Emma Mullins Photography

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!!

Julia and Dan’s summer Chicago engagement session was one for the books! Not only did we get lucky with perfect July weather, these two officially tied the knot less than two weeks later! I knew Dan from my theatre days in Chicago – he actually acted in a play I directed years ago (it’s true!). When he told me he and Julia were engaged and wanted an epic photo session to capture their love, I couldn’t have been happier for them!!

We started our session at the 606 in Wicker Park, making our way to North Avenue Beach at dusk. I was definitely a fan of their locations and outfit choices (can we talk about Julia’s hot pink dress?!)… but the way these two look at each other is what really stole the show. We talked about Dan’s Christmas Eve proposal, their Las Vegas honeymoon plans, and upcoming wedding, of course! These two couldn’t be happier together, and that makes my heart so full 🙂

Dan and Julia: Thank you again for having me capture these moments for you. I hope these photos bring you great joy in the years to come! CONGRATS again to you both!!!

Looking for more summer Chicago engagement inspiration? Check out these other sessions on the Blog!

Brigette & Michael | Claire & Mark | Angie & Mike | Tommy & Elissa | Minal & Drew

Jessika and Matthew’s spring South Loop engagement session was a dream! These two were such a treat to have in front of my camera… not to mention I made a new puppy friend, Nala! This sweet lady has the brightest eyes and an adorable puppy-dog face, Jess and Matt are absolutely smitten with her. I’m so happy she could join us! (Shout out to the friends who helped out with Nala during this session!)

I met these three at their South Loop home for an evening stroll through the neighborhood. To say Nala was excited would be an understatement! When we came to the Agora installation on Roosevelt Road (you know, those tall leg statue things?), the sun was hitting it just right and we had to stop! Matt and Jess walked right into a perfect patch of light and shared a kiss, with no prompt or direction from me at all. It was as if they read my mind! After that, I knew this session was going to be good!!

We strolled toward the lakefront for photos with Nala at the Museum Campus. This was their happy place – and Nala’s home turf! After a few family photos, I got Jessika and Matthew all to myself. Even though it was a brisk May evening, these two had no problem keeping each other warm. The upside of chilly weather: we were lucky enough to have the iconic skyline view ALL to ourselves!!! This never happens in Chicago… and believe me, we made the most of it 🙂

Jessika and Matthew: I had so much fun at our session, thanks again for having me! Super excited for your wedding day in September!!

When I first started talking with Jolene and Will, it was clear that iconic Chicago locations were a priority for wedding and engagement photos. Naturally, downtown Chicago was the place to start! I met these two on a Monday afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago. We got to play in the gardens for a bit before heading inside to see more art! Jolene talked about her love for Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who happens to be one of my favorite French artists as well.

After some quality time in the galleries, we crossed the street to the lovely Lurie Garden. This is one location I hadn’t been to in over a year, and it felt so GOOD!! The seasonal blues and purples in the gardens added to the happy spring vibe of the day. Jolene and Will were all smiles… I could easily have spent our entire session here!

It was time for more cityscape, so we headed over to Canal Street for photos at Kinzie Bridge. I was so happy they wanted to stop here! This view of the river is so very Chicago. As the sun began to set, we made our way to Olive Park for some iconic Chicago photos with the skyline. We talked about our mutual loves for travel, craft beer, and their upcoming wedding at Revolution Brewing 🙂

Even though we visited some of the most iconic locations in the city, my favorite thing about this session was how often Jolene and Will made each other laugh! I have no doubt their wedding day is going to be just as awesome. Can’t wait for them to tie the knot next month!!!

Alison and Kevin’s downtown spring engagement session was romantic, dreamy, and most of all: FUN!! These two were a breeze to have in front of my camera, and we got to visit some favorite Chicago photo locations. Spring came early this year (well, early for Chicago, that is!)… and I can not get enough of these April blooms! So happy we had a chance to play on the Riverwalk before heading to the lakefront.

When I first starting talking with Alison, we knew the skyline view at Museum Campus was a must for their engagement photos. After years of long distance and multiple cities, these two were happy to finally call Chicago home. She and Kevin live in the South Loop and walk to the lakefront regularly, so naturally this was the perfect place to be for sunset! We were lucky to get a pop of sunshine just in time for golden hour – some of my favorite photos from their session. Not to mention: these two mastered every dip, lift, and dancing photo! I was thoroughly impressed, only to find out that it was not their first time making those moves 🙂

Alison and Kevin: Thank you again for having us last month!! You two were a joy to photograph and I wish you nothing but happiness in your future together.