Best locations Chicago for a surprise Proposal/ Engagement sessions

So… You have got the ring, you have made the dinner reservations, you have asked for her hand, ( I hope you have), you have told her bestie to make sure she her nails done, hair done EVERYTHING done. You have the photographer but you don’t have the perfect place yet. Well, Look no further. There so many great locations in the city that are breath taking, here are just a few of my favorite.

The Cupola at the London House Hotel

Great views, fanaminal experience over all. There is a private capful at the rooftop that’s private for you and your guest. This locations is perfect if you are looking to wow your girl. The proposal comes with a beautiful set up and of course you can add your touch to it.

The Planetarium Museum

This is the south view of the city. Perfect location for a beautiful sunset proposal or an engagement session. It is a public area, no ned for any permits. You can set up a beautiful picnic style or a sunset watch with a few bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion.

North Avenue Beach

This is my all time favorite spot. My number one most requested location in the city. The views from here are spectacular. Clos to the city, almost as if you can touch the buildings but yet so far. The never ending blue waters of Lake Michigan. The pretty skies when the sun is out. Everyday is a different mood at North avenue beach. The views from that end is always changing depending on the weather.

Lincoln Park

Let’s talk about how beautiful Lincoln Park is. It is underrated! So much greenery, beautiful homes, Ponds within the park, City views, the famous honey comb that on one knows what’s its for but it is stunningly beautiful. The have zoo in the park. farmers market which is every Saturday just across from the Lincoln Park zoon. I mean, what does Lincoln park don’t have. Come on it doesn’t get better than this. Absolutely one of my favorites parks in Chicago.

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond

The hidden pond within Lincoln Park. Absolutely germ. This garden is breath taking. It has a pond inside the garden and a water fall. Wow. I suggest going there just to check it out. It’s a peaceful place with beautiful scenery. Ther’re place to seat and admire the beauty around you. Its quiet and you can hear the waters and the birds sining. What a romantic garden.

Milton Lee Olive Park

This is the Navy pier park that has a ledge that come out to Lake Michigan. Absolutely remarkable views with the blue waters of the lake. Also a great location for fire works. In the summer Navy pier has fire works on Saturdays and its to die for. I suggest this location for an sunset/ night time shoot if you want to catch some spectacular moments

The LaSalle Bridge

Most famous bridge of them all. This past weekend I shot a wedding at the Bahi Temple and one of our locations for our bride and groom was the LaSalle bridge. There we at least 6 brides there just to give you an idea of how famous and gorgeous this location is. the urban feel and the city view is a must have for any occasion.

The art Institute Garden

This is another hidden germ in the city. Located smack downtown on the side of the Art institute museum. Beautiful garden with a fountain. A must go for all the nature and the leaves . If your ever downtown and looking for a peaceful location away from all the tourist and the noise. Check this place out. You won’t regret it. Perfect lunch spot or a get =way from the office.

There are tons of locations in this city that you may think you know but Chicago keeps you guessing. The beauty about City is that everything is a hidden germ and you just have to get out walk around and I promise you will stumble upon amazing things and spaces. Check these locations out let me know which ones are your favorite.

Treat yourself to a Staycation Photoshoot

Let me introduce you to one of the most stylish dope African woman that’s kill the game in Fashion. Meet Fanny Müller. Am amazing lady from Cameroon living her best life in Chicago. She’s a personal stylist, a set designer, a florist, a model, and a strong woman of God.

I met Fanny years back at a day party through a friend. The fist thing that attracted me to her was her style and her personality. She is creative and has a unique style that captures your eye. We have been friends for sometime now, I have seen her grow and build her network and giving it her all.

I had the pleasure of shooting her at the Kimpton Hotel Monoco. A beautiful 4 Diamond star boutique hotel located in Downton Chicago just a few steps away from the River walk, The loop, and Magnificent mile. The building is an important part of Chicago’s historic loop. It was the headquarters of D.B Fisk & co the country's largest wholesale millinery. The hotel pays homage to Chicago and the hat factory while adding distinct Kimpton twists in the guest rooms and suites. It was the perfect location to have the shoot. Big windows with lots of natural light and breath taking views of the city.

This was our fist time working together and its been a long time coming. With both our schedules we couldn’t find the time but it couldn’t have been more perfect time than this. Fanny is a fun spirited person and has an amazing energy when working with her. She’s effortless classy and stunning. It was a joy shooting her and definitely will not be the last. She has a great portfolio and I highly recommend her. Follow her along as she takes you around the world.

