Stephenie and Mark on WedVert!!

Stephenie and Mark's idea about using reclaimed barn wood and used house numbers for their table settings caught the attention of Martha Stewart's WedVert Green wedding website! Check it out!

Molly Grace Shoot's Michael & Julianna's Wedding

I was so excited to shoot Michael and Julianna's wedding and have been ever since I shot their engagement session last summer and they climbed a tree together. Julianna looked amazing, when I got there, and so I knew they day was just gonna rock! Michael and Julianna exchanged rings and vows at Saint Clement Church in Chicago, pictures downtown and then the reception was at the school of the Art Institute of Chicago. The day was packed with many moments and super gorgeous picture opportunities, props to Michael for organizing our route! The night was filled with good toasts and the party got started with music by John Miles of DJ Remedy.

What is it about our clients that we love, well to sum it up, our clients are amazing, and are truly an inspiration to us! I loved getting to know Julianna and Michael hearing their story of how they met at NASA, and how Michael right away knew that Julianna was the woman he had been looking for. During their ceremony I loved hearing how it's their faith in God and their faith in each other that moves them. Such words, such love, really inspired the whole day.



I love this shot, you can't plan moments like this, you just have to be ready.



Julianna looked amazing and peaceful on the way to the church.





Just hanging... lookin' fine on a Saturday with a Mercedes-Benz limo, you know, how we normally do :)



Michael loved the toasts!


Michael and Julianna danced to a recorded version of Michael singing "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, I love that song too!

Impact Tip - oops

I can't believe I totally forgot about my Impact Tip yesterday! That is a first, and I have to say, it must be baby brain. I thought I was going into labor yesterday but nothing happened. Anyway, I hope to have more news and interesting ideas to share about making an impact in your life in the coming weeks. For now, I am focusing on getting through this birth so bear with me.

For those of you who don't know yet, I am having an all natural birth at home so I can't get to the pain meds even if I want them! So wish me luck, it will all be over soon and I will be sure to post some pictures just as soon as I can! I am just as excited as everyone else to find out....girl or boy! I don't know!!!! I can't wait!

Molly Grace Shoot's Gwynne & Matt's Wedding

So I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to shoot Gwynne and Matt's wedding. I had not even meet Gwynne & Matt until the day of their wedding but of course fell in love with them right away over the phone when they hired me. Then one cold day in January Gwynne emailed me just to say how excited she was to have meet shoot her wedding, that is the best feeling as a photographer, so I really was excited to shoot it. I loved each moment of the day, but mostly what got me was the love of these two. I admired it all day long as they just glowed and sparkled around each other. I loved the moment behind the door, just after they walked back down the aisle, I loved seeing Matt carry his bride, and loved seeing everyone have such a fun time on the dance floor. Matt even did a little Vanilla Ice for us too!

Matt and Gwynne's reception was at the Wyndham Glenview Suites. Thanks to Jeff from Music By Design for being such an awesome D.J.

Our new studio!

As some of you know, we recently moved to a bigger studio and it was tough finding the perfect place but after much searching, we found it! We can't wait to meet all our clients in our new space.

Our last space, while very rustic and contemporary, just was too energy inefficient and that was our primary concern in finding the new place. This place has very high effeciency windows that run throughout the unit allowing good airflow during the spring-fall but keeping heat in during the winter. It faces Northeast so the sun does warm it in the morning but doesn't bake the unit requiring extra energy to keep cool.

All the furniture is either donated, made, or antique (reused!) and I am slowly building my collection of plants that are both functional (herbs) or just nice to look at and keep the air clean :)

We wanted to paint it so we chose Fresh Aire paints which are the only eco-friendly, family friendly paint out there. Overall the colors were good and there was no smell but it was not the best coverage paint I have ever used, but I am no professional either :)

So hopefully we will see you here soon! And the best part...the view! Here are some of Aaron's shots of the view

Molly Grace shoot's Julie & Gerald's E- Session

It was seriously such a beautiful day on Tuesday, it was the calm before the storm on Wednesday which had been the day we had originally planned to meet up. Ahh... such fun we had! I loved meeting Gerald who had flown in from CA where he and Julie will soon live together in Wedded Bliss! Gerald was the man, and I loved that he loved the excuse to get close in on his girl, it made for some great pic's!

Impact Tip - Conscious Living TV

I recently met the fabulous couple that hosts Conscious Living TV, a new web show that moved from CA to Chicago to share their insight and experience living the eco-friendly life and sharing their tips with you! I hope you find it as enjoyable as I have. They have segments on everything from travel to beauty, to mind and body to home and garden and many more....check it out for yourself!

Stephenie and Mark's Green Wedding!

If you follow this blog, then you remember my green wedding give-a-way last year. Stephenie and Mark came in a VERY close second and I just couldn't let them walk away empty handed. We worked out a nice runner up discount and the relationship started there. They have been so fun and inspiring to work with and I am so impressed with how thoughtful they were in preparing for their wedding and sharing their love of sustainability with their friends and family.

The full list of their wedding and details can be found on their wedding website here but I will give you a run down here too.

They started out using the website to give people information and forgoing any save-the-dates. Their invitations were designed by friend Kendra Leigh Creative and were printed on recycled paper, with a tear off rsvp postcard. No envelopes required! Here are the programs as well which are made from recycled paper. The dress was made of natural earth-friendly materials and will be recycled to make baptismal gowns for their children the way her mom did with her wedding dress for Stephenie and Jenny. After the wedding they tossed lavender buds as a sustainable and fragrant option from beau-coup.com Then off to the reception at the Garfield Park Conservatory which was chosen for its historic landmark in Chicago as a place to go and learn about the community and how to incorporate sustainability and plants in your life. Pictured below are some other details.
Green shoes!!! maybe not eco-friendly but a very cute touch :)
They used Limelight Catering who have organic food options.
Reclaimed barn wood used as table settings and the cake holder (the cake even looked like wood!)
Used house numbers for the table settings
Expired coffee beans that will be ground and used for fertilizer
Soy candles with rented or borrowed holders
In lui of favors, donations were made to NAMI and American Cancer Society
And gift bags using recycled grocery bags for the guests! Last but not least, ME! Our green initiatives and giving back program are part of their plans to make their wedding eco-friendly and here are some more pictures, which are my main contribution to the day. Shannon showing Mark how its done :)

Impact Tip - Green Festival

Next weekend is the Annual Green Festival held at Navy Pier. This is a great place to take the family and learn how your community is working to be more eco-friendly and what you can do.


From the website:
Celebrating what’s working in our communities, the Chicago Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses. More than 150 renowned speakers appear for insightful panel discussions and presentations.

You’ll also enjoy great how-to workshops, green careers, a Fair Trade pavilion, Youth Unity Pavilion, kids’ activities, delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine, and live music.

Find out how Midwest neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their cities healthier places to live.

May 16-17, 2009
Saturday – 10am – 7pm
Sunday – 11am – 6pm
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Avenue, Chicago

Here is a directory of the exhibits, just click a category: click here

I am really going to try and make it on Sunday assuming the baby cooperates! So if you see a giant pregnant lady pushing through the crowds, come and see if it's me and say hello :)

Aaron shoots Bottles and Brushes

Last week I Want to Walk the Talk teamed up with Bottles and Brushes for some painting and wine at Catalyst Ranch. Sounds like a really fun combination and a great way to get in touch with your creative side. There was a huge turnout for this event so be sure not to miss out and sign up early for the next event!

I love this shot of Bria, there are lots of fun things to play with over at the ranch :)