Everyone knows it’s been too long since I’ve posted anything. Even more so, I’ve waited way too long to share this amazing engagement session…
I have the privilege of being close friends with these crazy kids. I knew Kate before I met Zach. Funny and conveniently enough, both met by being paired together in a friend’s wedding. Apparently they had a blast because even afterward, with long distance, Zach had the courage to pursue dating Kate. With Zach in Michigan and Kate here in Chicago, they somehow made the distance work in beginning their relationship. Zach finally made the decision to move here to Chicago, thus beginning the start to their current story.
Zach finally popped the big question in August, which we were all waiting for. Kate came to me not asking for me to photograph their wedding, but in pure excitement, demanding that I’d be their photographer. In fact, it may have been before they were engaged that Kate started planning details with me. Well, whether she knew it or not, I couldn’t have been looking forward more to being a part of their engagement and wedding experience.
Those close to me know that I’ve recently had some pretty amazing opportunities. On a completely different level of it’s own, I consider Zach and Kate’s wedding one of those opportunities. It’s not the elegance, the crazy awesome venue, the top designer or planner, or anything else that money can buy. [Believe me, I love weddings with all of those things] This is more. It’s pure quirky personality. Excitement. Joy. Something that’s too hard to explain with words.
Thankfully and to my advantage, both Zach and Kate are very creative. The sketches and “save the date” design shown in the images above was all Zach. He actually drew the one sketch in the middle of their picnic. Then there’s this whole themed shoot. I’d be lying if I said it was all me. I originally told Kate that we had to do it. It was so them. Well, with a few ideas and a little encouragement, Kate went above and beyond into pulling this whole idea together.
To say the least, and as I’m sure you’ve seen, both Zach and Kate know how to have fun. That’s who they are. While documenting their eSession, I honestly wasn’t sure if we were going to have many images beyond goofing off, but I couldn’t be more happy with how these images beautifully express the range of fun and intimate moments throughout their picnic in the park.
Zach and Kate, I cannot wait for your wedding!