Emma Mullins Photography

In the spirit of summer weddings, I am thrilled to finally share Emma and Brendan’s August wedding at Greenhouse Loft! Everything about this day makes me smile, from the color palette to the lakefront and their epic champagne pop at the end of the night. One of my favorite details was including their sweet tortoiseshell cat Midge in photos at home!

I met Emma and Brendan at their Lincoln Park apartment on a beautiful Chicago summer afternoon. They had just finished hosting their families for lunch and were starting to get ready (with Midge, of course!). After their first look on the staircase, we headed to the lakefront for photos with family. One of Brendan and Emma’s favorite pastimes is running together… and Diversey Harbor just happens to be on their running route! These are some of my favorite photos from the entire day – I’m pretty sure Emma’s purple dress was made for twirling in the sunshine 🙂

Greenhouse Loft Wedding

That evening, guests gathered in the garden at Greenhouse Loft to witness Emma and Brendan tie the knot. The lovely outdoor ceremony was officiated by Emma’s brother, and once they said I Do, it was time to PARTY!! The newlyweds were all smiles as they greeted loved ones, and the celebration continued into the night. Guests dined on barbecue and summer hand pies from Bang Bang, and the newlyweds danced the night away! I’m so lucky to have been part of this happy day!

Emma and Brendan: Thank you again for having me last year!! I had so much fun with you two on your wedding day. Wishing you all the happiness in the world.

This spring, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Rosie and Scott for their Salvage One engagement session! I’ve said it before, but this is easily one of my favorite places in Chicago (not just for photos!). Coincidentally, it happens to be where these two will tie the knot next September. And if you didn’t know: couples who book their wedding day at Salvage One get complimentary access to the space for engagement photos!

We had a blast exploring the venue, including some familiar spots and new ones, too! The third floor storage room will forever have my heart – the lighting is a photographer’s dream and pieces are always rotating. I even convinced Rosie and Scott to curl up in a bathtub together… these are some of my favorite images from the entire session!

Pilsen Engagement Photos

For our second location, Scott and Rosie wanted nothing more than to spend time in their neighborhood. Specifically, we visited El Paseo Community Garden where they both volunteer – and also got engaged! They reenacted Scott’s proposal for me and everything (it was super sweet!). After photos in the garden, we strolled through Pilsen to an abandoned church… which made for the perfect finale to such a fun session. I’m so happy we were able to spend time together in the neighborhood.

Rosie and Scott: Thank you again for having me in May! I’m already counting the days until your wedding next year 🙂

Today I’m excited to share Kelley & Ralph’s gorgeous Chicago lakefront engagement session! These two are one of THREE couples we’ll be celebrating this weekend, and I couldn’t let the week go by without sharing these gems 🙂 Associate Chrissy had a blast with these two in the city last fall, and we are SO excited for them to tie the knot in just a few days!

As you know, Lincoln Park in the fall is one of the most popular and picturesque locations for Chicago engagement photos. With the abundance of wildflowers and impressive skyline view, there’s no wonder couples travel from near and far to be part of it all! Ralph and Kelley were all smiles on the Nature Boardwalk, and made their way to North Avenue Beach just in time for golden hour. This skyline view from the Chicago lakefront is one of our favorites… I’m sure you can see why!

Kelley and Ralph: These photos were a delight to look through, thank you again for having us! I can’t wait to see the magic from this weekend!!

Two months ago, I had the pleasure of traveling to my hometown for Haley and Anthony’s Milwaukee elopement. There is something extra special about capturing intimate wedding days – and such a privilege to be among the handful of witnesses. Not to mention, elopements make me a bit nostalgic (my own wedding day was very similar)!

I met Haley and Anthony at the Walker’s Point home where they were staying with family for the weekend. After getting ready together upstairs, we headed out for photos in the neighborhood! The trees were in bloom, scent of spring in the air… and these two could not have been happier. Note Haley’s gorgeous spring bouquet (she arranged all the florals!).

When we returned to the house, family gathered in the upstairs living room for the ceremony to begin. Highlights include nods to family: Haley wore her mother’s vintage veil, and they exchanged rings that belonged to Anthony’s grandparents. Cousin Andrea officiated – and of course their pup Fletcher was part of the festivities! Once the knot was tied, a champagne toast was in order. I’m so excited to celebrate again with these two at their Chicago reception next weekend!

Haley and Anthony: Thank you again for having me capture your Milwaukee elopement in May!! Can’t wait to do it again very SOON 🙂

Where do I begin with Ben and Laura? Their Milwaukee wedding day last summer holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First, I’ve known Ben since we were kids… and when I heard from him in 2019 he was engaged to be married! Once I got to meet Laura, it was clear these two were a perfect match and I could not wait to capture their wedding day. Remember their romantic spring engagement session?!

The day began with Laura getting ready at their Bay View home, and Ben at a friend’s place nearby. Their first look in front of their house was one of my favorites ever – and I don’t think their smiles faded the entire day! We spent the afternoon taking photos at some of my favorite Milwaukee locations along the lakefront, and before long it was time to get these two MARRIED 🙂

I should mention that Laura and Ben’s original wedding date was set for 2020. What’s more: they just so happened to be my last original 2020 couple to finally tie the knot! Ben and Laura said I Do across the street from their home in Humboldt Park, in an intimate ceremony officiated by Ben’s dad. Once it was official, celebration was in order! Guests headed to Hubbard Park Lodge to enjoy delicious food, drink and dancing throughout the night.

