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

Meet Emily and Martin.

Emily designs jewelry.

Martin is a photographer. *Gulp* And not just any kind of photographer, the kind of photographer who worked for National Geographic for over a decade. I’ve barely forgiven Emily for keeping this from me until the day of the shoot.

Emily and Martin were the last of my free sessions (done in an attempt to build up my portfolio very quickly) and I’m happy they ended up on the tail end of that part of my career because they ended the gratis work with a bang.

Oh yeah, and meet Ruby. We can’t forget darling Ruby!

This is not an advertisement for Starbucks. They just go here a lot so I wanted to try something new.

That pink tongue! That red hair! That green necklace! I want it all. Even the pink tongue. And especially the red hair.

Oh, and I want the button nose. But I’m not sure I could make it work like Ruby does.

I wanted to do these pictures on the bench across the street with less “clutter” in the background, but Emily wanted to do the pictures on this bench instead. Evidently the first time Martin and Emily kissed it was in a parking garage. And she kissed him. And then he ran away.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! That’s sock you in the face kind of color.

And then Emily brought out the red Vespa. Emily and Martin met when Emily was working at the Vespa store and so I love that they included hers in the shoot.

I can’t help myself around gorgeous rings. Sometimes I decide to stop focusing on the face and take a moment to drool over the bling!

THAT SHOT!

I mean, seriously “j’adore” in the background with the red scooter with the dog with the cuddle?

It just doesn’t get any better than this my friends.

I realize all three of these shots look almost exactly the same, but I just couldn’t help myself. I love them mucho mucho!

Emily chose this as her Facebook profile picture and it makes me smile every time I see it. Ooops, did I just out myself as the kind of photographer who stalkers her clients on Facebook?

Anyone who has worked with me knows I spend a lot of time holding my camera over my head and shooting blind. This is the product of that little technique of mine, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

One more pretty ring picture.

We’ll end with a shot that will make all of the dog owners say “Awwww!” and all of the dog-free people say “Ewwww!”

Emily and Martin, I think your sessions ended up being incredibly sophisticated because the two of you are both so elegant and inspiring. Martin, thanks for taking the time to “talk shop” with me during some of the down time, and your kind words about my shooting techiques. I hope you are pleased with some of the photos as well. Enjoy your big day next month, I have no doubt that it will be as beautiful as teh two of you are.

Best,

Jenna

Fabulous. Stunning. Gorgeous. Inviting. Perfectly Executed. Between Michelle’s eye for detail and her coordinator Becky’s (of Stress Free Events) organization the event was flawless.

The couple floated into the reception on cloud nine.

They got started with the toasts while first and second course were served.

The Father of the Bride revealed a few secrets about the bride which were a surprise to everyone there, even the groom!

There were a few sweet tears to be seen as well.

Whenever the best man said “Hot Tub” in his toast, the bride did this. I have no idea.

Photobooth! Yeah, I visited no less than three times, twice all by myself. (Again future clients, I was a guest at this event, not the photographer. Don’t think I’ll be hogging your booth on your big day!)

The bride and her little sister.

I always love pictures of guests showing off their photobooth strips.

Michelle is a girl after my own heart, I always lick the knife after I cut the cake.

This was as close as they got to a cake-in-the-face smash.

Details, details, details!

THAT SHOT!

It’s the dress off the shoulder that does it for me.

Those flip-flops were getting in her way.

Once the first dance was done it was time to get down!

So many things happening in this photo. The bride on stage singing along with the band. The MOH in the left corner completely in the moment. Love.

Every time I look at this photo I laugh out loud. Look at the woman second from the left, she SOO wants that bouquet!

I’d faint over those gams too.

Compared to the enthuisasm seen in the bouquet toss shot the boys are sorely lacking. I had a secret crush on the Zac Efron look-a-like catching the garter on his toe.

And it was back to the dancing again!

All too soon it was the last dance, and the bride and groom gave it everything they had.

As they drove away at the end of the night Patrick pulled a “Look Ma, no hands!” move.

2nd favorite shot of the night. So glad you didn’t end up falling out Michelle, but a little bit of danger and fear made for a great shot for me.

Michelle and Patrick, thank you for letting me come down and enjoy your wedding. You were wonderful hosts and I had an absolute blast. I hope this isn’t the last we see of each other!

Best,

Jenna

Weddingbee brides are known for their attention to detail and Michelle was certainly no exception. I was able to stuff my camera bag full of goodies like Sour Skittles and Cheddar Bunnies to keep me running on full steam into the night thanks to her fabulous welcome bags.

The first event on my itinerary that day was a stop by the salon where Michelle, her mother, and her bridesmaids were getting ready for the day. I loved the space for it’s plentiful natural light. Can you spot a hint of Jenna Cole in this photo?

Michelle had been stressing about the weather in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and the monsoon conditions the day of the rehearsal probably didn’t help matters much, but I didn’t see a single trace of that the morning of the wedding. She was ready.

While those gorgeous ladies went back to the hotel to continuing getting ready I went back to my own room for a nap. One of the benefits of shooting for free as a guest is that you can work breaks into your day.

