J. Brown Photography

Carrie & David - Arrowhead Country Club

2011-08-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Another truly heartfelt, emotional and spiritual wedding at the beautiful Arrowhead Country Club. Both Carrie and David were a true joy to work with, and a real inspiration to be around. I also found out that they were heading to the Grand Teton National Park for their honeymoon. One of my all-time favorite places in the states.

A big thank you to the couple and their families!

Ceremony: Zion Lutheran, Bensenville, IL
Reception: Arrowhead Country Club, Wheaton, IL

Cafe Brauer Engagement Session - Emily & Jim

2011-07-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Though it can be a challenging environment to photograph, I love those time when I arrive at a shoot and a misty layer of fog has settled in. It proved to be a nice backdrop for Emily and Jim's engagement pictures. Another great thing about fog: it doesn't usually last too long. So that hazy layer of white isn't in every image.

If you're looking for location ideas for your engagement photos, you can't go wrong with Cafe Brauer and the South Pond at Lincoln Park. Simply a wide range of elements to use; from buildings, to the water, to prairie grass, to sculptures and even the skyline.

Emily and Jim were a real treat to work with. With many of my clients, a certain amount of coaching is involved in getting couples to look great on camera. With Emily though, I kept noticing she knew exactly how to pose when I put her and Jim in a setting. Toward the end of the shoot I flat out asked if she had read a wedding magazine article about how to be photographed. Turns out the "posing" she was doing came from years of ballet dancing when she was growing up!

Thanks so much again to the couple!

Nicole & Mike - University Club

2011-07-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a little preview of Nicole and Mike's wedding. The ceremony was at St. Clement in Lincoln Park, and the reception at the University Club. Classic Chicago....

To the couple: You put on an amazing, heart-felt event, and I want to thank you for having me. I hope you're enjoying your post-wedding bliss in Hawaii!

Allison & Jason - Barlett Hills Golf Club

2011-07-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

From a wedding I photographed over 4th of July weekend. A huge thanks to Jason & Allison for having me!

Chicago Sunrise Engagement Session - Brenda & Joe

2011-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

If you ever want to see another side of Chicago, head to the lakefront and watch the sun rise out of the water. The stillness of the lake is unreal, and the light has an almost silky quality to it.

I photograph most of my engagement sessions closer to sunset, but that wasn't going to work for Brenda and Joe. They asked if we could do something in the morning. I warned them that the best light is at 5am, but they were totally up for it. I've only done a few early morning sessions, and every time I'm excited to see the results.

We met at North Avenue Beach to start things off. We saw a bright and colorful sunrise, and pretty much had the beach to ourselves. There's also a nice view of the Hancock side of the skyline from that area.

I'll be honest, the next two location ideas were actually Brenda and Joe's. I really liked how motivated they were to collaborate and find some unique spots in the city.

We headed down to Grand Ave. & Lake Shore Drive where there's a mural underneath the overpass. Made for a awesome urban, funky, grungy backdrop. Lastly, the green fence you see is actually the taco stand near the Diversey Driving Range. You don't always need a large epic backdrop for great photos. Small little places like this can be just as good.

My thanks goes out to Brenda and Joe. It was a great day, and I have no doubt the wedding will be too!

Lincoln Park Engagement Session - Eryn & PJ

2011-06-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

The weather this spring and early summer has been crazy. I think I had to reschedule with Eryn and PJ a couple of times. Even the day we actually shot there was a threat of storms, but Eyrn wanted to roll the dice. Good thing too cause it paid off! Turned out to be a great evening in Lincoln Park, between the Conservatory and Nature Museum. It had been awhile since I last met with the couple, so it was great to catch up. The big day is coming up in August and I'm looking forward to it!

Two photos honored by the WPJA

2011-06-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

I was ecstatic to hear that two of my images won awards in the latest Wedding Photojournalist Association contest. The contests are quarterly, and photographers from all over the world enter. For a gallery of the winning images, and more information on the WPJA click here.

Details - 12th Place

Judges Comments:

An interesting situation using lines and color well draws you in and makes you want to know more about it.

Reception - 7th Place

Judges Comments:

The horizontal and vertical lines in this image help set the outstretched arms of this obviously happy man from what would otherwise be yet another day in the city. However, what matters most in this image is how good the composition lifts the subject from the distraction of a cluttered background. Good use of light and composition, combined with a strong moment, is a simple recipe in spite of the ingredients.

