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Posted in engaged!!

 

I had the pleasure of shooting this lovely couple’s engagement session earlier this month. You see, it was excessively hot here in Chicago, but that didn’t stop Archita and Ankit from lots of hand-holding!

I met Archita and Ankit through a past client who had referred them to me. He is a self-proclaimed “nerd” and she has such a breathtaking, serene beauty about her, don’t you think? The two swear kismet played a part in their unlikely meeting one night a couple years ago. Archita lives in Chicago but Ankit is currently working out of state. They joked that the only time they see each other lately is when they’re both flying across country to attend their friends’ weddings*! Lucky for these love doves, Archita and Ankit’s own special day is right around the corner in August!

The shoot took place at 12th Street Beach on Northerly Island, where Archita and Ankit will be married so it made symbolic sense to do their engagement shots here. The “before and after,” let’s say, shall we?

After spending the day with this interesting couple, I have proof that opposites do attract and that a deep, sincere love can grow in spite of some contradictions. These two clearly have eyes for only one another! I’m super excited to shoot their wedding, which will surely be nothing short of a spectacularly traditional and lavish Indian affair! Congrats, Archita and Ankit!

xo, Melissa

*Fun fact: Over 90% of my brides and grooms share a long-distance relationship prior to getting married.

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Posted in trash the dress

 

Calling all Chi-town photographers! The next installment of Chicago Trash the Dress: Summer 2012 is right around the corner on August 11th and 12th. Mark your calendars for an energetic weekend of business and pleasure––we will gather to help a few brides toss old-school rules about traditional bridal photography out the window! The perks? Professional models, stunning locations, plus networking with other talented photographers translate into an elevated visual portfolio and an all-around good time!

For those who don’t know, here’s a bit about my little group, Chicago Trash the Dress, which I formed in 2009 for local photographers of all levels to have an opportunity to get together and shoot an incredibly unconventional subject… the anti-bride. In short, we make brides look good in places where one wouldn’t normally place a bride and in poses you wouldn’t normally pose a bride! It’s like using your left hand when you’re a righty, or eating dessert first. Get it?

The Summer 2012 installment will be a lesson in being uninhibited behind the lens, and putting your mad photog skills to use in shooting an uncommon focal subject. This season’s Trash the Dress will be a mix of high fashion and truly getting down ‘n dirty. I will be putting together another all-star ensemble of stylists, models and luxury accessories… stay tuned! Check out the fun that was had by our lovely group in Spring 2011––I promise this time it will be far warmer!

For those photographers who are not in Chicago, we’re sorry you’ll miss out on the fun! If you have shot Trash the Dress sessions for clients, I would love to see some of your best work! Send me some pics and you just may be featured in an upcoming blog post!

NEED TO KNOW:

There is a maximum limit of 30 photographers per day. There will be three models per day*. Parking can be tricky in both meeting locations, so please allow for extra time. For up-to-the-minute updates, join our Facebook group here!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11th (10am to 1pm): $100.00

Get ready for some hipster-hawking as we crawl the artsy, boheme streets of Wicker Park. Surely, this eclectic neighborhood will provide a colorful backdrop for our models to trash the dress! Let’s meet in front of Penny’s Noodle Shop (1542 North Damen Avenue). Register now for August 11th!

 
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 12th (10am to 1pm): $100.00

Come frolick with us (and some beautiful models) around Hyde Street Beach. A little sun, sand, and surf never hurt any wedding dress! Let’s meet at the corner of East 57th Drive and South Everett Avenue. We will then head over to the beach together. Register now for August 12th! 

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Or, register for BOTH DAYS now and get a special rate of $160.00 for both days!

 
*Open casting call for models:
  • Size 2 female models (experience required)
  • Male models (experience not required, but must own a suit)
  • Real life couples are welcome, as well.

You must submit a recent photo for consideration to [email protected].

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Posted in family,lifestyle

 

This little family looks like they jumped of the pages of an Eddie Bauer catalog, no? They are not only awesome eye candy but also superbly genuine people! I can say this without pause because Amber and Brett are long-time clients (see here and here), but also friends.

Amber here is a hot mama who also happens to be a nurse. Or is it the other way around? Brett manages at State Farm, and the two are the doting parents to Brayden, one year young! We spent the day shooting at LaBagh Woods, a lush forest preserve that is the perfect setting for a “picture-perfect vintage childhood” theme. The shoot was styled by my friend Elaine of Shadowbox Dreams, who came bearing fun red lips and bowtie props, vintage wooden chairs and gilded picture frames!

Brayden is spunky, energetic and very smiley! A photog’s dream! Oh, and he loves to eat. We learned that at Nellcôte, where we dined together with the hubs and the kiddos after a hard day’s work! A great time was had––on the clock and off––but that’s easy when you have such good friends slash clients!

Does it seems like I’ve been doing more and more family shoots lately? It feels like a natural progression––from weddings to families, right? Having my own little family now makes me undertake these types of shoots from a new perspective––I recognize all the precious little nuances of interaction between mama and baby, baby and dad, mom and dad. Hopefully, my experiences as a mother lend a bit of a Midas touch to the lens. What do you think?

xo, Melissa

 

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