Emma Mullins Photography

Earlier this year, Alexis met up with Elizabeth and Leah for their Chicago Cultural Center engagement session! These two wanted “something that feels vibrant and eclectic” for engagement photos, with a hint of Wes Anderson style. When we started planning their Chicago session for February, we knew we’d need at least one indoor location with lots of variety. Naturally, we decided on the Cultural Center! The result was a success… Elizabeth and Leah brought so much joy, and we are getting so excited for them to tie the knot this fall!

Chicago Cultural Center Engagement Photos

If you’re looking for an indoor location in the city to take engagement photos in the winter, look no further. The Cultural Center is filled with gorgeous light, picturesque locations, and rotating art installations. And the best part: It’s FREE to take photos here, provided there are no other events taking place in the building! The Cultural Center is also in the middle of downtown Chicago, so if you can brave the weather for a few minutes, you’ll be able to capture the cityscape, too. Spoiler alert: That’s exactly what Leah and Elizabeth did for their February session 🙂

Elizabeth and Leah: We loved helping your Cultural Center engagement photos come to life! Can’t wait for all the magic your wedding day will bring!!

Today’s engagement session throwback goes out to Dana and Matt! These two are getting married in exactly ONE MONTH, and I’m super excited to capture their day!! We got to hang out together last fall on one of the most picturesque Chicago evenings, starting with some of their favorite neighborhood spots and ending at the lakefront, of course.

Wrigleyville Engagement Photos

I met up with Matt and Dana at Crosby’s Kitchen for afternoon beers, perfectly timed before the evening dinner rush. They told me all about how they first met, which led to reminiscing on the early days of their relationship (awww!). These two are clearly smitten with each other… not to mention, they’re both totally up for having a good time! I knew right away our session was going to be awesome.

Naturally, we made our way to Wrigley Field for photos with the iconic stadium. Even though their baseball allegiances do not align, we had a blast in Cubs territory (they even let me get a little artsy with that silhouette!). There’s no denying that the Wrigleyville neighborhood has its own personality and charm… even if you’re not a Cubs fan.

Chicago Skyline Engagement

Later that evening, we made our way to the lakefront for some classic photos with the Chicago skyline. And I just want to say that truly, this view is majestic any day of the week, any time of year. However, on this day, there was just something extra special about it. Maybe it was the uncharacteristically calm water, or the gorgeous fall temperature, or that Dana and Matt’s outfits just happened to perfectly coordinate with the colors of the sky (totally unplanned, I swear!). Regardless, we totally took advantage of the scene and created some of my favorite engagement photos to date!

Dana and Matt: Thank you again for having me last fall! Your wedding day is going to be a dream, can’t wait to do it again very SOON 🙂

Meagan and Luke are getting married in less than two weeks!! Today I’m throwing it back to their gorgeous Chicago summer engagement session. There’s truly something special about our city in the summertime – ask anyone who’s lived here during all four seasons! In fact, they say that if you visit Chicago during the summer, you’ll never leave… totally makes sense that Meagan and Luke chose to celebrate this time of year with their engagement photos, and then again when they’ll tie the knot later this month!

Chicago Summer Engagement Photos

I met these two and their pup Louie last August for a stroll around their neighborhood, stopping at some of their favorite spots along the way. This sweet pup loves to snuggle, and I caught him smiling at the camera a couple times, too! After our time with Louie we headed downtown to Olive Park for photos with the lakefront and our iconic skyline. If you’re planning a Chicago summer engagement session, definitely consider this location! The view is incredible and there’s lots of variety, including lush trees, nearby Navy Pier, and Ohio Street Beach. They even brought a bottle of bubbly to celebrate!

As the sun began to set, we walked toward the Riverwalk to end our session with romantic city lights and summer vibes! These two are definitely up for having a good time, and I know their wedding day is going to be a blast 🙂

Meagan and Luke: Thanks again for having me capture these moments for you last summer! Can’t wait to do it again SOON!!

Today’s post is something of a gran finale: our final session in Italy with Stuart and Lily in Parco Sempione! These two were a treat to photograph… and happen to be wedding photographers themselves (it’s true!). If you’re located in the United Kingdom and in need of a photographer, definitely check out their work!

Arco della Pace

Our session began in front of Arco della Pace, the historic monument at the park’s northwest entrance. My favorite thing about Stuart and Lily is that they were up for anything! One minute they’d turn up the romance like they were the only two people in the park, and the next they were laughing and running barefoot across the piazza. This is exactly the type of energy a wedding photographer thrives on during portrait time!

Fun fact: the “peace arch” was originally intended to commemorate Napoleon’s victory over Italy. However, construction was completed after the fall of the French empire and the arch was dedicated to peace in Vienna.

Parco Sempione Wedding Photos

Someone told me that Parco Sempione is basically Milan’s Central Park. This makes complete sense: it’s about 47 hectares in size (≈ 116 acres), contains a world-class aquarium, centuries-old castle, historic amphitheatre, and so much more! Food and beverage vendors are easy to find, and there’s often some kind of free performance happening on the lawn. I spent a great deal of time in this park during my trip, and it did not disappoint!