Montrose Harbor Engagement Session - Jessica & Jim

2011-05-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Jim were a true joy to photograph. We did a loose recreation of the day Jim proposed, so we of course started at Kuma's Corner where they had dinner that day. A great spot for burgers, good beer, and a healthy dose of metal music. The place is usually packed so we mostly stayed outside.

From there we headed to Montrose Harbor, a location I would highly recommend to anyone. Again, we were doing a recreation of Jim's proposal. This included him getting down on one knee at the beach, asking Jessica to marry him, and her promptly punching him in the chest, before of course saying yes. During the whole session my goal was to simply capture this playful honesty.

To Jessica & Jim: Thanks again for a great time, and I'm truly looking forward to your wedding in October!

Mark & Michele - Galleria Marchetti

2011-05-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Michele and Mark were one of the first clients to book me for the 2011 season, so it was exciting to finally see the big day come together. We started at the Affinia, a boutique hotel off the Mag Mile. The couple had their "first meet" inside the rooftop C-View Lounge. We would have preferred to be outside, but May weather doesn't always cooperate. It worked out great regardless, and made for nice moment.

From there, we headed down to lower LaSalle to use the Board of Trade as a backdrop. The couple was very interested in this, namely because both are MBA graduates. As I mentioned the weather doesn't always work out, and this day in May was a bit rainy. If it's not raining too hard, I really like using a white umbrella. It's a classic prop, and the white softens the light on the couple's faces.

Before the wedding, we knew the weather might not hold, so with the couple's help we purchased a photography permit for Union Station. It was my first time there for wedding photos, and all I can say is I can't wait to go back. I would highly recommend this location, especially if you have plans for outdoor photos in the downtown area, and the weather is looking iffy. The stonework, columns and open spaces are all great elements to work with. Michele has a special love for the actual trains, so we even took a trip down to the platforms.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at Galleria Marchetti, another great Chicago venue. The rooms inside have an old-world Italian feel, and out back is a permanent heated tent were the festivities were held. It was an amazing and beautiful event, even as the chickens entered the dance floor…..

Sounds foreboding, but it was awesome! Michele's family has a tradition that they play the chicken dance at every family wedding. Two of her cousins took it a step further and actually dressed up in chicken suits to lead everyone in the dance. It was an amazing end to the night.

Thank you to Michele, Mark, their families and bridal party. I truly enjoyed the day and I look forward to working with you on your album!

Also a big thanks to Heather Eidson for help as the second photographer!

First film frame - Mark & Michele

2011-05-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well....first film frame in about 10 years. I recently purchased a circa 1970's Yashica Mat twin lens reflex film camera. In the digital age I find it's kinda fun to go back and play with relics from the analog era. I picked up the camera the day before Mark and Michele's wedding on May 14th. Shot just a few frames of black & white 120 film, and here's one of them.

To the couple: You both were a true joy to work with, and thank you so much for letting me experiment a bit. I'll be in touch very soon with the rest of your images!

Donna & John - Women's Club of Evanston

2011-03-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Donna and John had a great chemistry and were a joy to work with. We started the day at the very classy Hotel Orrington in downtown Evanston. If you're having a wedding in the area, it's a great place for preparation photos.

From there we went to Queen of All Saints Basilica for the ceremony, one of my favorite churches to photograph in. It is as beautiful as it is massive.

After the ceremony we headed to Evanston and Wilmette for bridal party photos. Stopped by Tommy Nevin's Pub for a quick shot (an actual drink as opposed to a photo), then we made our way to Northwestern University. It may have been a sunny March day, but it was cold and windy. I have to hand it to the couple for braving the elements. John proposed to Donna at the lakefront park at Northwestern, so that was a must for photos. Donna didn't last long in the sub 40-degree wind, but long enough to capture one of my favorite photos from the day.

We learned that not being right on the lakefront helped quite a bit, so we made a stop at the Baha'i Temple. If you've never been you need to see it. It's an stunningly beautiful, pristine white temple on Sheridan Road in Wilmette. A truly unique backdrop.

The reception was held at the Women's Club of Evanston. Another one of my favorite locations, they're known for their classic ballroom on the second floor.

