Posts in Category: Friends

Everett Michael | Baby Photography

A few highlight images from my photo session with little Everett Michael. I’ve known Everett’s mom for basically my whole life – we went to school together from Kindergarten all the way thru high school.  Their family still lives in Illinois, and although we had initially planned on doing a newborn session during my trip home in September, Everett took a few extra days to arrive!  The timing didn’t work out for that shoot, but we found a way to make it work 3 months later.

Everett is a happy little guy, and I had to make sure to get some close-ups of those big blue eyes. We’re really glad we got the chance to meet him and take some pictures!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Michael & Brittany | 9.27.2013

Mike and I have quite a history.  We first met in 8th grade, and he’s been my best friend since 9th grade.  There are lots of stories to be told about our adventures in high school and even some from our college years when we didn’t see each other much.  Then 2 years ago, he was my best man.  Last month, the roles were finally switched, and I had honor of being his best man!  I flew back to Illinois a week early for the bachelor party (sorry, no pictures of that), which was a blast.  Katie flew up on the following Wednesday, and from then on, it was all wedding stuff!  We helped set up the decorations at the awesome venue and got to spend a lot of time with Mike, Brittany, and all of their friends & family.  Of course, I brought my camera for all the festivities, and while I wasn’t the official photographer, Katie and I tried to capture as many moments as we could.  You couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque day to get married – sunny, clear, and a small hint of fall in the air.  All the girls looked beautiful; all the guys looked like bankers from the 1890s (I had a full beard, so me probably more than everyone else); and the wedding was perfect from start to finish.  It was truly a day to remember.

I only met Brittany about a year and a half ago, but we’re basically old friends at this point.  She and Mike are perfect together – I’m so happy that God prepared them for each other, and I’m super excited to see where He takes them from here.  Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Zajac!  We’ll always be part of your lives – we wouldn’t have it any other way.  Now move to Texas already.

Mike & Brittany | Chicago Engagement Photography

While visiting my family & Katie’s family in Illinois this holiday week, we were able to carve out some time to spend with friends.  My best friend, Mike, and his fiancee, Brittany, already had tickets to the Friday afternoon Cubs game, so we decided to join them, but not before a detour through the South Pond area of Lincoln Park Zoo to take some engagement pictures!  I have always wanted to take engagement or wedding pictures at this location because of the really cool architecture and the combination of the outdoor/natural feel with the awesome views of the Chicago skyline.  (The Hancock Building, left, and the Sears Tower, faint right, are both shown in second picture below, which I love.)  And it works out perfect when you also get to hang out with really good friends who recently got engaged!  Anyway, we spent about an hour and half taking pictures before finally catching a cab up to Wrigley Field, buying some pizza, scalping two tickets for me and Katie, and then watching the Cubs lose to the Pirates (sigh).  It was a lot of fun, and nothing beats Chicago in the summer (Chicago in the fall is pretty close, though).  These few images below were just the first few to catch my eye as I was reviewing them in Lightroom – expect more to come in the near future!  Congrats to Mike & Brittany!  Can’t wait for the wedding in September!