Dunnottar Castle at Dusk | Raw Love
Dunnottar Castle Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
These two are precious humans, whom I adore.
Their love is raw and their sweet joy can be felt by anyone who is in their presence.
The first time I met these newlyweds was literally in the Highlands of Scotland for a shoot when my friends were visiting from LA, Sheri and Nicole, and invited me to join them for a day trip! My main contribution was to suggest that we go to Dunnottar at dusk because of the cliffside views and the skies tones are some of my favorites in the country. It couldn’t have been a better setting to end a day in Scotland with friends visiting and to witness all of them seeing Dunnottar for the first time, under such beautiful dusk light. I honestly couldn’t have even told you their names before I captured these images of them on this day (I’m also just bad with names, it takes me a while, ha). Matt and Tamar are also a talented husband & wife photo/video duo I came to find out later! But there is something so lovely about simply meeting someone in person first before seeing their online presence or scrolling through their life before meeting them. I really love meeting with people in person, in passing. Face to face will always be the truest form of connection and authenticity, and these two’s love for each other was just that, deep and genuine. It was so apparent from the first day I met their bubbly selves cuddling on the mountainside. I just love their perseverance, their joy, their hope and their sweet and kind spirits. I’m so grateful to have met them in the Highlands on this day and for all of our hangouts since! So cheers to meeting people in person, developing genuine friendships and to couples endlessly in love and pursuing their dreams together!
Are you looking for an epic place to elope in Scotland? The outdoors in the Highlands of Scotland is the best Wedding Venue. Dunnottar Castle is the perfect backdrop for a wedding of elopement in Scotland. Dunnottar Castle is perfectly placed on the coast of Scotland and is perfect for couples traveling into Scotland to have an elopement in the Highlands of Scotland. If you are searching for a beautiful outdoor location for your elopement or wedding day in Scotland, Dunnottar Castle is lovely! I remember the first time I went to Dunnottar Castle. It was just to explore the beautiful Scottish coastline and was on a personal road trip to photograph this beautiful country. Dunnottar Castle stood beautifully in the distance as we pulled into the parking lot and I instantly fell in love with its majestic and stoic stance perfectly settled into the cliffside of the Scottish coast. I always love exploring new places in Scotland and those end up being the backdrop for many sessions in the future. Dunnottar Castle, I instantly knew would be a beautiful and romantic setting in Scotland for an engagement session or couples portrait session. I’ve seen many weddings and elopements captured at Dunnottar Castle and they are all so whimsical and lovely. If you are ever wanting any opinions on places to elope or have a wedding in Scotland, just let me know! I have so many outdoor wedding venue ideas in the highlands of Scotland that I stumbled upon, if you want a unique and remote Scottish wedding day or elopement. All in all, Dunnottar Castle will continue to be a beautiful location for an elopement or engagement, and if you need a photographer for your special day, please feel free to reach out. I would be honored to make something beautiful with you and your loved one in Scotland!
Engagement Photos | Joseph + Paiton
I’m so grateful to be able to shoot engagement photography! They are truly some of favorite sessions as there are two people about to get married exploring one of my favorite cities on this planet! This specific shoot took place on my rooftop in Wicker Park. Wicker Park is one of the best cities in Chicago for roaming around to find grungy walls, eclectic storefronts, amazing coffee shops and dirty alleys that make the most Vogue editorial backdrops for an engagement session. So if you ever need help knowing where to shoot your Engagement session in places that have loads of style, feel free to reach out to me on my contact page! I would love to help find the perfect place for you all and will happily scout with you and grab coffee, or can just email you some of my favorite locations! Also, If you are ever in need of someone to help you plan your wedding day, I will happily refer my favorite wedding planners in the city! Between Chicago, Scotland and London, I have such a good range of wedding venues to recommend in different countries and cities, so it’s always a good idea to look around, but I’m definitely biased towards a few Wedding venues and engagement session locations! You won’t be disappointed! Chicago and Edinburgh both have so many unique venues for anyone who has shopped around and haven’t quite found what you’re are looking for yet! There are so many warehouse venues, castles or historic pieces of land where you can create your own look and style for the perfect wedding that is uniquely you! And if you need any other wedding vendor referrals, from wedding florists to wedding venues to wedding videographers to hair and makeup artists, I am more than happy to send over my referral list! Cheers to wedding planning and the start of a beautiful new beginning with the one you love!
Head over to my contact page below if you want to reach out to chat with me more about your engagement session and wedding day!
Scotland Fashion Photographer | Glasgow Style Editorial Lookbook
Scotland Style Lookbook | Glasgow Fashion Photographer
I always find beauty in things that
are odd and imperfect, they are
much more interesting.