IG: @lafreecaine & @Fannymuller

Chicago Elopment wedding

To kick off the wedding season of 2021, I had a pleasure shooting a small elopement wedding earlier this month.

We arrived at the Planetarium at about 2pm. The original plan was to take photos by the water with the skyline behind, but when we got there things had to change due to the heavy winds. On this day April 1st it happened to be the most coldest day of that week. Yes! Its spring, but on this day the it felt like one cold winter. Crazy Chicago winds, but that wasn’t coming between Heidy + Alexandra D-day.

We found a perfect location just south of the Chicago Planeterium where the trees lined up like an aisle. They were gathered by a few friends and family. Their wedding was filled with so much laughter and giggles all through.

Here are some beautiful moments of their lovely elope wedding.

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Maternity Session in The Chicago Botanic Garden

I first met Xin about 3 years ago when I did her engagement session. A couple of weeks ago she called me and this time around her family was growing and she wanted to capture the beauty of her pregnancy. This was very exciting news to me. I could not wait to see her again and capture this new chapter of her life.

Xin chose the Chicago Botanic Garden as the location for the photoshoot. It is one of her her favorite places to visit, something we have in common. The whole landscape is divided into different gardens and each with its own unique design. It almost feels like you are transported to a different part of the world. Some of Xin’s favorite spots are the Japanese garden, the English garden, McDonald wood, and the waterfall garden. The McDonald wood gardens is especially beautiful because it is a quiet spot, its by the water and the trees are very calming and perfect for a Sunday afternoon picnic.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is located in Glencoe, IL , about 45 mins away from Chicago. I highly recommend a visit.

London House Rooftop Proposal

#Londonhousurpriseproposal

I love capturing proposal sessions, they never get old. I am always looking forward to the surprise and the excitement that comes along with it. This past weekend, I had the honor of capturing a surprise proposal for one of my good friends.

The proposal took place at the Londonhouse hotel on magnificent mile, just right off the river walk. If you haven’t been at the Londonhouse hotel for a night stay or the rooftop for some delicious cocktails, well, friends let me be the first to tell you, you missing out on some beautiful views of the city!

The hotel has a breath taking view on the 22nd floor and a private Cupola on the 23 floor that has its own private entrance and  can be rented for a special occasions like this. The rooftop overlooks over the river walk.

Calvin chose to propose at Londonhouse because a year ago, he took his girlfriend Selinaye there and she fell in love with the views and the beautiful cupola. She actually said “this would be a beautiful place to proposal to someone”. So when the time came, Calvin already knew. The perfect place.

After resting and sleeping off the mimosas and Calvin and Selinaye got all dolled up for dinner, and made what was supposed to be a random stop at the rooftop. That was the moment he walked her up to the private Cupola where it was covered with rose petals, candles and of course Champagne to toast!

I am very happy to have been a part of this beautiful moment, to capture the joy, the love and the beginning of new fulfilling phase of their lives.

Congratulations to my friends….Cheers!

4 valuable reasons to hiring an experienced wedding photographer

If you were to ask me, I strongly believe that photographers are the” key “ at your wedding. Are you surprised by that? okay, I will tell you why in just a few minutes but for now indulge me for a bit. when’s the last time you went to a friends wedding? Do you remember that day? how was it? How was the food? Did you see old friends, or phase you made new ones? Take a few minutes and actually try to remanence that day.

Do you have any memories or things that reminds you of that time? yes, no, maybe? Alright if your answer wasn’t a hard core YES. Then the following reasons are for exactly why you should hire a professional experienced wedding photographer.

1. Expereience

Ther’re no shorts cuts to experience. It’s either you have it or you don’t. You gain that by the numerous times you perfected your craft. This is why it’s important not only to hire any photographer, but an actual photographer that has experience in weddings. They simply know what to do.  They're always a step a head of time They know what’s happening and what’s about to happen next. They look for those moments that tells the stories. Photographers are artist that paint with their eyes. They see things you don’t and tell it better on a photograph. experience equals perfection.

2. Goal

If you look up the meaning of goal, it describes what a wedding photographer is capturing at your wedding. Their main target is you. Their desired results is to document you life. They have the ability to capture the love in the room and the moments you missed. Their entire goal is to capture you life from all different angles. They share the same passion as you.

