Shahzeen & Prem at Chicago Botanic Garden
Shahzeen & Prem chose The Chicago Botanic Garden for their engagement session location, the grounds were beautiful with a lot of variety! We had so much fun walking around and finding spots to shoot, and I quickly learned that not only are they both super sweet people, but they have a great sense of humor! I cannot wait to photograph their →
Justine & Michael Make Faces TOMORROW!!!
A couple of weeks ago I got to meet Michael & Justine, whose wedding is TOMORROW!!! I am so excited to work with them! Not only are they creative and in love, but they keep me on my toes with their incredible ability to have fun and make faces! We went to Montrose Harbor in Chicago for the shoot, which is →
Peter & Karena’s Riverwalk Wedding Portraits!
Karena & Peter were the first couple to ever marry at the Moser Carillon Tower! After the ceremony, when the weather permitted, we went for a jaunt around The River Walk in the heart of Naperville for a fun variety of portraits! You can see all my favorites here! <3 Liesl Diesel
Dharna & Samir’s Wedding Portrait
There are so many fun things about cultural weddings, and Hindu weddings are so exceptional. I think one of the most fun parts of being a Hindu bride is that you get two wedding outfits, and not just one! Dharna & Samir prepared for their weddings and met up for a quick portrait session in their first outfits before the ceremony, →
Hot Mama in Vegas, Baby!
Happy Mother's Day all you wonderful mommies out there! And to my mother, thank you so much for supporting me even when I do crazy things, I know you will always have my back! You are the best mom on the face of the planet and I love you like crazy! Ayla is magically delicious! I got to take these photos →
Huntington State Park – Baisch Family Playtime!
How awesome is it that I live on the beach? Sometimes it feels like I'm almost cheating because when the weather is right, at the right time of day, it's almost impossible NOT to get amazing photos! The Baisch Family asked me to do a candid portrait session for them at Huntington State Park this past Wednesday, and it was one of →
Wedding Portraits with Pizazz!
When I want a little pizazz with a dash of snazz, I look for good light. If I can't find it, I add my own! This is my portrait session from Erica & Joseph's wedding on April 24 at Breaker's Resort Myrtle Beach, SC. A special thanks to Elizabeth from Grand Occasions, Inc! Everything goes so much more smoothly with →
Framing Families
Sometimes I think I am just plain lucky. I get to frame moments like this and give these pictures to families that will remember this exact moment forever. I shot the Horn Family this past Monday at Myrtle Beach State Park. When I shoot portraits for families I like to focus on two things. First, what will they want to →
Little Faces in Pretty Places
I love kids and families. Personality and birth order are very intriguing to me. I love studying people nearly as much as I like photographing them. Meet Karissa. Eldest of three children. She was willing to let me test the light on her face before taking any "real" photos, a task which she took as seriously as any eldest child should.
Samir & Dharna Chicago engagement photos!
Last week I was in Chicago and had the awesome opportunity to meet Dharna & Samir, whose wedding I will photograph in less than two months! I shot their engagement portraits by the Adler Planetarium to get a super view of the Chicago skyline and then we headed to Millennium Park to finish off. What a gorgeous evening! See all my →
Sisterly Laughter!
Running away from Isa and shooting her at the same time = ninja craziness
Pieces of Portraits
It really doesn't take much to make me happy. In this instance, it only took a half of a face. I love taking creative portraits. It doesn't take a whole face to describe a person! I also love clients who have no idea what I am shooting but trust anyway. Thanks Sven! <3 Liesl
Adding Shadows to Compositions
Off camera lighting is a very useful way to define a subject more clearly as it adds shape. When creating a composition in this way, it is important to envision how the shadows will become a part of the composition and plan accordingly. Sven's company, Happy Viper Integrated Designs, was featured in Vanity Fair, so we thought we would pull a little →
More Viper Action!
A few more of my favorites from a recent portrait shoot with Sven from Happy Viper! Sven is clearly one slick designer! Check out his design portfolio! Thanks for being such an awesome poser! <3 Liesl Diesel
Happy Viper Portrait
Last weekend I had the super opportunity to photograph Sven, owner of Happy Viper Integrated Design in Manhattan, NY. I talked with him about shooting the portraits to go with the name of his company. I love the contrast in the name of his company, so we went for a similar contrast in his expressions. Viper. Happy! Happy Viper! So fun working with you Sven! →
Eleven Years of Love!
Happy birthday to my sweetest son, Eben Nathaniel! His name "Eben" is taken from Ebenezer, which means stone of help. It fits him so well. I love you Eben! <3 Mama Diesel
Levi & Co
Congratulations to the Horn Family! My sweet sister Cara made another baby! Levi Horn September 14, 2009 7 lbs 4 oz. 20 in. With daddy's long toes Mama's big eyes. And Aunt Liesl's demeanor ;-) Special thanks to the ever watchful guard dog, Chester. He ensured that no babies were harmed during the course of the shoot. Love you sis! <3 Liesl
Minneapolis Skyline
As I mentioned in my last post I was shooting with Michael Barnholdt from Michael B Studios in Minneapolis, MN this past weekend. I absolutely loved the Minneapolis skyline! Here is a shot of Michael working his magic! If you are in the Twin City area you must him out! Thanks for having me out, Michael! I hope we get to work together →
Myrtle Beach Tripp Family Portraits
This morning I drove to Cherry Grove to photograph Rachel & Ryan and their SUPER cute family! The sunshine was on my side today! What a beautiful family! Emma was unstoppable! Noah found many treasures :) This is a classic scene of older brother and younger sister. He explains the composition of the rock while she whips it into the ocean. I love kids! Rachel's sister Ashley posed →
Portraits with a View
I loved this orange lighthouse at the Rancho Sol Del Pacifico! Alexandra is a stunner! We caught the last bit of evening light as the day was running about 1.5 hours behind :) Running late is part of getting married and Glen and Alexandra rolled with it! And so did their rockin' posse! Seriously. Her cuteness factor is off the charts. And the sweet shot below →
Laguna Love!
Jaime & Jon hired me to shoot some candid family portraits for them in Laguna Beach, CA! So I've decided I kind of like California . . . sweet people and sweet scenes! Do you remember this feeling? When you were a kid? Complete abandon. We all should feel this free as often as possible! Jaime & Jon you and your family touched my →
Blinding Light
My sweet son, such a willing model when his mom gets excited over light :) His eyes are blinding to me. Eben sits in blinded light Love you crazy boy! ~Mama Diesel
DJ Elixir Does Hotlanta!
When I was recently in Atlanta, GA shooting Amy & Jon's wedding I had the opportunity to photograph some promo portraits for DJ Elixir! We scouted for some colorful graffiti and scored big time! Elixir gives his vinyl some love. Gentlemen, to answer your question: 70-200 2.8IS lens ISO 250 1/1250 sec. Ladies to answer your question: No. He is not single. You rock my friend! See you →
Self-Dorktraits Explained
A lot of people ask me how I do my self-dorktraits and, instead of writing it out to every person who asks, I decided to make a post so I can just link it whenever I get a new query ;-) I keep it super simple for these quick snap shots and use all available light. The key is to keep →
