Emma Mullins Photography

Erika and Brandon are two of the kindest, sweetest people you will ever meet. I met them through the photography industry last year (photographing another photographer can feel like a lot of pressure!), and was so happy for them when I heard that they were expecting! For their photos, they preferred the woodland/nature feel to urban landscapes, so we headed out to Willow Springs Woods near Palos Hills for a prime fall golden hour session. If one thing is clear, it’s that these two just cannot wait to be parents (very soon!).

We spent our time walking on the Palos Trail system while the sun dipped lower in the sky. This was the first time any of us had been to the forest preserve, and I can now say I think it’s one of my favorites! The fall colors were incredible, and we even saw a group of white-tailed deer and a buck (if you look closely you’ll see him!). Erika and Brandon were at ease, completely in love, and gushing about their daughter to-be.

Erika and Brandon: I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to capture this time for you! You are going to be the most wonderful parents, I have no doubt about it. Can’t wait to meet the little lady one of these days 🙂

Guess what?! Erika is also a talented wedding photographer whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Want to check out her work? See it here!

Mim and Brian’s south side Chicago engagement session took place at some of their favorite locations. These two have actually been married for a year and half – and just had their second wedding in Thailand! They wanted some photos on display at the celebration, so we got together while they were in Chicago 🙂

It was important to incorporate their dog Jacobi (yes, named after the doctor in Twin Peaks!) and the Chicago skyline. We started at Promontory Point, where they were officially engaged one Christmas. We then headed to Garden of the Phoenix (formerly Osaka) nearby. Brian and Mim fell in love in Thailand, and these are some of the first places he took her when she visited Chicago for the first time! We concluded our session at the Museum Campus for skyline views at sunset. These two were so much fun to photograph! Mim has an infectious giggle, and Brian just adores her. It was an honor to capture these moments before their wedding overseas.

Mim and Brian: Thanks so much for having me, I enjoyed meeting you both (Jacobi too!).Congratulations again, and best wishes in your newlywed life!

Gretchen and Michael’s Bristol Renaissance Faire wedding was more fun than I could have dreamed. I don’t get to photograph a lot of theme weddings, and this one made up for that!

When Gretchen was a little girl, she told her mother that she’d get married at the Renaissance Faire. Although she may not remember saying this – she was right!

Gretchen and Michael’s wedding was a full-on Renaissance affair. The ceremony took place over Labor Day weekend at the Cotswold Commons area of the fairgrounds. Gretchen and her family have attended Bristol’s Renaissance Faire almost every year, and she even wore her late grandparents’ wedding rings pinned to her dress in their memory during her ceremony. The officiant dressed as a monk, bridesmaids wore DIY faery wings and flower crowns, and all the groomsmen wore color-coordinated capes. The couple incorporated a Medieval wine ceremony into their wedding as a symbol of their lives uniting as one. Guests waved wands and tossed lavendar at the happy newlyweds during the recessional, and “Huzzah, huzzah!” was the common affirmation throughout the day.

I’m so happy to have been a part of this unique wedding day! Michael and Gretchen are a fun-loving couple who incorporated imagination and fantasy into their Wisconsin wedding day. Congrats again, you two!

Vendor Team

Bride’s dress and veil: The Bridal Event/Crown: One Curtain Road/Groom’s cape: Medieval Collectibles/Groom’s hat: Wizards Wardrobe at the Faire/Groom’s attire: Majestic Velvets/Faery wings: handmade by bridal party/Food: Bristol Renaissance Faire/Dessert: Robin’s Nest Cakery/Florist: Sunnyside Florist/Rings: Rogers & Hollands/Invitation: Marlene’s Wedding Accessory

Ilnara and Kiko’s session is one for the books. The newlyweds, who live in Denver, hopped on a plane to visit Chicago and get some portraits taken together! They got engaged last year in the Windy City and have since moved to Colorado where they tied the knot. Since both of their families live overseas, they didn’t have a huge celebration on their wedding day. Ilnara and Kiko wanted photos in the city where their love story began! That’s where I come in 🙂

Like a lot of wedding professionals, September was hands-down my busiest month. Between the (ever-changing) weather forecast and both of our schedules, we decided that sunrise would be the best time for our session. I am so glad we did! The sun was just peeking up over the lake when we began, and the colors were just incredible. We had fun walking along the beach in the morning light, and even got to crash a seagull party on the pier (this was my favorite!). Eventually it was time for coffee, and we parted ways so they could enjoy their last day in Chicago before heading home.

Ilnara and Kiko: Thanks again for having me! You were a lot of fun to photograph and we truly made some magic together. Would love to do this again next time you’re in Chicago!

