Tag Archives: blue

Yukon the Dog! (And Andy & Jennifer)

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Lifestyle Engagement session with dog!

Chicago is a pretty big city, but sometimes it feels like a small town! I’ve known Andy for a couple of years through mutual friends and was flattered when he hired me to shoot his engagement portraits. It’s always a little humbling to be hired by friends because they know what a dork I am in real life. What! I didn’t say that! But it’s true. It ends up that Jennifer is also friends with one of my past clients, Kristine! Small town, Chicago!

But the best connection of all was that I got to meet Yukon The Dog. What a little (well, big) ham!

We started out in front of Shedd Aquarium, headed to the Field Museum, Soldier Field Stadium and ended by the Adler Planetarium!

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Yukon is gorgeous and cooperative, and loves being in the photos, but I was able to coax him aside for a few shots of Andy & Jennifer alone!

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I saw this yellow tree between The Field Museum and Soldier Field, it was glowing with back light!

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I loved this perspective on Soldier Field Stadium, it looks like a UFO ;-)

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Yukon leads the way!

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And of course we cannot skip the classic Chicago skyline photo. What a beautiful city!

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Congratulations on your engagement Andy & Jennifer!

<3

Liesl Diesel

White Pines State Park Wedding

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John & Hannah had their destination state park wedding at the beautiful White Pines Inn. Although the terrain in Illinois is known for being flat, there are some hidden canyons that provide a beautiful, natural back drop for weddings!

Fall is my favorite time of year, especially if I am able to travel somewhere where the trees are changing colors. Nature can be so elegant without any help from people!

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Hannah’s excitement was evident as she prepared in the bridal suite!

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Her Dog’s perspective on life! Hannah also made the flower girl’s dress!

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Hannah is really amazing. Aside from being a beautiful and talented ballerina, she made her own wedding gown, silk covered buttons and all. Anyone who has ever dealt with lace knows this was not an easy task! The lace was fitted perfectly and went so well with her vintage pearl earrings.

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And yes, she really looks like this. Red hair, blue eyes, swan white skin. So pretty!

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I loved shooting their portraits in the forest before their ceremony. It was dusk, and the quiet natural surroundings mirrored their gentle personalities.

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Rings by Green Karat!

This photo is just some rusted paint on an antique truck near the ceremony site. I loved the colors and took some photos that ended up making lovely background images for their wedding album!

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Sunflowers and cala lilies for a pop of color!

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Thank you both so much for choosing me to photograph your wedding!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Romantic Destination Wedding for Becky & Dustin

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Becky & Dustin planned a romantic destination wedding in Myrtle Beach, SC! I am always honored to be flown in for destination weddings all over the globe, and I love that Becky & Dustin chose me for their wedding as they are not local to the Myrtle Beach area either.

Cynthia Swanson of Myrtle Beach Weddings, Etc referred them to me and she did an excellent job coordinating this beach destination wedding for them!

Their ceremony was at the Hilton and their reception was at Thoroughbred’s Restaurant.

Flowers by Flowers on Broadway

Music, sound and lighting by Scott Shaw Productions

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The Hilton in Myrtle Beach has a gorgeous grass lawn so your guests don’t have to get their toes sandy! Nature’s decor of palm trees sets a perfect beach scene.

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I love it when couples smile and laugh uncontrollably!

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Orchids and roses made such a beautiful and natural looking bouquet for Becky.

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I was very impressed with the staff and service at Thoroughbred’s, I highly recommend this venue.

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Becky & Dustin chose golf balls and Tees for party favors! “Fore better, Fore Worse!”

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Thank you both so much for choosing me, I am so happy for you and your new life together!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Devil’s Lake State Park Wedding

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Chris & Christiana hired me to come to Devil’s Lake State Park to photograph their gorgeous fall outdoor destination wedding ceremony and picnic reception! Devil’s Lake State Park, WI is a beautiful destination that was very meaningful to them.

Venue – Devil’s Lake State Park

Wedding Gown – Wolsfelts

Table/Linens – Baraboo Tents

Catering/Pig Roast – Exceptional Catering

I started at this quaint rustic cabin with Christiana.

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These two were so laid back and easy going, we were able to hike around the park to some beautiful spots! I started with them by these fallen boulders because The shade makes PERFECT portrait light and I loved the texture of the rock, moss and ferns.

