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

As a fellow photographer, Mary was a little more willing than most to just “wing it” in terms of location. She told me where she lived, I zoomed in on a good starting point using Google Maps and said “We’ll start here and drive until we find something good.” I’m not quite sure how I would run this business without Google Maps actually…

So I met up with Mary and Mary (hereafter known as Cousin Mary) at 7-Eleven and we started driving, hoping we would find something good before we ran out of light. We passed a few spots that looked okay, and one fenced off wheat field that looked promising (fenced off = trespassing necessary), but we kept driving a little farther, and then just a little bit farther than that, and then we found IT. An old abandoned house with porch, barns, pastures, and the most perfect grove of new trees I have ever lain eyes on.

Okay, obviously I loved this shoot. I think it’s time to introduce you to Mary with a pretty picture. I have a feeling Mary and I are going to be spending a lot of time together in the near future. You’ll have to wait a little bit longer to find out how!

We were shooting on the porch of this old house when I looked over and shouted “Spider!” Tarantula would have been more accurate, since this was the biggest creature with 8 legs I have ever been privilege to witness in real life. Of course I was the smart one who walked on the board across from it, causing the board to raise up and the creature to go shooting across the porch. We didn’t stay in that spot much longer.

I readily admit that I am not a tattoo person, but I do think the back of her dress frames her ink perfectly. And don’t you love the way the red accents on my antique chair match her red shoes?

I realize that this photo and the one below it are almost identical, but I just love them both so much. What an unbelievable spot for this bride, in this dress. Mary, I’m not sure this fabulousness could ever be duplicated by anyone else.

THAT SHOT! x10

I freely admit to stalking my own photos when clients put them up on their Facebook accounts and I laughed out loud when one of Mary’s friends commented on this picture and asked “I’m sorry, did you just pop out of a fairy tale?”

She most certainly made that veil all by herself, and the fascinator came from Craigslist.

Obviously I really loved this fascinator. Awesome find Mary!

I’m also working on incorporating interesting angles and perspectives. I think the alternative framing really works here.

Am I allowed to say I think she has a hot body? Is that inappropriate?

Because seriously Mary, I would love to look like that in any dress, particularly one as unforgiving as yours. You are my own little Grecian Goddess.

On America’s Next Top Model, Nigel always says he is looking for a “muse”. I think I’ve found one in Mary! Purrrrty.

There’s that tattoo again. It’s really growing on me.

Cousin Mary makes her debut on the blog! She’s such a cutie and made for the perfect hair and wardrobe consultant for Mary the Bride.

Cousin Mary also frequently became the pack horse. And she did it with a smile on her face because she is fabulous like that!

Pictured with wheat bouquet that Mary the Bride also made herself. She’s a crafty one I tell you, don’t you think her wedding will be fabulous?

2nd Runner-up for That Shot. Gah! You’re killing me here with your cuteness Mary.

Mary ran through a cow pasture in kitten heels. That deserves some kind of prize, right?

We jumped in the car as the sun was fading to try to grab a few more. Look at the way her dress falls in the back. Dreamy isn’t it? I like it even better than a train!

I said “Props?” and Mary came up with gun, guitar, and aviators. So she’s brave (the spider), crafty (the bouquet and veil), and fly.

SOOC!

Before

After:

My, my, my. This seems like the kind of bridal image a fiance would love most, no?

A little bit of 70′s action felt appropriate here.

I like the irony of the slight pink tint from TRA2 Lith-E-Yum that adds a little bit of irony to this shot.

When she put those glasses on, she BROUGHT IT. I love how committed she was.

Apparently that orange tip lets people know this isn’t really a dangerous gun? I don’t know anything about guns so I was a little nervous to have it pointed directly at me. If I had known what the orange tip meant I would have photoshopped it out, but as it stands I like the pop of color it gives.

I wanted to get close but those darn aviators were so reflective. I tried to hide behind her hair, but Cousin Mary is on the left side as well…

So gave up trying to hide and went ahead and did a self portrait.

And some exciting news to end this post…

I’ll be shooting Mary’s wedding in October! I’m thrilled that she was able to make it work with her budget (she’s very frugal and I admire that!). Mary, it’s going to be a fabulous day and I’m honored to be able to spend it with you. I look forward to seeing you and Cousin Mary again soon!

Best,

Jenna

Daci and Yoni take the prize as my favorite engagement session yet. We stumbled on a killer location (found randomly using Google Maps), and developed a sort of a “P” theme. Puppy, picnic, photo frame, parasol, puddles, peacock, and of course lots ‘o passion.

Can you believe this was one of the first frames I snapped? The two of them are incredibly natural in front of the camera. Don’t you love their cute little puppy Ike with his tongue wagging in the background behind them?