Ali and Dan’s forest preserve engagement session was a welcome detour from the urban photography I’ve been immersed in lately. Don’t get me wrong – I love city living, and LOVE urban photography! But it never hurts to get back to nature once in a while.

These lovebirds had been engaged for only a month when I met them, and it showed! They couldn’t stop smiling at each other, so obviously in love and excited for their wedding next June. He makes her laugh, and she just adores him. Their session was a lot of fun to photograph 🙂

We met at Waterfall Glen forest preserve, a place I’d never been but had been meaning to explore. This was the perfect opportunity! Both of them were from the area, and Dan had visited the forest preserve frequently growing up. Our session consisted of hiking through wildflowers, stepping stones through the creek, and of course – playing in waterfalls.

Ali and Dan: Thank you again for having me! Congratulations to you both, I know you’ll continue to make each other so happy in the years to come.

Laura and Adam. Where do I begin?

I’ve known these two for several years, and they’re absolutely perfect for each other. I mean – you don’t even need to spend five minutes with them together and you’ll just know. They are some of the most honest, outspoken, fun-loving people I know and it’s always a great time hanging out with them! When I found out they were up for a Chicago Trash the Dress session, I knew it was going to be good 🙂

We started in their neighborhood at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square. This place is an award-winning bar and restaurant with a huge whiskey selection, and has an inn upstairs for overnight guests (highly recommend this place – it’s right off the blue line train to O’Hare!). Laura and Adam got ready in Room #7 – complete with a Fisher-Price cassette player and mural by local artists Sonnenzimmer. Thanks again to the awesome staff for accommodating us!

We enjoyed a cocktail downstairs before heading across the street to what once was Discount Mega Mall. After playing in the rubble, we headed to North Avenue Beach to trash the dress! The beach was closing just before we jumped in the water, so we had to go all in. Truly, I believe this is some of my best work. More trash the dress sessions, please!!

If you’re considering a Trash the Dress session but are hesitant to “ruin” your dress, here’s some things to consider:

1. Use a different dress! There are plenty of dress options out there that are inexpensive. This way you won’t have to worry about ruining something you spent a lot of time picking out, or that costs more than anything else in your closet. Though you may not wear your wedding dress again, lots of women cringe at the thought of getting theirs dirty. This way your dress stays put, and you still get unique, romantic wedding photos together!
2. Most dresses do dry clean easily, so if you do want to use your real dress, chances are it will be fine. You don’t have to roll around in the mud – just getting it wet or sandy shouldn’t do much damage. The smoke grenades we used here did not come close to staining the fabric.
3. Long, flowy dresses with lots of fabric work best. Laura’s dress was from the sale rack at David’s Bridal – her actual wedding dress was a different style and wouldn’t have worked as well for a session like this. It also wasn’t an option since she donated it after their Mexico wedding. I believe she plans to do the same with this one (once it’s dry cleaned, of course!).

Laura and Adam: Thank you again for helping make my Trash the Dress session dreams come true! Always a pleasure hanging out with you both, hope to join you for a cocktail again soon 🙂

Inn and Cocktails: Longman & Eagle/Dress: David’s Bridal/Shoes: Bonnibel/Jacket: custom made by Trunk Club/Bride’s rings: Brilliant Earth/Groom’s ring: De Mer Jewelry

Jane and John’s Wisconsin Hubbard Park Lodge wedding took place on a lovely summer evening. Connecticut is their home, but because Jane is from – well, Janesville – they decided to make their wedding a destination Midwest getaway. Hubbard Park Lodge is one of my favorite spots in Milwaukee for a fish fry (and now weddings!), and not far from where I grew up. They always have my favorite beer on tap and there is never a shortage of polka music. Feels like home 🙂

I love when a venue can host both the ceremony and reception. Jane and John tied the knot on a perfect August afternoon along the Milwaukee River. A longtime friend officiated. Friends contributed with various readings and musical talents (seriously – they are talented!), and the officiant did a fabulous job keeping everyone on their toes. Jane wore a sash hand-stitched by her mother, including a single blue bead as her something blue. One of the most memorable parts of the ceremony was when Jane’s father stood up from his wheelchair to walk her down the aisle. Even though he recently survived a bicycle accident, he didn’t let that stop him. Of course, he received a standing ovation! I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye on the lawn!

After golden hour portraits Jane and John joined cocktail hour in the new beer garden on premises, and finally the reception. Friends and family said many beautiful words, gave hugs, and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed each others’ company. There was something about the positive energy in the room I’ll never forget.

Jane and John: Thanks again for having me in August! I’m so grateful to have captured these moments for you. Wishing you nothing but happiness in your future together.