After some time with the arco, Stuart and Lily were up for a stroll in the park. We found a lovely spot with white florals and greenery – a perfect contrast with Lily’s spring bouquet! I could have photographed these two for hours in this park… but eventually the sun began to set and it was time to say goodbye.

Ti Amo, Milano

Milan, you have my heart! I truly felt at home in Northern Italy by the end of my trip, and am so grateful to have been a part of this retreat. Without Bella Vita, I don’t know if I’d ever have a reason to visit this city! Now, I’m eager to get back and explore even more… maybe sooner than expected 🙂

Are you planning a wedding in Italy? Looking for more destination wedding inspiration?? Check out these other posts on the Blog!

Lake Como Elopement | Villa Pizzo Wedding | Milan Cathedral Sunrise Session | Museo 900 Wedding

If you’ve been following the Blog for the past week, you’ve already seen a sessions from downtown Milan and Lake Como during the spring Bella Vita Retreat! Today I’m excited to continue with Matthew and Jane’s lovely afternoon session at Museo del 900. If you’re not familiar, this modern art museum in the center of Milan houses works by 20th-century artists such as Boccioni, De Chirico, Matisse, Picasso, and Klee. It is said to be one of the most important collections of Futurism, Spatialism, and Arte Povera in the world.

Museo del Novecento Wedding

We met these two back at Piazza del Duomo for photos inside the museum, looking dapper as ever. Their ensemble perfectly fit the art museum vibe (I was obsessed with Jane’s elbow-length gloves!). Matthew and Jane were all about the romance – which made for an excited group of wedding photographers! Once we made our way to the top floor, the creativity really began to flow. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II… an iconic backdrop for newlywed photos 🙂

Downtown Milan Wedding Photos

After the museum, we were lucky enough to explore downtown Milan with these two! We had a blast roaming around nearby streets and capturing these moments. The newlyweds even got to play with a pair of parasols, soaking up the Italian scenery. Before long, we made our way back to the museum steps for some of my favorite photos from the entire session. Thanks to Jane and Matthew for being such incredible models and fun to work with!!

If you enjoyed this post, there is more to come! Keep an eye out for our final session in Italy on the Blog tomorrow…

Today I’m wrapping up this week’s Italy feature with Felicia and Dillon’s newlywed sunrise session at Milan Cathedral. Locally known as Duomo di Milano, this iconic location contains over six centuries of history! Tourists are welcome to visit the cathedral during open hours, and guided tours are also available. If you think the photos are majestic, imagine viewing this beauty in person! I digress…

Milan Cathedral Wedding Photos

We woke up before sunrise the morning after our Lake Como adventure, and hopped on a metro toward Piazza del Duomo. Luckily, there weren’t many other pedestrians outside the cathedral when we arrived (it gets SUPER crowded later in the day!). Seriously, if you’re looking to take your own Milan Cathedral wedding photos, I highly recommend starting before sunrise. Felicia and Dillon stunned in the early morning light – and that veil! I mean, come ON!! To say we were all obsessed would be an understatement.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

As the morning rush began, we made our way to the nearby shopping center Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for more photos with the Italian architecture. Somehow we were lucky enough to capture a few photos of these two without crowds of Italian businesspeople in the background of every shot! Finally, it was time to say goodbye to our models – but not without popping some Prosecco and playing with the birds 🙂

Not pictured: the Turin Bull, a mosaic design located on the floor of the shopping mall outside Prada. Legend has it, if you place your right heel on the bull’s testicles (these days, just a hole in the ground) and spin around three times, you’ll have good luck!

This shoot was such a blast, but the day didn’t end here. Keep an eye out for our afternoon and evening sessions on the Blog next week!!

Surprise!! Today I’m excited to feature another Italy wedding from the Bella Vita Retreat this spring. If you like what you see and missed yesterday’s post, definitely check go back and check it out!

Also worth mentioning: I’m pretty sure this was one of the windiest days on record at the lake (ain’t no thang for this Chicago girl!). Truly, I’m grateful we were able to move forward with this gorgeous shoot as planned.

Villa Pizzo Wedding

After our lovely morning elopement at Lake Como, we made our way across the lake to historic Villa Pizzo. When we arrived mid-afternoon, I couldn’t help but explore this incredible property and all the potential photo locations! To be honest, being inside this place is a bit overwhelming… everywhere you turn there’s a centuries-old artpiece, furniture or painting. In fact, according to Villa Pizzo’s web site, the villa was once home to John the Baptist.

Our shoot began inside the villa with a custom invitation suite and bridal details. We were soon joined by Yana and Giuseppe, looking stylish as ever! Aside from our impressive surroundings, the villa gets gorgeous light for pre-ceremony photos. I could have photographed them here for hours! Before we knew it, these two were fully dressed and ready for their intimate ceremony on the terrace overlooking the lake.