— Marc Jacobs
I love shooting fashion in Scotland. Being a fashion photographer is another love of mine, it’s nice to not only limit myself to capture weddings, but something I am also passionate about is fashion! Glasgow has some of my favorite street styles in this country! I photographed these six looks for a Glasgow street style lookbook that was inspired by an incredibly talented and artistic team of ladies in Glasgow! The Art Direction and Outfit Styling was by a local designer named Amanda Blackwood, who kicks butt in the pairing and layering of outfits and fun color palettes. The lovely model was Lauren Scott, who has the moves like Jagger as well as the looks to kill. Lauren’s hair styles were all done by the queen of hair, Emma Diamond, and the facial looks were all designed by the master of make-up, Claire Nisbet! Scroll down to view the creative collaboration of these ladies all throughout downtown Glasgow! This was my first of now multiple shoots with these ladies that I have done in Glasgow. The fashion scene in Glasgow, Scotland is honestly so inspiring. There is something about the individuals there that I really resonate with. It’s that sassy street attitude that comes out in their clothing, (not their personalities), that I love! I tend to only wear muted tones, but I love capturing any fashion that is inspirational, and even though a few of these street style looks include bold pops of color, I can appreciate them and be inspired by them. You never know what can inspire you, so never stop creating and finding people and places that you resonate with.
L O O K O N E
L O O K T W O
L O O K T H R E E
Featuring Glasgow Designer - Re-Jean Denim
L O O K F O U R
Featuring - Burberry Coat
L O O K F I V E
L O O K S I X
Art Direction + Stylist Amanda Blackwood // Model Lauren Scott // Hair Emma Diamond // Make-Up Claire Nisbet
If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your fashion line or lookbook, I would love to create something beautiful for you! Reach out on my contact page below!
VARCA | A Bridal Atelier
Chicago Wedding Dress Designer | Varca Bridal | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Sarah Varca is the boss lady behind the Bridal Atelier, Varca Bridal! She designs all of her gowns in her Chicago studio, in Logan Square, providing dresses for “the woman on her own level'“ all over this lovely planet. Sarah Varca’s bubbly yet sassy spirit really comes out in all of her gorgeous gowns. If you want to have fun and be seen feeling your best, go set up a consultation for an original gown by Varca or visit one of her stockists around the world! If you are ever in Chicago trying on wedding dresses, you can try on her beautiful wedding gowns over at Honey Bridal!
The two Varca wedding dresses below are called “The Nikki”, where the lace neck and puffy sleeved cape is removable, and the “Arabella Gown”, the one with all of the fluffy layers and white leather! These are part of Varca’s latest collection and I’m just amazed at the detail that went into them!
I’m just so grateful to photograph entrepreneurs, like Varca Bridal, who are doing amazing things, and creating beautiful masterpieces by hand and businesses from the ground up. So enjoy these beautiful bridal looks below and be on the lookout for future features on creative entrepreneurs that I am inspired by, coming to my website soon!
If you are ever in need of someone to help you plan your Chicago wedding day, I will happily refer my favorite Chicago wedding planners in the city! Chicago has such a good range of wedding dress boutiques, but Varca Bridal is one of my favorite designers in Chicago, and you must look at her gowns at Honey Bridal while you are dress shopping! You won’t be disappointed! Varca Bridal also designs custom wedding gowns for anyone who has shopped around and hasn’t quite found what they are looking for! You can find the store stockists on Varca Bridal’s website to see where you can try on her fabulous wedding dresses! And if you need any other Chicago vendor referrals, from Chicago wedding florists to Chicago wedding venues to Chicago wedding videographers, I’m more than happy to send over my referral list! Cheers to wedding planning and the start of a beautiful new beginning with the one you love! And make sure to go visit Varca Bridal’s website above to browse her gorgeous wedding dresses!
Jono Smart & Emily Stephen | Glasgow Pottery & Woodturner
Jono Smart | Scotland Pottery | Scotland Photographer
I am just in awe of these two,
individually and as a couple.
Lately, I have really enjoyed highlighting creatives that inspire me with their work. Needless to say, Jono Smart and Emily Stephen are true inspirations. Between their color palette, chemistry, passion for unique handmade pottery and wood sculpting skills along with their love for each other … I could easily spend time with these two refreshing souls daily.
Here are a few words from them below, in their own words, to truly understand the essence of what they do as a pair and individually (and also because I am not a writer, ha). //
“We are Jono Smart and Emily Stephen, a Scottish based couple who live and work together. Jono is trained as a garden designer and works as a potter. Emily is trained as an architect and works as a woodturner and in the pottery studio. We also combine efforts to make sculptural works and installations. Our studio is a showcase of the things we make and design, our home, our neighbourhood and the landscape we live in.
We decided to combine our two practices, everything you see coming out of the studio is the result of our collaboration. We are constantly talking about and designing new work together and we believe our work is improved through our collaboration. There is a natural harmony between clay and wood, between the tree and the ground it grew from.
Both of us have worked closely with nature. Emily, while working as an architect, designed simple timber buildings, that sat quietly in their landscape. Jono worked with trees, hedges, water, stone and flowers when designing gardens. In our current work as a potter and a woodturner we rely on nature for our material. We try to impose as little as possible upon our pieces. Allowing the natural surfaces of wood and clay to be at the forefront of all we do.” - Jono + Emily
I hope everyone enjoys these lovely moments of Emily Stephen, Jono Smart and their handmade pieces below. I’m so grateful to have been able to document this stage of their journey, as they have already grown into a larger studio space a few weeks after this session was captured. I’m so honored to have been able to capture all of the growth and forward motion that has taken place this last year in this beautiful space in Glasgow.
