The Best Photo I’ve Ever Taken. Ever.

Maine Coon Photo cat giant

Those who know me well are always asking about my semi-evil gigantic cat, Romulus. Three summers ago, I was a volunteer at PAWS, a no kill animal rescue shelter in Chicago, and I somehow convinced Jeff to let us foster a kitten in our tiny 44th floor high rise apartment.

Our little city kitty was only seven weeks old, and we immediately failed as foster parents—which means we didn’t have the heart to give him back when the two weeks were up.

That’s when Romulus pulled one over on us. He went from three pounds—a tiny little thing that I had carried home on the bus undetected—to the giant creature you see above. We found out about three months in that he’s a Maine Coon, the largest breed out there. A look at Google image search for full grown Maine Coons gave us a look at our future. I’m told they grow for three years, so it seems Romulus may have finally reached full size (we recently measured him at roughly 3.5 feet head to tail).

So I was playing with a potential photo booth setup using my Wonderland backdrop tonight (more on that soon—I have some cool ideas in the works, including wireless sync of photos to the iPad for viewing), and I picked up Romulus to be my photo buddy. When it synced to the iPad, I couldn’t stop giggling. He’s like a giant kitty mustache. I had to share.

 

Kristen + Alex | Architectural Artifacts Wedding

I have a ton of beautiful moments and details to share over the next few weeks. To keep up on previews from my latest weddings, tune into my Facebook page, where I typically post small previews weeks before I get around to posting full recaps on this blog.

I’m always in awe of the personal energy and creativity that goes into the weddings that I get to photograph. Kristen and Alex had some really fun ones—their flowers were from a local farmers market, and they were mixed in with flowers that Kristen knitted herself. How cool is that? Beyond that, their vintage inspired rings were insanely unique and beautiful, Kristen’s headband was a perfect touch and the backdrop at Architectural Artifacts provided just the right vibe for a fun, laid back wedding.

Kristen and Alex—thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a perfect evening (and thanks to Jose Uribe and Sonia Stein for helping out with photography).

Vendors:

If you were a guest at the wedding, you can view the wedding gallery and order prints in my shop (the password is the bride’s maiden name, all lowercase).

Kristen Wedding Photography portraits

wedding flowers, architectural artifacts wedding photography

Architectural Artifacts wedding photography

Architectural Artifacts wedding

Architectural Artifacts wedding, Portrait montage

Architectural Artifacts wedding rings

Architectural Artifacts wedding ceremony indoors

Architectural Artifacts wedding ceremony in the atrium

Architectural Artifacts wedding ceremony ring exchange

Architectural Artifacts is a great venue for multiple shooters—Sonia shot from above, Jose stood above and behind and I took the ceremony floor.

Architectural Artifacts wedding ceremony in the atrium

Architectural Artifacts wedding ceremony exit

Love this detail from the Architectural Artifacts store floor (thanks Jose and Sonia!).

Architectural Artifacts wedding details

More great angles—Jose and Sonia stood across the atrium while Kristen and Alex walked across toward me.

Architectural Artifacts wedding portraits, upstairs

Architectural Artifacts wedding atrium portraits

Architectural Artifacts wedding

Architectural Artifacts wedding

Dinkel's Bakery Wedding Cake

Knitted flowers!

sweetheart table

Thanks to Jose and Sonia for the detail on the far right.

Wedding details

Wedding menu

Wedding dinner

Sonia grabbed some awesome dancing photos from the floor and atrium.

Wedding dance

Dance floor from above

Malgorzata Babiarz from Megitza Quartet took a break from singing to show off some dance moves.

Dance floor

Dancing

 

 

 

Sheila + Michael | Wedding at St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago

Sheila and Michael hosted one of the most beautiful weddings imaginable. The event was surrounded with grand architecture, from the arched ceiling of Holy Family Parish to the stunning courtyard and ballroom of St. Ignatius College Prep. Not to mention the Eiffel tower ice sculpture (Sheila and Michael were engaged in Paris) and largest dessert table I’ve ever seen. Love love love.

This wedding was also particularly special for me because I had help from one of the most amazing people I know. Stephanie Zilles and I went to high school together in DeWitt, Michigan, and we were always coming up with crafty ideas in our independent study art class (we had lots of fun with screen printing and other random materials). She lives in Arkansas now, but she was in Chicago for this wedding, and it was such a delight! I wish you lived in Michigan, Steph! We’d be a little dream team.

Sheila and Michael—thank you for letting us be a part of your wedding day. And Michael, I’ve never seen such an impressive mother, son dance. Maybe it’s time for me to get back to dance lessons!

If you were a guest at the wedding, you can view the wedding gallery and order prints in my shop (the password is the bride’s maiden name, all lowercase).

Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Stephanie grabbed the shot of the perfume below on the left and the fun detail shot of the bridesmaid’s shoes below while I was with Sheila. Teamwork for the win!

wedding shoes by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

bridesmaids' shoes by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

hairspray the veil by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photography

bride getting ready, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Stephanie also snapped the detail photo below on the right and stayed with Sheila and the bridesmaids on the limo bus while I ran over to the church to get some shots with the guys. Love that lace.

bridal portraits by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photography

Arriving at the church, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Wedding flowers, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

bride enters the church, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Down the aisle, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Holy Family Church, Chicago by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Ring Exchange, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

More teamwork below—I stayed near the front of the aisle, while Stephanie stayed back (right shot).

Just married, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

wedding portraits by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Reception at St. Ignatius by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Wedding reception in the courtyard of St. Ignatius, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Wedding reception in the courtyard of St. Ignatius, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

bustling the dress, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

Wedding seating at St. Ignatius, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

wedding cupcakes and desserts, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

First dance, by Allie Siarto Photography, Lansing Wedding Photographers

 

 

Going Retro

My family doesn’t do “normal” weddings. We all went a bit retro for my brother’s vow renewal with his wife last Friday. Jeff and I took kind of an early 60s approach, but many of the guests went for a late 60s approach (two very different styles).

Speaking of the early 60s, I just saw the movie The Help last night, and I sniffled my way through it. So good—I recommend it! But read the book first. Movies are never quite the same.

Mad Men Styled Shoot (wedding guest)

Jeff and Allie go retro

Copyright © 2024 · Theme by 17th Avenue

Copyright © 2024 · Amelia on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in