Welcome to the newest weekly feature to the blog, “Friday Favorites.”  Every Friday I am going to feature one of my favorite wedding photographs (and maybe a few portrait favorites), as well as some of the story behind how the photograph was created.

When I asked Christine to describe the look she was going for with her wedding photographs, two words immediately jumped out at me:  “urban” and “bad-ass.”  When we pulled onto the lot of an abandoned car dealership near downtown DesPlaines, she hopped out of the limo with a huge smile on her face and asked “will this work?”  Although we were in the suburbs, I immediately knew this was the perfect location for the type of wedding photographs Christine wanted to create.  While I was looking around the lot for ideas, I noticed Christine standing in front of the old sales “shack,” or “island” with her bridesmaids.  It only took a couple of tweaks to create an image that not only became one of my favorites, but has become a favorite of many other brides I’ve been able to work with as well.

Be sure to bookmark the blog and check back every Friday for each new installment of “Friday Favorites!”

DeAnna and Brad met while both attending school at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  So what better place to get married than in DeKalb and celebrate with a reception at NIU’s Altgeld Hall.

I thought this was really cool.  DeAanna’s brother is an active officer in the US Marine Corps, and could not make it back for her wedding.  So DeAnna carried his picture with her all day!

If the before and after effect isn’t working, simply click the “Before and After Wednesdays” post title above

A week or so back I posted the teaser from Vince’s senior portrait session.  Now that his Mom has had a chance to see all the previews, I thought I’d share a few of her favorites from the session as well!

The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) just released the results from their summer quaterly wedding photography contest.  Every quarter I am blown away at the wedding images that come out of this contest, and fortunately I was able to place a couple of my own images.

This one from Katie & Chris’ engagement session placed 18th in the “Engagement Portrait” category…..

And this one from Glenn & Charlie’s wedding last fall placed 16th in the “Humor” Category.

Even though Elizabeth should be worrying more about what SPF level sunscreen she’s using on her honeymoon, she immediately fell in love with this photograph from her wedding this past weekend and wanted it as her Facebook profile picture so bad that she just couldn’t wait.  Not surprisingly, within about 30 seconds of pressing “send” the photograph appears as her newly created profile picture!  In case you aren’t friends with Elizabeth on Facebook….here’s the picture that in her words she’s “obsessed with”!

Chēkie Events & Design is celebrating its new Chicago’s South Loop location and partnership with Village Paperie & Gifts by giving away three services worth over $14,000.00. This contest asks all entrants to submit a short video or photograph along with a short sentence or two as to what makes them a Chēkie couple. This contest is in search of entrants that walk to the beat of their own drum, might think the grapple is the best fruit invented or believe they are anything but “cookie-cutter”. The contest runs from August 16, 2010 to September 3, 2010. Two winners will win a Full Design Development & Planning Service, est. value: $6,000.00 and one winner will win a Day of Coordination Service, est. value: $2,000.00.

Prizes and Recognition

In addition to receiving one of three services, winner’s picture or video will be showcased on the Chēkie Events & Design website. The winners and five other couples whose image or video are selected as Favorites will have their names and winning images or videos published on the website and on the Chēkie Events & Design Page on Facebook™ for all to admire.

HOW TO ENTER:

Complete rules and entry form can be found at

www.checkie.com

or by accessing the contest page at

www.checkie.com/contest

Submissions are limited to a maximum of one per couple. By sending your images & videos you agree to Chēkie Events & Designs terms and conditions. Chēkie Events & Design reserves the right to disqualify any image or video that does not fit the theme of the contest. Pictures & videos must be original and the property of the entrant. The contest is open to any person 18 years or older residing in the Chicagoland area and all entrants must be received no later than September 3, 2010.

About Chēkie Events & Design

Established in 2009 and based out of Chicago’s South Loop, Chēkie Events & Design is a boutique event planning & design firm which specializes in destination weddings as well as local weddings, corporate and social events. With a team of innovative designers & planners along with a combined 15 years in the Event Planning & Travel Industry, it prides itself on being different and using unconventional points of view in every event design.

If you’d like more information about this contest, or to schedule an interview, please call Michael Castro at (773) 595-6823 or email Michael at michael@chekie.com

If the before and after effect isn’t working, simply click the “Before and After Wednesdays” post title above

When a lot of people hear that a wedding is going to be a “back-yard wedding,” the immediate connotation is the wedding will be a small, intimate affair under a quaint tree, with a small reception under a tent, or possibly no tent at all.  Unfortunately for Elizabeth and Andrew “Jonny,” there was nothing small about this wedding recpetion.  Chairs and a tent to comfortably house 250+ guests, plus the dance floor, full catering, full bar service, and a 22 person wedding bridal party that was ready to have a great evening celebrating!

There were a lot of really great wedding photographs from this one, so rather than post ‘em all here, I went the slideshow route

Elizabeth & Jonny from Jay Crihfield on Vimeo.

Oh, and if any of the bridesmaids (and this particular photograph) looks familiar, click here to refresh your memory from Emily & Danny’s wedding back in 2008!