You can also keep up with their latest work on their website and Jono + Emily’s Instagram pages.
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Scotland
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Scotland Wedding Photographer
When I’m with you, I’m home.
My fiancé, Ross (who has the kindest heart and is the loveliest human I have ever had the privilege of knowing and loving) and I travel back and forth between our two cities regularly every few months. He is Scottish and lives in the beautiful historic city of Edinburgh and I am an American who lives in the stunningly modern city of Chicago.
With that said, when I visit Scotland, we road trip, multiple times a month when I’m in the country. Sometimes our travels consist of weekend flights to nearby countries (well relatively, to me) to France or to Ireland, sometimes we do long weekends away in the Highlands (the most consistent and always regular, to explore Scotland’s beautiful countryside), other times it’s day trips that we can take around the coast in the middle of Scotland.
However, of all of our trips we’ve taken together, we don’t go for the purpose of shooting but to just spend time together in new places, which is why this is the first post I’ve taken enough on my camera to share. I love capturing the land, but more so just seeing it with my eyes, in general, since I never grew up or experienced much of the outdoors as a child, and Ross…well he grew up in Scotland and was practically raised outdoors and would hike and be in nature with his family constantly. This blog post is a simple look into one of our many road trips taken together over the last few years. I also wanted to show some lovely scenes from a country that I currently spend half of my time living in and that I’ve fallen in love with over the last few years. I just love it. Although, I definitely don’t need to sell the majestic beauty of this place with my words, which I couldn’t do if I tried, so enjoy the images below. And if you haven’t yet, I highly suggest visiting Scotland. Just driving anywhere north in the country is beautiful, no location tag needed. It’s truly a beautiful land.
Ross is featured in this edition of Rucksack Magazine.
We never go on a trip without an Aeropress and a bag of local whole bean coffee.
We like crosswords + breakfast bagels.
The two above images were taken 2 minutes in between each other. This is Scottish weather at it’s finest.
We’re not super into the “tripod and formal pictures” being taken of us, but when it started pouring rain we ran to the overhang of this house for a bit and I saw our reflection when I was looking too hard inside the windows, ha. Thankfully, no one was home.
We stop at many small inns for soup + hot drinks on our road trips.
If you are searching for the perfect place to elope? Scotland is your country! Scotland elopements are becoming more and more popular. I have been visiting Scotland for many years before I moved here (part-time at the moment) and I have to say, I only love this country with every passing year. When I first started coming here I wasn’t capturing couples in the highlands or the mountains. But over the years, I have shot weddings, elopements, engagement sessions and portrait shoots from the Isle of Skye, to Glencoe, to remote villages, to Edinburgh and of all the way down to the Scottish Borders. If you need any consultation on where a good place in Scotland would be to elope, feel free to reach out to me! I would love to help you plan your elopement in Scotland. Choosing a mountain or location in Scotland to elope can be overwhelming with all of the options, but I have traveled all over the country for years, and just for my own personal photography ventures. I don’t wait until I get an elopement or wedding to explore this beautiful country. I love to explore new areas of Scotland just for fun. I always note beautiful ares that I think would be a perfect spot for an elopement or intimate wedding. All in all, if you are planning your elopement to Scotland and are looking for someone who loves the land as well as love, then I would be honored to help you capture your wedding day with your best friend. Feel free to send me an inquiry on my contact page and we can chat soon about how epic your Scotland elopement can be!
Tatiana Cabral Smith Jewelry | Fashion Lookbook
Tatiana Cabral Smith Jewelry | The Paris Market | Savannah, GA Jewelry Designer
Where to begin with Tatiana Cabral Smith? Well, for starters, her jewelry is just like she is; fun and one of a kind! Tatiana designs, sources the metal, cuts, welds and makes all of her custom pieces by hand in her studio in Savannah, GA. I’ve been lucky enough to know her ever since she married her husband, Isaac Smith, who is a long-time family friend and an incredibly talented musician! I still remember the first time she told me about a jewelry class she had started taking. It’s been so lovely to witness her journey progress from The Paris Market picking up her pieces, to her being involved in New York and LA Fashion Week, to now having many boutique stockists and a strong online client base. I’m just so proud to know this lady and I know she is still only in the early stages of her career. I’m continually inspired by friends who are not only wonderfully kind humans, but use their talents to give back. She is someone I truly look up to, and she feels like an older sister to me!
Below are some of the shots I took for her Spring 2019 editions. So check them out and then go purchase a few custom pieces from her online store!
Pictured above is Tatiana, the founder and maker of all things Tatiana Cabral Smith Handmade Jewelry.
