Proposal Photography At Adler Planetarium In Chicago

March 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

Fog engulfs the Chicago Skyline as a newly engaged couple embraces.

Dhara said that Amar was "acting funny" earlier in the day and that she knew something was up, but wasn't sure what. What she didn't know was that her soon to be fiancé and I had been plotting his surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium for a couple of weeks.

When they arrived at the scene, I was perched up on the stairs going up to the Planetarium. Amar had texted me a selfie and told me they'd be arriving with a blue umbrella on this rainy and foggy Spring day in downtown Chicago. I aimed my lens toward the city (like a tourist) and I noticed Dhara look right up at me as they arrived. I hoped she wasn't on to me and I immediately pointed my camera elsewhere. You can see her curiosity in the first image below. Within seconds though, Amar was down on one knee and popped the question. I will let the photographs tell you her answer...

Surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

I let Amar and Dhara have their moment alone for awhile and then I introduced myself. We then went on a portrait session around Adler Planetarium. It was raining and the fog obscured the city in places, but we used it to our advantage. The excitement of this special day got us through the chilly temperatures and we got some really unique images.

Fog engulfs a newly engaged couple on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Dhara admired her engagement ring as they walked along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. I asked them to sit down on a bench for a little while away from the camera to discuss this momentous and happy occasion. I took a number of candid images while they cuddled on the park bench.

Engagement session in the rain in downtown Chicago.

A newly engaged couple celebrates with Lake Michigan in the background in Chicago.

The Windy City lived up to it's name as it brought waves crashing onto Amar and Dhara with the Chicago skyline in the background.

Waves from Lake Michigan crash onto the boardwalk during a Chicago engagement session.

This has been a sneak peek look at Amar and Dhara's surprise proposal photography session at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to schedule your engagement session. If you are planning a surprise proposal, let's talk and plan something special. I can be discreet when I need to be!! :)

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

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A young couple walks along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Winter Engagement Photos At Deep River County Park

January 24, 2017 Steve Vansak

Looking toward the future on a bridge at Deep River County Park.

For Ashlee and Ryan's engagement session at Deep River Park, the calendar said winter but the temperature was more like late Fall. It really was quite the warm January day. Ashlee's dash of red against Ryan's black leather really popped against the barren land for their rockabilly inspired engagement session.

We started out around the wagon wheel near the general store and made our away around the bridge toward the famed grist mill.

Engagement session with a rockabilly clothing theme at Deep River County Park.

A young couple in front of a vintage wagon at Deep River County Park.

I know the grist mill wheel was a must have for these guys so we took a number of images all around it. I saw the sun peeking out from above the building and had to get the sunburst engulfing the couple as they embraced.

The sun bursts above the grist mill at Deep River during a winter engagement session.

One of my favorite times of the session was just having these two hang out for awhile and talking about their day. After a few of these candid moments, off we went to the famed Sugar Shack.

A fun moment on a park bench during a winter engagement session.

Engagement photos at Deep River County Park.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at this fun couple's winter engagement session. I had a wonderful late afternoon at Deep River and I'm very much looking forward to Ashlee and Ryan's 2017 wedding!!

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

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

Quantity: