Graffiti Love in Downtown Chicago!
Many of you are quite familiar with Shahzeen and Prem by now! I photographed their engagement session at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, their Nikah ceremony at the Downtown Islamic Center, traipsed around Chicago with them shooting some fun portrait sessions, and then later shot their reception, which you will see SOON! promise! To end our portrait session the day of their →
Miss Caroline & The Silver Bean
I recently had a fun adventure with little Miss Caroline at The Silver Bean in Millennium Park downtown Chicago! Less than a week after this session, I found out Amber is pregnant! Can't wait to photograph the new addition! Congratulations to all of you, hope to see you soon! <3 Liesl Diesel
Nikkah Wedding Portraits Part Deux!
After Artist's Cafe and The Vermillion, Shahzeen, Prem and I stopped by the Chicago beach for some scenic shots! After a day of rain and clouds then sun beamed through and it was blue skies all around! We had such a perfect day for their Nikah, I can't wait for more celebrations this weekend with them! See you both soon! <3 Liesl Diesel
Say Less and Do More
Prem and Shahzeen were married on September 11 in the Downtown Islamic Center in Chicago, IL. Afterwards we went around the city to some locations that were meaningful to them in order to get some fun and playful portraits to commemmorate their Nikkah before the big celebration this coming weekend! Our fist stop was the Artists Cafe and then we →
Kristine & Jonathan Engaged!
I met up with Kristine and Jonathan at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL for their engagement session, and of course the weather man was completely on my side that evening! We started out with a view of the skyline. They will have their wedding reception at the Mid America Club, so they wanted some shots with that building in the →
American Leather Woman
Back in July I was flying for work and got stuck in the very back row of the plane where the seats are not even adjustable. Luckily I was next to two super friendly ladies and we started chatting about why we were traveling. I was flying to a wedding shoot and they were flying to a charity event for →
Nance Family At Debordieu, SC
The Nance family was vacationing at DeBordieu, SC and wanted to have some candid and group photos taken while they were all together. Piper Warlick, a fun and talented photographer from Charlotte, NC, referred them to my work and I am so glad she did! I photographed for about 2 hours, one on the beach and one at the beach house. →
Triumph Motorcyles; Like Wind, Ice, and Freedom.
I recently was asked to photograph Jeff and Michael on their Triumph Mortorcyles. Light was falling fast so in order to get some sky we sped up to the rooftop of a Whole Foods in Chicago for the shoot. If you are a fan of Triumph bikes, check out Triumph Motorcycles on Facebook And if you are a fan of me making ridiculous →
Rachel & Tyler at Millennium Park, Chicago
I always ask my clients what type of shots they want from their sessions, and when Rachel & Tyler picked Millennium Park, Chicago, I knew we could get a good variety of images in one location. She told me she likes architecture, so I had fun taking a lot of city scene shots during their shoot! You can see some of my other favorites →
Reflections on Portraits
This is part of a set that I shot for Rachel & Tyler's engagement session. As I was editing I realized I had taken a lot of reflection images, which of course let me to reflect :) I am constantly photographing people I have never even met and make great effort to understand who they are so that I can →
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
