Youngmie and Peter first booked me in early 2011, and they are getting married at the Rookery in just two weeks. We’ve had to reschedule their engagement session a gazillion times due to uncooperative spring weather and a pre-wedding case of the shingles. But, we were determined to do their shoot this weekend and, thanks to some great weather, we finally did!

I met these two on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park. This is one of my favorite spots to shoot in the city. With the great light, the ivy-covered walls, and the gothic nooks and crannies, it makes for the perfect photo location.

These two were so easy to work with, and they were so comfortable in front of the camera. I can’t wait until their wedding later this month! In the meantime, enjoy some of these sneak peeks.

These two really know how to make each other laugh.

I may have found my favorite doorway in all of Chicagoland. (And y’all know I love me some doorways.)

The sun was setting as we were ending our session, and I couldn’t resist shooting in this light.

This is the season of boudoir! Gals want to have a gift to give their husbands-to-be right before the wedding, and boudoir shoots seem to be the perfect choice.

So, here are some lovely–albeit NSFW–shots from my marathon a couple of weeks ago at the Trump International Hotel! As always, we had a great time. And, as always, girls emailed me afterwards saying, “Thank you for making that SO fun! I was freaking out, but you actually made it easy.”

I have another shoot coming up in mid-May, and then my next marathon isn’t until August 18th. If you’re interested in having some photos too, shoot me an email!

Also, I want to give a shout-out t0 Melissa from Sonia Roselli for doing hair and make-up for the 1389th time. You’re the best!

This past weekend, I had my first wedding of the 2012 season. Amy and Brian, another couple of sweethearts, were married at the Merchandise Mart Holiday Inn.

All week, the weather forecast threatened thunderstorms. So, when Saturday came, we were happy to settle for clouds instead. The great thing about that wedding location is that it is near one of the most popular photo spots in the city: Kinzie St. bridge. Brian is a groom after my own heart; he’s a fan of grimy alleyways, rusty train tracks, and peeling paint. Poor Amy was such a good sport; she hiked up her dress and followed us through all of the mess.

It was a wonderful wedding to kickstart my season, and I was so happy that my first couple of the year was the oh-so-lovely Amy and Brian. If every couple I shot was as kind and easy-going as these two, my job would be a cinch.

Amy sat down to write Brian a card before the ceremony. Is she gorgeous or what?

This sweetie was a junior bridesmaid.

The first look! They were just a little excited.

Love these two.

Blue socks!

Ceremony time!

Married!

LOVE these shots from the cake cutting. Brian’s face is priceless. Pure JOY.

And one shot from the very end of the night.

We are just entering portrait season: family portraits, senior portraits, and engagement portraits. I’m so excited to get behind the camera again.

So, this weekend, I was happy to meet a new family and shoot some photos. Amelia is 8 months, and her brother, Josh, is going to be 3 very soon (he’s excited about it)! I spent an hour with these two adorable kiddies and their parents, shooting photos outside (for as long as we could take the chilly air) and inside. Though Amelia was really the star of the show, we made sure to get the whole family in on the action.

Here are some sneak peeks of this adorable bunch!

Can you get over that sweet face? I can’t either.

So sweet.

What a sweet family!

It’s no secret than I’m a huge fan on Pinterest. I totally drank the koolaid.

I’ve been using Pinterest both as a photographer wanting to get inspired for shoots and as a bride planning my wedding. It’s been invaluable for both. My most-used Pinterest board is the one I use to collect images for photo inspiration. A lot of the images here are from other photographers, and I have never been afraid to admit that I look to the work of other photographers for inspiration. Once, in a poetry workshop, a famous poet told me, “The best way to write good poems is to read a lot of good poems.” I think the same is true about photography.

Pinterest helps me catalogue lots of things: interesting poses, compositions that I find striking, color palettes that pack a punch, and locations that photograph really well. I’m hoping that, increasingly, brides and grooms will begin using Pinterest as a way to catalogue their ideas, too. I always try to encourage my clients to think through a shoot before we go; you’ve got to do more than just show up. What is the mood you’re going for? Is there a theme? What outfits will best suit your theme or mood? What colors work the best in contrast to the location? All of these things matter, and–inevitably–it is the clients that have taken the time to think through these answers that always help produce the most creative and most successful shoots. I would be absolutely thrilled to get an email before an engagement session that says, “Danielle: Here’s a link to our Pinterest board. It’ll clue you in to what we’re thinking for the shoot!”

Until then, I’ll continue to pass on my ideas, my inspiration, and my “oh-my-gosh-can-we-please-do-this?” wishlist. Here are a few shoots that are on that list.

1. An at-home engagement session that takes place in a well-lit bedroom.

This shoot from the fabulous Jill Thomas is beyond gorgeous. As I said, the success of this kind of shoot would depend largely on how much natural light you have in your home. But, if you’re lucky enough to have big windows, this could be so much fun! I like how romantic, intimate and casual these shoots are.

2. A swimming shoot.

Jose Villa has done quite a few shoots like this one, and I adore them all. Whether it is in a lake or a swimming pool, an ocean or a pond, I’d love to have a couple that’s willing to jump in feet first… literally!

3. A shoot inspired by a favorite film.

I mean, who doesn’t love the movie Up? This Up-themed shoot is one of the most creative styled shoots I’ve seen in a long while. And I love that it was inspired by a movie that the couple–not the photographer–loves. This Notebook-themed engagement shoot is another fun one. What a great way to inform the mood and the costuming of a photo session!

So, couples, here are my ideas. Let’s hear yours!