Jenna Cole Photography-Chicago, IL » Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

I introduced them to the idea of a “first look” and they were willing to give it a try. So worth it.

The first look caused a few tears on Nick’s part. So sweet!

Time to let the bustle down. Nick jumped right in to help figure out how it worked.

Getting married in the freezing cold of winter is worth it for this gorgeous light and warm fluffy coats, don’t you think?

After some time spent doing portraits with just the two of them, family and friends started to show up, letting us know it was time to head inside to get married! Love that you can see their friends and family gathered in a big group behind them on the photo on the right.

No photos are allowed inside of the LDS temple so I didn’t photograph the actual ceremony, but I was ready and waiting for them for the big moment when they made their public debut as husband and wife.

The entire group that celebrated with them that day.

I won’t explain what is happening here. I think it’s funnier if you don’t know.

Halfway through the day we realized that the bouts and corsages that had been purchased for photos were still sitting in the car. Melissa stepped forward to help her new husband put on his boutonnière.

She wasn’t as successful as she hoped so mom stepped forward to finish the job.

These two cuties are getting married soon themselves. Maybe you’ll see them on Jenna Cole in the near future?

Melissa’s parents. Awwwwwww!

All of the sudden the madness began.

Nick’s brothers picked up the bride.

Nick’s dad picks up the groom.

And the bridal party ended things when they tried (very unsuccessfully) to pick up the groom as well.

On their first meeting he pushed her into the fountain. Or maybe it was she who pushed him? On the left we have “she said” and on the right “he said”. I’m thinking Melissa really looks like she knows what she is doing when it comes to pushing people in fountains!

Kudos to their family for standing outside in the cold for so long without complaining.

After the group portraits were complete, Nick and Melissa and myself moved over to Celestial Park (LDS readers will likely appreciate the irony of this location like we did ) to spend a few more hours doing portraits with the bride and groom. The light was dreamy, they were giddy with excitement,

Nick took the wedding bands out of the luggage back in Arizona but forgot to put them back in again and so an emergency trip to the mall was in order. Of the three rings you see here, one is “real” the other two are from Claires. Can you guess which is which?

THAT SHOT!

Which one? I don’t care I love them both. Real laughter. Real love.

A very merry Christmas to all of you, and to the newlyweds Melissa and Nick. As I told you beforehand, I love doing bride/groom portraits on the wedding day, so I loved every moment spent with you. Thank you.

Best,

Jenna

I suggested this arm placement, but she added in the head tilt. Kimberly and I are a good team.

I adore the pure joy on her face in this one.

Definitely one of my favorites from the session. She reminds me of a ballerina here, though I can’t quite figure out why.

Look at that bustle! If I were to wear that dress I’m not sure I would ever want to stop spinning.

Want to see how amazing the light (+ new camera + pro lens) is at the Meyerson?

SOOC

And the Fine Art Edit. I like the higher contrast of the one below, but the SOOC shot is rather lovely right out of the camera I think.

Kimberly is a master of that soft, slightly open mouth smile. Definitely not something everyone can manage (including myself).

My favorite details. Her bouquet came from Central Market and they put the cream ribbon and the pearls on as part of the purchase. So lovely, and the perfect accent for her bridal look.

Kimberly’s ring came from her grandparents. Her grandpa owns a jewelry business, and when she got engaged her grandma took her aside and showed her a box of rings, letting her know she could have whatever she chose. Lucky girl, right?

I recently learned about a new photograhic technique called the “Brenizer  Method” and Kimberly was nice enough to let me test it out at her session. I still have a few things to learn, but I love the results and I’ll be doing it at other sessions in the future.

Mom came along to act as reflector holder (aka, my assistant, thanks mom!), personal groomer, and posing consultant. It’s always nice to have an extra pair of hands helping me to watch for funky veil placement, stray hairs, or dry lips.

Sometimes, I like to photograph reality as much as I like to photograph pretty, graceful, glowing clients. Looking this good is a lot of hard work you know!

THAT SHOT!

It’s the shoes that do it for me here I think. Another ballerina moment.

