Ann Oleinik Photography Blog

Kristi and Joe’s Winter Wedding

aeoleinik — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:26:17 +0000

I have to admit that I was excited for Kristi and Joe’s wedding for months. Kristi is so sweet and caring, and her excitement and enthusiasm were just infectious. On top of that, Kristi and I share the same last name, even though we’re not related! Ok, so Kristi spells it a little differently than I do, but you can imagine with my weird last name I don’t meet a whole lot of people who share it. So I immediately felt like a member of the family before I even met them. And then when we did finally meet in person, they were even more friendly and welcoming in person, if that was even possible. Kristi, I could photograph your wedding every week and be totally happy.

I just adored Kristi’s fabulous fascinator from Jaxie Bridal.

Kristi’s sister-in-law hand-made this gorgeous shawl for her. I could not believe how delicate it was – if you look closely you can see a heart detail.

Kristi and her girls got ready at the Delafield Hotel in Delafield, Wisconsin. I just loved the old-world feel of the lobby, the beautiful rooms, I could go on and on.

The guys got ready at a separate hotel, but we managed to stop by and catch them before they got on the limo. Meet Joe, our intrepid groom. I have to say that I love this shot that Kamran grabbed, the look on Joe’s face just speaks volumes!

Kristi’s mom helped her put her veil on shortly before the ceremony. Kristi and her mom both have such beautiful smiles, I just loved the dynamic between them in this shot:

I couldn’t resist including another:

Kristi and Joe just couldn’t stop stealing glances at each other throughout the ceremony.

And, Married!

After the ceremony we went back to the Delafield Hotel for a few more pics with both Kristi and Joe.

The staff and Kristi were super accommodating with all of my crazy ideas…

And then it was off to the Legends at Brandybrook for the reception! Cake by Cakes While You Wait.

One of my favorite memories from Kristi’s wedding was Kristi’s dad’s speech.

Tom had us all laughing one minute…

… and crying the next. At least I could hide my tears behind the camera!

And then there was Dancing!

I love this image of Kristi and her dad, you can just see the love on his face.

The looks on Joe and his mom’s face speak for themselves.

Congratulations, Kristi and Joe!

Wanna see more images from Kristi and Joe’s winter wedding? Check out their slideshow. If you’re like Kamran and I, you might need a tissue.

Wedding Details

Getting Ready: Delafield Hotel

Accessories: Jaxie Bridal

Flowers: Flowers by Fay

Cake: Cakes While You Wait

Reception: Legends at Brandybrook

Ann Oleinik is a Chicago Wedding Photographer who serves Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond. Check us out on our website or facebook, and Contact us to learn more about having us shoot your event.

Snow Day!

aeoleinik — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:50:59 +0000

It may be hard to believe right now, but just a few days ago Chicago was a winter wonderland. Kamran and I managed to sneak out a couple times for some fun crunching around in the snow.

Oh really?

We have a pretty spectacular back yard

We even headed downtown in Monday’s fog before the rain really began…

The Lyric Opera building has a beautiful colonnade that became our playground for a while.

Even when we’re goofing around, we can’t seem to stop trying out new things. ”Here, stand here. Look like this. No wait, come here.” Kamran has a lot of patience

But he also sets up some awesome shots of his own.

See?

Alright, time to head inside for something warm!

Until next time!

Best of Weddings 2012

aeoleinik — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:53:02 +0000

We have to give a big THANK YOU to our wonderful couples. Thanks to your kind support, we have been voted as Best of Weddings 2012 on theknot.com. This is a recognition given to local vendors based on the reviews and ratings of local brides, which just means so much to us. THANK YOU for all of your support and we are SUPER EXCITED about 2012!

(If you click on the icon, you will be able to read reviews by real couples at weddingchannel.com)

FAQ: How do you shoot: Traditional and Group Shots

aeoleinik — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:48:17 +0000

In yesterday’s post, I talked a little bit about our shooting style and how it varies throughout the day. In particular, I talked about some of the times during your wedding day when we employ a photojournalistic approach by staying unobtrusive so that we can capture the natural and authentic moments of your wedding day.

