. With just immediate family and closest of friends, Shannon and Joel said 'I Do' in the backyard of their Wicker Park home. 

After the heartfelt ceremony [with participation from their daughter and pup], the celebration of unity continued at The Bedford in Wicker Park.

Wedding :: Colleen + Luke [Oak Park]

Wedding :: Colleen + Luke [Oak Park]

Colleen and Luke met at Career Builder when Luke started bringing donuts by Colleen's desk. From donuts to Blackhawks games to an engagement, it's clear how much love and warmth these two have for not only each other, but their families and friends.

Early summer weddings are amazing. Especially in Chicago. We did a first look on Clark Street Bridge over the Chicago River. After photos in Millennium Park, we headed to the ceremony at St. Edmunds. Alongside their faith, families and full hearts, Colleen and Luke said I do in this beautiful church in Oak Park. With a bagpiper to lead the recessional, Colleen + Luke were ready to celebrate with an outdoor reception in the backyard of Frank Lloyd Wright's Heurtley House in Oak Park. It was an evening filled with laughter, some tears and overwhelming happiness. I loved the idea of 'let love grow' for guests to take a miniature planted succulent home as a thank you.

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The Wedding Guide: Advice for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

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The Wedding Guide: Advice for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Congratulations! What an exciting time in your life. This guide is designed to help you navigate wedding photography from engagement sessions to what to expect the day of to creating your most perfect wedding album.

If you’ve made it this far to find this guide, it means you are on your way to exploring photographers to capture this life milestone.

I firmly believe that wedding photography isn’t just having the pro gear and the ability to capture an image. I believe it’s a visual narrative. Of the big moments and the little in-between moments. When you see your images, you see a visual storyboard from beginning to end. Where images can standalone, but are powerful as part of a bigger story. 

Your story.

You’ll remember the biggest moments of the day. I will help you relive all the details.

xo, Pam

Download the wedding guide >>

 

Wedding :: Kailey + Mo [Milwaukee Art Museum]

Wedding :: Kailey + Mo [Milwaukee Art Museum]

These two! I worked with Mo directly and indirectly with Kailey and was so honored when they asked me to photograph their wedding at the Milwaukee Art Museum. What I love about Kailey and Mo is the overwhelming amounts of kindness and love they bring to each day. The day of their wedding, it was obvious that this kindness and love radiated everywhere from family to friends. 

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architecturally amazing backdrop for a wedding. The crisp lines, the white whites, the airy feeling, and the overflowing happiness. It was such a beautiful late spring wedding celebrating the marriage of Kailey + Mo. 

Talk a walk through this special day with the images below. [See their Chicago engagement session last fall here.]

Wedding :: Liz + John [Christ Church of Oak Brook; Hyatt, Oak Brook]

Wedding :: Liz + John [Christ Church of Oak Brook; Hyatt, Oak Brook]

Their dads met long before this wedding day. After meeting years ago at dads day at the University of Illinois, Elizabeth and John finally began dating after both of their dads, separately, mentioned how they should date the other. Dads may know best, and in this case, they sure did. After marrying at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Elizabeth and John took to the Hyatt Lodge on McDonald's campus to celebrate their new life together. 

Wedding :: Cara + Alain [Belle Mer, Newport, RI]

Wedding :: Cara + Alain [Belle Mer, Newport, RI]

After being a little backlogged, I've finally finished the editing of Cara and Alain's New England wedding. And I have to say, I loved every minute looking back through these images. 

New England, what a gorgeous and charming place to visit. The sailboats, the lobster rolls, the salty air. To kick off the festivities of this destination wedding, Cara and Alain hosted a welcome party at Midtown Oyster Bar, right on the coast of Newport. 

The following day, Cara and Alain got married in Newport, Rhode Island's Belle Mer on Goat Island. The New England backdrop was a stunner for these two beautiful people. Love couldn't have a more perfect day.

Check out some of the images from both the welcome party and the wedding day!

Wedding :: Jacqueline + Matt [Prairie Productions, Chicago]

Wedding :: Jacqueline + Matt [Prairie Productions, Chicago]

Summer weddings in Chicago. You take a gamble on weather, but when you win, you win big. With close family and friends, and a beautiful and intimate courtyard ceremony with perfect balance of rustic and pretty details, Jacqueline and Matt tied the knot at the west loop's Prairie Production.

Simply beautiful and full of love.

Wedding :: Amanda + Joe [Pazzo's, Chicago]

Wedding :: Amanda + Joe [Pazzo's, Chicago]

Amanda and Joe left Illinois for San Francisco when work called. Turns out, they actually met at work, working for corporate Jimmy John's [we also took a quick fun frame at the JJ's Joe opened downtown on Michigan Ave]. For their wedding nuptials, they flew back to their home state for an intimate ceremony and celebration at Pazzo's at 311. Such a grand atrium set the backdrop for the ceremony. Despite this day being borderline freezing, Amanda and Joe were surrounded by close family and friends to make this an epic Chicago 'spring' day. Check out some of the frames from the wedding.