After their romantic ceremony (shout out to Sydney of The Ivory Standard for stepping in to officiate!), it was time for newlywed photos around the property. With endless options, we made the most of our time with these two before their sunset boat ride!

Lake Como Boat Ride

This part of the shoot was much anticipated by many, though admittedly I didn’t think much of it leading up to the day. Of course, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire retreat! What’s not to love about riding around in a boat on Lake Como during sunset? Add in a couple of happy newlyweds after their Villa Pizzo wedding ceremony, and you’ve got your dream job! Okay, maybe it’s not your dream job… but for me, it couldn’t get much closer 🙂

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy to photograph FIVE styled shoots hosted by Bella Vita Retreats! The retreat took place over three days in April, including a handful of talented photographers from around the world. Besides getting to work alongside other creatives for most of our waking ours, I was lucky enough enjoy Northern Italy with this group as well! Over the next two weeks I’ll be sharing my images from the retreat, on both digital and film.

Lake Como Elopement

Our very first shoot may have been the most fun: Makayla and CJoe’s Lake Como elopement! We met these two early in the morning, looking stylish and in love as ever. My favorite detail was the red hot Vespa we got to play with – they even got to take it for a spin! I loved that these two were up for anything, including popping a bottle of Prosecco in an Italian alleyway. Fun fact: the woman who lived in the yellow house came out to congratulate the couple, and offered us glassware so they could drink the wine in style! If you look closely, you can spot her in the background of one of my photos…

Makayla and CJoe were the perfect couple for this shoot and I’m thrilled at how these images turned out! Stay tuned for more Italy on the Blog coming SOON 🙂

Meggie and Caleb’s Firehouse Chicago wedding this spring was an absolute delight to capture. Originally scheduled for September of this year, they decided to change plans after learning that their family would be expanding this summer! I happily joined their team of vendors in shifting to a May date, and a few months later, these two were officially married 🙂

When I first heard from Meggie and Caleb, they described their wedding vision this way:

“We are queer and polyamorous, and our wedding will reflect this! We plan to include our other partners and our Chicago community as much as possible. We also have an 11-year-old kiddo who we hope will participate in some way. We hope to create traditions around the wedding and reception that feel right for us, rather than defaulting to what we’ve seen before. We also hope to create space for an intimate gathering with our friends and family before the formal ceremony.”

Firehouse Chicago Wedding

As you may guess, their vision came together beautifully. We met these two at Firehouse Chicago on the most lovely spring afternoon, getting ready together with loved ones. Caleb’s stepfather officiated the emotional ceremony, which included meditative breathing, personal vows, and a moment to honor their family. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place!

That evening, the Newlyweds spent time visiting with their guests in the venue’s lovely garden. Highlights include delicious food and mocktails, heartfelt speeches, and an impressive first dance to get the party started! We even got to take a few impromptu maternity photos in the garden… how cute are they?! This day was a celebration not only Meggie and Caleb’s marriage, but the love and support of their community and growing family. It was truly a pleasure to document and be part of.

Meggie and Caleb: Thank you again for having us in May!! We couldn’t be more excited for you two and all that’s to come!

In May, I was lucky enough to return to NYC for Julie and Austin’s engagement session! I met up with these two at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a dream New York City engagement photo location. Similar to Chicago’s Art Institute, there are so many places for a photographer to get creative! We started with the Egyptian art collection, dating as far back as 300,000 B.C. Fun fact: The collection includes the Temple of Dendur, a gift to The Met from Egypt in 1967. Yep, we got to learn things AND take pretty engagement photos! We eventually wandered through the American Wing and past European paintings, to find ourselves back in The Great Hall and ready for the next location.

Central Park Engagement Photos

Leaving the museum, we felt a few drops of rain that would remain consistent for the duration of our session. Thankfully, Julie and Austin were not fazed by the weather! We took a stroll through Central Park, stopping at Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge (not to be confused with Beau Bridges), and Bethesda Terrace (my fave). Of course, Central Park is filled with prime photo locations – I could have stayed here all day! Austin and Julie were kind enough to navigate through the massive park, and eventually to our next stop: the ferry terminal.

The NYC Ferry

When we first started planning their session, Julie and Austin were quick to suggest taking the ferry between locations. I soon learned that the NYC Ferry had a large part in how these two got together! Turns out they used to live “a ferry ride away” from each other, so much of their early dating days were spent on the ferry. Naturally, we had to include a ferry ride into their New York City engagement session!

South Street Seaport Engagement Photos

When we got off the ferry at Wall Street, the drops of rain had turned to a seaside mist. Julie and Austin embraced the weather and were all about each other. We made our way to South Street Seaport for some romantic photos in the rain. I absolutely loved the Old World/European feel of this location, and am so happy we ended here! If you look closely, you’ll notice some film photos from this part of the session 🙂

Austin and Julie: Thanks for having me capture your New York City engagement photos! You two were a blast to hang with, wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.