Photographer Melody Joy Co. | Jewelry Tatiana Cabral Smith | Fabric Measure Fabrics | Models The lovely Amelia and Alfonsette
Porteous Studio | Edinburgh, Scotland
Porteous Studio | Scotland Rental Holiday Home | Edinburgh Photographer
Watch carefully the magic that occurs
when you give a person enough comfort
to just be themselves. - Atticus
Eilidh and Jack, of Izat Irundell, are the beautiful humans who created this serene and cozy space, quietly located in the center of Edinburgh. Its name is Porteous Studio. It encompasses who they both are and Porteous Studio was their first project working together as a couple. I truly appreciate the thoughtful details they included, from the local coffee beans in the cupboard to the custom furniture that was commissioned for the space. The textured design, the clean lines and the calming color palette all contribute to the experience of a stay at Porteous Studio. I’m so grateful to have spent a few days here and can’t wait for my next retreat in this beautifully designed getaway, nestled in the heart of my second home.
photography Melody Joy Co. | oak screens @56northkitchens | brass object @fionadeanartist | linen print @hayleymccrirrick | textured walls @clayworksclayplasters | clay pots @_rebeccaproctor | sofa @namongaston | toiletries Aēsop Skincare | coffee table read Rucksack Magazine | that delicious carrot cake | Love Crumbs
Scotland Elopement | Lamb's Pavilion | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
The Pavilion at Lamb’s House | Leith | Scotland Elopement | Edinburgh Wedding Photographer
We were together.
I forget the rest.
-Walt Whitman
The beautiful wedding vendors involved in this day are listed at the bottom and I personally believe they offer some of the best options for eloping in Scotland. I’m also so thankful for Tamar + Matt’s genuine love for each other, that always comes through every time they are captured. If anyone is eloping or getting married in Scotland, I would love to help plan the day if you are unfamiliar with the area. I hope everyone enjoys these images and would like to thank the Lamb’s Pavilion, Narcissus Flowers, and Those were the Days Vintage Bridal for being a part of this simply elegant + naturally textured elopement shoot!
Getting Ready + Lodging The Lamb’s Pavilion | Vintage Wedding Dress Those Were the Days Bridal | Wedding Bouquet + Florals Narcissus | Groom’s Jacket + Vintage Burberry Coat Those Were the Days Vintage | Portrait Locations Private Historic Home + Holyrood Park, Edinburgh | Lovely Couple Tamar + Matt
Eloping in Edinburgh, Scotland is something I always encourage! If you are wanting something more intimate and looking for a beautiful country and city to spend those precious memories together, this is the place! I would love to help you plan your elopement in Edinburgh or anywhere else in Scotland! There is nothing I love more than to make your wedding day all about you both and any recommendations or suggestions that you may need, I’m here for you! I also can refer Edinburgh wedding planners, florists and wedding dress shops and designers. Just know that eloping doesn’t mean you are on your own and need to feel overwhelmed! Even the smallest Scottish elopement deserves all of the attention to detail as a wedding day does! I assume if you are reading this that you are contemplating eloping to Scotland, so again I just have to say, do it! You won’t regret spending the start of your life with your best friend in the stunning countryside of Scotland.
Loch Lomond Wedding | Stuckgowan Estate | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Loch Lomond Wedding Venue | Stuckgowan Estate | Scotland Wedding Photographer
I love how every couple is so uniquely them. Whether they have a large party with endless amounts of friends, family members and acquaintances or a small intimate wedding, both represent who the couple is and it's such a lovely thing.
Katie and Oliver originally were planning a large wedding in downtown Glasgow and as the weeks went on they realized they really just wanted an intimate day with just 20 of their closest family and friends from near where they both grew up on Loch Lomond.
The day was as serene as the landscape that surrounded us on Loch Lomond. The beautiful mountains lining the horizon, the calming still water served as the backdrop of the day. Scotland truly is one of the loveliest countries to get married outside amongst the raw natural beauty.
I always learn so much about myself and others after becoming a part of their family for a few days. It's always such a humbling experience and these precious moments make me so grateful for my life's work. I truly love what I do, photographing memories being made and stories unfolding.
So cheers to you, Katie + Oliver!
May your days be filled with lots
of explorations in nature, lots of
delicious donuts, lots of reality
tv shows and most importantly
lots of love!
Dress Seni Dey // Florals Adelaide's Secret Garden // Shoes & Other Stories // Suit Moss Bros // Venue Stuckgowan Estate // Vintage Tables Virginia's Vintage Hire // Floral Boxes Bailey's Fine Furniture // 2nd Shooter Ross Dickie // Caterer Raegan Hallatt Catering //
Loch Lomond is such a beautiful place for an intimate wedding or elopement. Stuckgowan Estate is one of the best wedding venues in Scotland. It's an estate wedding venue overlooking Loch Lomond. If you are looking for a scotland wedding venue for your elopement or intimate wedding, Stuckgowan Estate would be the perfect wedding venue in Scotland. You can even stay the night at Stuckgowan Estate. Ross and I stayed nearby, but we spent the night before hanging out with the family as they had a rehearsal dinner bbq there the night before their wedding day. Then the night of the wedding, the bridal party piled into the beautiful movie theater room in Stuckgowan Estate, to watch Love Island together. This was my first time I ever head of Love Island, and I have to say, I absolutely got hooked. It’s the perfect amount of wild entertainment in my life, since I’m usually an introvert, and just hang out with my fiancé and a small handful of my closest friends. Anyways, back to Stuckgowan Estate, this scotland wedding venue is so close to Loch Lomond, that during the ceremony and reception, the bride and groom and myself walked right across the road to take their bridal portraits on the beautiful waterfront of Loch Lomond. It’s amazing that such a beautiful body of water is just across the street from Stuckgowan Estate. This wedding venue is perfect for have your ceremony overlook Loch Lomond in the background. You can easily see Loch Lomond from the front yard of Stuckgowan Estate, where Katie, and most brides, would have their wedding ceremony take place. It’s such a stunning view of Scotland. If you’re searching for a wedding venue near Loch Lomond, than Stuckgowan Estate would be the perfect intimate Scotland wedding venue for you and the love of your life.
