Cafe Brauer | spring engagement session with flowers in bloom | Chicago, IL

What a fantastic year!

As 2024 comes to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable weddings. Every couple I photograph has a unique story, and my goal is always to capture their authenticity—the real, emotional, and joy-filled moments that make their wedding day one-of-a-kind. From grand Chicago landmarks to intimate celebrations, here’s a collection of my favorite images of 2024, showcasing the beauty of each couple and the vibrant energy of their day.

Iconic Chicago Wedding Venues

Chicago never disappoints when it comes to providing breathtaking settings for wedding and engagement photos. This year, I had the opportunity to capture couples against some of the city’s most scenic and historic locations, including:

The Field Museum – One of the most stunning venues I’ve ever photographed. Capturing the couple’s first kiss under the museum’s Spinosaurus was a challenge due to the tricky lighting, but the result was truly epic.
The Rookery Building – A Greek Orthodox wedding filled with tradition, followed by a reception in one of Chicago’s most architecturally significant spaces.
Loft Lucia – A newer, more intimate venue where I photographed two weddings for the first time. A perfect contrast to the grandeur of Chicago’s classic venues.
Harold Washington Library – The Winter Garden is truly one of Chicago’s most grand and impressive wedding venues.
So many fun engagement sessions - I truly enjoy experiencing the city through the sessions I photograph. I love going back to old spots and exploring new ones, including Lincoln Park, The 606 Trail, West Loop, Milton Olive Park, Northwestern University, Fulton Market and Loyola Beach.

Weddings Full of Unforgettable Moments

While breathtaking settings are incredible, it’s the people themselves that truly make a wedding unforgettable. This year brought so many emotional and fun-filled celebrations, including:

A wedding where the couple first met in kindergarten—so naturally, we took their portraits inside their childhood school.
A fun and lively Jewish wedding at the Fairmont Millennium Park Hotel that was featured in Modern Luxury magazine.
Photographing a Quaker wedding ceremony for the first time - where the bride and groom self marry, and their guests stand to give the couple their blessing.
A groom surprises his bride with a heartfelt book he wrote capturing their entire love story.
A wedding guest in her 70s doing the splits on the dancefloor—a family tradition at every wedding! (She just needed a little help getting up afterward.)
A fall wedding in Geneva, IL with the most vibrant autumn colors I’ve seen that year. So happy the couple was up for a little hiking to get there.
The season finale—wrapping up the year with another stunning wedding at the Field Museum.

A Year of Growth & Storytelling

One of the things I love most about wedding photography is the constant opportunity to grow and refine my craft. This year, I focused even more on capturing what makes each couple unique, ensuring that their wedding gallery isn’t just a collection of beautiful photos, but a true reflection of their personalities and love story. My goal is always to create images that my couples—and future generations—can look back on and feel like they were there, reliving the wedding day all over again.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I close out 2024, I’m beyond grateful for the incredible couples who entrusted me to document their biggest day. If you’re planning your wedding for 2025, I’d love to tell your story! Let’s create something unforgettable together.

Cheers to another amazing year of love and unforgettable moments!

Let's Tell Your Story!