Monthly Archives: September 2012

Of Wine & Wings

Kina came over last night…originally we were supposed to meet out for drinks…then we talked about going to Thursday Therapy…then when she texted me she was close, I said “Come over! let’s order food!” And that, my friends, is how I reel you in ;-) Just kidding. But we did seriously order wings, drink wine, and gab for hours. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to have friends/colleagues that are more supportive than competitive. Mind you, we didn’t plan to get together and talk business… just for the wine. But we both taught each other SO much in a span of three hours, it’s incredible. I may or may not have just revolutionized her workflow and blogging with Photo Mechanic and BlogStomp. She showed me things on my camera and in Lightroom that are already rocking my world. We will always have so much to learn! It’s such a huge blessing to do so alongside friends.

This image is way classier than we were last night…but I do have dark nails right now! It’s from Pinterest.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I have plans for fall donuts, a wedding, a consult, a viewing, and a date night. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it! XXOO

Comments: 6

Categories: All things Emilia Jane, Business

Chicago Wedding Planner » Kristine Aletha Weddings Headshots

Kristine ia a kind soul, a kindred spirit. She’s a harder worker, and a talented planner. Not only does she do “Month of” coordination for weddings instead of “day of,” she also offers pre-marital counseling. She has her Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy. Seriously how amazing is that?! Can I get a huge amen for planning for your marriage and not just the wedding day. Getting to work with other sane people fills my heart with so much joy! I had so much fun working with Kristine last Sunday at Hollyn & Matt’s beautiful wedding (pictures coming, I promise!). I got to see first hand how attentive she is to detail, and how gracefully she steps in where she’s needed. Needless to say ladies and gents, hire her. We got together last week before the wedding to shoot these pretty new headshots for her!

I’m kind of obsessed with her monogram bracelet (my birthday’s next month Wil ;-) just sayin)

The girl belongs in Paris, am I right?! So classically beautiful. Head on over to her site and say hello! Check out her blog if you have a minute too, I love reading what she has to say about marriage (and weddings of course!) :-) XXOO

 

Comments: 6

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Categories: Business, Lifestyle

Pumpkin Donut Recipe

Since I photographed two weddings this weekend, I took Monday off. I sort of slept in, ran errands, and while I was at the grocery store I realized that I wasn’t in a hurry for anything that day….and I’d just pinned that pumpkin donut recipe! Magic. I raced to find the pumpkin puree and told everyone I talked to at Olivia’s about my donut adventure. I promise the cashier was interested at least! These are not the prettiest donuts in the world, but I promise they’re delicious. The only things you might want that won’t probably be in a standard kitchen are pumpkin puree and donut pans. You can also really easily make these as muffins….but that just isn’t as fun! These are the donut pans I ordered from Amazon Prime (normal size and for mini donuts). And because I’m impatient, I just made one pan of each and the rest as muffins (6).

Instructions! Add all of the following to a large-ish mixing bowl:  1/2 cup vegetable oil (which I keep forgetting to pick up so I used olive oil), 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (which is actually just under one of the can sizes), 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (which I don’t have, and I also don’t have nutmeg, so I just added 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda.  Beat together until everything is smooth.

Add 1 3/4 cups and 2 Tablespoons (8 ounces) unbleached, all-purpose flour, stir until smooth. Lightly grease your pans, and fill each well 3/4 full (using 1/4 cup in each well for the normal size donuts). Actually follow this part of the instructions or your donuts will have muffin tops like mine ;-) (see below). Bake at 350 until a toothpick comes out smooth from the thickest part. This took about 11 minutes for the mini donuts, about 15 minutes for the normal size, and about 20 minutes for the muffins. Once the toothpick comes out clean, pull them out of the oven and let them sit and cool for about 5 minutes before you take them out of the pan.

While the donuts are still warm, but no longer fragile, shake them in a bag with cinnamon and sugar (or if you have some of that pumpkin pie spice to throw in with the sugar, I’m sure that would be delicious as well). For the muffins, just sprinkle a lot of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. And enjoy (for breakfast, lunch, snack or all of the above)!!!

And enjoy some more! I’m definitely going to have to make these again next month when I’m drinking coffee again. Yum!

 

Comments: 6

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Categories: All things Emilia Jane, Kitchen & Cocktail Fun

Recent Press & Features

I couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate these recent features! It was a big goal of mine for this year to be published, and it’s so cool to see all of my submission work pay off. First up! The beautiful Mallory & handsom Matthew’s engagement session was picked up by Style Me Pretty Illinois. You can see the SMP feature here, and my blog post of their hot session right here.

Next! The lovely Kelly & Soren’s Schlitz Audubon wedding in the woods made for a GORGEOUS Wordless Wedding feature on A Practical Wedding. Their wedding is also right here on my blog.

Eek! Having Nancy & Steve’s fun restaurant wedding featured on Brooklyn Bride was a dream come true :-) You can see their wedding on my blog here.

Philippe & Oriana’s vintage dream wedding at the Signature Room made for a STUNNING feature on Style Me Pretty!!! And this is my full post of their celebration.