There are times, however, when we have to step up and take charge to create the traditional portraits and group shots that are a traditional part of a wedding day. We don’t display many family photos on our website, but we do believe that it is important to capture a few nice portraits to document the presence of your friends and family members on this day. One of the really special things about weddings is the fact that it is one of the few days in your life when you will be surrounded by a hundred or more of the most important people in your lives. As time goes on and your friends and family members pass on, that record will become more and more important.

But enough with the solemnity, here are a few of the fun, funny, and unique bridal party photos from this past year to cheer you up!

FAQ: How do you shoot throughout the wedding day?

aeoleinik — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:55:21 +0000

One of the questions that most couples ask me about is what our shooting style is like throughout a wedding day. The answer, of course, is that it’s complicated. If you’re planning your wedding and reading wedding blogs, you have probably read that there are a few styles of photography: traditional, photojournalistic, artistic, etc. For us, it would be impossible to fit our shooting style into any single category.

Telling the story of your entire wedding day and creating unique, beautiful, images requires us to be versatile and fast on our feet so that we can create all of the images you have been dreaming of.

We employ each style of photography at different points throughout the day as appropriate so that we know that you will have a complete set of images. At times we try to stay quiet and unobtrusive so that you forget we are there and we can capture the true moments of your wedding day. Other times we direct you so that we can create some unique and beautiful artistic shots. Finally, we work with you and your families to create the traditional portraits that you know your mom is hoping for.

I have a bunch of images I want to share, so I am going to talk about each style in separate blog posts. Today you can learn a little bit about our candid photography, and in the next two days I will add posts about our traditional and artistic portions of the day.

Part One: Candid/Photojournalistic:

This style is very popular right now, and is really effective for capturing the true emotions, personalities, and moments of your wedding day. We use this approach at various times throughout the day, especially at very emotional moments. We love to get a few candid moments while you are getting ready with your mom, sisters, friends, etc – the emotions you experience, the relationships, little things like trying to put on your shoes while wearing your wedding dress – are all unique and special and make wonderful photographs. At other times during the day it is really important for us to almost disappear and honor the rituals of your wedding day. During the ceremony, toasts, first dances, etc., we will use an entirely photojournalistic approach so that you barely know we are there and so we can capture all of the moments that you will only experience on your wedding day. At these times we will also pay special attention to your friends, family members, and children in attendance to capture the moments that you may not see yourself but you will love to see in your photographs. And of course, towards the end of the night, we really enjoy capturing all of the energy and fun on the dance floor. From the romantic moments to the fun and crazy, we love partying with your friends and family.

Claire & Bobby’s New Years Eve Extravaganza

aeoleinik — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:11:21 +0000

On New Years Eve Kamran and I traveled to Bloomington-Normal to photograph Claire and Bobby’s wedding at the Marriott Hotel. It was a party from the very first minute. Claire and Bobby possess that mixture of fun and goofiness and personal style that just keep you smiling all day, and their families were just a joy to be with. We wish we could photograph Claire and Bobby every day.

Claire’s details were a mixture of the feminine and the fun, from her beautiful lace dress to the awesome sneakers which she designed herself:

Claire and Bobby had a fabulous suite at the Marriott for getting ready, and it was a gigantic party with all of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and a few other close friends and family members. Claire was able to sneak off for her final preparations, and it was emotional for everybody to see her in her dress for the first time.

Claire was able to sneak a look at herself in her dress for a moment before the festivities began.

We had just a few minutes to take a couple photos of Claire alone, and I was excited to take advantage of the dramatic position of the sun and the beautiful back of her dress.

Claire and Bobby had a first look in the lobby. I love first looks because Claire and Bobby had a few minutes to see each other in their wedding dress/suit for the first time and really enjoy it together.

Claire and Bobby both had special footwear. These two are smart – they knew that they were going to dance for HOURS and they were READY. (Bobby got matching Pumas for all his groomsmen, now that is a good gift!)

We were able to take a few moments to take a few portraits around the lobby of the Marriott, and it was a beautiful place for photos. I just looooved this staircase, so romantic!

This may be one of my favorite photos of the year. :)

Claire and Bobby’s first date was at the Transformers movie, and so they had a Transformers Cake Topper! Can you believe this! Check out that dress!

Check out this gorgeous cake by Janet’s Cakes

Claire and Bobby entered their reception like CHAMPIONS

SO. FUN.

Ok, maybe one more

Claire and Bobby, thank you so much for inviting us to bring in the New Year with you! I can think of no better way to start 2012 than by spending it with you. :)

Moments from 2011

aeoleinik — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:40:30 +0000

As we wrap up 2011 and look forward to 2012, it’s meant so much to us that so many awesome people have invited us into their lives at such a fun, crazy, intense, emotional, and happy time of their lives. We have had so much fun in 2011, and we could think of no better way to share how we felt – and how we feel about 2012 – than by making one of our favorite slideshows.

Here’s to you

Storybook Albums

aeoleinik — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:07:30 +0000

We’ve been getting some of our couple’s Hardcover Storybook Albums into the studio, and they’re looking awesome! I was so excited to see some of these cool new cover materials that I wanted to share them with all of you.

Kimberly and Jonathon and Kathy and John both chose fabric covers for their Storybook Albums. I just love how these covers look!

These unique books come with special boxes so that you have a protected place to store your album away from dust, dirt, etc.

Storybook albums are available as a la carte items or as part of our wedding packages. We love being able to provide these unique products that you can share with your family and friends and go back to over and over again throughout your lifetime.

Our Video Debut

aeoleinik — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:19:17 +0000

I’m so excited to present this introduction video that Kamran and I produced. We always feel that our website and blog are so distant that we wanted to find a way to introduce ourselves directly. So now you can get to know me a little bit before you meet me in person. At least now you’ll be able to recognize me! But really, Kamran did an awesome job – I’m so proud of him.

Ann Oleinik Photography from Kamran Foruhar on Vimeo.

Ann Oleinik is a Chicago Wedding Photographer that serves Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond. Contact us to learn more about having us shoot your event.

The Belle of the Ball: Kristi and Nick

aeoleinik — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:28:35 +0000

Kristi and Nick had a bright, beautiful, fun-filled wedding that really brought out Kristi and Nick’s personalities. Kristi’s favorite color, yellow, made the event feel bright and cheerful, their Beauty and the Beast – themed cake toppers brought a little romance and nostalgia, a hula hoop contest really got the guests moving, and an outdoor bonfire provided a cozy spot for guests to relax.

I love balcony shots, and all of the colors at St. Peter’s Church in Slinger, WI just look so pretty:

After the ceremony we headed over to the Scenic View Country Club for some bridal party shots and the reception. Scenic View really had beautiful views, and I love how bright and fun Kristi’s bridesmaid dresses were:

We had so much fun hanging out with the bridal party – what a great day and a great group!

Kristi looked gorgeous, of course!

We had some fun driving around the course to get some unique shots for Kristi and Nick. This is one of my favorites of the day:

Kristi and Nick had Disney-themed cake toppers that were just so cute. I think we took about a million photos of them.

Hula Hoop Contest! Seriously, this was so fun. Kamran got this awesome shot of Kristi rockin’ the hoop. That’s my kind of girl!

Kristi and Nick really enjoyed playing with all of the kids in attendance, and the kids absolutely looooooooooved it.

Later, I caught Kristi dancing with a couple of her bridesmaids, as well as this tender moment between her aunt and uncle all in the same shot:

I love the look on Nick’s mom’s face that Kamran caught, just so emotional:

And here’s another favorite of mine of Kristi and Nick – how romantic is that?

Can’t get enough of Kristi and Nick? Check out their slideshow: