Rayola family photos: Channahon IL

The Rayola family also asked me to stop by a family birthday party and grab some shots of the extended family together. Here are the five cousins.

And goofy poses of the extended family.

Weber family photos: Yorkville IL

The Weber family is tops among my favorite families to photograph. They have a large family, and all their kids have such diverse personalities. This photo shoot was for mom Heather's extended family, but also to update the Weber's own shots. The setting was a favorite of theirs, and it has quickly become a favorite spot of mine as well. Although it was a bit cold that day, the Weber family played in the leaves like the troopers they are.

Tim and Teresa rock the dress photos: Naperville IL

Jim and Megan engagement photos: Chicago IL

I just love a good engagement shoot. And this was it! Megan is such a goofball and she really brings out the big kid in Jim. As avid Cubs fans that live in the city, there couldn't have been a better location than Wrigley Field and its surroundings.

 We also worked in a nod to the band that brought these two together with a little ode to Dave Matthews.

We were even able to convince a local business owner to change his signage to reflect Jim and Megan's wedding date. Chicago is such an accommodating city!

Tim and Teresa engagement photos: Chicago IL Naperville IL

Engagement shoots are my absolute favorite type of shoot. There is nothing sweeter than that time when it is all about how much love is spinning around those two people. I was lucky enough to be asked to shoot three locations for Teresa and Tim: downtown Chicago, downtown Naperville, and the bride's backyard.

Okay, I'm really about the portraits, but this ring shot is an all-time favorite of mine. Yowzers!

These amazing purpley-red gates have since been removed, but as we strolled by on our way to catch the El, I yelled, "Stop!!! We have to grab a shot here."

I love the painterly-effect created here by the lighting of an overcast day and the super steady hands of the father-of-the-bride.

This classic spot was near a top contender for their wedding reception.

That ring!

And sometimes you get some goofy photobombers that just won't leave your shot. Tim and Teresa were so chill about it and just giggled at my funny face-pulling.

The bride and her mom are like master gardners, especially compared to me. I kill off anything I look at.

The bride is crazy in love, with Tim and with anything purple, so I thought this doorway would be a fun setting.

A favorite shot of mine. From our Lincoln Park setting.