Angela Renée Photography

Jane & Jon

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:03:31 +0000

Here’s a little home wedding full of heart with a lot of personal touches and DIY details. Jane and Jon were married at the home where Jane grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Jane actually got ready in her old bedroom. She wore her grandmother’s wedding dress that her mother had also worn on her wedding day. You’ll see in the photos the image of her grandmother hanging on the wall above the bed (which was also her grandmother’s). There’s another adorable photo later in this post of Jane trying the gown on as a little girl.

After the bride finished getting ready with her mother, bridesmaids, and all of her “wing women” (just outside the doorway peeking in:), we headed out to meet Jon who was waiting in a nearby park. I adore those really wide shots of her from behind walking toward Jon and I think his face says it all as he waits. Every couple has a way that they look at one another. I see it in meetings, portrait sessions, on wedding days. These are the moments I’m always looking for and Jane and Jon are so expressive around each other. There were lots and lots of those “looks” to capture.

They had a sweet ceremony in the front yard officiated by a very close family friend and then we headed to the backyard where a tent was set up for the reception. I’ve posted a lot of details on this wedding since Jane and Jon did so much themselves in addition to the choices they made being really thought out. For instance, Jon is from Texas so there was Shiner Bock beer (of course), there were also local and Texas wines, and the wedding was catered by Smoque BBQ. Jon did the drawing for the invites and program as well as the sign, Jane’s dad made pie, and several friends contributed as well. Additionally, photography was always an important part of their planning as Jon is very interested in photography himself- which was fun for me since I got to nerd talk with him about camera tech stuff. I am honored that I was able to photograph these two and meet their lovely family and friends!

Big hugs and congrats Jane and Jon!

Second Shooter- Cynthia Wang
Venue- Bride’s parent’s home
Officiant- Father Charles Hensel
Wedding Designer- The Bride
Wedding Coordinator- Kathryn D. (friend of the Bride & Groom)
Make-Up Artist- Erin R. (friend of Bride & Groom)
Hair- Distinction Salon & Spa
Florist – DIY- Anastasia A. (friend of the Bride & Groom)
Ceremony musician – Chad C. (friend of Bride & Groom)
Band or DJ- iPod list by Groom, manned by Chad C. (friend of Bride & Groom)
Caterer- Smoque BBQ
Sweets- Pie by the Father of the Bride and Around the Clock
Decor- Paper Source, Vintage Ball jars, Wood slices from Father of the Bride, Basel Herb Plants
Print design- The Groom with hand drawn detail
Sign design- The Groom
Printed signs and Place cards- Ann E. (friend of the Bride and Groom)

Published- Style Me Pretty & The Knot Magazine

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:52:13 +0000

How exciting! A couple of last season’s weddings were recently published!

Lynn & Todd’s wedding at Salvage One was recently featured on Style Me Pretty. You can see the full post here.
This wedding was so much fun and every detail really was “swoon-worthy”. It was joy to photograph. Congrats Lynn & Todd!

Maren & Matt’s lovely wedding at The Saddle and Cycle Club was published in The Knot Chicago Magazine Spring/Summer 2012.
These two couldn’t be sweeter and it’s so great to see their beautiful day in print! Congrats Maren & Matt!

A sincere thank you to both couples for having me as your photographer and congratulations to all the vendors that contributed to these stunning weddings!

Kim & TJ

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:09:30 +0000

I realized it’s been a while since I showed an engagement session, so I thought I’d show off Kim and TJ’s session we shot in downtown Chicago this past fall. Their wedding isn’t until August but they wanted to use these images for their website and save-the-dates, in addition to a guest-book at their wedding. I also thought this would be a great session to show off a couple that’s styled well for portraits together. I love the colors for the first half of the session and that TJ wore a hat. For the second half, I thought his sweater and tie complimenting the stripes in Kim’s sweater without being too matchy, matchy. I adore the image on the bridge where you see the striped gate in the background with what they are wearing. It was so much fun having an afternoon together and seeing how these two interact. They are really easy going and silly. TJ came up with the planking photo. He suggested I do this with all of my couples:)

Here are some of my favorites from Kim and TJ’s portrait session. Cannot wait to shoot their wedding at A New Leaf in August!

this one’s for TJ

Jennifer & Aaron

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:59:10 +0000

Jennifer and Aaron were married in a civil ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center. I can’t even tell you how much I was looking forward to photographing their day. I loved the sweetness of it as well as being able to have full access of this gorgeous building to take photos. We started with some portraits before the ceremony then went downstairs and waited to be called in. It was so exciting! The couple stands on a little stage under a flower arch (that I totally think adds to the charm) and a judge marries them with their closest friends and family present. After the ceremony, the couple exits and everyone claps and cheers for the newlyweds. It’s awesome. I might just go there on Saturdays to be a clapper because I loved it so much. After, we spent a little time taking more portraits and then we were off to their afternoon reception at Osteria Via Stato. The food there is fantastic and the space has a rustic feel that’s really cozy for a small reception. There were a few speeches and then just a celebration with lots of wine and laughter. A perfect day. Congrats Jennifer and Aaron!