I showed up at Oak Hills Country Club just in time to witness one of my favorite parts of the wedding day – the bride putting on her wedding dress. I’m a big fan of Michelle’s dress as the sleeves are quite similar to my own, and I was a pearl necklace wearing bride as well.

Michelle was so cute and started jumping around for joy the moment she had her dress on. She yelled “I don’t have to be careful anymore because it’s my wedding day. I can do whatever I want in my dress now!”. Her bridesmaids reminded her that she still had to walk down the aisle and so she calmed down a little bit.

Who knew that putting on a veil could require so much assistance?

When I stepped outside and saw the ceremony site, I actually gasped. Out loud. Like this “Oh wow!” This picture, sadly, doesn’t even do it justice.

The groom watching his soon-to-be wife make her way up the aisle. It’s all in the eyes.

THAT SHOT!

Thank you darling flower girl for leaning forward just enough to make the magic happen.

This look made me laugh. What is this Michelle?

Husband and wife!

A quick post ceremony touch-up before the formal portraits.

Thanks to groom for snapping this lovely shot of Mrs. Avocado and Mrs. Lemonade together!

Being the free photographer/guest means I don’t get any bride and groom alone time to make those gorgeous portaits I love most. It just meant I had to be on my toes at all times to try and capture some beautiful candid moments.

An “accidental portrait” if you will. The bride turns to walk inside, I see the light, and I turn and shoot, crossing my fingers it will turn out.

Time for a glass of wine and some bustling so we can P-A-R-T-Y.

Yep, I partied right along with them.

Oh man, I just know I’m going to be one of those photographers who break up their wedding posts into multiple installments, but I can’t help it! Each wedding is a unique experience with a story just begging to be told.

These pictures were particularly hard to narrow down because of my personal connection to the bride. We’re both writers for the coolest wedding blog in existence, Weddingbee. She’s Mrs. Lemonade and I’m Mrs. Avocado, and I actually agreed to come down to her wedding before I got this crazy idea to put myself thousands of dollars in debt and launch a photography business. Once I had camera in hand I asked if she would be okay with me taking pictures of her fabulous wedding to beef up my portfolio. Of course she said yes (duh, who would say no to free pictures on their wedding day) and so I bought a hotel room, rented some lenses, and made what ended up being a 7 hour drive to San Antonio. Yes, I said 7 hours. It. Was. Miserable.

All of that misery was forgotten however when I walked into La Fogata for their insanely awesome fiesta weekend-birthday party-rehearsal dinner.

Oh but wait, I hadn’t ever met the bride and groom in real life. Where were they? Luckily I had seen a few pictures of the two of them through Michelle’s blogging so I didn’t have to wander around the event asking “Can you tell me who the bride is?”

Meet Michelle and Patrick.

Right as dinner started I made the mistake of asking what the brightly colored eggs on the table were for. Anyone been to San Antonio and experienced these eggs for yourself?

As soon as I asked the question Michelle’s father reached over and smashed on on top of my head! I learned quickly that the hollowed egg shells are filled with colorful confetti and thrown and cracked on unsuspecting subjects heads.

Even the bride was targeted several times that night!

This giant sombrero was passed around the room several times throughout the night, and the groom seemed to be everyones favorite victim.

This is the cutest, right?

Nope, THIS is the cutest!

THAT SHOT!

I ended up sipping on the most delicious fancy drink I’ve ever had (virgin of course). I think I drank 3. Maybe 4.

Oh and if you’re stressed about me coming to your event and drinking all your drinks, remember I was really a guest with a camera in hand this weekend! Lucky me, right?

My favorite part was when we were serenaded. Oh, and I don’t think I mentioned yet that it was the groom’s birthday that night!

I was drooling over this Diana. How can I convince my husband that a Diana is a necessary part of my photography toolkit?

After a little bit of prodding Michelle and Patrick treated all of us to a little-bit-flirty and little-bit-sultry dance.

Once dinner was over they started a really sweet slideshow with pictures from Michelle and Patrick’s childhood through the present day.

2nd favorite shot of the night. The two lovebirds enjoying their slideshow.

As the night  wound down it was time for wedding party gifts.

On top of everything else we had experienced that night it was time for one last sweet treat, giant cupcakes from Costco.  With an extra special set for the birthday boy, which he was quite excited about.

I admit it. I enjoyed one myself. Or two.

Two more installments to go! I’m very excited to share the rest of this gorgeous wedding with you.

Jenna Cole has been getting some wonderful press lately, and I wanted to send a shoutout to those who have taken notice and taken the time to send some traffic my way. What better way to pay them back then to send some traffic their way?

I loved Rock n Roll Bride when I was a bride and I admit it’s one of the few wedding blogs I’m still reading on a regular basis. Kat finds the BEST inspiration and I’ve been waiting for the right shoot to send her way. I knew that Mary, with her cigar, aviators, tattoo, and gun would be perfect and Kat agreed. Thanks Kat!

I can’t understand what Sarah was saying about Kate and Adam’s photo but I think she liked it. Thanks to The Perfect Wedding!

Trendsetting Wedding chose one of Kate and Adam’s photo as well. Head on over to find out which one it was!