From Texas to Chicago: Justin & Lani’s January Engagement Session

I met Lani pretty soon after she and Justin moved to Chicago last year. She gets so excited at every opportunity to talk about her upcoming wedding, and I can’t help but ask her about it! Their destination wedding plans have been in the works for some time now, and it’s all finally coming together. When she asked me to take their engagement photos in their new city, I was thrilled!

We started in their neighborhood of Logan Square, and hit some stops that were meaningful to them. It was a cold (very cold) January afternoon, so our plan was to stay indoors. I met Justin & Lani at Bric-A-Brac Records, one of my favorite spots in the city. So much music, and nostalgia galore (So. Many. Toys). Lani even left with a California Raisin figurine! Plus, there is always an awesome graffiti mural on the side of the building. Mural pictured is by local artist Sick Fisher.

We headed down the street to grab a cocktail at Reno, where Justin and Lani had their first Chicago date. Two whiskeys later, we decided to play tourist and went to the top of 360 Chicago (formerly the John Hancock Observatory) for some killer sunset views of the city and frozen lake! I even got to play around with double exposures – thanks for the inspiration, Lani 🙂 I had a blast playing tourist for a change!

Finally, we made a quick decision to brave the 16-degree weather and stop at North Avenue Beach for some icy beach images at dusk. Lani’s dream was to recreate the feel of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Honestly, these may be my favorite images from our entire session. Were we freezing? Yes. Was it worth it? Completely.

Justin, Lani: thank you so much for having me tag along on this adventure! There is no doubt you two share something special and unique, and I’m so excited for you to make it official later this year.

double exposure couple with Chicago skyline
Bric-a-Brac Records exterior
closeup of sign in Bric-a-Brac Records windon
pins buttons display at Bric-a-Brac Records
Marge Simpson bikini doll at Bric-a-Brac Records
couple shopping at Bric-a-Brac Records in Chicago
hip couple shopping at Bric-a-Brac Records engagement session
black and white artistic record store engagement session
Bric-A-Brac Records interior cassette tapes wall
Chicago record store engagement session
Bric-A-Brac Records engagement session in Chicago
Staff Picks sign at Bric-A-Brac Records in Chicago
Chicago record store engagement photo at Bric-A-Brac Records
Bric-A-Brac Records California Raisin purchase
Bric-A-Brac Records flier on counter
Logan Square engagement session outside Bric-A-Brac Records
couple kissing outside Bric-A-Brac Records in Logan Square Chicago
Bric-A-Brac Records engagement session graffiti mural background
record store engagement session Logan Square Chicag street art at Bric-A-Brac Records
couple sitting at counter in Reno Logan Square Chicago
couple in love through Chicago cafe window
black and white engagement ring through cafe window
couple in love at Reno Chicago Logan Square
couple laughing with whiskey at Reno Chicago
Reno engagement session in Chicago sunglasses reflection
Chicago skyline as seen from John Hancock Observatory
January engagement session at 360 Chicago
black and white engagement photography at 360 Chicago
black and white closeup photo of couple holding hands engagement ring
northern view of frozen Lake Michigan from 360 Chicago
freezing January engagement session at Chicago's North Avenue Beach
couple walk out to frozen lake in Chicago
couple on frozen Lake Michigan in Chicago
black and white photo of couple on frozen Lake Michigan
couple holding hands on frozen beach at dusk
couple keeps each other warm at frozen beach engagement session
couple embraces in Chicago January weather at beach
Texas couple's January Chicago engagement session at dusk on frozen lake

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