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 →
Down by The River
So once the rain stopped, Sunny and Cameron joined me by the water on the Jefferson Landing, NC premises for some fun portraits! It was hard to get their entire wedding party into one shot, but I managed! I really enjoyed their playful mood, and Cameron had NO difficulty making Sunny laugh and smile, an excellent quality in a husband ;-) Party →
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, →
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 →
Joshua & Mary Anne Pittsburgh Wedding!
Joshua & Mary Anne had me travel up to Pittsburgh, PA for their March 30, 2010 wedding at The Sisters of The Holy Spirit. They were incredibly hospitable! Mary Anne helps her sister Jane with some finishing touches. This scene is very precious because Mary Anne's mother made the wedding gown by hand. It was, of course, a perfect fit! The sweet couple! Thank →
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! →
Prep Time at The Sutherland
This past weekend I shot in Wake Forest, NC at a beautiful private venue called The Sutherland. I was very impressed with how Ashlee ran the place, it was beautiful and everything was on time! Candace watches the girls getting ready. I shot this wedding with Lacey Gadwill who is an amazingly sweet and talented photographer based out of Fayetteville, NC Jason gets ready in the →
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 →
Scott, The Drummer™
Scott, The Drummer™. What can I say? The minute he got lost in the parking lot driving me to the photo shoot was the moment I just knew we would get along smashingly. Smashingly being the key word here, as we nearly wrecked his little Prius when he made a left turn into oncoming traffic the wrong way on a →
