Wedding Photography | Melissa Diep Photography | Chicago and Destination Wedding Photographer | Lifestyle Photography » models

Gorgeous Lighting and a Beautiful Model

Melissa — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:06:51 +0000

This shoot was not planned in advance. I’m not much of a planner so I don’t spend weeks planning. People think I do but I don’t. Hehe. In fact, we had no idea what we were doing until I arrived at Jenna’s. I just know I wanted to work with Jenna and we just clicked and we were on the same page when it comes to fashion and ideas for the shoot. We first started off on her rooftop deck but it was so windy and I didn’t have an assistant so it was almost impossible to shoot. On our way back down to her loft, the back stairways had the most amazing light. So we dropped everything and forgot about my lighting equipment that we dragged up the rooftop and shot this entire series you see here in natural light. We just got lucky! It was late in the afternoon so the sun was just so yummy at that time. Less than an hour later, we came up with what you’re seeing here. Hehe. I’m a fast shooter. What can I say. Once again, thanks Jenna for being so scrumptious! I absolutely adore working with you!

Fashion Photography

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Chicago Portrait Photographer | Models | Lauren

Melissa — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:09:30 +0000

This is the second time Lauren and I have worked together. You can check out Lauren’s HOT boudoir here! I love, love, love working with Lauren. Thanks for getting down and dirty Lauren for this shoot! Also a big thanks to Amanda Adlesick for coming out to assist!

Chicago Model Photographer

Model Beach Picture

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Chicago Portrait Photographer | Bella

Melissa — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:12:39 +0000

Bella and I have been talking about doing a shoot for awhile now. Finally our stars were finally aligned. Bella is half Thai and half Native American. I didn’t figure this out till after our shoot but she reminds me so much of Kate Moss! Bella has graced the cover of MANY magazines like Vogue, Harpars Bazaar, Ocean Drive magazine and ads for such companies like Emporio Armani. Needless to say, I was so honored when Bella said she wanted to work with me. You can check out the rest of her portfolio here. Check out this session and let me know what you think!!!

Hair and Make-up by Krista Gobeli

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Chicago Portrait Photographer | Chicago Lifestyle Photographer | Sheeka

Melissa — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:41:48 +0000

This shoot with Sheeka was put together at the last minute. I didn’t meet Sheeka until the day of the shoot. Immediately we just clicked. She’s the sweetest girl ever. Stunningly beautiful with the most gorgeous skin!! I wanted to do this shoot in a wooded area and of course we layered up with multiple layers of bug spray. Sheeka missed her back so the bugs spent happy hour there. Even Amanda that came out to assist got bit through her jeans. Besides those pesky bugs, she did an amazing job hiding the fact she was being chomped on. Thanks Sheeka for being so sweet and it was such a blast working with you. Can’t wait for you to get back from Boston so we can work together again!

Thanks Mili Ghosh from Memories In Motion for referring Sheeka and Amanda Adelsick for coming out to assist!

Hair and Make-Up by Diem Angie Nguyen.

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Chicago Portrait Photographer | Chicago Lifestyle Photographer | Diem

Melissa — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:05:13 +0000

Diem and I got together for this super last minute shoot. Not only was it last minute but it lasted only 30 minutes because the sky was ominous-looking. Because Diem was such an awesome model and that she’s not afraid to try anything or get dirty so we got tons of awesome shots in just that short of time. Thanks Diem for coming out. It’s always a blast working with you….minus your driving. Hehehe.

Chicago Models Photographer

Models, Actors, and Musicians come build your portfolio with me!

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Chicago Look Books | Fashion Photography

Melissa — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:57:45 +0000

Chicago Fashion Photographer

This shoot was supposed to take place outdoors but you can’t always count on Chicago weather. It snowed on this first day of Spring in Chicago so therefore I had to think of a backup plan. I called my friend Jerome and even though he was in California, he was able to hook me up with a penthouse suite within twenty minutes. Thank you sooooooo much Jerome!!! This shoot wouldn’t have happened without you!!

There’s nothing that makes a photographer’s job a lot easier than to work with a model that REALLY knows how to move in front of the camera. They’re like a gem and you just want to hold onto them forever. I came across Valerie on Model Mayhem about six months ago. We never really touched base much until I noticed that my friend Joshua Albanese photographed her. He talks very highly of Valerie. I’d be a fool not to photograph her. Joshua had mentioned that working with Valerie made him a better photographer. Gosh he wasn’t kidding. I barely even have to give Valerie any instructions. Love ya Valerie. I look forward to working with you again at the Spring Trash the Dress!!!

Hair and Make-Up by Tran Nguyen

Chicago Editorial Photographer

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Chicago Fashion Shoot | A Sneak Peek

Melissa — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:42:03 +0000

Today’s shoot was supposed to happen outside but it started snowing pretty badly on this Spring day. I called up a friend of mine that lent me one of his penthouse suites and voila! Here’s a quick sneak peek. So excited about the outcome of this shoot!!! Let me know what you think!!!

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James Hotel Fashion Shoot

Melissa — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:21:28 +0000

James Hotel Chicago Wedding

Fun shoot with my beautiful models and Jenn Gaudreau. Thanks Maryam for filling in at the last minute! You’re just stunning. Diem, you’re officially my new favorite model! This girl is a natural!!!! A BIG thanks to the James Hotel for letting us use this beautiful hotel as backdrop for this shoot. And last but not least, thanks Horacio Nieto for your BEAUTIFUL one of a kind designs. It was an honor working with you and I can’t wait to work with you some more in the future!

James Hotel Chicago Bridal Fashion

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Dana Hotel and Spa

Melissa — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:30:51 +0000

Dana Hotel and Spa, Chicago

What a GORGEOUS hotel!! I don’t think I’ve had such great service and staff since staying at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore. Everyone, I mean everyone was so nice and helpful from the moment I stepped foot into the hotel to scope out the spot to leaving the hotel at the end of this shoot. Thank you Sandi Robinson for making this day happen. I just want to hug both you and Cameron over and over for putting up with our phone calls and texts throughout the shoot. Thank you, thank you!!!

Special thanks to Vanessa’s Modern Bride for lending me a couple of your dresses for this shoot. Thank you more for driving downtown to drop this off at my place!! You’re awesome Vanessa!! This boutique is where I purchased my bridal gown!!

Also a big thanks to the models and Heather Bear for hair and make-up! I love you all. It was a blast!!

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Fashion Shoot at the WIT Hotel Chicago

Melissa — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:17:01 +0000

Awesome shoot at the beautiful and trendy WIT Hotel downtown Chicago. What an amazing staff they have at this hotel. We couldn’t believe how helpful everyone was at the WIT. Thank you so much Mark Shouger and Roger Young for making this day happen. Also thank you Diem Nguyen for helping out with hair and make-up and the models Adrianna and Bita for looking beautiful as always. Matt Bigelow tagged along to shoot as well. It’s always a blast when he’s on board.

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