Emma Mullins Photography

It’s finally starting to feel like SPRING here in Chicago! Sierra and Kyle will tie the knot in just a few weeks, and today I’m starting the countdown with their Chicago Riverwalk engagement session 🙂

Chicago Riverwalk Engagement

We met outside the Chicago Theatre and made our way to the Riverwalk. These two were all about each other, and adorable as can be! I loved strolling along the river with these two, stopping at some of my favorite locations along the way. We made our way to classic LaSalle Bridge just in time to catch the golden sunshine! Fun fact: Sierra and Kyle will tie the knot next month just down the street!

Lincoln Park Engagement

As the sun began to set, we headed north to Lincoln Park for more greenery and nature vibes. Many of you know that this is one of the best locations in Chicago if you’re looking for fresh air, wildlife, and a skyline view! They even got to break for romantic storytime on the Nature Boardwalk… a nod to their book-themed wedding celebration next month!

Full Moon at the Beach

We couldn’t let the evening end without stopping at North Avenue Beach! By the time we arrived, it was Blue Hour and the city lights were on (my fave!). The best part was, up in the purple-blue sky, a full moon was illuminating the water like I’d never seen. These are easily some of the most romantic engagement photos I’ve captured in this location! 

Sierra and Kyle: I had so much fun during your engagement session! Can’t wait to do it again very soon!!

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 🙂

Today we’re throwing it back to Kate and Ben’s Chicago winter engagement session last year! These two are getting ready to tie the knot this weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited to capture it all 🙂

We met downtown for photos at some iconic locations that were meaningful to them, including Orleans Street Bridge. Outdoor sessions in the winter can be tricky, but Kate and Ben were all for it! One of my favorite things about winter sessions is that the downtown locations are more accessible for photos… and this was no exception. I even got them dancing in the street!

When the sun began to set, we took a quick break to stay warm and an outfit change. I learned that Ben and Kate were champagne enthusiasts… hence the bottle of bubbly they’d been carrying around for photos! They popped it open to celebrate in front of our skyline, and we got to enjoy one of the most romantic and colorful winter sunsets. I am SO excited to do it all again in a few days!

Kate and Ben: I had so much fun during your Chicago winter engagement session last year! Your wedding day is going to be awesome, see you SOON!!

It’s starting to feel like springtime in Chicago, which means more and more couples are planning engagement photos! Sara and Brian’s Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool engagement session last year was one of my favorite sessions ever – and it’s not hard to see why. Besides being totally over the moon with each other, their location ideas did not disappoint! Put that together with perfect Chicago weather, and we have the stuff engagement session dreams are made of 🙂

We arrived at Lincoln Park during golden hour, my favorite time to visit the Lily Pool. It was the perfect evening for a stroll around the pond! Sara and Brian were a delight to hang with – I don’t think either of them stopped smiling the entire session. I loved hearing their sweet engagement story and learning about their plans to wed in New Jersey this fall!

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the lakefront for iconic photos with the Chicago skyline. Seriously – we could not have asked for better weather, and these two were a dream in front of the camera! Thanks again for having me, Sara and Brian!! All my best to you both!

Thinking about your own Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool engagement session?

That’s awesome! This hidden gem location is one of Chicago’s finest. Some things you should know:

• A photography permit is required for this location. You can find more information and secure your permit here!
• If you can, schedule your session a couple hours before sunset to take advantage of golden hour light! Photographers love this time of day because light is warm, romantic, and the most flattering.
• Because it’s so unique and beautiful, the lily pool is also popular. It’s possible you may have to wait your turn for some of the most picturesque areas. Nothing to be discouraged by! This place is full of photo-worthy locations.

Happy 2023, friends!! I’m excited to share Alana and Philip’s Chicago winter engagement session as my first post of the new year. I met these two through Katherine and Robb – you may recognize Philip as a groomsmen in their wedding last summer! These two will wed in North Carolina this June, but wanted to commemorate their city with engagement photos. Of course, I was more than happy to help them out!

We started at my home away from home, the Garfield Park Conservatory. Besides being a popular wedding day portrait location, I always recommend starting here for a winter engagement session! I was thrilled when Alana and Philip expressed similar affection toward this place – they even considered tying the knot here! We had a blast exploring each greenhouse, talking wedding plans, and discussing our green thumbs (in my case, whatever is the opposite of green). These two are so clearly over the moon about each other, I don’t think they stopped smiling for a second!

After a lovely time at the conservatory, we headed to North Avenue Beach. Here we experienced Chicago weather in all its glory – I’m pretty sure we were in the middle of an actual cloud! Luckily we were still able to see the skyline, and the photos we created are some of my favorites to date. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: you can not go wrong with this portrait location! There is something so unique and stunning about Chicago’s lakefront no matter the time of year (or the weather!).

Alana and Philip: Thank you again for having capture these moments for you! You two were a dream to work with, I know your wedding this year is going to be beautiful. Congrats again!!

Happy FALL, friends! Even though summer is officially over, I can’t help but reminisce over Kenia & Bobby’s stunning Chicago summer engagement session. Emma C had a blast with these two in August, and we are so excited for them to tie the knot in THREE DAYS!!!

Emma met these two at one of our all-time favorite photo spots, Lincoln Park. You can’t go wrong with this location! Bobby and Kenia are naturals in front of the camera… aren’t they adorable together?! I absolutely love their outfits, too – Kenia looked stunning in her summer hat and dress! After a lovely stroll in the park, they ended up at the lakefront for sunset with the Chicago skyline. I can’t think of a better way to end a perfect summer evening!

Kenia and Bobby: Your Chicago summer engagement session was a dream! Can’t wait to see what Emma creates for you on wedding day 🙂

Happy Friday, friends! It’s been a busy week, filled with good things: meeting awesome new couples, getting published in Junebug Weddings, and some exciting news in the works. But don’t worry! I was sure to make time for the Blog 🙂

Field Museum Engagement Photos

Today’s “retro” post goes out to Brittany and Jonathan. I will never forget their unique Field Museum engagement session! These two traveled overseas for their Chicago wedding in October 2019. Because they arrived a week or so early, we had a chance to get together for pre-wedding photos! And, while the Museum Campus is a popular location for iconic Chicago photos, Brittany and Jon were more interested in photos inside the museum. This request was a first for me, but I was ALL for it!

We met outside of Stanley Field Hall, and after taking in the grandeur of the place, headed up to see Sue. This was, most definitely, the main attraction for Brittany and Jon! I can’t speak for them, but I learned a thing or two about the Cretaceous period and the importance of this dinosaur. Did you know: Sue’s sex is undetermined? She was named after the scientist who discovered her in 1990!

Chicago Skyline Engagement Photos

When our T-Rex time was up, I was lucky enough to meet their sweet pup Artemesia! Thanks to Brittany’s mom for keeping her company while we learned about SCIENCE. We took a stroll across campus for a perfect view of the skyline, and I couldn’t get over how great these two were in front of the camera. That’s when I knew their wedding was going to be awesome. And it was!!