Below is a short slideshow I put together from some of my favorites, you can see still shots on Ben & Becky’s facebook album!

Ben & Becky, thanks for such an epic experience! I am so blessed to have people like you for clients!!!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Venue:

Beachview Club

Salon:

Studio 412

Rentals

Beachview Tent Rentals

Wedding location:

Jekyll Island, GA

Preparation location:

Saint Simon’s Island, GA

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/jekyll-island-wedding-photographer/feed/ 0 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/triumph-daytona-motorcyle-portrait-photos/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/triumph-daytona-motorcyle-portrait-photos/#comments Sun, 08 Aug 2010 03:07:18 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=2617 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 faces, check out some of Jeff’s Behind the Scenes shots on Flickr.

I did some very informal interviewing below for those of you who care about motorcycles (I have recently learned NOT to call them bikes, I’m getting better at it).

<3

Liesl Diesel

The Triumphs line up to pose for me while I test my lighting set up.

Liesl:  Mike, tell me about your bike, anything custom?

Mike: Well I have the the OFF ROAD exhaust which means that its a race only exhaust meant for the track. I eliminated the front signals and integrated them into the head lights. There is a fender elimnator on the back with custom braket and all foot controls, and it is powder-coated semi-gloss black.  The rims are pin striped with reflective tape.

Liesl: So, Mike, why did you pick that bike?

Mike:  I wanted it for two reasons …First was the bike and its’ feel and it’s what I was shopping for.  Second was that it was a special edition and there are only 500 that were shipped to the states, maybe less.  That black and gold combo.

Liesl:  So you liked that it was limited edition?

Mike:  Yes. The bike is not a common bike but the fact that it was that color combo made it better, and I like black.

Liesl:  Jeff, why did you pick the Triumph Daytona 675?

Jeff:  Because it’s beautiful, it’s different, the 3 cylinder engine sounds wonderful.  It has soul that japanese bikes just don’t have. I was looking for something sportier than what I had.  Also it’s a middleweight so i won’t get in quite as much trouble compared to if i had a larger bike. and it’s not so exotic that it would be very unreliable.  Should i keep going?

Liesl.  Yes! Have you done any customization to it?

Jeff:  Yes, I have a slip-on exhaust from two brothers racing and an aftermarket rear shock and aftermarket stuff in the front fork, that’s about it.

Liesl:  Mike, what is your favorite thing about having this bike, is it speed?

Mike:  It is freedom. In a car you feel nothing.  When you turn can you feel the thing move with you; it turns cause your body turns it, not just your arms.

Liesl:  So it’s like Old Spice? Wind, Ice, and Freedom?

Mike:  Yes.  like a mountain in my pants . . . Eagles and America and apple pie and watermelon.

Liesl: So Jeff, would you say you got this bike as a chick magnet?

Jeff: chick magnet? well, I thought girls might dig motorcyclists back when I wasn't one. Then I got one and it didn't really work like that, so then I went racing and thought girls might like that, but it didn't really work like that. Then I got injured racing and chicks dig scars, right? But no . . . So no, not really is the answer.

Jeff & Mike line up the bikes for me before the sun drops completely

Jeff actually trains other motocyclists how to go faster, both racers and street riders. Mike enjoys working on bikes and customizing them.

And in case you didn't notice, Mike is proud that his bike is black.

Boys and toys . . .

Jeff likes designer t-shirts, Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Mike enjoys wind, ice and freedom.

When models get like this, there is nothing for me to do but shoot them. In the face. For all to see.

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/triumph-daytona-motorcyle-portrait-photos/feed/ 1 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rachel-tyler-at-millennium-park-chicago/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rachel-tyler-at-millennium-park-chicago/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:10:58 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=2465 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 on the reflective post, and a lot more on facebook!

Can’t wait to shoot their New Year’s Eve Wedding at the Elmhurst Art Museum!

See you both soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Rachel & Tyler play near the BP bridge while onlookers pass by

The sky was amazing that evening, I am so glad we didn't get rained on!

I have shot in this area several times, but it wasn't until my kids decided to slide down the bridge while we were playing there one day that I saw this angle and knew I had to try it on my next shoot. Luckily Tyler & Rachel were willing to walk through the flower gardens to get to this spot, I think it paid off!

The BP metal bridge is so fun to play with compositionally!

and the reflection and lines are killer!

swoosh! yay!

This is one of my favorite architectural shots from any portrait session, ever. I normally focus more on people but when Rachel mentioned she likes architecture, I thought why not take some photos like this? I hope this image is a gift she will enjoy, I know it will end up on one of my walls soon.

I like this blend of nature and city.

They were more than willing to dance on the park walk for me, so sweet!

I love the evening light!

Rachel & Tyler it was so great meeting you!

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rachel-tyler-at-millennium-park-chicago/feed/ 0 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/oak-park-cheney-mansion-wedding-photographer/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/oak-park-cheney-mansion-wedding-photographer/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:29:38 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=2560 I met Justine & Michael a few weeks ago at their engagement session at Montrose Harbor and knew instantly that their wedding would be a lovely mixture of romanticism and playfulness!

They prepared for the wedding at Bishop’s Hall, a spacious bed and breakfast in Oak Park with beautiful manicured gardens.  Then they had a traditional Greek promenade through the town as they walked to the ceremony and reception site at Cheney Mansion.

Below is a slideshow of my favorites from their wedding, you can see the stills on their facebook album!

Thank you so much for choosing me, Justine and Michael!  I hope your skipping dancing playful paths cross mine again soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Venues:

Bishop’s Hall

Cheney Mansion

Forist:

Larkspur

Make-up:

Alexandra Andrade

Rentals:

Formally Modern Tuxedo

Linens:

BBJ Linen

Specialty Dress Fabrics:

Soutache Embellishments

Wedding Gown:

Claire Pettibone

Music:

Hot Club Du Chicago

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 ceremony in September!

You can see more of my favorites on their facebook album!

See you both very soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Once we were oriented on where the Japanese gardens were we headed along the manicured paths.

Shahzeen has such a sweet and gentle disposition.

Have I mentioned that I seem to get the most beautiful clients?

I love Prem’s expression in this image, they were both so peaceful and kind and I feel it really shows in this photo.

So it’s not a big secret that my favorite color is green.  Well, orange is a close second, so when I saw this beautiful grass and Shahzeen’s head scarf I insisted that she sit down for me so that I could make some orange and green images!  Yeah, I’m selfish like that.

How cute is she!

I really enjoyed their playful mood, and Cameron had NO difficulty making Sunny laugh and smile, an excellent quality in a husband ;-)

Party photos soon to follow!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Dharna & Samir prepared for their weddings and met up for a quick portrait session in their first outfits before the ceremony, then in the evening the whole process started over again.  I can’t decide which look I like best, but I know I love the variety and colors from both parts of the day!

I am working hard to catch up on blogging so there will be more photos posted soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Dharna's diamond and henna tattoo

This was Dharna's look for the first part of the day, very elegant and colorful with the traditional head covering

Samir & Dharna see each other for the first time before the ceremony

for the reception Dharna changes her look

Dharna adjusts her new hairstyle

I was so astounded by the light in this hallway.

I loved her hair like this!

Dharna has the most beautiful smile! It is contagious!

We had very little time but I found a little spot outside the hotel with great fill light!

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 favorites on their facebook gallery.  Thanks for choosing me Dharna & Samir, I am so excited for your wedding!

<3

Liesl

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 you both so very much for having me photograph your wedding, I cannot believe how well fed I was and how kind the entire family and staff was!  You are all so super!

View more from Josh & Mary Anne’s wedding on facebook!

<3

Liesl

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