A big thanks to Donna, John, their family and bridal party. You were amazing and I wish you all the best!

Also thanks to Rob Hart for his help as the second photographer. You can see more of his work at www.robhartphoto.com.

Jenny & Steve - St. Clement, Lincoln Park

2011-02-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

This was a perfect little February wedding. The ceremony took place at St. Clement in Lincoln Park. I've never photographed there before, and I was amazed at how gorgeous it was. A restoration was done within the last 10 years, so the paintings and murals on the inside, which are quite old, look brand new.

After the ceremony, we took a trip around downtown. February can be risky weather wise, but we couldn't have had better day. Albeit cold, the sun was out, and taking portraits of the couple was a blast. We started at the Wrigley Building, then hit up the Planetarium, and ended on South LaSalle. The couple met while working in finance together, so the Board of Trade was a perfect backdrop.

After stopping for a drink or two at the Custom House, we headed to the Orland Chateau. Steve is the brother of a college friend of mine, so it was nice to see several familiar faces. I feel there is an added pressure when shooting a wedding for a friend, but Jenny and Steve really put me at ease. Their attitude was awesome and we all had great time. A big thanks to the couple for having me, and I hope to see them again soon!

Corinne & Brian - Chicago Illuminating Company

2011-01-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

This was a fantastic first wedding of 2011. Brian and Corinne got ready at the Blackstone on Michigan Avenue. I would highly recommend this hotel, simply because the decor has classic Chicago feel. The various lobby levels offer several areas for creative portraiture. You'll notice the pale yellow/white open room. This was actually Capone's barbershop in the 20's.

We did manage to get some great photos outdoors, and I have to hand it to the couple for braving the cold. When planning an off-season wedding, I think it pays to be a little bold. Of course Corinne was a little concerned about her dress, but throwing on her big red boots and heading out into the snow was well worth it.

The ceremony and reception were both held at the Chicago Illuminating Company. It was my first time there and I can't wait to go back. The venue has very clean, modern lines, and the uplighting definitely adds a different dimension to the photographs. Really one of the best indoor locations I've seen.

I can't thank Corinne and Brian enough for letting me document their big day. They were a joy to work with, and are proof that you can have a Chicago winter wedding with grace, class and style.

WPJA-Brides Magazine Photo Contest, 2nd Place

2011-01-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

A photo of mine was recently honored in the WPJA-Brides Magazine photo contest. Taken last June at Eric and Autumn's wedding in Santa Barbara, I captured this moment near the end of the evening. Sleeping on Eric's shoulders is his daughter Alyxzandria. I feel the scene illustrates the beginning of their new family together.

Laurie & Scott's Engagement Session - Independence Grove

2011-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Laurie and Scott completely embraced their photo shoot, and were a ton of fun to work with. This is something I recommend for all couples; simply relax, dive in and have fun. I know many people have reservations about their photos being taken, but a tip that helps....ignore the photographer. Don't look so much at me, but each other. This really works for my style, since I'm more interested in capturing natural moments than the perfectly posed portrait. Now of course I will give some instruction, so don't completely cut me out. ;)

All of these images were taken at Independence Grove in Libertyville, which was also the venue for their wedding. Depending on your venue, having your engagement pictures taken in the same location can be a great idea. It acts like a dress rehearsal before the big day, which is what Laurie and Scott wanted.

Also, when it comes to choosing a location, if possible make it personal. The place where you first met, had your first date/kiss, a spot your regularly take walks are some good examples (check out the post of Mike and Melissa's engagement images). Being some place familiar I feel helps my clients relax and definitely adds an extra dimension to the photos. This couple loves the outdoors, so a massive park with a variety of backdrops was a great choice.

Thanks to Laurie and Scott for being awesome in general. Stay tuned.....their wedding photos will be posted here soon!

Melissa & Mike's Engagement Session - Millennium Park

2010-07-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Melissa and Mike completely smashed the record for traveling the furthest for their engagement photos......Australia! Ok slightly misleading, but they do live there, and were in the states for a month to plan their September wedding.

The couple wanted something very Chicago for their session, so of course we stopped by Ravens, a 4am bar in Lincoln Park. What's more Chicago than that! It's not where the couple first met, but was where they had their first "date."

For the more quintessential city photos we hit up Millennium Park. I have to say this was the first couple I was able to successfully photograph in the Lurie Garden stream without getting caught! I also used a new lighting scheme for the Bean photos. The backlighting helps with obscuring the ever present crowd.

Melissa and Mike were great, and I can't wait to catch up with them at the wedding!

Ali & Kevin - St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands

2010-06-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

My latest destination wedding, this time to the beautiful island of St. Lucia! To brush up on your geography, it's in the south Caribbean, closer to South America.

Kevin and Ali put together an amazing trip for their guests, and the wedding day was a perfect blend of American and Caribbean traditions. For this event, I had to post a couple images from the rehearsal dinner, which featured St. Lucian circus performers!

We stayed at Cotton Bay Resort, a beautiful and quaint property on the northern end of the island. The ceremony was traditional catholic, held at a 150-year-old church. You'd expect many things to be on "island time," however the church is not one of them. It's always punctual, women are not allowed to bear their shoulders, and men cannot wear shorts. An interesting shift from what you'd expect at an island wedding.

We then headed to the beach for some shots with the bridal party. A perfect out of the way location on the ocean, with a distant view of the St. Lucian landscape. The reception was held at yet another beautiful location, an old plantation style house on the mountain side. Admirals in the 19th century use to stay there, since the view allowed them to see approaching enemy ships.

I will be eternally grateful to Kevin and Ali for allowing me to document their wedding and add to my list of travels. Thanks so much!

Liz & Mark - Salvage One

2010-05-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Liz and Mark put on a truly unique and yet very Chicago wedding. The ceremony was held at Assumption Church in River North. Unassuming from the outside, yet beautiful and classic on the inside.

We then headed out for some fun shots with the bridal party. Our first stop was the Kinzie St. bridge, a great location for views of downtown and the Chicago river. The bridge itself hails from the city's more industrial era, and makes for an amazing backdrop.

Something more unique, our next stop was Humboldt Park. This park is highly underrated, and I would recommend it anyone for wedding or engagement pictures. Most of the images were taken in and around the boathouse. We also ran into a family picnicking with their bright yellow classic car. They were more than willing to let the couple take pictures with it, which made for some great unexpected images.

We then made out way back to Salvage One for the reception. If you've never been, you have to check out this venue. They specialize in salvaging architectural artifacts from soon-to-be demolished buildings. The reception essentially takes place amongst these artifacts, and there really isn't another venue like it.

As you might be able to tell from the photos, Liz and Mark have more energy than I can say. They were amazing to work with it and I'm so glad I was able to document their wedding. I wish them both nothing but the best!

For more photos, check out my Facebook fan page!

Alyssa & Vijay's Engagement Portraits - Adler Planetarium

2010-05-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

This was my first 2010 spring engagement session, and it really couldn't have gone better. Alyssa and Vijay wanted to include the skyline in their photos, so of course we hit up the Planetarium. Though a bit windy, the weather was otherwise great, and to top it off the evening ended with a nice sunset. I really enjoyed working with both of them, and they were a great to start to the wedding season!

Engagement Portrait Locations

2010-05-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

With spring in full swing, and summer on its way, engagement portraits are now in season. All of my engagement sessions are on-location, and below I've posted images from some of my favorite spots around Chicago.

However before we get to specific locations, the first suggestion I give all my clients is to think of a place that has meaning to them. Below are some clients that took that to heart.

Probably the most popular spot with my clientele is the Adler Planetarium. Not only do you have the grounds and architecture of the building itself, but the complete view of the Chicago skyline makes for a stunning backdrop.

Another popular location is Millennium Park. It offers amazing views of the downtown architecture, includes rotating outdoor art exhibits, has a great variety of both urban and natural settings, and of course features The Bean.

A place that many people don't initially think of for engagement portraits is Chicago's financial district. If you're into urban backdrops, the grungy L tracks and historic buildings, this is the place to be.

Another picturesque area that offers beautiful natural backdrops is Lincoln Park. Between two ponds, extensive walking paths, the conservatory gardens and the Nature Museum, the choices are near limitless.

Story Behind the Photo - Part 2

2010-04-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

The second installment highlighting my photos that have been honored by the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association). They've been posted to my Facebook fan page for some time now, but with my new blog, I've decided to go one step further and provide the story behind each image. Enjoy!