These two met at LSU – they were both officers in Hillel (a Jewish organization).  Daci was secretary, and the “minutes” that he typed up and sent out to everyone were really funny – and that’s when Daci knew he was the one.

Their wedding is on June 28 in Baton Rouge, LA. When they showed up that day they revealed that they are actually trying to get their wedding announcement in the New York Times. We took the requisite “eyebrows on the same level” headshot and they sent in their application. They are two Jews getting married in the South, which according to them happens… never. They would have been the first Jewish wedding in Baton Roughe in 4 and a half years but an elderly couple were married last year and ruined that part of their story. They are getting married in a sanctuary that was destroyed in Hurricane Rita. They are the first couple married in the sanctuary in approximately 14 years. I think that’s quite the selling point don’t you?

THAT SHOT!

I am absolutely head over heels in love with this image. I lurrrvvveeee it.

Ike was scared to death of this log and it was absolutely hilarious! Daci told me he also very, very afraid of hats.

SOOC!

Before:

After:

Aren’t photos like this fun?

Ike was starting to get a little bit antsy so we took him back to the car. While they were loading him I took the opportunity to grab a ring shot in one of the stumps near the cars. Isn’t Daci’s ring stunning?

Somethin’ a little bit edgy.

Daci brought a bunch of props along, this pretty parasol being one of them. I love props and encourage ALL of my clients to bring them along to their shoot.

Stunning.

I was a little bit giddy about this spot with the tall grass. See what I mean about these two being natural models?

Another prop that Daci pulled out of her trunk was this photo frame. We tried to come up with a non-cheesy way to use it. I only got one shot I really liked out of the setup, but I love the pose they settled into so naturally.

As we were shooting one of them pointed oveer toward the road and said “Peacock!” Ummm… what?

They were right, there really was a peacock strutting around across the street. We had a delightful time chasing after him and I am absolutely delighted with what I captured. Her dress is the perfect accessorry to his pretty feathers!

The biggest reason why this is my favorite engagemet shoot thus far — these two let me do a little bit of expirementing with some ideas I’ve been dreaming up.

I bought this 1970′s Emily Post weddiquette book at the library and brought it along. Yoni brought his anatomy book out from the car and this shot — which so perfectly describes what wedding planning is like for most couples — was born. I will say tht Yoni strikes me as the type of groom that would be very hands on and involved in the planning process. More than anything this shot was born of my own imagination, not the reality of their situation!

I gave them an apple ‘cuz I’m nice like that. Apparently they are both left-handed. How often does that happen?

You all know how much I love to encourage my couples to go at it a little bit. I haven’t had anyone turn me down yet.

HOT HOT HOT.

These two drove 3 WHOLE HOURS one way, just for this shoot. Apparently they’ve caught the travel bug and love to go on road trips together, using the code names Steve and Amy Patterson to avoid having to explain their They sent me the link to their travel blog, and it’s definitely a must read. Remember that sense of humor that made Daci fall for Yoni? You’ll find it all over their travelogue blog. I just spent 5 minutes laughing hysterically at his description of their attempt to get back over the border from Canada. Go read it. Really. And you’ll learn why Yoni loves Daci – she has got quite the sense of humor herself.

I’m pretty sure Yoni was telling her jokes about seeing peoples naked rear ends. She found it all very funny. I went *click click click*.

Can I have two nominations for THAT SHOT in one blog post?
I say yes, it’s my own blog.

THAT SHOT!

Daci, you are so unbelievably elegant. Really.

If that isn’t the sweetest…

As we were finishing up Daci pulled some wellies out of her trunk and asked if I would like to use them at all. Daci, you’re just killing me here. You look so innocent and so refined all at once.

Daci and Yoni, I’m terribly depressed that I won’t be joining you on the 28th for your Jewish spectacular of a wedding. Why didn’t I get this idea to launch a photography business, much much sooner? Idiot!

I enjoyed my time with you immensely, and it would be my pleasure to do it again sometime. A Trash The Dress? First anniversary shoot? Family shoot with Ike? Your first child’s Bat/Bar Mitzvah? Whatever it is, I’m there. Or you can comehere, since I know how much you two like to travel.

Only one more month to go until you two make it official. Enjoy the ride, newlywed life is the BEST.

Best,

Jenna

Kate has a blog. And her blog is called “That One Girl”. If you know me as That Bride and That Wife then you might understand why I LOVED Kate before I even met her. Putting “That” in front of your name or nickname makes you instantly cool in my book. I’ve had so much fun reading her blog, hearing all about her wedding and how the two of them met.