Iceland | Anastasia + Felix
Iceland Vow Renewal | Iceland Road Trip | Iceland Wedding Photographer
Anastasia and Felix had me document their wedding photos in Iceland... just three years after they were married.
Their story moved me so much.
This is a "renewal of love" that is pretty unique and beautiful.
All they needed was each other.
Anastasia and Felix are an endearing, entrepreneurial and charming Ukrainian couple who had to flee their hometown just two days after their wedding because of a war breaking out. Their photographer had decided to leave their city a week earlier, so there were no official images on their wedding day. In circumstances like that, photos seem a bit trivial.
It was my honor to document their love on a very special trip to Iceland after years of them not even thinking of professional wedding photos during these transitional years of settling into their new home and lives. My favorite part of the trip was just spending our days and endless hours with them in the car just enjoying ourselves and the beautiful views.
We discovered a favorite stop along our route for soup, hot dogs and coffee. And after endless days of them speaking amongst each other, I definitely want to learn how to speak Russian. I also learned that we peel potatoes differently, ha, and that we share a love for any type of board game.
We ended up extending our stay with them at an Airbnb in Reykjavik on our last night (after a hilarious balloon-animal-making, taco-eating, and local-cat-stalking adventure) and playing this game called "keep talking and nobody explodes." It's an online game and everyone should definitely go play it with some friends today.
All of this to say, the images below are beautiful moments from the trip, but nothing is more beautiful than truly enjoying the company you are in, in person and not in front of a camera.
I've learned that my favorite moments with the ones I love from the last few years have not been documented, because I'm too busy enjoying them in person, and I love how special that is between the individuals that are there in those moments.
Cheers to many more beautiful adventures together, Anastasia + Felix!
Lauren + Nick | City View Loft Wedding
City View Loft Wedding Venue | Chicago Wedding Photographer
It was an incredibly beautiful and snowy day in Chicago for Lauren and Nick's stunning Chicago wedding. From the weather to their endless smiles, I couldn't get over how much joy there was! I think smiles are incredibly underrated. I love when a couple can't have serious faces because they are just so filled with laughter and joy from looking at each other! It's just so beautiful to see.
It's so refreshing to second shoot in between my own clients' weddings. (And not just because it's super fun and enjoyable to work with friends!) When you second shoot, you get to spend more time with the groom, usually, and I always gain so much appreciation for them. Some grooms party beforehand, some need their alone time, some are pumped for the day, and others are incredibly emotional or solemn. I really love being able to document the groom's side. Now I make it a point, even in my own weddings, to document the bride and groom equally, because it's just as special a day for him as it is for her.
I captured this wedding day at City View Loft alongside my sweet and talented friend Alisha, from ATS Photography, and we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves (or danced) more!
Venue City View Loft // Getting Ready Location VRBO // Video Eric Floberg // Hair Emily Grisso // Dress Sarah Seven // Suit Sarar
Seriously, if you are still searching for a Chicago wedding venue close to downtown and the lakefront, City View Loft is your venue! City View Loft has so many spaces for you to create your own feel and such great views of Chicago. I love shooting wedding photos at City View Loft! And if you’d like to see if I’m available to capture your unique wedding day, please reach out on my contact page at the link below! I’d love to create something beautiful with you!
Minimalist Wedding | Chicago , IL
Minimalist Wedding Inspiration | Warehouse Wedding Venue | Chicago Wedding Photographer
I started this minimalist wedding day shooting David getting ready at their Wicker Park flat (which is the best neighborhood, and I'm not just biased because it's my neighborhood too! Well, maybe I am.) Their vibrant personalities were scattered all over their two-story loft. And of course, Fleetwood Mac had to be played on their record player. Couldn’t have been a better start to a wedding day! Then I captured their first look alongside my friend and lead photographer Kat, from Deepend Imagery.
We wandered around some industrial areas of Chicago before heading to the venue, which is a renovated warehouse itself. It was the perfect blank and minimal slate wedding venue for these two lovely individuals! It's now a stunning, naturally lit space that just makes you want to shoot there over and over again. It's probably one of my favorite warehouse wedding venues in Chicago. If you’re looking for a minimalist wedding venue in your city, you should always go to the more industrial areas, because many warehouses have become very minimal wedding venues. Their open floor plans and bare bones tend to make the perfect blank slate to create your dream minimalist wedding day. I love seeing walls, floors and piping all turned to white, so couples have a fresh slate to turn the wedding venue into something that is unique to them in the most minimal of ways. I truly love warehouse and minimal wedding venues.
