We LOVE shooting in Chicago. The hustle-bustle of the big city, lights, cars whizzing by, + endless new locations to shoot every way you turn!! And since we especially love shooting in the city/urban settings in general, this special place REALLY makes our creativity come alive! It’s so fun to have sessions like Mike + Kaitlin’s, where you leave feeling SO IN LOVE with what you do!!

Not only were we in an amazing location, but you guys, these two are beyond adorable. There are really no words to describe it (because you will think, “Oh, I’ve heard that before”), + so for that, I am SO THANKFUL for images. This has been a bit of a trend in our shooting lives lately … experiencing moments + love stories that we simply can’t put into words – can’t describe, + then just feeling SO grateful that we have photographs to do the story-telling instead : )

Though a bit nervous at first (as EVERYONE is when they first get in front of the camera!), these two quickly found comfort in each other’s arms. They would just hold each other, glance up (or down) at one another + then do this little thing where they would both smile to themselves all giddy-like + nuzzle in closer to the other’s chest. I just kept shooting + thinking, “I simply CAN’T get over how sweetly in love they are.” At one point, I commented something to Mike about how adorable he was in the way he looked at + interacted with his bride-to-be, + he looked at me + said so assuredly, “I just love her.” THIS is WHY we do what we do. To walk alongside couples as they are journeying towards marriage + encourage them in the love they have for one another. To remind them that their love will obviously experience challenges along the course of its lifetime, but the way they love each other in those moments during their season of engagement, + on their wedding day, that love CAN GROW + deepen + strengthen as they choose to never stop pursuing one another + learning about one another. What a powerful team marriage forms, + what an opportunity it provides to change the world through love + commitment + selflessness!!

Mike + Kaitlin, we told you this a million times during your session, but MY GOODNESS. We love + adore you two so much!!! SO happy we found each other + that we get to be the ones to document this season of your love story : ) Thank you for the HONOR! Enjoy our favorites from your session – they are basically ALL our favorite! Hehe : ) AND, last but certainly not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE! This man spent a portion of his 30th birthday taking pictures with us + I don’t know about you, but I think it was a GREAT idea ; ) Happy Friday!!!!

I seriously could comment on EVERY photo because they are SO precious together!!!

“Don’t shoot what it looks like, shoot what it feels like.”

Kaitlin’s ring is STUNNING! I love the color of the diamond!

The fall colors, the glow, the LOVE! Oh my, in HEAVEN!!

We finished our time together at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in downtown Chicago + it. was. AMAZING!!!