Vendor Team

Venue: Hubbard Park Lodge/Bride’s Dress: BHLDN (Hitherto)/Groom’s Suit: Jos. A. Bank/Florals: Urban Sense/Invitation: Vistaprint/Dessert: Simma’s Bakery/Polka Band: Tom Brusky Band

September is here, September is here! As it happens, this month will bring many changes. For some, that means parenthood.

Photographing Angelina was an absolute delight! She is so excited for baby Vera – her first! – to arrive later this month. We met for our session at 31st Street Beach a couple hours before sunset. She was in her 35th week of pregnancy, which is prime photo time! She had the perfect bump, a decent range of motion, and – don’t get me started – that glow. It’s a thing.

There’s something about capturing this time in a woman’s life that seems essential to me. You may not feel the most glamorous during the nine months before baby, and I can understand the tendency to avoid cameras altogether. BUT this is your history, and your family’s history, and it’s something I believe should be documented in some way. Besides, it’s my job to help you feel glamorous! Angelina, however, didn’t seem to have a problem with that 🙂

We had a lot of fun hanging at 31st Street Beach and waiting for the sun to set. It was Friday night, and the beach was full of families picnicking and building sandcastles, and plenty of seagulls to keep things… interesting. Angelina’s background in modeling definitely didn’t hurt, and I even got to meet Dad-to-be Enrique! He was super helpful carrying her things and providing general moral support. I have no doubt they are going to be the most loving, caring parents to their newborn in a few short weeks.

Angelina: thank you again for having me capture these for you! I had such a great time and just love what we created together. Can’t wait for you to meet your daughter, she’s a lucky one 🙂

Eunice and Kyle’s Lincoln Park engagement session was magical in ways I don’t think any of us expected. Their connection is undeniable – I know they could make each other laugh for hours! Between a series of mishaps and the sky beginning to drizzle, all signs pointed to “maybe we should reschedule?” but Eunice and Kyle were packed and ready to leave Chicago a few short days later. They have since relocated to sunny California near where they met years ago, and where they will wed next June. Bottom line is, nothing was going to stop us! We had to make their session happen right then and there, and it came together in the most beautiful way.

I have heard many proposal stories in my day, and theirs resonates with me for some reason. Maybe because I can relate a little 🙂

Eunice’s words: “Kyle and I met when we both attended the same boarding school for high school. I hated his guts, he thought I was a prude. We started dating when I was a junior and he was a sophomore and have been together ever since (8.5 years now). He delights in irritating me and proposed by saying annoying thing after annoying thing so I would not see it coming. We plan to get married at our high school in Southern California.”

Before we began, Eunice shared some photos of their high school to give me an idea of their wedding vision. Believe me – it’s not exactly gymnasiums and fluorescent lighting. This place is a gorgeous mountainside California property that caused this Wisconsin girl’s jaw to drop. I’m not kidding. If my high school were that picturesque… I don’t think I ever would have left!

Kyle and Eunice, I had so much fun capturing these moments with you! I can’t believe the rain held off and our session continued after sunset. The very best to you both as you start your new life together.

Mary and William’s Thalia Hall wedding in June was a big, joyous celebration. I met these two during the beginning stages of planning their New York style wedding. If you’re unfamiliar, a “New York style” wedding reception has regular dancing in between courses. For instance, the band or DJ plays a set, then salads are served. Then speeches, then dancing, then entrées. Then dancing, dessert, and… you get the idea. DJ Timmy kept the party roaring into the night!

Mary met William through his younger brother Andrew, who would officiate their wedding ceremony. In their college days, Mary and Andrew were paired as lab partners at Notre Dame University… want to know why?! They have the same last name! After years of friendship, Mary finally crossed paths with William. The relationship that developed is what would lead us to this day 🙂

From their first look on the Chicago Riverwalk, these two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Because they’re big fans of Land and Sea Department, it only made sense that they’d tie the knot here (read about all the perks below!). Their romantic candlelit ceremony on stage was one to remember… Mary’s brother even serenaded them with a surprise song!

Perks of a Thalia Hall wedding

What’s not to love? Food, beverage, and ambiance are top notch. You get to marry your person on stage (or off-stage, if you prefer) in one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. There are plenty of places inside Thalia Hall to enjoy a private moment together – I recommend sneaking up to the balcony together and taking it all in! Staff is always a pleasure to work with – plus you have Punch House downstairs for your afterparty.

Mary and William: Thank you again for having me! I’ll never forget this incredible day. Wishing you two lifetimes of happiness together.

Vendor Team

Hotel: Virgin Hotels Chicago/Venue: Thalia Hall/Dress: Willowby by Watters (Reagan gown)/Suit: Bonobos Tuxedo/Florals: Flowers for Dreams/Linens: Tablescapes/Dessert: 16″ on Center/DJ: Tim from Toast & Jam/2nd Shooter: Joe U