Lately I have been shooting weddings in big churches, and I can now openly admit that big churches, although they come with their own share of challenges, have been pretty good to me.  Especially with the abundance of summer sunlight streaming through the mosaic windows and doors, flooding the long aisle and highlighting the stunning architectural details. Therein lies the challenge.  The extra long aisle, for a photographer, means that moving from one end to the other takes a lot of time.  I only pray that nothing critical happens while I’m moving from the balcony to the front end of the church or vice versa.  This is where experience and instincts must kick in.  I must be the phantom of the opera:  all eyes and ears, constantly taking in data and stalking that perfect shot.

I respect a good challenge as a photographer, and look for opportunities to further perfect my craft.  The beauty of a big church is also its challenge to me.  Can I do its details justice?  Can I think outside the box to capture this unique couple’s story in a fresh way?  Can I let the building speak to me, guiding me to that “wow” shot?  As I shoot, I push myself to answer these questions with a resounding “yes.”

So far, I have always ended up adoring the images I get from these big church locations.  Rockefeller Memorial Chapel was a fantastic sanctuary for Mike and Andrea’s wedding. Although its façade may be grand, it is no respecter of persons.  As a non-denominational facility, anyone is free to marry within its walls.  This location was a logical choice for Mike and Andrea as they are deeply rooted in Chicago.  This was their community, their culture, their chapel.

I first met Mike and Andrea, earlier this year, for omelets and pancakes at Wildberry in Schaumburg.  Whenever possible, I like to meet with prospective clients in person because I value the chance to be able to answer all of the questions they may have and to make sure we are a good match for each other.  With this couple, it was an instant match.  They had looked at my work online, specifically the previous work I had done in Chicago’s Hyde Park area, and fell in love with it.  Also, they liked my documentary style and approach to wedding photography.   We spoke of their vision for a photographer and how everything would unfold on their wedding day.  Seeing and appreciating their friendliness and enthusiasm, I knew that we would have fun making photographs together.

In the end, I must say that I was impressed that the planning of this couple unfolded so beautifully on the day of the wedding.  I was also glad to have my wife, Lindsay, along as a second shooter.  Her artistic vision and attention to detail never fail to complement my own in surprising ways.  It’s always a blast when we shoot as a team.

Vendors:

Getting Ready Locations:  Chicago Renaissance Hotel, Elysian Hotel

Chicago Photo Locations:  Cancer Survivor Garden, Michigan Avenue, Kedzie Street Bridge

Ceremony Location:  Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Reception Location:  South Shore Cultural Center