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Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and you can see why below. Sweet gentle light, perfect weather, and colorful trees! I wasn’t the only one admiring Chris and Christiana, hikers had a hard time keeping their eyes off of them!

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And of course no state park destination wedding is complete without hiking to the top of a cliff for a nice overlook right? SO we hiked up the mountain, YES he did this in a full suit and YES she did this in her wedding gown! And yes, I did it with two camera bodies, 3 lenses and 2 flashes but at least I had proper clothing and shoes for it! The walk was well worth it. The overlook at Devil’s Lake state park is absolutely stunning, and even more so in Autumn.

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The scene for their ceremony could not have been more perfect. They were married right on the shore of Devil’s Lake!

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 Vows by the water!

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Picnic and pig roast!

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And my last series of the day, candid silhouette of Chris in his cowboy hat against the fall mountain background. Love it!

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Congratulations Chris & Christiana, I hope you are enjoying your album!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Valley Lo Club Wedding

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I met Chris & Sarah over coffee about a year before their wedding. I was so happy when they chose me because they wear their love on their sleeves.  Chris is gentle, sincere and attentive and Sarah is the personification of expression and empathy!

Check out their gorgeous engagement session at B’hai Temple!

Venue – Valley Lo Club

Floral – Flower Basket Inc

Gown - Rebecca Schoneveld Cheek

Cakes – Bennison’s Bakery

Music - Standing Ovations, DJ

Hair – Samantha at Salon Roula

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I am so thankful for clients like the two of you, and I hope we are able to capture the whole family soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

In Love In Chicago

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 In a few weeks I will get to photograph Ryan & Nicole’s wedding at The Debordieu Club, which is one of my favorite destinations in South Carolina!

Nicole is Native to Chicago, so having this family session here meant a lot to her. The three of them were in town for a friend’s wedding so we took the opportunity to have their session at a classic Chicago photo spot, the Adler Planetarium!

I love shooting there because it has a gorgeous view of this beautiful city of Chicago, as well as lots of hidden gem spots for photos!

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They are such a playful and affectionate family!

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Thank you, Chicago for being so gorgeous, and thank you Ryan and Nicole & Haley for being so FUN! I can’t wait to see you all again!

 

 

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Love Is In The Air

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Sometimes you run into someone and just feel instantly connected; that even though you barely know this person you would do anything for them because goodness, kindness, love and compassion ooze out of them.

That is how I feel about Jenna & David. I photographed their engagement session at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Montrose Harbor last August so that they could send out their Save The Dates, knowing (sadly) that I would not be able to photograph their wedding in Israel.

Today I am blessed beyond belief. Today the universe gave me what I have wanted since the moment I found out these two were engaged. Today I found out that I will be flying to Israel next month to photograph the wedding of these two wonderful souls, and I am overwhelmed.

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And I will be, too! Watch my blog for some snazzy international wedding photos soon!

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Unforgettable Party

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What makes a wedding unforgettable?

Well you can start with amazing room design, custom lights, gorgeous centerpieces and top it off with a cake.

(room design by Yanni Design Studio)

 

 

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Add in meticulously detailed garments highlighted by outrageously colored flowers . . .

 

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BUT none of those things will even come close to making a wedding unforgettable when compared to people!

Manish & Niti had an amazing crowd at their wedding, a huge supportive group of friends and family who were more than willing to toast, sing, perform, dance and party until they dropped! (No, literally, one who shall remain nameless did fall at the end of the night. Love you, Viral . . .)

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This night was SO off the hook.  And this is how I get to spend my weekends. Not a bad lot in life, I must admit.

Ceremony at The Meadows Club

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  Niti & Manish held their ceremony at The Meadows Club. Room design was astonishing, by Yanni Design Studio. It started with a lovely procession of children, prayers, several Hindu rituals, and ended with Vidaii, my favorite! Soon I will be posting the reception images!

Garba at The Meadows Club

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Niti and Manish held their pre-wedding day Garba at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows. It was an unbelievably gorgeous evening and I was thrilled to start off with some portraits by the pond with weeping willows and a perfectly gorgeous sky. This beautiful couple chose a wonderful color combination for the evening with bright [...]