J. Brown Photography - Best of 2020
After a year so full of uncertainty and worry, I wanted to reflect on the work I was able to create, and the people who so graciously allowed me into their lives. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for the clients who stuck with me during a extremely difficult time in the wedding industry. I’m so lucky to work with amazing people, who were able to find creative ways to celebrate with family and friends in a safe way. Outdoor weddings, mini weddings, attendants in masks, front porch sessions, surprise weddings, courthouse weddings…..2020 was full of professional firsts for me.
Given that it was such a unique and crazy year, I’m showcasing variety of work including night sky star photographs, a fantastic outdoor Indian wedding, a Montana destination wedding, “stoop shoot” portrait sessions, and headshots for the talented planners at Wedicity. We’re not there yet, so please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and I truly look forward to brighter days ahead. In the meantime, please enjoy some of my favorite images from the past year.
Outdoor Indian Wedding
South Asian and Indian weddings tend to be quite large affairs. Despite the pandemic, Sushma & Smit were able to limit their guest list, and still celebrate all their traditions with close family and friends.
The photos below are from the couple’s outdoor haldi ceremonies, as well as their wedding at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Honestly some of the most fun events I got to photograph last year.
Night sky star photography
With the world slowing down, I was able escape on a couple road trips to some wide open spaces. Went I’m not working with couples or families, I do like to photograph landscapes, and lately I’ve turned toward the night sky. Below are photographs from Arches National Park in Moab, UT, Grandby, CO near Rocky Mountain National Park and Wild Rose, WI. In particular I have to recommend you take a trip to Moab. The Arches National Park is one of the darkest places in our modern world, and the stars put on one heck of a show.
Montana Destination Wedding
It goes without saying that planning a wedding during a global pandemic is no small task. My clients took many approaches from rescheduling to next year, to trimming their guest list, to having a mini-wedding now and a big party later. For Madelaine & Adam…..they headed to Big Sky, Montana. After finding a new venue (Rainbow Ranch Lodge) near the bride’s family home, they trimmed down their guest list, and turned their Chicago event into a destination wedding out west. Cannot thank them enough for allowing me to come along and document their day!
Wedicity Wedding Day Detailing - Team Portraits
Right before the pandemic, I had a blast creating new team photos from the fabulous event planners at Wedicity!
They’re the best in the business in helping couples realize their wedding day dreams, as well navigating this incredibly difficult time. I can’t wait to work with them again!
Stoop Shoots!
Early on a project that helped keep me busy, save my sanity and connect with my clients was the front porch sessions I got to photograph.
I’m so grateful to the friends and past wedding client who were open to the idea. More than anything, simply being able to connect (from a distance) and create images made quarantine life bearable.