I made sure to get lots of pictures of her bouquet. Even if her wedding day bouquet looks nothing like this, she still paid good money for it and our shoot was less than 2 hours long. An investment like that deserves a good amount of camera time I think!

The biggest reason to love the Meyerson can be seen below. There aren’t many locations that provide a completely neutral background like this one, unless you’re working in a studio filled with hot lights.

I think Kimberly’s mom’s words were: “Every girl should have a photo of herself with flowers near her face.” I couldn’t agree more.

I couldn’t decide whether I liked this shot best in black&white or color, so I included both to end the post. I think I’m leaning toward the black&white, what about you?

Kimberly,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for going down to the Meyerson in person the day before to find out if shooting there was really possible. I hope you’ll agree that this was the best possible location we could have chosen for that day, with your dress, with you as the subject. So happy we did this for the chance it gave us to better get to know each other, and of course because of the beautiful images that resulted. See you in a few weeks!

Best,

Jenna

Something blue tucked in the bridal bouquet.

The boys were ready first (big surprise, right?) so we had ample time to do portraits with them, something that definitely didn’t happen with the girls. After doing the traditional sets of group shots (groom with best man, groom with ushers, etc,) we were able to round up enough sunglasses for some “secret agent” style portraits in the sun.

A few minutes before the ceremony started the bridesmaids were ready (although the bride still wasn’t), so I sent them out one-by-one for individual portraits. I love the bright blue of their dresses against the pretty green background.

I never did get any time with Elizabeth before the ceremony started, but I did get some face time with Casey. He has such a natural, easy-going smile, portraits with him is an easy experience.

I gave Elizabeth strict instructions not to get in her dress until Was in the room with her, and I designated a runner to dash out and tell me when hair and makeup were done so I could scurry back in for one of my favorite wedding day moments. Elizabeth gets triple cool points because she let me join her in the dress dive!

You look gorgeous here Elizabeth!

Love the looks on both their faces. Both so nervous and excited about what’s to come.

See the light shaft pointing right toward the cross? I admit, it was a happy accident, but I’ll take all the happy accidents I can get.

These two didn’t just kiss. They KISSED.

This sunflare added a nice little twist to the “bridesmaids pick up the groom” shot.

One of my favorites from their wedding day. I believe the bridesmaid on the left is the mom of the flower girl you saw above. Look at those gams!

By the time we did all of the group shots, wedding party shots, and bridal party shots, we were already late to the reception but I begged Elizabeth and Casey for just a few minutes of portraits of just the two of them. I knew they would regret it if they didn’t have any formals of the two of them together on their wedding day!

Casey slipped off to the bathroom before they drove off to the reception and I jumped at the chance to get a few portraits of Elizabeth by herself on her wedding day.

Once I started with her cute face it was tough to stop, but I knew it was time when this look came out. Doesn’t this just scream “Jenna, I want to get to my reception now!”

They did their first dance upon entering the reception, which is personally my favorite way to begin the festivities.

The groom’s cake had me salivating. A mountain of chocolate and strawberries? Yes please!

Did they or didn’t they? What do you think?

A certain song by Miley Cyrus was playing here. I admit, I was singing along and shaking my booty a bit as well. In the most professional way possible of course.

Sisters.

THAT SHOT!

Mother and daughter sharing a moment on the dance floor. Oh how I adore the sweet emotion you see on both their faces.

I always like to see guests really go for the bouquet/garter, it makes the pictures much more exciting.

These girls were definitely serious about catching the bouquet!

Casey not only took off the garter with this teeth, he took things one step farther by crawling toward Elizabeth on his hands and knees at the outset.

My other favorite part of the garter/bouquet toss? The people who only act like they are trying. Guy on the right, I know you can do better than that!

I look terrible awesome by this point in the night, but that doesn’t stop me from requesting a quick photo with the happy couple.

Elizabeth and Casey, thanks so much for letting me spend your wedding day with you. Your ceremony was heartfelt and real, and it really set the tone for the rest of your day. Enjoy the rest of your new life together!

Best,

Jenna