Cityscape Engagement Photos In Downtown Chicago

November 3, 2014 Steve Vansak

A cityscape engagement photo of downtown Chicago.

When I met Derrick and Michelle in downtown Chicago, I asked them what flavor they were going for in their engagement photos in the windy city. Michelle wanted "urban, gritty city shots" and Derrick wanted "grand, beautiful cityscapes" featuring the skyline and Lake Michigan. Then they both said "whatever you want honey". We did both. :)

I will be photographing their wedding next October and since Michelle regularly attends events at the Chicago Theater, it was only right to get some images there along with other gritty parts of downtown such as alleys and some hotel hollywood lighting as well.

A photo collage of engagement photos in downtown Chicago.

While I always try to capture romanticism in my engagement photos and cute and fun are always good too, I like to do different as well. As we were walking along the Lake Michigan shore I saw the dramatic sky behind the Adler building and placed the happy couple up on the ledge and let them hang out for awhile. I loved the blue tone reflected in the windows from the sky and the water. I also love their wonderful smiles as well.

A cute couple hangs out behind the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

This October has been the busiest month for engagement sessions that I have ever had and many more engagement and wedding sneak peeks to come. If you would like to learn more about this type of Chicago Engagement Session or to inquire about availability for your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form today. Stay tuned to this page for more image updates as well.

City skyscrapers as seen from the Millennium Gardens in this Chicago engagement photo.

Hometown Engagement Photos in Crown Point, Indiana

October 30, 2014 Steve Vansak

A couple kisses as they sit in a pile of leaves in a Crown Point neighborhood.

Beth and Charlie's engagement session had a hometown theme with us featuring the city they live in and will be married in - Crown Point, Indiana. Certainly with Fall colors in the air, a romantic kiss in a pile of leaves was in order. We also spent time in their lovely neighborhood with it's wonderful tall trees and even took some images inside their home.

A collection of Fall engagement photo in a Crown Point neighborhood.

A romantic moment inside a couple's home for their engagement session.

We then made our way to the Crown Point Square where we used the iconic front steps of the Old Courthouse as well as ducking into a few business in the area for more hometown flavor.

A couple in love kiss romantically at the steps of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Beth and Charlie were my second of four engagement sessions this week alone. So, this is only a sneak peek look at their fun photo shoot in Crown Point. Stay tuned for more to come. In the meantime, here is one more portrait shot at the steps of the west entrance to the Grande Old Lady (aka - Old Courthouse building). Hope you are enjoying the Fall color and the crisp temperatures!!

Fall portrait at the Crown Point Square.

Romantic Engagement Photos On A Farm In Lowell, Indiana

October 23, 2014 Steve Vansak

A couple in love embrace in the middle of a bean field in Lowell, Indiana.

When Katherine told me I would be photographing her and Justin on her parent's farm, this city boy was excited to make the drive south to Lowell, Indiana. It was a spectacular setting and we took romantic engagement photos in an adjacent bean field as well as portraits with farmland and a private lake as our backdrop.

Romantic engagement portraits on a Midwest farm.

I almost crashed the ranger we were driving on into a ditch of dirty water but thankfully no casualties at this session to report!! We simply drove around the vast property and when I saw a photo opportunity like this soft, sun drenched pathway we took it. We went for soft, romantic natural light images such as the one below as well as capturing the dramatic sky as the sun peaked out behind some wicked looking clouds. We had a lot of fun!!

A romantic natural light engagement photo shot in soft focus.

Wicked looking clouds swirl in the skies above in this engagement photo taken on a farm in Lowell, Indiana.

A big thank you to Katherine's parents for letting us use their property for their daughter's and Justin's engagement photos. This is a sneak peek preview with many more to come.

An engagement portrait taken on a midwest farm.

Fun Fall Engagement Photos at Lemon Lake Park

October 16, 2014 Steve Vansak

A sun burst star explodes in the sky in this Fall engagement photo.

Here in Northwest Indiana we love Fall except for the fact that we know what's coming next. So we make sure we go outside to soak up Autumn's fresh temperatures, it's invigorating energy and especially it's incredible colors. I get a lot of requests for engagement photos in the Fall so it was no surprise when Lauren and Ryan scheduled their session at Lemon Lake Park.

We started off with a family photo with their two dogs and then we darted off into the woods for some romantic and fun photo opportunities.

A collage of Fall engagement photos at Lemon Lake Park.

Lemon Lake was incredibly reflective this particular day and we definitely used it for our photographs. We were going for romantic as well as fun with Lauren getting a piggyback ride from Ryan, and me spying on the couple as they sat on a nearby log. I told them to relax at the edge of the pier for awhile and just soak up the beautiful light that was falling upon them overlooking the lake.

An engaged couple overlooks the serene lake from the edge of a pier.

The wonderfully tall trees are another great setting for pictures and I loved the sun rays as they came through the tall branches and Ryan and Lauren kissed.

A couple kisses beneath the tall trees at Lemon Lake Park as sun rays stream through.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at Lauren and Ryan's engagement session. With winter approaching don't think that time has passed you by for your own photographs. Winter snow can make for great, romantic images. My studio is also quite toasty as well. Fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your options.