Needless to say, Amanda and David's night ended with the most lively dancing and tons of joy! That is always one of my favorite ways to end a wedding day. Celebrating love with those that you love! Cheers to another beautiful, minimalist wedding day in my lovely city of Chicago!
If you’d like to Inquire about me capturing your wedding day or see if your date is available?
Fill out the form below and I would love to help you create something beautiful together!
Karla + Gabe | Chicago, IL
Karla and Gabe are one adventurous gem of a couple. I consider them Mrs. + Mr. Chicago. I enjoy hanging out with them weekly, but had such a fun time on my rooftop with the Chicago skyline in the background and capturing their personalities! They are mix a quirky and silly, total babes and are some of the most genuine and kind hearted individuals I've ever met. And I also have the pleasure of calling them family! Gabe...forever and ever, and Karla, just this past summer when they got married!
Also, can we talk about how cool Gabe's tattoos are, incorporating a mix of Chicago pride, meaningful moments and hand drawn illustrations by his son.
Go check out more about what they are up to on Instagram. Both are the epitome of a Chicago creative and how to be musicians + entrepreneurs in a big city! Enjoy!
KARLA // @itsme_karla GABE // @g_a_b_e__
To inquire about a portrait, engagement or family session contact me below to chat!
Isle of Skye | Ruth + Mark
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Isle of Skye Engagement Photos | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Ever since being introduced to Ruth (thanks Ian!) I knew she would become a close friend of mine. I appreciate her kindness, hospitality and just overall genuine personality. She is a gem and a firecracker at the same time. I was so grateful to spend this past weekend capturing Ruth and Mark's engagement photos on the Isle of Skye, where Ruth grew up. She had plenty of hikes lined up and plenty of food and drink to satisfy an army. Ruth's grandma also contributed with delicious homemade food multiple times, so I now know where she gets it from!
Anyways, enjoy these images of our weekend...and always remember..."a couple that lunges together, stays together!" (see second to last image)
If you'd like me to come with you for an engagement or elopement weekend in the Isle of Skye or anywhere in the Highlands of Scotland, please reach out! I would love to document you both and create something beautiful together! Contact me at the link below and I’m looking forward to speaking with you soon!
I loved shooting this couple's engagement photos in the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is located in the Highlands of Scotland, and the landscape is gorgeous. I love shooting couples in the Isle of Skye. From the Old Man of Storr, to the Quiraing, to the Fairy Pools, to Neist Point, the Isle of Skye has so many beautiful landscapes to photograph couples in epic landscapes and beautiful nature. There are so many lovely walks on the Isle of Skye. If you’re a couple who wants to go on long walk or just pull right up to a stunning landscape, I have a ton of experience doing both on the Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye engagement sessions are a great way for us to spend time together and get to know each other. And if you are visiting the Isle of Skye and Scotland in general from another country, it’s one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland to explore. You will love it! The Isle of Skye road trip also has us passing along Glencoe and Glen Etive on the drive up, which are also two beautiful Scotland spots for an engagement session. Or if you just want to get out, have a coffee, walk around and take some photos, there will be plenty of places to do that along the way! I just love Scotland and the Isle of Skye, and am always grateful for weekends away there, whether with my fiancé or with a couple, it’s always such a beautiful time. The lighting is always different for every trip that I visit the Isle of Skye, so you never know what you’re going to get, and that is part of the fun of it. We were rained out at the Fairy Pools, but we were able to do a very long walk near the Quiraing because it happened to be clear skies that day. But both were equally enjoyable! If you are prepared for rain, wind, cold and all of the elements then you’ll be ready for your engagement session or elopement on the Isle of Skye!
Lowdown Coffee | Edinburgh, Scotland
Lowdown Coffee | Edinburgh Coffee Shop | Scotland Photographer
A good word for Lowdown Coffee is 'consistent'.
Lowdown Coffee has been one of my favorite shops on my last few trips to Edinburgh. I always make a point of working the majority of my editing-session days out of their lovely shop. Their coffee is not only carefully selected, it is consistently well-made and served by knowledgeable baristas. They also have tremendous customer service and people skills, which is important to me as an American. And they aren't just nice to me because I know them. I witness them being genuinely warm and welcoming to everyone that comes into their shop (yes, I love to people-watch, but who doesn't when you're sitting somewhere for hours at a time?).
Overall, I would say the clean interior, the excellent cup of coffee (or delicious cake, sandwich or bagel that they also do very well) and their friendly faces are more than enough reason to keep me coming back for more. If they were at a different location, I would just as easily make my way to their storefront. But thank God they are located directly in the center of downtown Edinburgh, off of George Street! The perfect location for me to take walking breaks to stroll through all of the beautiful shops around town when I want a screen break.
