What a blessing to be able to travel to Rhode Island and shoot a wedding with Mandy Mayberry Photography. Mandy is just a special person… sweet, UBER talented and so fun. I had a blast hanging out and during the wedding… I only wish she lived next door to me and we could shoot together all the time! Mandy shoots film, so I got to shoot film all day. You can imagine the joy in my heart. The feeling I get when I shoot film is a feeling of oneness with my art. I feel thoughtful, I feel in control, and I feel mostly as if the medium I am using is like having high quality oil paints instead of cheap acrylics while painting a masterpiece… just ahhhh. The colors, the grain, the bit of imperfection… my heart almost can’t take it! What you see above are all shot on my Mamiya 645 & Canon 1N with a mixture of Fuji 400h, Ilford 3200 and Tmax 3200. I will be doing another blog post with my digital images from the day next week!
The couple, Alison + Craig, have a connection that was truly incredible to behold. They must have smiled from ear to ear when they were together EVERY . MOMENT . OF . THE . DAY. I couldn’t help but fall in love with their energy after spending a day with them. Of course, the wedding had to be epic… their engagement went VIRAL after Craig proposed with a flash mob AND a marching band in New York City. Want to see? I thought you’d ask;)
I mean C’MON!!!! I am not ashamed… I cried watching this video. haha Mandy, thanks again for asking me to come along on such a special day. Allison + Craig, I have a feeling you’re going to have an amazing life together.
In the world in which we (or at least I) live, there are many distractions… computers, iphones, televisions… all the NOISE. It’s refreshing for me to be reminded to take time to get lost in thought… to just BE.
As I’m coming up on my third season as a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m finding kindred spirits in the industry that I not only love working with, but I feel like also share my brand and vision. I cannot stress how valuable these allies can be to my clients in achieving the complete look and experience that I strive to create. I’m going to be publishing these vendor showcases from time to time to introduce you all to these amazing women and men, and hopefully give my clients the options they need to create their perfect session or wedding from beginning to end.
It’s not a coincidence that my first showcase is of an amazing professional makeup artist. Makeup is one of those things that can make or break your photos. The first cardinal sin for your wedding or engagement photos is to NOT get your makeup professionally done ladies. Even though it might seem like a silly extra step since you usually go more “natural”, it will definitely make a difference in your photos. Usually, a photo will wash out the natural nuances of color in your skin, so you need to add makeup that you might not usually wear… foundation, blush, even false lashes. Trust me, it sounds like a lot, but it comes across on camera. Second, when hiring a makeup artist, it is essential to find one skilled at creating looks that are camera ready! Because makeup, like photography, is not a credentialed position, it’s important to do your research and look for referrals to see who has the experience to meet your expectations!
“Shannon O’Brien is a Chicago based makeup artist specializing in print, television, bridal and runway makeup. Shannon got her start 6 years ago with M.A.C. Cosmetics but her passion for makeup and aritstry goes back to her teens. Working in such a competitive industry helped her to perfect her artistry skill. She quickly learned the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and co-workers alike.
Now, as a freelance make-up artist, Shannon uses those skills to not only deliver impeccable make-up looks for her clients, but develop a rapport with each person she works with. Shannon is extremely passionate about her clients. This is especially evident in her high demand in the wedding field.
Shannon’s work has been featured in CS, Refinery29, national ad campaigns, as well as The Rosie Show, Around the Horn, and Pardon the Interruption. From weddings to photo-shoots, Shannon will undoubtedly go above and beyond. “
I was able to get a little personal with Shannon in a little interview of my own…
ME: What are your “loves” in life?
SHANNON: My fiance, Oscar the dog, colors, textures, sour gummy worms, new shoes, pickles, hot dogs, riding my bike and jumping in the lake on a hot summer day.
ME: What is a random fact that most people do not know about you?
SHANNON: My first job was as an umpire for softball games.
ME: Oh my gosh! I would have never guessed that!
ME: What’s your favorite go to beauty product? I mean of course I’d have to ask that!
SHANNON: Mascara Mascara Mascara…..and a lash curler!
ME: Lastly, What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream (I literally think you can learn everything you need to know about a person by this question!)
SHANNON: I don’t know if Cold Stone Creamery is still around anymore, but I used to live near one and every friday I would get an “Ultimate Bucket” of Half Rasberry/Half Lemon Sorbet with 5 scoops of Gummy Bears in it. It would be gone before Monday.
ME: Yep, my hypothesis proves true once again! Bright, sunshiny, wild and sweet!
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So excited to work with Shannon in the upcoming year. To end the post, here is some of her gorgeous work on a recent editorial that we were a part of.
Goodbye cold, goodbye rain
Goodbye sorrow, goodbye shame
I’m headed out west with my headphones on
Boarded a flight with a song in the back of my soul
And no one knows
I just found out her ghost left town
The Queen of California is stepping down, down
Hello beauty, hello strange
Hello wonder, what’s your name?
Looking for the sun that Neil Young hung
After the gold rush of 1971
I just found out her ghost left town
The Queen of California is stepping down, down
If you see her say, “Hello”
Just don’t tell me, “I told you so”
Joni wrote Blue in her house by the sea
I gotta believe there’s another color waiting on me
To set me free
I just found out her ghost left town
The Queen of California is stepping down, down
Last November, I was able to do a mini session with my sister-in-lawn and brother-in-law, Justine & Jesse, while we were visiting in Nebraska. Of course, they included cutie pup Tuxedo too… doesn’t he have the most delicious underbite? Scotchy just loves his cousin. I think the most special thing about their mini session is that they found out this year that they are pregnant (YAY!!) and it now captures the essence of a time in their life when it was still just the two of them (well, and Tuxedo ;D). I can’t wait to capture their little family once my little niece of nephew arrives now, but it brings me to a thought I have been having…
Why do we only document our love at it’s beginning many times, and then once the kids arrive? I’m a believer that it’s not enough. For our two year anniversary, Jonathan and I had professional photos done again by Megan Pomeroy, and I now have them hanging all over the house. Though I’ll be ecstatic to have photos of my children if and when they come along, I also never want to stop documenting our love story<3 What about you? How long has it been since you documented your love?
Stephanie Guzman -I totally agree! We are having pics taken in June, we are not expecting, we are already married…I’ve chosen a gift for Micah that I think he’s gonna love & I want to document his reaction! Call us crazy, but we are all we have in this world & we like to make a big deal of it!
Amanda-Maybe we are bias as photographers, but I totally believe couples/families should get photos taken AT LEAST once a year! And these are gorgeous! I’m dying for her beautiful hair!
It was a delight to tag along for a morning of shooting with Private Estate and Vinyard wedding photographer, Mike Larson while in California. The Sunstone Winery is certainly a dream wedding destination. It’s a place chock full of patina and old world charm… like walking through a dream.
Earlier this week, I published Martina and Trent’s engagement session. You can check it out HERE. They also included their adorable sweet boy Caleb in their session, so of course I had to do a part two! This little guy is simply a joy… and has the twinkliest eyes and squishiest cheeks. Don’t you think he deserved a post all his own?? Martina, Trent, and Caleb… I can’t wait to capture your special day in October!!
And these are gorgeous! I’m dying for her beautiful hair!
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Alison & Craig – Belle Mer – Digital » Kina Wicks Photography . Fine Art Weddings & Portraits . Chicago & Destination - [...] alongside Mandy Mayberry Photography in Newport, Rhode Island at Belle Mer. You can see the post HERE, and read all about this fabulous couple. This day was so special, I really can’t get [...]