Eric & Diane | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
October, 2016
The River Roast - Chicago, IL
Venue: River Roast - Chicago, IL
Florals: Bella Flora
Bakery: West Town Bakery
Entertainment: Bluewater Kings Band
Makeup: Epoch Salon
Hair: Hair Party
Gown: Reddington Bridal
Tux: Calvin Klein
Growing families, businesses, and tummies | Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21
"We've got a three month open window to try for baby Imhoff #2! Ready and GO!"
I know it's silly and even borderline embarrassing to even admit that this was our thought process this year, but those were our plans as we got ready for our upcoming wedding season. We were back tracking nine months so that we could ensure that if we had a baby, they would be born in our winter off season. As wedding photographers in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, we are crazy busy between the months of April - October. We're pretty much the reverse schedule of school teachers.
When those three months came and went... no baby. In all sincerity, we were disappointed. We really felt like our hearts were being made ready for another child. So, we quietly laid those plans down and moved forward knowing we could try again in a year.
Surprise, surprise, surprise. Five months later, we received the most unexpected and incredible news. Baby Imhoff #2 would be making an appearance this summer! The timing was so far from what we had planned, but our hearts were more than ready.
It's so funny how we are constantly being stretched in this area of giving God the plans for our life. As self employed business owners, we are intense and serious planners! You just have to be when you are in charge of your own business and livelihood. It's engraved into us. ...there are definitely moments when it would be so nice to just call in to our boss sick and let someone else handle the tough work for the day because we're tired or we just could use a break. However, it's our couples and these incredible milestone days that far outweigh the luxury of getting to depend on a hierarchy of leadership. (There's also great freedom in our down season too : ) We were both brought up in homes where all four of our parents were always self employed entrepreneurs. The four of them paved the way for us. We both grew up in "can do , never give up, the skie's the limit" environments. So, I guess you could say, it's always been in our blood and we've never imagined life any differently.
With the perks of having that entrepreneurial mindset, also comes the internal struggle of total and complete self-reliance. It can be a really major and lonely struggle. In the very beginning when we started our business right out of college, we could go for months and months without seeing a single paycheck. Eventually, time, perseverance, and just flat out working our butts off paid off and God's grace blessed our business. We're so thankful to be in this current season of life as a family and a business, but you still cannot escape that constant little thought in the very back of your head from popping up once in a blue moon: "What if no one ever wants us to take a single picture of their wedding ever again?" These are the secret thoughts of every self employed entrepreneur. Am I right? So, with this incredible opportunity comes great responsibility.
It's clear what our struggle is: letting go and letting God take over. ...Even when it comes to planning our child's birth according to our work schedule. The amazing Lovsie (Meg's Mom) has always reminded us when we'd tell her what our business and family plans were. She'd say: "Only God can choose Birthdays." #truth
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Proverbs 16:3
Despite the fact that our baby boo will be arriving during a season that we so did not plan, we've been blown away to watch how God has taken care of every single detail. A few years back, we made a relationship with our amazing friend Natalie. Natalie is an incredibly talented photographer (insanely gifted with fine art film) and she has joined us over these past few years to fill in for Meg when she was under the weather or if our daughter needed some very much deserved TLC during the thick of wedding season. Natalie is a gift. She knows how we work, she anticipates those golden moments, and we NEVER have to worry about how a wedding day is going to go when she's there in Meg's place. She's calm, cool, collected, and she works so hard. She's truly our go-to girl. We just about jumped out of our seats when she confirmed that she could take over full time this summer as our 2nd shooter. We were thrilled and we couldn't be more confident in our team this year. We feel spoiled that plans just truly worked out so beautifully. Because, when God plans birthdays, he's also making a way.
Sam & Brittany | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
October, 2016
Prairie Street Brewhouse - Rockford, IL
Wedding Coordinator - Alexandra Nor
Videography - Chris Nor
Hair & Makeup - Shear Renewal
Venue - Prairie Street Brewhouse
Florals - Event Floral
Rentals - Forever Birdy
Cake & Cupcakes - Sugar Jones Cupcakes
Entertainment - Music in Motion
Guitarist - Neil Dixon Smith
Chris & Erin | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
November, 2016
Lincoln Park - Chicago, IL
Chris & Kelsey | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
Lake Geneva, WI
Event Coordinator and Wedding Planner - Creatively Yours Wedding & Event Planning
Florals - Kimberose
Entertainment - Just Press Play Productions Inc.
