When Two Great Friends Marry...

Our friendship kinda started by accident.

Back in the day before I snagged my hottie-bo-bottie husband, my now husband and I were still in the stage of I have great sway of what he does since he liked me. Well, my plan to get him out to late night Denny's (it was college people, plus the sampler platter is legit, don't judge.) totally backfired and it ended up being me and this guy Aaron that I barely knew. Thought it be awkward but 6 hours later we're still in the car having a heart to heart. And he has been one of my best friends ever since.

As quirky & fidgety as "McMahoners" as we like to call him is, he, more than anyone I know can sit for hours and genuinely talk and desire to hear about your life. (One of the many reasons he makes a great councilor. He has unofficially been my husband and mine for years.)

When I'm at my breaking point on the verge of tears, Aaron's there.

When my car breaks down and I need help, Aaron's there.

When I have leftovers in the fridge, Aaron's there. (:

So I couldn't be happier for him to have found Abby. She is the real deal and no doubt, the perfect match for our dear friend. In fact, I've gained a new Aaron in my life now that I have Abby. She's genuine, sarcastic, and loves God with all her heart, and bonus, she loves coffee. Pretty much the best attributes anyone can ask for. (:

We took a few pics at one of my favorite cafes; Cook Street Coffee.

Toasted Marshmallow, Brown Sugar latte, hello! (:

So so stoked for these two! Can't wait for all the lifelong memories we'll make from our friendship.

Love you guys!

A Surprise Engagement!!!

She had no idea...

I knew for a couple weeks when Melvin ingeniously asked if we could capture his proposal and my heart was still racing! Racing and melting! My gosh was this moment precious. 

I love hearing your stories. How couples met, how they got engaged, all the fun details of wedding planning but to actually be there for a moment they'll remember for the rest of their lives is a deeply moving opportunity.

 We could not be happier for them! 

Congratulations!! 

-Melissa

I'm mildly obsessed with the photos that Nicee got from the moment so I posted a few... (: 

The only thing better than having the love of your life “pop the question” is actually catching that moment in a photograph so that you can relive it over and over again.  Melvin & Marquita.  I am so honored to have had the opportunity to capture those moments for you two.  I wish you both much love and many many blessings for the years ahead. 

Congrats!

-Nicee

Instinct...

Our relationship started across a tiny table in a Starbucks near the location of a photoshoot I had just moments before. The future bride, Raquel & I casually asked questions to start to get to know each other. There was a slight pause when she leaned in on the small table, and almost said in a whisper: "Are you a Christian?"Before I could even finish "Ye..." she calls out "I knew it! I knew it! And after hearing she grew up in South America I figured she must be a MK (Missionary kid) which she was! 

Guess both of our instincts were right. (: 

Some of the best photos of a day are the ones where we follow our gut. You'd presume that thinking things through would make you prepared... Make one more confident...But the best days are ones where we pick a spot and just go on instincts from there. 

Today, we started where they first met. For them both not really thinking they were on a date to have it end with a kiss under a Chicago lamp post, to four months later being engaged, and will be married before the new year I'd say that was one gut-feeling they were glad they acted on. 

Excited to shoot their big day in December!

Ralph Lauren Bride...

There's the punk-rocker I used to have purple hair in high school bride. There's the I just stepped out of a Disney movie and permanently have Bambi eyes bride. There's the Martha-Stewart I'm gonna be a crafting maniac up to the minute of "I Do" bride. 

So Mallory is my Ralph Lauren bride. The gorgeous girl at a polo match that everyone is just infatuated with. Common now... Are they not a walking advertisement for Ralph Lauren? Yes, I totally make up scenarios in my head but generally there's a bit of truth to it and it helps with the pics. (: 

 I've always been obsessed with photos/ads and growing up I had pages from magazines literally surrounding the entire top border of my room. One of my favorite was this gorgeous black and white ad of a girl with long blonde hair, hand in hand with her groom. The first time I met Mallory that RL Weddings ad is what I thought of. I found her first Ralph. (: 

Actually... No. Joe did! Lucky man!

Our last photo of the day was while they were kissing on a Chicago street while a huge double decker tour bus came right behind them with a massive sign that read: "The Next Big Thing Is Here!" 

They just may be that! They are so easy to photography its unreal. Even if they don't grace the billboards on Michigan Ave. the next big thing for them is here (Well, almost...) Their wedding! 

Cannot wait to shoot my own Ralph Lauren Bride. (: 

Pressure Cooker of Greatness

Ya know... Most people avoid storms... No kiddin right? That's common sense. But apparently I need to chase them more often because its a pressure cooker of photo greatness. What normally would take an hour literally happened in under 10 minutes. Granted this couple is flippin' adorable and the future bride Brittney could give Kim K (love how 99% of u know exactly who I'm talkin about off of initials) a run for her money on hotness. (was that a weird comment?) and we may have only had a few minutes if we wanted to live to see the wedding day cuz a storm was a brewin!! The lightning over the lake was kinda cool but more than anything was an indicator to get the heck outta there! But not without a few quick shots. (:

Knowing we were short on time to say the least these to rocked it out. Every shot was gold.

It really coulda been a disaster.

Even with my ghetto plastic bags to protect my gear it coulda gotten not so fun real quick. Plus... Sorry to say this (no angry you need to love animals more comments please) (: but bringin a pet to the shoot is a risky play. Usually you get like quarter the amount of shots. Not every dog is Lassie.  However, with a dog like "mags" aka most photogenic do ever. (kinda like her parents!) you can call her name and she'd literally sit and just stare at the camera till we moved on. She's a pro!

Only have 10 minutes to shoot? Chase a storm. Or.... Just shoot Steven & Brittney (and Mags) and you'll be golden.