Engagement Photos - 2016 Year In Review

January 10, 2017 Steve Vansak

Two Chicago Cubs fans take a stroll at Taltree Arboretum.

Last week I posted my very long, but very fun 2016 Weddings Year In Review - it was a GIGANTIC article, so I'm going to keep this one brief. Definitely check it out to see a whole bunch of different venues as well as images and stories from the entire year.

This past year saw me trekking out to some of my usual locations - Taltree Arboretum (of which I have a photography permit to shoot at) as well as Lemon Lake Park (a local favorite) and the beach as well as Chicago. It also saw my first ever shoot at an airport for an aviation themed engagement session.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A couple shares a kiss next to a vintage airplane.

If you are considering an engagement session for yourself, but aren't sure where to go or what it's like, definitely head over to my Guide To Great Engagement Photos for lots of ideas and locations. I also have the various package options listed.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana and Chicago in 2016.

While most of my engagement sessions occur in the Spring, Summer and Fall - winter sessions can make for some crisp and unique images.

Winter kiss during a snowstorm in Chicago.

Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum.

To inquire about your own engagement session or to check availability for your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you right away. I hope the New Year is treating you well. Cheers to another great year in photographs in 2017!!

Proposal Photography In Chicago

December 12, 2016 Steve Vansak

Melecio contacted me a few weeks ago about photographing a surprise proposal in Chicago. He was such a sincere guy and I knew he was in love with this mystery woman named Valerie whom I would not meet until after she became his fiance. It's pretty obvious from the image above that her answer was a resounding yes!!

He chose December 11th, 2016 as that is their Anniversary date. He lured her to Chicago to celebrate the occasion with family. Only trouble was, Chicago was in a middle of a snowstorm and I'm sure she was reluctant to trek out to the city. Family persisted and off they went to shop on State Street. I was waiting for them outside a store and Melecio and I played it off like we knew each other and I just happened to be out there taking pictures of holiday lights. I suggested a quick portrait of them at Millennium Park and off we went. The entire family was hiding underneath Cloud Gate (a.k.a. - The Bean) to watch the entire proposal.

A surprise marriage proposal at Millennium Park in Chicago during a snow storm.

I could see the emotiona welling up on Valerie's face as she said yes. Family surrounded them to celebrate before Melecio even had a chance to put the ring on her finger.

Family surprises the bride to be during a marriage proposal in Chicago.

We gathered the group together along with their wonderful signs for a family photo. I then took the freshly engaged couple around Millennium Park for a mini winter portrait session.

Family photo with a newly engaged couple after a marriage proposal.

Winter engagement photo in downtown Chicago.

Valerie couldn't stop eyeing up her ring as we strolled around Millennium Park and the Michigan Avenue area. We even incorporated some holiday lights into some of our pictures.

A newly engaged couple in Chicago during a December snow storm.

Holiday portrait of the newly engaged couple.

Our final destination before the couple met up with family for a late lunch celebration was The Chicago Cultural Center. This stunning landmark building had a wonderful arch that happened to have a Christmas wreath right in the center.

A newly engaged couple kisses by the lighted arch inside The Chicago Cultural Center.

I had Melecio and Valerie take a slow dance of celebration in the middle of the ballroom. You can see the joy as they embraced in the hallways of The Chicago Cultural Center.

A young couple playfully dances at The Chicago Cultural Center.

It was an absolute thrill to capture the proposal photography and winter portrait session for Melo and Val (as the sign says) at Millennium Park in Chicago. I cannot wait to show them the rest of the images. Let it snow, indeed!!

Chicago Proposal Photography

$399.99

Propose to the love of your life in the beautiful city of Chicago and have it captured by a professional photographer and then go on a mini engagement session in the windy city. NOTE: An in person or phone consultation is required to nail down the logistics of this important event.

90 minute photography session in Chicago
Digital Images Via Download + Printing Rights
Online Photo Gallery & Ordering

Fall Engagement Photos At Taltree Arboretum

November 14, 2016 Steve Vansak

Leaves turn orange and red at Taltree Arboretum for a Fall engagement session.

Cynthia and Tom were looking for maximum color for their Fall engagement session and they found it in spades at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. The newly engaged couple wandered the nature retreat with me as I took photos to show off their love as well as the fabulous Autumn color.

Fall engagement photos at Taltree Arboretum.

Everywhere we turned another picturesque scene was in front of us. We could have explored further, but rain the night before made some of the trails quite muddy. We stayed on the pavement and one of our final images was on the rolling hills in the middle of the park with the distant tree leaves a burning red.

Fall engagement photo on the rolling hills at Taltree Arboretum.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Cynthia and Tom's Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum. Stay tuned here and on the Region Weddings Instagram feed for many more images.

Autumn Engagement Photos At Lemon Lake

October 26, 2016 Steve Vansak

An engaged couple embraces at the edge of the pier at Lemon Lake County Park.

Emily and Chris spent a late Friday afternoon with me at Lemon Lake County Park for their Fall engagement session. We battled with the wind for awhile (my light stand and Emily's hair) as we made our way from the deep woods onto the lake.

Fall engagement photos at Lemon Lake Park.

The Autumn leaves took on a hint of yellow as the soon to be married couple chilled next to the old wooden bridge.

I did my best impersonation of the paparazzi as I spied upon Emily and Chris as they smooched away on the various benches and hidden forest of the park.

A couple in love explores Lemon Lake Park.

An Autumn engagement photo at Lemon Lake County Park.

This is a sneak peek look at Emily and Chris Fall Autumn engagement photos at Lemon Lake Park. Only a couple of weeks left in Fall, so be sure to schedule your session today via the Contact Form. Keep in mind that Saturdays are booked with weddings, but weekdays are available and the occasional Sunday.