Chicago Wedding Photographers | Wheaton Wedding Photographer | Todd James Photography's Blog

Beautiful photojournalistic wedding and portrait photography to all Chicago suburbs, and national and destination weddings.

12-06-2011

Katie & Kurt’s Anniversary Shoot | North Avenue Beach | Chicago, IL

I have a passion for documenting the authentic love between a couple and I strive to honor that love with images that truly capture it. This is accentuated when I know the couple personally. When I’ve witnessed that love between them first hand, my passion for documenting what I know to be true about their relationship increases that much more. This was the case for Katie and Kurt.

I met Katie and Kurt last March when I began attending Soul City Church in Chicago. Instantly we became friends. They’re the type of people that you meet and you just instantly feel at home with, and for anyone that knows them, their relationship is the type that you look at and think, “I want that.” So when they asked me to photograph their five year anniversary, I was pumped. We had an afternoon back in October to explore North Ave. Beach. What I love about this location is how many different settings and backdrops are provided within a quarter mile of each other.

Katie and Kurt, congrats on your five years together and thank you so much for giving me the honor of documenting such a huge milestone in your lives. So grateful for you guys!

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Barbara Holton - These pictures are sooooooooooo beautiful. You are very talented.

11-29-2011

April & Jeff’s Engagement | Winfield, IL | Chicago Wedding Photographer

A few weeks back, when Fall was still alive and well, I had the opportunity to photograph April and Jeff’s engagement in Winfield, IL. April had initially contacted me about the possibility of photographing their wedding after I had photographed her sister’s last year in Quad Cities. I was so bummed to find that I was already booked on the date of their wedding, but I was grateful that despite this, they still asked me to photograph their engagement session. We had such a great time in the rustic setting of one of Winfield’s secluded forest preserves. I loved the little details that they incorporated in the shoot too, including the picnic basket and the blanket. These fit the setting so well and always adds a nice personal touch to any engagement shoot. April and Jeff – thank you so much for the opportunity to photograph your engagement. I wish the best to you both and your wedding approaches!

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Jen Strohl - BEAUTIFUL!!!! Your love is captured in every picture:)

Jen Strohl - BEAUTIFUL! Your love for eachother is captured in every picture!:)

Ginny Corbett - Man…I’m a sucker for plaid, forests, and baskets. Great shoot, Todd! One day…when I’m as good of a writer as you, I will blog again

kay - I sum these photos up with the word “Captivating.”
Love, passion and fun are reflected in each photo!

11-22-2011

Allison & Mike’s Engagement | Wheaton, IL | Chicago Wedding Photographer

When I first met with Allison and Mike to discuss the possibility of being their photographer, I knew it was going to be a great fit. They are just the type of couple that I love to work with. We had such an amazing time at their engagement session. They were so much fun and so natural with each other even behind the camera lens. I was pleasantly surprised by yet another new location in the Wheaton area situated in the suburbs of Chicago. In case you can’t tell, I love shoot in the golden hour of the day. In the progression of images below, you can see how the light just kept getting better and better as the shoot went on. I love the romantic feel that the softness of the light creates. Congrats to you Allison and Mike… I can’t wait for your wedding next year at Klein Creek!

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Ginny Corbett - Soooooo beautiful!

Brandon walker - Looks professional to where it could be for inserts in a photo frame! Natural romance is key, they hit it on the spot.

Nancy Wallner - Love these pictures!! Beautiful couple!!

Jenny - These pictures are so spectacular-the lighting is amazing, and it makes everything look so dreamy and beautiful!

11-17-2011

Parker & Andrew’s Wedding | Kingsway Farm | Wheaton, IL | Chicago Wedding Photographers

I had been looking forward to Parker and Andrew’s wedding ever since shooting their engagement session this past summer. If you had the chance to see their engagement session, you can understand why. They are so much fun together, incredibly photogenic, and the love between the two of them is so evident.

With Fall weddings there’s always the inherent risk of the weather, but for Parker and Andrew’s wedding, we had a near perfect day (maybe minus the unseasonably cold night that closed out the day). The day started in Wheaton for the ceremony before we traveled out to Kingsway Farm in Winfield for the reception. Parker is originally from Texas and I loved all the little details throughout the wedding that reflected this, from cowboy boots, to the farm setting for the reception, and even a few cowboy hats that made an appearance. The entire day was such a beautiful celebration of their relationship.

I was incredibly thankful to have the talented Edward Weiland along shooting with me for the day. Parker and Andrew, I’m so happy for you guys and was blessed to have the opportunity to capture your wedding day. Best to you both as you start your new life together!

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11-15-2011

Lauren & Tim’s Engagement | Glen Ellyn, IL | Chicago Wedding Photographer

I love nature. I also love Chicago but there have been times in the past that I’ve craved living in a location that gives me more opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. A few days in the mountains or on the beach does my soul some good. However, as I’ve scouted locations for shoots around the Chicago area, exploring down dirt roads and maybe even trespassing a time or two, I have been surprised just how many beautiful outdoor locations there are around us here. It’s even been amazing to discover new locations previously unknown to me just miles from where I grew up.

For Lauren and Tim’s engagement session we were able to take advantage of one of these local treasures in Glen Ellyn. As is blatantly evident from the images below, they are such a fun couple and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them on the shoot. I’ve commented previously on how much I love the softness of the Fall light, and on their shoot, as the sun drifted towards the horizon, the light just got better and better. I am so excited for Lauren and Tim’s wedding next June at Eaglewood Resort and Spa!