Ceremony Venue- Chicago Cultural Center
Reception Venue- Osteria Via Stato
Flowers- Best Florist, Ukrainian Village
Hair- Christine Conley, Village Cutting Room
Print Design- Jennifer (the bride)

The Boys

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:45:08 +0000

give it a sec to load. these are so much fun. i’m going to have to shoot more images in a series just to make these little animations:)

Julie & James

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:49:37 +0000

It’s been a busy, busy year and I am FINALLY getting around to blogging again. I can’t wait to blog all my couples and their days! As I wrapped the season (just two weeks ago), I thought about how great of a year it’s been and how I have met so many incredible people. Each couple has been amazing and it’s so much fun to capture their wedding and all of the details but even more simply to photograph how they love each other. I’ve spent time with them helping to plan the day (the photography:), have gotten to know their stories, and have met their families and friends. So I know how important it is to capture not only the big moments but all the small ones too. Thank you to all of my couples who are the coolest, hippest, funnest, uncouplezilla clients ever:) You are the best and I can’t wait to show you all off!

When I met Julie, she told me how she loves black and white photos that look like film so that’s a bride after my own heart right there. I think about shooting weddings with film and I just might one day. But, I do work to create images that more like film and less digital and super crispy. It’s my look. And, Julie totally gets it. I have a feeling she’s gonna want her whole album in black and white. And, I totally get it. I asked my own wedding photographer to give me mostly black and white. So from the start of our conversation, I knew that the photography was really important to her.

Julie and James were married at the Osthoff Resort in Wisconsin. The Osthoff is so charming and it was a perfect little getaway not too far from Chicago for their guests. Their day was overcast but the rain held off until just after their ceremony. We shot some formals inside then ran back outside for some couple’s portraits in that GORGE light that you get just after the rain. Julie asked if she could wade in the water for some pics–uh, yea, bonus bride coolness points right there. We were going to try it but since her dress had a full skirt I didn’t love how it hid the bodice when pulled up so we decided to have them walk onto the pier instead. I really love those shots. Sometimes that’s how it works, you try something different than you had in mind and get something even better. Wedding days are like that. A photographer works fast and is constantly making decisions based on light, backgrounds, crowds, whatever. So you just have to let go of what doesn’t work and make something that totally works:) After we finished all of the portraits we headed to the party. Both Julie and James danced all night with their family and guests. The dance floor was hopping as well as their photo booth. They win for the most pics taken in my photo booth ever! I will be posting about my photo booths soon and some of those pics will be on the blog. But for now here are some of my favorite images of James and Julie’s day.

Second shooter- Cynthia Wang
Ceremony & Reception Venue- The Osthoff Resort
Officiant- Irene Jones
Flowers- McGinley & Baker, Elkhart Lake, WI
DJ- Midwest Sound
Make-up Artist- Jennifer Costantini, Salon Blonde
Hair Stylist- Irene Jones, Salon Blonde
Cupcakes- Bettersweet Bakery, Plymouth, WI

Sarah & Bryan

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:43:44 +0000

Sarah and Bryan were married at the gorgeous Patrick C. Haley Mansion in Joliet, Illinois. Inspired by the location, their day had a Victorian botanical theme combined with details representative of them both being teachers. Their seating cards were displayed in card catalog cabinet, love birds and were cut from found texts, and flash cards with their initials were laid out with S, B and Q keyboard and game pieces. Additional bird prints came from Bryan’s family cabin (where he proposed to Sarah) found throughout drawers and storage spaces. I love how much thought was put into everything and how it tied together so well. I was impressed at how involved Bryan was in the planning. He sent me the save-the-dates and thoughts on the style and feel of their wedding very early into the process. He also designed all the programs and table cards. They did such an amazing job having a vision for their day.

Their ceremony was held in the garden just behind the mansion where they read personal vows written to one another. Bryan had a typed AND a handwritten version–I like that kind of preparation:) Afterward, the guests entered into the mansion’s white ballroom for the party. It’s so beautiful and a photographer’s dream with all those windows and white surfaces. Light just bounced everywhere. And, Sarah’s sparkly dress was PERFECT for the venue. Everyone had so much fun at this wedding and most of all the bride and groom were just beaming all night.