3. Trust

Find a photographer whose style matches you. It is easier to trust someone if you share the same values. Be familiar with their work let it speak to you. Build a professional friendship by asking questions and knowing more of their style. This builds a confidence in you knowing that they will delivery you expirations. A good friendship comes with trust.

4. Memories for a life time

Photographers are artists that create beautiful still moments in a blink of an eye. They see things that you don’t. They have a trained eye and they know what to look for within a fraction of a second. Photography allows us to see our past in the present. It allows us to feel and remember the time that is gone. A photographer’s passion is to capture those moments or seconds and show the emotions and beauty of time. Those memories turn in to pictures, they're mirror of the past that we carry with us.

4 THINGS TO DO TO KEEPING CALM DURING QUARANTINE.

We have been in the house for just about two months and I have had to be creative to come up with things to keep me calm at home. With all that going on its important to have a peace of mind to get us though this hard time. So today am sharing 4 things that keep me calm during isolation.

1. Working-out

This is a big part that I have come to discover. A good work-out activates my confidence, my self esteem. It keeps my brain fit and lifts my moods during this time. I find that am more productive no the days that I workout.

I have more energy throughout the day and it keeps me more active . All of a sudden I have energy to deep cleaning, cleaning that draw I have been putting off for months or organizing my closet and sorting out old mail.

So many app are offering workouts from home. One of my personal favorite is Nike Traning app. They are offering their services for free and there is everything for everyone. So find what you like to do, whether it be running, high intense intervals, yoga, dance, whatever it is, get up and do it. Your body is craving it and it will thank you later.

Below are some more apps for home workouts:

• Beachbody On Demand

• Pop sugar

• Niki Traning app

• Instagram trainers (offering live workouts)

2. Updating my portfolio

I am going through my very first photo shoots and comparing it with my latest work. Updating my website with new work and giving it a fresh look. Nothing like a new crisp website to look at. I Have been meaning to do this for a while and am so proud that am finally doing it. Am give it a whole new look and can’t wait to share that once it’s done.

Am also learning new skills in marketing, how to grow my business and what to expect after covid-19. There will be lots of changes in the the wedding photography industry once we come out of quarantine, and am taking this time to prepare ahead how to be there for my clients. This would be a great time to brush on your resume or portfolio. So take some time to look that over and give it a new look.

3. Bubble bath and Champagne

Let’s talk self care, game changer. I promise you this will be so rewarding. Take time out of the week and pamper yourself, this will ease your anxiety during this time. Its important to keep your head above water and taking each day at a time. It can be overwhelming not knowing what will happen or how long will be in isolation, so here are some of the things I have been making me feel good lately

• facial mask

• finding new recipes to cook

• taking time to do my own hair and nails

• taking long bubble bath with soothing music in the back

• Drinking a good glass of wine and FaceTiming with family & friends

  Everyday I wake up am thankful to see another day, I don’t take it for granted. I have never been so appreciative of life and the things I have now more than ever. I encourage you to take a step back and be thankful for the things you have, your family, your friends. Leave in the present and learn how to enjoy the stage you are in.

Another thing is I have come to enjoy is talking to myself out loud. I find that thinking out loud and talking out loud has reduce my anxiety a whole lot. Looking at myself in the mirror and being completely honest with myself, has helped me find a new peace that I enjoy having. I have learnt to confront myself and correct things that am not proud of. I know, it sounds crazy! Its not. I am my biggest supporter and talking to myself in front of the mirror motivates me to do better. It create a new confidence in me.

I encourage you also to talk to yourself. It’s like a journal except your talking to you in front of the mirror. Do that once a week and you understand the power of it.

4.Coctails on deck!

Okay, so lets be real. How any of you have enjoyed the happy hour all day everyday at home? Ah, ME. A great way to break loose and enjoy life at home. I sure do miss my Sunday brunches and the day parties in Chicago. Nothing like Chicago summers.

What other way to start making you favorite cocktails, mimosa or your virgin martins at home. You might not have a brunch spot but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite cocktails right at home. Pintrest is well known for its great recipes for cocktails. Find some time at least once a week to let go and dance. Dress up and pretend you're going to your favorite spot for brunch. Put some dancing music and just let go. Be in the presence. let loose. “Work without play makes jack Dull”

These are just a few things that are helping me get through this time and I hope it inspires you to find creative ways to keep calm and have a healthy mind set.

leave a comment and share your thoughts if you have tried any of these.

xx,

Njeri