Magnifica Photography

Karen & Raf

MagPhotoAdmn — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:04:24 +0000

I had the honor of shooting Karen and Raf’s wedding in November in New Jersey. I was really lucky in that I ended my year with two weddings that had special meaning for me – Karen is my former college roommate back in our theatre student days at Urbana-Champaign. I also had the privilege of shooting their engagement session exactly a year to the day in 2010.

Getting ready at the Westin.

Sexy shoes!

Gorgeous flowers by Avenue Flowers and Gifts.

Karen used her mom’s veil for the Filipino veil ceremony they incorporated into the ceremony. They also spent hours on the fantastic pew decorations!

Their church was a gorgeous little chapel off the main church that kept the intimate feel they were wanting to maintain.

I teared up over this!

Skyline shot of New York!

Their reception was held at Michael Anthony’s – wonderful waterfront location with a view of NYC. Karen and Raf chose a beautiful array of glass candlesticks for their centerpieces.

Custom metal/silver cake topper.

First dance.

Like the wedding the previous weekend, I was super excited to have the opportunity for a trash the dress session, this time in New York City itself. A quiet moment for the two of them.

I think this is my favorite shot. AWESOME!

We had a few minutes where I had Karen to myself… strut that stuff!

Thank you guys! It was fun and an honor, and I wish you many, many happy years ahead of you!

Genna & Justin

MagPhotoAdmn — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:25:22 +0000

Genna and Justin got married on a lovely weekend in early November in Raleigh, North Carolina. I know Justin from his early days when he lived in South Africa – his family was very close to mine, so it was a complete honor to be asked to shoot their special weekend.

Getting ready.

Gorgeous bride.

Genna had the most incredible details on her day. This is the detail on her dress, a gorgeous complement to their reception setting.

Sexy shoes!

On the way to the church.

Post wedding. We stopped at an awesome bar for some fun pictures before heading back!

Beautiful flowers.

Raleigh skyline.

So for this shot I asked the guys to replicate the famous Beatles Abbey road shot. Lets just say I never got it. I love it when the guys get goofy.

Sexy ladies. Took direction a smidge better!

The reception was held at the North Carolina Museum of Art. What an absolutely stunning venue – check it out if you ever get a chance!

They have an entire garden of Rodin sculptures.

Caught the tail end of a stunning sunset.

Cupcakes made by one of Justin’s roommates. The cake topper was wheel parts – a big part of their day’s details were inspired by bikes, as they met in a bike shop where Justin was working.

Speeches. Loved the giant grass wall art behind them.

First dance; the tree behind them is a moving projection. Beautiful.

The day afterwards, before I hopped on a plane back to Chicago, we went out to the farm where Justin has been living and did a trash the dress session. Trash the dress is not really destroying the dress – its more an opportunity to wear your dress again in situations you either didn’t have time for or wouldn’t have wanted to do on your actual day – like wandering around a farm

Their dog spotting them!

Thank you SO MUCH for having me out – it was a such a treat and honor to be a part of your day.

Amy & Bryan

MagPhotoAdmn — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:47:48 +0000

This year I have shot at some really amazing locations, and this was no exception. Amy and Bryan’s wedding was held at the Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum. Amy’s getting ready room was almost like a fairy tale turret.

They chose to see each other before the ceremony. Their love and excitement was palpable – I found myself choking up a little too!

Some fun and games. Light was beautiful that morning, it had been very hazy and foggy when I got up, but the fog dissipated before I arrived. Beautiful flowers by Bella Flora.

Amy and Bryan are pilots, so as they recessed their guests tossed paper airplanes.

Bryan’s mother has an incredible eye for detail – she made all the table numbers and the gift card box.

First dance – love this glowy soft light!

Father-daughter dance.

Opening the dancing with the hora!

At the end of the day I took them outside for a few last minute shots – and the limo called while we were out. Lovely moment.

Thank you guys! It was an honor to share your day with you!

Angie & Gary

MagPhotoAdmn — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 02:13:55 +0000

Angie and Gary had their wedding day on a beautiful clear day in September. I met Angie at the church where she was getting ready with her mom and family members.

An emotional moment in the middle of preparations.

Getting the veil just right.

Flowers by Sandwich Floral. The color scheme for the wedding was black and white, so Angie had them incorporate sprays of beads into her white lilies.

Angie also wore these stylin’ flip flops down the aisle.

Ceremony.

After the ceremony and recieving line, we headed over to the reception hall, South Point Banquets, for pictures. Light was absolutely gorgeous!

Back inside – some detail shots.

A quiet moment with her dad.

First dance.

After catching the garter, this guest decided to aim it back at the groom…

Checking out the rings on the dance floor.

Thank you so much for having me shoot your day! It was an honor!

Avery

MagPhotoAdmn — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:44:35 +0000

Avery is six months old and is sitting up on her own now. What a happy little face!

Great tummy time…

The tutu was a bit puzzling for Avery, but we still got a really sweet shot of her in it!

And of course the really sweet outfit that her mother found!

Thank you so much for having me out!

Hannah

MagPhotoAdmn — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Hannah is one of the happiest babies. She had a smile every time she looked my way (or maybe I’m just that funny.. )

At six months she is sitting up on her own…

…though standing up is currently needing assistance, but she’s working on it!

She made it all the way through to the end, all the way to her first time experiencing sand on a beach.

Thanks so much for having me out

Alex – 3 months

MagPhotoAdmn — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I met Alex’s parents when they asked me to shoot their wedding so I was honored that they asked me to capture their new addition’s milestones.

Alex is also one of those babies who just seems so happy! He also had the most awesome serious looks too (with just a hint of mischieviousness). Guys, I think you might be in trouble!

Cute feet!

Just hanging out!

There’s that REALLY happy baby smile that is just impossible to resist.

What a little man.

Can’t wait to see you guys in a few short months! Thanks for having me out!

Kate and Ben

MagPhotoAdmn — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:11:57 +0000

Kate and Ben’s wedding dawned lovely and cool after several weeks of crazy hot weather. I met Kate at the hotel she was getting ready at and was greeted by the lovely bride and her gorgeous dress.

Cute shoes!

Beautiful flowers by FlowersFlowers.

The ceremony and reception were held at the Women’s Club of Evanston. Gorgeous location with tons of beautiful light!

Kate and Ben opted for cupcakes instead of a traditional cake. Some of the cupcakes, provided by Molly’s Cupcakes, were displayed on a gorgeous wire tree which held filled champagne flutes at the beginning of the reception and then were switched out for empty upside down flutes on which the cakes were balanced. Yum!

Kate is a stage manager, so it was entirely appropriate to grab some backstage shots on the stage in the reception hall.

It was a joy to shoot your day! Thank you so much!

Ellie 3 months

MagPhotoAdmn — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:25:38 +0000

Time flies! Look at this little cutie at her three month session.

It was pretty hot but we snuck outside for a few pictures as well.

Love the assortment of hats her mother had at the ready. Hats can really complete the look and finish the outfit.

Baby Ellie in her outfit in anticipation for her baby-naming ceremony.

Ellie is growing so fast – I look forward to her 6 month portraits!

Thanks for having me out!

The E Family

MagPhotoAdmn — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 05:47:38 +0000

I was excited when Amy contacted me before the birth of their second child. I had shot their family portraits in 2009 and now with Josh’s younger sister and his boundless energy, it made for a really different dynamic. Cantigny is a great place for running and exploring…

Mom and daughter.

Siblings!

Of course the best part of the whole time for Joshua was being allowed to play in the fountain at the end!

It was so much fun hanging out with you guys! Thanks for having me come out!