Thank you, Lowdown Coffee, for being a consistently calming (and delicious) part of my day.
If you would like for me to document your small business, please reach out to me! There is nothing more enjoyable than photographing a small business that is passionate about their craft for their website or social media use! Shopping local is something I will always fully support. Let's work together!
Iceland | A 36-Hour Layover on a Budget | Iceland Travel Photography
Iceland Road Trip Layover | Iceland Wedding photographer | Travel Photography
Iceland is a unique beauty.
Let me start by saying that if you can afford to stay for longer, I would highly recommend it. Iceland has endless sights to see, mountains to hike, beaches to stroll on and waterfalls to climb to the top of. This post is just geared towards those traveling from the States (Chicago) to Europe with a long layover (like I did), or those wanting a little taste of Iceland on a limited budget.
First, I flew with WOW Air. It was not sponsored at all. It's just a really good airline; new planes, friendly staff, new seats and the best prices around. $370 round-trip is the average price. Sometimes less! You just need to bring your own snacks and entertainment with you. For example, I edited on my computer and played games on my phone the entire time (when I wasn't sleeping). I'm very much into puzzle or problem-solving games where you can race against a clock. So it was between Sudoku, Crosswords, Unblock Me, Flow, and a new game I just started playing on plane rides called Disney Emoji Blitz (thanks to going to Disney a few weeks ago and my friends playing it constantly while waiting in line for the new Pandora ride at Animal Kingdom).
And for packing, make sure to just put your clothes in with your camera bag because it's cheapest to have only one bag with you on WOW air. Your jacket, jeans and boots are all that are needed daily and can stay the same. Just switch up the undergarments, sweaters, scarf, tees and beanies for different looks. And basic knowledge...always wear your chunkiest jackets and shoes when flying if you must pack multiple. And don't forget a swimsuit and a towel!
When I arrived in Iceland, Ross met me at the airport. His flight to Iceland from Scotland was even cheaper with WOW Air than mine was. Then we both flew back with EasyJet, which is another very inexpensive airline to cheaply travel around Europe.
From the airport you must either take a bus to Reykjavik to hire a rental car, or just hire one from a closer rental company. The bus could be the price of one day of a rental car, so go with something near the airport. They all usually have shuttle services even if they aren't located directly in the airport, but nearby. Lagoon Car Rental was who we went with. They have such a wide range of vehicles for different price ranges. They have an airport pick-up service with someone waiting for you when you arrive with their logo on it. Like anything, the more people you go with, splitting a rental really helps cut down on costs. Another fun fact is that Lagoon Car Rental cars come with a wireless router for you to have internet on your travels. I never needed to use it though, because one... I was barely on my phone in the short amount of time I had to cherish the scenery, but two... I have T-mobile and I had fast 3G data the entire time I was roaming around iceland at NO extra charge (and every country I've been to thus far). So good job, T-mobile! It is seriously the best phone company for those who travel often, for work or for pleasure. (not sponsored...I've been with my family using T-mobile since I had my first phone with the Snake game on it and the t-9 buttons were memorized when I was 14).
For lodging, go with a rental that has seats that can lay down, or a tent attachment that comes with it. This will also save you from any additional lodging expenses and give you the freedom to park your vehicle anywhere (legally, of course) to wake up to the most beautiful views. You can also just drive through the night to see as much of the scenery as possible and keep switching drivers if you have an automatic (so you both can drive and rest equally).
For food, we headed to a local grocery store in Reykjavik for a ramen-like meal for dinner and oatmeal for breakfast. Both meals you just had to add hot water to, and it was the perfect amount of food. And from the plane experience, we already had plenty of granola and cereal bars in our bags as snacks. Ross brought the pot to boil water and we needed to find a small gas canister to heat up the local water you use or the large bottle of water you buy. One of the locals who worked at the tourist office told us to just go to a hostel or hotel and ask for one because tourists leave them half-full, since they can't bring them on planes. So you can start there to save a few dollars... or you can just buy one to save time. They really are not too pricey and the grocery store and camping store are both walking distance from Reykjavik Coffee Roasters (the original location), which is where we grabbed two cappuccinos before setting off on our long and beautiful drive across the south side of the country.
For coffee breaks, we also brought an Aeropress so we could have some of our friend's coffee (locally roasted in Edinburgh), called Obadiah. And let me tell you, no coffee tastes better freshly ground on a cold morning in front of the bluest icebergs I've ever seen.
Also, for anyone wanting to go to the Blue Lagoon, unless you are going on your honeymoon, it can be fairly pricey for the average traveler, so bring some all natural or organic face masks and enjoy them while soaking in one of the natural hot springs all over Iceland... for free. The views are all stunning at the hot spring locations that I've seen, and you'll be surrounded by way less people. And in some locations you will have the hot spring all to yourself!
The main highway is the route we took in the southern region, as there are plenty of sights right near the road to maximize your time if you don't have very long. We were able to visit all of the places in the images below with under 24 hours of daylight and driving in the dark during the other hours. And it was all worth it.
I can't wait to go back and properly explore some more. So if you only have a little bit of time or a small budget... you can definitely visit Iceland!
Can you find the little yellow jacket roaming around? This waterfall was huge.
That pipe on the bottom left is what heated the hot spring, as well as a light hot stream running off the mountain to the left into the pool. This pool is more warm than hot...unless you hang out by the pipe...like me. :)
We, or I should say Ross, drove throughout the night for hours through intense wind and rain. It was worth it to see this as daylight arose. location - Jökulsárlón
This sweater was definitely fit the surrounding. The color fit the natural tones landscapes, and the warmth was just enough to not need a jacket during midday. The lines on the sleeves are my favorite part.
Also, some may be amazed or not surprised, but the image above and the two images below this text were all taken by me standing in the same exact spot and just turning from side to side. location - Dyrhólaey
Just remember, when getting close to Skógafoss, the smallest gust of wind will have your whole body soaking wet. And you will have to change and your hair will be drenched like you just hopped out of the shower. Memories. So only get super close if you have a change of clothes.
Below is my "what would people on ANTM do" faces. Probably missed the mark, but the sunset on the black sand beach was the most beautiful one I've ever seen.
If you’d like me to capture your elopement in Iceland or see if your date is available for 2020 or 2021?
reach out below and I would love to document your love and create something beautiful together!
Beautiful Barn Wedding Venue | The Farm at Dover
Their love is a thing of beauty, storybooks + lots of laughter.
Gabe + Karla. Two of the most beautiful individuals I know, inside and out (and who I also get to call my family). When Gabe introduced her to the family I instantly knew I loved her. She plays and teaches music to little kiddos for a living (at Little Parade in Chicago), so I guess that bubbliness is needed! But even for adults, her smile is vibrant enough to make the whole room happy!
They were both born + raised Chicago and are the epitome of city people. But for their wedding, they wanted to get away from it all, as we all do sometimes. They ventured north just over the Wisconsin border and found the most lovely little barn wedding venue called The Farm at Dover. Karla got ready in the pink house on the property, their ceremony was in the woods and their coffee hour and stunning reception was in the two-story renovated barn. The day was just perfect. The weather was overcast and the colors were perfectly romantic. Darker tones always tend to make me feel something from each image, more than vibrant colors. The tone of the day was somber and sweet and I'm so grateful I was able to capture the moments from the start of their new season together as Mr. + Mrs Lopez.
Cheers to new beginnings!
HIS / HERS DETAILS
Shoes: bryr clogs / aldo
dress/suit: BHLDN weddings / zara
watch: komono
handkerchief: Una Mae's
caterer: Chef David's
car: vintage VW
donuts: krispy kreme
flower crown: pistil + vine
table decorator: Sasha Kisiel, Mylene Raspado, Yolypix
coordinator planner: Divine delgado
coffee roasters: Ipsento
barista: Jeremy Mercado
If you’re looking for a beautiful barn wedding venue and live in the midwest, the Farm at Dover is such a lovely choice! And if you’d like me to capture your wedding day, whether in a barn or farm or elsewhere, I would absolutely love to create something beautiful with you! Reach out below!
Davide + Michela | London Love | London Photographer
London Engagement Session | London Fashion Street Style | London Wedding Photographer | Hackney Street Style
Davide and Michela are two of the most beautiful individuals. They met in Italy (where they are from). She is an artistic and talented fashionista. He owns Establishment Coffee in London. Together they make the sweetest couple. I'm always abundantly grateful to capture a love like theirs. The memories spent with these two and their kindness will last with me forever. And on top of all of that, they came prepared for this photo shoot with multiple of the most stylish outfit changes! I'm thankful that I have the opportunities to meet people online and then have clients turned friends from all around the world. The internet really makes the world so small.
Enjoy these images of these two gems roaming around Hackney, London a few weeks ago!
Davide and Michela, you both are so incredibly precious. Never stop being passionate about each other. Your joy, your smiles, your laughs and just your unending love for life is so contagious. Appreciate you both so much! Can't wait to hang out in London with you both again soon!
If you’d like me to capture your lifestyle fashion session, engagement session or wedding day, fill out the form below and I would love to help you create something beautiful together!
Homies LA x @Melodyjoyco
I couldn't be more grateful for the season I'm in. For plenty of reasons I could go on about in person, but for this post we can just focus on this view of downtown Chicago. My flat is in the heart of Wicker Park and this skyline view just reminds me how small (but significant, and so are you) I am in this huge, beautiful world. I've never been more excited for the future and what God has in store for my life.
So back to this view...I love to hang out on my roof with friends. From eating Chipotle with friends, to watching fireworks on the 4th of July with 360 views into all hours of the night. to many fun photo shoots and afternoons of grabbing some rays on my blanket and drinking coffee. This blanket from Homies, I take with me everywhere! From the beach to the park...but mainly on my roof is where it's seen the most sun, literally. If you're looking for a beautiful yet functional blanket to throw in your backpack for a fun day out, or even just any other kind of beautiful decor...check out Homies (and tell your homies)!
Cheers to many more funny, sunny days in Chicago with this blanket!