5th Place - Creative Portrait - 2007 Quarter 4 Contest

One of the more non-traditional portraits I've done, it was clearly inspired by the painting "American Gothic" by Grant Wood. Mark and Christa were a creative couple in and of themselves. They handmade many of the items at their wedding, including the silk flower bouquet she's holding in the photo. Between the ceremony and reception, the bridal party made a stop at the historic Ellwood House, a 19th century Victorian style mansion in DeKalb, IL. The grounds had nearly limitless backdrops for photos. One feature I was drawn to was this small "house," which is actually a child's playhouse. I noticed the bridesmaids were carrying parasols, and that's when the ideas started to flow. This was the first of my wedding photos to be recognized by the WPJA, and was one of the couple's favorites.

14th Place - Kids Being Kids - 2009 Quarter 2 Contest

As with many things in life, luck counts when you're a photographer. The flower girls at Jessica and Jamie's wedding were a stitch to be around. I knew they would be when I first walked into the bride's dressing room, and they were playing an intense game of foosball. When I snapped this image we had arrived at the reception which was held at the Joliet Union Station. The location sounds bizarre but it's actually an amazing space. This was taken on the outdoor balcony as guests were arriving. When I saw them all looking over the ledge I immediately started snapping. The wind catching their dresses at the right moment made for an especially cute image.

20th Place - Creative Portrait - 2009 Quarter 2 Contest

Jessica and Jamie were an amazing and fun couple to work with. They were open to ideas and up for anything. As I mentioned above, their reception was held at the Joliet Union Station. The upstairs event space has huge vaulted ceilings with windows that run top to bottom. At the same time, it is still a working Metra station. We headed out onto the platform for portraits, and for some reason the idea of having Jamie pretend to take nap on the bench jumped into my head. It helped that Jessica and Jamie were so easy going, since I know not every couple would be up for this. It really worked out since they definitely want this image featured in their wedding album.

Story Behind the Photo - Part 1

2010-03-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

Over the next few posts, I'll be highlighting my photos that have been honored by the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association). They've been posted to my Facebook fan page for some time now, but with my new blog, I've decided to go one step further and provide the story behind each image. Enjoy!

2nd Place - Reception - 2009 Quarter 2 Contest

I had the pleasure of photographing Autumn and Eric's wedding in Santa Barbara, California in the summer of 2009. One of the more unique venues I've been to, they had their ceremony and reception inside the Santa Barbara Zoo (click here to view more of their photos). Their ceremony was held in a small grove surrounded by palm trees, and instead of a cocktail hour, guests were allowed to roam the zoo grounds. One of the more popular attractions is the giraffe feeding deck. You can stand eye level with the tall creatures, and with zoo staff help, feed them treats. Of course Autumn and Eric jumped at the opportunity. At one point they turned around to feed the giraffes over their shoulders. Giraffes are gentle but love food, especially plants. After Autumn's treat was gone, it made a move for the flower in her hair. Although being licked by a giraffe is not on every brides' wish list, it became one of the more memorable moments of the day.

Third Place - Dancing - 2008 Quarter 3 Contest

A true Northwestern University wedding. The couple met in college and decided to come back to Evanston, IL to tie the knot. The ceremony was held at the stunning Alice S. Millar Chapel, and the reception at the historic Women's Club of Evanston. The two-story ballroom is vast and inspiring, and yet intimate and elegant. I had recently purchased a new remote lighting system that I was eager to try out. During the couple's first dance I decided to light them from behind, something I had never tried before. The result was perfect, making the couple "glow" in the image. The composition utilizes the on-looking guests and ballroom arches as framing, giving the photo space and context. Needless to say, myself and the couple were very pleased with the final image.

Winter Engagement Session - Lily & Tomas

2010-03-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Lilly and Tomas are getting married this October in Brazil (near where she grew up), and wanted to do something completely opposite for their engagement portraits. Really what's more different from steamy Brazil than Chicago in February. I feel a shoot like this can only work after a fresh snow. If you wait too long, people walk through it, the cars dirty it and the snow won't have that pristine look. Many couples feel like the only time for on-location engagement portraits is the summer or fall, and though Chicago winters can be brutal, they offer many beautiful and unique backdrops. If you can brave the cold for an hour or so, I highly recommend a winter engagement session!