Sidenote: If you’re ever looking for an authentic Wisconsin dining experience, definitely check out Hubbard Park!! Their beer garden is one of the best in Milwaukee.

Laura and Ben: THANK YOU again for trusting us to capture these moments for you!! I’m so happy to have been part of your wedding day and wish you both all the happiness in the world.

Want to see more from Ben & Laura’s Day? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Vlad!

Claire and Andrew’s winter wedding at Fairlie Chicago was one for the books! Besides being my first wedding at this gorgeous venue, I was so excited for these two to tie the knot. From our very first meeting, I knew their wedding day was going to be awesome! In Claire’s words:

“We both wanted a winter wedding, and I love the colors. I would say as far as a theme goes it will be pretty simple and modern with a lot of greenery!! Our main priorities are good music, good drinks, and a great photographer to help us capture it all!!! We just want our guests to have a lot of fun.”

I think it’s safe to say their wedding day vision was executed perfectly! After their first look at Fairlie, we traveled to Union Station for some iconic photos with the wedding party. Andrew and Claire could not keep their eyes off each other… thanks for making my job easy, guys!

Fairlie Chicago Wedding

As the afternoon turned into evening, guests began to gather at Fairlie for a candlelit ceremony underneath the skylight. Claire and Andrew were married surrounded by loved ones, and once the knot was tied it was time to PARTY!! Some of my favorite details from their reception include the craft bourbon bar and nighttime sparkler exit 🙂

Andrew and Claire: Thank you again for having us in February!! You two have been a joy to work with, I wish you nothing but happiness in your future together.

Want to see more Claire & Andrew? Check out their rainy day engagement session with beers at Dovetail Brewery!

I had so much fun with Madeleine and Justin during their Roscoe Village engagement session last fall! When I first heard from these two, they had recently moved to the neighborhood with their pup Oly and had just started planning their 2023 wedding… which just happens to be one month from TODAY!! Needless to say, I cannot wait to capture their wedding day!

Our session began with a lovely walk around the neighborhood with Oly. We passed by the iconic Welcome to Roscoe Village sign on our way to one of their favorite local spots, Four Moon Tavern! After a couple brews, we headed home for some photos in their Oakland A’s apparel on the steps (Oly too!). I have to admit: these are some of my favorite photos from our entire session! I mean, just look at that sweet puppy face!

As the sun began to set, we headed east to the lakefront for photos with the skyline. Madeleine and Justin had gotten engaged at the lakefront earlier that year, which made it extra special! The way these two laugh together made my job super easy – I truly felt like a third wheel (in a good way)! We even rented an impromptu Divvy bike to make date night complete 🙂

Madeleine and Justin: Your Roscoe Village engagement session was such a blast… I can’t wait for your wedding day next month!

Today I’m excited to share Rose and Jack’s Morton Arboretum engagement session from October! These two had been dreaming off fall colors for their engagement photos, and we got so lucky with gorgeous weather and fall foliage. I always enjoy when couples choose different seasons for their wedding and engagement photos… and with a June wedding (in less than 10 days!!), it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly!

Morton Arboretum Engagement Session

We started our session near Meadow Lake, taking in all the colorful scenery. If you haven’t visited the arboretum this time of year, you are missing out! As golden hour neared, we explored more of the East Side and all it had to offer. Rose and Jack were up for anything, and I absolutely love how this session turned out!

Rose and Jack: Thank you again for having me capture these moments for you! Can’t wait to do it again very SOON 🙂

When I first met Marissa and Noah, they were planning a Chicago History Museum wedding while living in sunny Los Angeles. They were excited as any engaged couple, but also really looking forward to celebrating with family and friends! I learned about their serendipitous meeting, four-hour first date, and wedding day vision (which may or may not have included a larger-than-life sized Chicago hot dog!). Spoiler alert: the Chicago dog did not make the cut!

Marissa and Noah got ready together with their parties at iconic Hotel Lincoln down the street. Their sweet first look on the staircase was one for the books! I love that these two had a vision for photos here… particularly with the quirky stairwell. The wedding party joined shortly after, and then it was time to walk to the venue! Noah and Marissa made sure to bring California weather with them, which made for a perfect day to walk in the park 🙂

Chicago History Museum Wedding

The venue choice was an easy one: having grown up in the Chicago area, Marissa had always wanted to get married at the History Museum. In addition, most of their friends and family had never been there before! Marissa and Noah were married in an emotional ceremony surrounded by loved ones in the Morse Genius Chicago Room. After the knot was tied, the party was ON!! Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink and lots of dancing throughout the night. We even got to capture Marissa’s reception outfit before saying goodbye!

Marissa and Noah: Thank you again for having us in October!! It has been such a pleasure collaborating with you two, wishing you all the best in your future together!

Mary and Wyatt’s Chicago engagement session last year was one for the books! I met these two in late October at one of my favorite locations in the city, the Garfield Park Conservatory. Turns out it was only a few days before their Engagement-iversary: Wyatt proposed to Mary the previous Halloween! And in exactly ONE MONTH, they will officially be married. Let the countdown begin!

Lucky for us, Chicago weather allowed for photos both inside and outside the conservatory that day. We got to browse lush ferns and desert plants, and Mary and Wyatt were smitten as can be! When the sun began to set, we headed to North Avenue Beach for some iconic Chicago engagement photos with the skyline. I love that this location was personal to them as well… it’s where they first met years before! The colorful sunset was icing on the cake 🙂

Mary and Wyatt: I had so much fun at your Chicago engagement session last year!! Your wedding day is going to be absolutely beautiful, I can’t wait!