Hair & Makeup - Salon Mackk
Hotel Accomodations - Bella Vista Suites
Aaron & Danielle | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photogaphy
November, 2016
Warrenville, IL
Ray & Silvia | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
The Langham - Chicago, IL
Greenhouse Loft - Chicago, IL
Videography - Amor in Motion
Florals - Gloria Kim
Bakery - Oak Mill Bakery
Entertainment - Toast & Jam
Gown - Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaid Gown - Reformation
Strings - Parkwest Strings
Catering - Big Delicious Planet
Officiant - Tony Kang
Bobby & Courtney | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
October, 2016
Chicago, IL
Best of the Knot | 2017 - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
Thank you to every single one of our couples who have taken the time out of their crazy schedules to write about your experience with us. We appreciate each and every one of you and we are honored with this gift that we have been given to be entrusted with capturing your precious day. This is truly our dream job and we couldn't be more grateful for all the relationships we have made along the way. Thank you all to the moon and back. We send our love to each and every one!
Rock & Jenny | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
July, 2016
The Armour House - Lake Forest, IL
Event Coordiantors - Let Them Eat Cake Events
Videography - 312 Film
Florals - D's Flowers, Gifts & More
Bakery - Deerfield's Bakery
Entertainment - DJ Joe Fortuna
Hair & Makeup - Deco Adamo
Gown - Hayley Paige
Bridesmaid Gowns - Bella Bridesmaids
Tux - Joseph Abboud
Linens - BBJ Linens
Officiant - Rev. Jeff Long
Strings - Amethyst Ensemble
Calligraphy - Brittney Tovar Calligraphy
Joe & Chelsea | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
Williams Bay, WI
Tommy & Kristin | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
Boulder Ridge Country Club - Lake in the Hills, IL
Florals - Jennifer Hunt
Cake - Cakes by Dea
Entertainment, lighting, and photo booth - Amp DJ
Makeup - Mandy Henner
Hair - Crystal Ullen
Gown - Sophia Tolli
Tux - Calvin Klein
Matt & Jennifer | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
Byron Colby Barn - Grayslake, IL
Venue - Byron Colby Barn
Florals - Allium Floral
Entertainment - Felix & Fingers
Hair & Makeup - Mario Tricoci
Gown - David Tutera
Bridesmaid Dresses - Union Station
Suit - Express
Officiant - Reverand Dave Angle
Catering - Schaul's Catering
JinSoo & Chanel | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
September, 2016
Chicago, IL
Brent & Janette | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
August, 2016
Rolling Meadows, IL
Venue - Meridian Banquets - Rolling Meadows, IL
Videography - R.E.M. Video and Photography
Cake - The Baking Institute
Entertainment - Roberto Monastero Entertainment
Makeup & Hair - Ann LaCorte Hair and Make-Up Design
Gown - Casablanca
Tux - Joseph Abboud
Photobooth - Roberto Monastero Entertainment
Lighting - Roberto Monastero Entertainment
Cosimo & Lauren | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
August, 2016
Naperville, IL
Kevin & Carla | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
August, 2016
The Chevy Chase Country Club - Wheeling, IL
Photobooth - Shutterfly
Trolley - Windy City Trolley
Food Truck - 5411 Empanadas
Wedding Favors - Lucila's Alfajores
Strings Trio - Innocenti
Suits - Men's Wearhouse
Bridesmaid Gowns - J Crew
Gown - Volle's Bridal and Boutique
Makeup & Hair - Mario Tricoci
Entertainment - Style Matters
Bakery - Lovin' Oven
Florals - Polly Pockets and Particulars
Videography - Creative Visuals
Christian & Rochelle | Engaged - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
Chicago, IL
August, 2016
Philipp & Ellen | Married - Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photography
July, 2016
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club - Long Grove, IL
Venue - The Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Videography - Concept One
Florals - Nilee Event Decor
Cake - Lovin Oven
Entertainment - Dance Party DJ's
Makeup - Make-Up By Amelia
Hair - Amanda Stone
Strings Ensemble - Elegant Ensembles
Photo Booth - Concept One Photo