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baby baptism christening photographer chicago

Little Sebastian’s baptism is the perfect example of why I love what I do so much, which is to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships with my clients. They’re more than just business, they become friends. Like Will and Mimosa here. I first photographed their engagement in 2011, then their wedding, and now, a beautiful bundle of joy in this new chapter in their lives.

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Will and Mimosa heard about me from their church friend/makeup artist. They met with me despite having their hearts set on another wedding photographer. But obviously, my wit and charm won them over, they fell in love with me and my work, and the rest is history. Pffffffff . . .

My philosophy is not to just take pretty pictures, but rather, to be your go-to gal when you want to document all those special life moments.

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Sebastian is two and a half months. This is the first time I’ve been asked to shoot a baptism. Even though I’ve attended quite a handful of these affairs as a guest, this is the first time I got so worked up with emotion! The baptism took place in the same lovely church where Will and Mimosa were married, amongst an intimate group of family and close friends.

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What a precious doll Sebastian is, he slept through the entire ceremony, even when the priest poured holy water on his sweet, little head.

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Afterwards, the party continued on at Roy’s. We played Pass-The-Baby around the dinner tables and Sebastian was just happy as a clam.

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The only thing that was missing? Will and Mimosa’s little white dog, who was present at their e-sesh and their wedding. He’s no longer the first-born 🙂

Congrats, guys!

xo, Melissa

 

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whimsical maternity photos

It was out of a dream and verging on reality, everything about this photo shoot. The setting, the styling, the dreamy-moody lighting, it all came together so perfectly that I felt like I might have been on the set of A Walk in the Clouds. But instead of Keanu Reaves and the pregnant-and-obviously-beautiful young woman he meets on a bus, here we have the equally stunning and preggo modern day couple, Ly and Tiffany! Tiffany, my bestie, is 35 weeks expecting here, and isn’t she just a sight for sore eyes?

whimsical maternity photos

We drove to Brenham, Texas, a few hours outside of Houston. Sometimes, to get the money shots you have to take risks. This shoot is a perfect example––we scaled a tall fence to access trespass on this private farm that boasted acres beyond acres of wild flowers! When we stumbled upon this, I knew we had to shoot here. Somehow Tiffany managed to climb it herself, making it out with only a couple scratches on her legs from all the vines. It was so worth it!

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Throw in a Grecian column gown or two, lace parasol, and fairy flower garlands, et voila! You have the very picture of perfection in simplicity.

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We lucked out with the perfect natural lighting, with slightly overcast skies lending a romantic, moody feeling to this shoot. Luckily, the rain only began towards the tail end of our shoot, so we decided to head to Galveston to shoot some more. (Cue the wardrobe change for these two fashion-forward hotties!)

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We also shot at the most picturesque B&B. You’ll see the results of this in Part 2 of Tiffany and Ly’s maternity shoot, coming soon! Stay tuned because you won’t want to miss those!

xo, Melissa

 

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chicago modern indian hindu weddings

Remember Indian Bond and his girl?

Mehul and Rajul were married in Schaumburg. Friends and family flew in from all over the world for the mendhi and the wedding ceremony. Hundreds of guests gathered at the beautiful Renaissance Schaumburg, which was tastefully transformed by Shaadi Creations. The entire day was spectacular. In a grand finale dance number, Rajul struck poses with such grace that I thought she could be a Bollywood actress! Mehul obviously looked devastatingly dashing in his white tux, which he said he got the idea to go white for The Big Day from my little blog post here. *Swoon*

Here’s a peek . . .

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It all began with a pair of seriously bling Loubs and Rajul looking radiant in a deep rose lehenga, and Mehul looking like her prince in a coordinating ensemble, of course.

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Serious celebrating ensued when the groom rode up in a horse carriage for the baraat. He then did some boogying down in the street with his mum and ever-regal grandmother (remember grandma from here?) before heading into the traditional ceremony!

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Cue the second half of the day. Mehul turned into 007 and we got some great captures of the dashing couple, playing with lights and shadows from a setting sun, before moving onto a swanky reception.

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Rajul and Mehul, and all their guests, were delighted with their wedding images! How’s that, you ask? I bet you didn’t know, but as a wedding surprise to my bride-and-groom couples, I give everyone a first glimpse of the day’s events at cocktail hour. I usually set up the raw photos on an iPad on the table tent cards display. For Rajul and Mehul, I knew they were renting a fancy-pants projector, so I had these up on the big screen during their reception!

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Speaking of fancy-pants, some of my favorite shots from this wedding utilize “bokeh,” like the ones you see here of their stunning rose-covered cake and the dance numbers. If you’re reading this and you’re not a photog, all “bokeh” means is the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light to achieve a pleasing aesthetic quality of the blur. We photographers drool over this stuff. Fancy-pants lens = beautiful bokeh. *Drool*

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There was also an AMAZE dance party. Enough said?

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And finally, one of my favorite shots is this one of Rajul’s mum, normally reserved by nature. Check out the emo on her face––it’s nice to see her so fully living in the moment!

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Special thanks to Rajul and Mehul, who graciously gave me permission to film behind-the-scenes on the morning of their wedding for my soon-to-be-launched video promo. What a wonderful pair. Wishing them the best in their new beginnings!

xo, Melissa

 

Rajul & Mehul’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Renaissance Schaumburg (ceremony and reception) // Bride’s Attire, purchased from India, Christian Louboutin shoes // Bride’s Hair, Sony Patel // Bride’s Makeup, Mehwish Khalid // Bridesmaids’ Dresses, purchased from India // Flowers, Shaadi Creations // Videographer, I Do Films // Event Designer, Shaadi Creations // Wedding Coordinator, Drish Singh from Drish Couture Events // Food, India House // Cake, Renaissance Bakery // Music, DJ Shag

 

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