I photographed these sunglasses at their engagement session, so of course had to get another snap.

one of my favorite parts of the day–the first look

Nicole’s speech was hilarious and she wasn’t saying Bryan is anything like Hugh.. I thought I should clarify that;)

Sarah and Bryan, I’m honored that you picked me to photograph your day and I’ve sooo enjoyed getting to know you both. Much love, A

Second shooter- Cynthia Wang
Ceremony & Reception Venue- Patrick C. Haley Mansion
Officiant- Pat Morse
Print Design- Bryan (the groom)
Flowers: Bryan’s mother Mary -from her garden
Bridal Party Bouquets- Blossoms and Blooms of Cresthill, IL
DJ- Rachel from Toast & Jam
Make-up Artist- Rena Freeman
Hair Stylist- Nicole Cisternino from Trianon / Jason Payne from Orbit
Cake & Sweets Table- Milano’s Bakery of Joliet

Julia & Sargy

admin — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:05:01 +0000

Julia and Sargy had a small ceremony at the Maple Street Beach in Winnetka with their families and bridal party. It’s a teensy little public beach tucked away so you likely wouldn’t know it’s there and they had it all to themselves. It’s a perfect little spot.

After their ceremony and pictures, we traveled to Rolling Meadows for a big reception celebration at La Mirage. This was my first time photographing a Russian wedding and everyone was having such a great time. There was sooo much yummy food, dancing, and of course the Vodka shots! Everything is paced so well– eat, dance, toast, eat some more, dance some more.. The party just goes all night long:) As a surprise at the end of the night, Julia played with her bandmates for Sargy. And, the coolest part, she’s the drummer!

xo Julia and Sargy.

Here are some of my favorites from the day.

love these portraits

such a fun bridal party..they were up for anything!

the party begins!

Second shooter- Kelly Jung
Ceremony- Maple Street Beach, Winnetka, IL
Reception Venue- La Mirage, Rolling Meadows
Officiant- Rabbi Shlomo Shuster
Band- Ultrasound

Maya & Sunil

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:41:35 +0000

Maya found me online while researching for a wedding photographer in the Chicago area. She was planning from California for her wedding in Illinois. We set up a Skype meeting to go over everything and just to see each other before their day. It was my first time meeting a couple this way but it was so great. I now recommend this to my out of town or very busy clients as it’s a way to chat face to face even if we can’t sit down in person. You can actually reach me via Skype from my website! The icon is under the header on the main page.

Maya told me that Sunil’s family lives in Oak Park so that’s why they decided to have their ceremony in Illinois. Sunil grew up here so it was really special to come home to celebrate. Their story is a modern one. They are both career driven and successful. Neither one was actively looking to find a partner. But, they met and then just knew that they were meant to be. Maya even said in her speech to the guests at her wedding that “Sunil” is the reason she decided to get married. Aw.

I am so happy for you both!

Here are some of my selections from the day.

Second shooter- Kelly Jung
Ceremony- St. Giles, Oak Park, Illinois
Officiant- Rev. Carl Morello
Portrait Location- Oak Park Conservatory
Venue & Caterer- Drury Lane
Cake Artist- Laury’s Bakery

Jennifer & Ryan

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:43:25 +0000

Jennifer and Ryan’s wedding was my first time shooting at Morton Arboretum. It’s so gorgeous there. A couple of days before their wedding it was raining, so on their day the mosquitoes were in full effect. For the portraits we made a quick decision and decided to go with the locations with the least amount of bugs. Anywhere at the arboretum is beautiful so it just helped us narrow down the choices. We would jump out of the trolley, swat, shoot, swat, shoot, and jump back in. Thank you to Jennifer, Ryan and your awesome bridal party for enduring those icky bugs. I super heart the really wide photo of the tall trees and the teensy bridal party beneath. That one’s definitely going up in my new meeting space.

After we got back and everyone had a little down time, we were ready for the ceremony. Their good friend Aaron Berndt officiated in the The Hedge Garden. It’s such a pretty spot for a wedding. Following the ceremony their reception was in the Ginko cafe with windows on one side overlooking the arboretum. After the dinner everyone was on the dance floor. Ryan’s groomsmen got the party started:)

Thank you Jennifer and Ryan for being so great to work with. A big congrats!

Here are some of my favorites from their day.

Ryan had this made for Jennifer. So sweet.

I love these captures of Jennifer’s hands taken by my second shooter Cynthia. I wonder what she was saying.

Second shooter- Cynthia Wang
Ceremony & Reception Venue-Morton Arboretum
Officiant- Aaron Berndt
Floral Design-Chicago Flower Company
DJ-Just Press Play Productions
Hair Stylist- Janice Bridgeforth from Pixie Salon
Caterer- Chris Schaik
Cake Artist- The Cakery