When Kate suggested we meet up at a park with “giant teddy bear statues” I felt a little nervous.What kind of a park were they taking me to?…

These two taught me it’s best to trust my clients and their instincts because Highland Park is not only gorgeous, it’s filled to the brim with variety and interesting texture and backgrounds. There were benches and bridges and water and trees and flowers and stairs and bushes (I could go on and on!), and I’m so glad they introduced me to this area of Dallas. This natural setting fits the two of them perfectly, since they describe themselves as a “green” couple trying to be environmentally conscious. They are getting married in her hometown, Sherman, TX in the church where she grew up in, First United Methodist, on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Adam is soooo sweet with Kate, always helping her up or down. We did all kinds of hiking under fences and down by the water, and Kate was such a trooper through it all while wearing high heels.

THAT SHOT!

See how gorgeous Highland Park is? I’ve got “Secret Garden” from Jerry Maguire running through my head every time I look at these two images.

When asked to name three quirky things about themselves, Kate used the word “nerdy”. Apparently after watching the Olympics the two of them were inspired to get their lung capacity tested. Nerdy? Heck no, I think that’s something I would like to try for myself!

Kate created these fabulous letters all by herself using wooden letters and scrapbook paper from the craft store. I asked her if she would be okay with me copying her idea, and I’m thinking about keeping a few sets in my car for other engagement sessions to use as well. She put up a tutorial on her blog if you are interested in making your own!

Kate changed shoes and my draw dropped. Hello fabulous! Don’t you love the contrast between her shoes and his pair?

Turns out the giant teddy bear statues weren’t so crazy after all, although we didn’t get very many good pictures with them since their was orange construction tape and fences all around.

Looking good Kate.

SOOC!

Before:

After:
I was originally editing this to be a black and white shot, but when I removed the black and white layer the colors popped right out at me and I realized I liked the color version even better.

And we’ll end with my second favorite of the day. I always love a good nuzzle.

Kate and Adam, I hope to see you again later this Fall. No matter what though, I’ll be following along with all of your adventures through your fantastic little wedding blog. Thanks for spending the afternoon with me, and for introducing me to this wonderful new location.

Best,

Jenna

If you have called or emailed me in the last few days and I haven’t responded it is due to all the medications I am on after my back surgery. I’m trying to limit my communication with the outside world until I sound a little less crazy, Jenna Cole on pain meds is very entertaining, but not very professional. I should be back up and running again by early next week!

Allison and Mike met in 2006 when he hired her to wait tables at the restaurant he managed at the time. It only took 2 weeks and a conversation about their mutual like of the movie Love Actually for us to start dating. Don’t you just love that movie? I cry every time I see the scene where Colin Firth’s character learns Portuguese for the girl he loves, and she learns English “Just in cases”. Any couple who falls in love over this movie gets an A+ in my book.

Mike is tall, really tall. I liked it.

The two of them are getting married on June 27th of this year at The Little Chapel in the Woods. Doesn’t that sound like the most adorable ceremony location?

And please take note of that sweet little heart bracelet dangling off of her wrist. Let me hear an “Awwwwww!”

Look at that smooch on the nose happening in the right photo. Hello adorable!

To give Allison a hug like this, Mike has to lean way over and stick his bum out a little bit. My husband does the same thing when he hugs me and it never fails to make me smile.

These two were up for pretty much anything, and only gave me one funny look when I suggested we wander into this random junk yard for a few shots. I managed to get this shot by balancing precariously on the edge of a trailer.

Allison and Mike are animal lovers– between the two of them they have a hound dog, a ragamuffin, and a kitty cat. (Basset Hound, Pekingese/Westie mix, and a grey tabby cat. What a handful that must be!

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a SOOC shot.

Before:

After:

Love that little pat on the bum she is giving him.

Allison brought along the perfect scarf for this bright aqua wall. I absolutely love the pop of color it gives.

Allison I think you should tell us all where you got that lipgloss. The color is perfect and I think I need some for myself.

THAT SHOT!

Look at Mike working it. You didn’t know he had that in him did you Allison?

This shot was taken right after we witnessed a strange domestic dispute involving a young girl pushing her bike and a black car driving up next to her and attempting to convince her to get in. It was awkward.

So sweet.

Mike, you told me the pictures weren’t as bad as you thought. What’s the puppy dog sad face for?

Allison, do you remember what Mike did to elicit this reaction from you? (I have a great picture of it, but I didn’t know if you would want it going up on the blog for everyone to see!)

As the sun was setting I asked Allison if she would like me to try and grab a ring shot for her. I’m going to guess her favorite color is blue?

I love how strong and masculine this pose makes Mike look. He’s really owning this photo (in the best kind of way!)

Second favorite of the day. I’m titling it “Gazing off into the future. They like what they see.”

When asked to describe themselves as a couple they replied and said they are “ridiculous, love to laugh together, and plan to do so until they are old and gray.” There is no doubt in my mind that you will end up doing exactly that. Thanks for the lovely afternoon you two.
Best,

Jenna