This year has been full of so many amazing memories, amazing couples, and amazing locations. Selecting only 10 images to showcase for the year was pretty much impossible. I’m obsessed with each and every session, and wish I could relive everything all over again and post them every day! Ultimately, the 10 I selected are images that resonate with me on multiple levels, that fully represent me as an artist, and that I keep coming back to over and over again.

 

Ann and Andrew’s session in Montmartre, Paris was beyond memorable for me. Those Paris streets always have and always will have my heart. This photo of them might be my all time favorite photo I’ve ever taken. I love for my images to incorporate movement and to feel completely candid. This photo accomplishes both so perfectly.

 

Of course Kennedy and Ty’s Eiffel Tower session was going to make the cut. I love architecture, I love staircases, and I love Paris. Put all of that together with Kennedy’s elegant red dress, and there’s not much more I could ask for as an artist and a person.

 

Second only to Paris in my book comes mountains. So Iliana and Jamie’s mountain-view wedding was all kinds of heart eyes for me. I love the emotion in this photo. I strive to put my clients in positions to allow their genuine emotions and candid expressions to shine. The way Jamie is looking at Iliana here cannot be staged or posed. That is the look of love. And it is one of the many reasons I adore this photo.

 

Bridal portraits are some of my favorite things to photograph on the wedding day. Those last moments of getting ready are full of nervous excitement and I love taking that opportunity to push pause and create images that flip those nerves around and instead display a sense of peaceful quiet. This portrait of Hannah perfectly embodies that goal of quiet grace and elegance.

 

Is there anything more lovely than gold and stairs? This photo from Hannah and Pat’s engagement session has so many things I love. Movement, ornate architecture, gold, and the sweetest couple that adores each other. It’s one of those images that makes me want to go back to Union Station with my camera every weekend. I don’t think I’d get tired of it! It will always be one of my favorite photos.

 

In Chicago, we don’t often get the kind of light we as photographers crave. So when we do, it’s absolutely magical. Combine that magical light with the stunning Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable session in my book. I love showcasing my city and Adler Planetarium is one of my favorite spots to do that. Iliana and Jamie’s sweet embrace here is one of my favorites – there’s so many small subtle movements that this couple naturally did here that turned this pose from just a normal kiss to an authentic, passionate moment.

 

I absolutely adore this image of Amanda and Trevor. There’s so much packed into this close crop. We see a bit of movement. Amanda’s impeccable style with her back-less lace gown and her gorgeous gold hair pin. The way Trevor is smiling so lovingly at his wife – the kind of look that makes your heart completely melt. It’s an image I couldn’t recreate if I tried, and I love it!

 

If you haven’t figured out by now, movement is a big part of what draws me to photos. I love this image of Cat because there’s so much natural, authentic movement and genuine emotion. My only instruction to her was which direction I wanted her to walk. The rest of this just happened. Those are the moments I want to capture.

 

This year was the first time I got to do a session at Chicago’s iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as “The Bean”). I loved getting to play around at this gorgeous spot in our city without the crowds. It was so fun capturing this moment for Brittany and Justin. You get the sense that they have the whole city to themselves!

 

This detail shot of Adriana and Richard walking through this field of tall grass has always been a favorite of mine. The colors are so lovely and springy. And the image has a sense of quiet adventure, which I adore.

Tune in tomorrow for one last Top Ten post – my 2017 Top Instagram posts! So excited to see what my followers liked the most this year!

 

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Check out more in the Top Ten Series!