James & Elizabeth’s preppy University of Chicago wedding was featured on Borrowed & Bleu! Eek. Love love love. And my blog post of their wedding is right here :-)

James & Ali’s classy Carleton of Oak Park wedding was featured on the the Classic Bride! A match made in heaven. My blog post of their wedding is here :-)

And for a second round of features, because this session was just SO fun…. KT & Josh’s cooking engagement session was also picked up by On the Go Bride AND Pen & Paper Weddings. So exciting!

I hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday!! I literally cannot wait to show you guys some of the weddings coming up :-D XXOO

 

Comments: 11

Categories: Featured

Chicago Wedding Photographer »University Club of Chicago Wedding Pictures

**Please listen along with me to Lauren & Stefan’s first dance song Louis Armstrong’s A Kiss to Build a Dream On” while you look through the pictures. I think it helps add so much to the story!**

I can’t say enough lovely things about Lauren & Stefan’s wedding at the University Club of Chicago. It was a beautiful, emotional day and I feel so incredibly honored to have been included. I can’t start the pictures without thanking Toni Lenzi of Simply Flowers Design for doing a phenomenal job with the flowers, Zipporah Kapambwe for rocking out second shooting with me, and the Front of House band for keeping the dance floor totally full all night long.

So sorry to interrupt, but this is the sweetest guest book idea I’ve eve seen so I just have to share! Guests signed corks that Stefan is going to use as part of a table-top he’s building. Is that not incredible?!

All my love! XXOO

Comments: 12

Categories: Weddings

My Mama & Fresh Flowers

My mom came to visit! Though not technically just to see me (really to visit the Chinese consulate)…but still! It was SO good to see her. I just wish we had more time (and that I had remembered to take a picture to prove it ;-)). She was here Wednesday night when I had the local 7 ladies over for a little wine & apple cider. Kristine is one of the Chicago 7 girls, she’s a new friend and is SUCH a sweetheart, she brought me these gorgeous flowers from Pistil & Vine! Last night I had the pleasure of taking some new headshots for her (you can see a sneak peek at the bottom!). Aren’t these flowers seriously too pretty? What is it about having fresh flowers at home that makes everything better?

Isn’t she stunning?! And we get to work together on Sunday at Hollyn & Matt’s wedding! I can’t wait :-D

What are you up to this weekend? I have two weddings and am so excited to be taking Monday off! (though I’ll still blog ;-)) Have such a wonderful weekend!  XXOO

 

Comments: 4

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Categories: 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, All things Emilia Jane

Chicago Wedding Photographer Drake Hotel Chicago Wedding Pictures

Please listen to this sweet song while you look through the pictures (as selected by Mallory & myself)!

I was SO honored to work with an INCREDIBLE creative team for this wedding. The most gorgeous wedding hair I’ve ever seen, by the talented AJ Schulz of Your Stylist AJ. Stunning flowers by Scarlet Petal. Beautiful make-up by Sheri Cox. And amazing day-of-coordination by Claire of Big City Bride. A million times thank you to Amanda Megan Miller for second shooting with me!!

Mallory’s wedding dress is Rivini (Rita Vinieris) from Belle Vie Bridal Couture on Oak Street. Bridal shoes are Kate Spade. Bridesmaid’s dresses are Dessy from Bella Bridesmaid. And the groom’s tux is Vera Wang. The ceremony took place at St. Mike’s in Old Town. And the reception was celebrated in the Gold Coast Ballroom at the Drake Hotel.

XXOO

Comments: 40

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Categories: Weddings

Quarterly Goals Check-In for the Year

How is it September? Seriously. And for that matter, how are we past halfway through September?! I just realized its been three months already since I checked in and updated where I am with my goals for the year. So let’s get to it!

Business Goals:

I. Maintain my business and marketing plan for the year. Yes an actual written, month-by-month plan. Ehhhhhh yes. I’m going to say I’m on track with this. I have some catching up to do, but mostly yes I am keeping up with these things.

II. Rock at surprising my clients and surpassing their every expectation (good surprises only). Big grinning face yes! Yay!

III. Shoot 20 weddings this year. So close! 19 complete year-to-date with two more this weekend to take it over the edge. Six total more on the calendar right now with another two maybes. Yay!

IV. Get my packaging branded and simplified. Shoot. I need to improve here, stat!

V. Better engage my audience –> Triple my monthly online traffic and commenting. Done and done. Definitely focusing more on the engaging instead of the traffic next year. Love you guys.

VI. Hire an awesome team to make an Emilia Jane Photography video! YES! And it’s up on the front page of my site if you haven’t seen it yet :-D EmiliaJanePhotography.com

VII. Write a viral post Definitely feeling like this was a silly goal and it will either happen on its own or not.

VIII. Submit at least one wedding/session per month for a blog/magazine feature! Yes yes yes. Lots of features already posted, lots more coming.

IX. Better define and streamline my style. This year has been huge for me in this. I feel like I have taken great leaps and especially in the past month or so of weddings I feel like I’m finding more and more of MY style of images in sessions and weddings.

X. Talk more about my WHY :-D and pour my heart into this and into you all! I’ve talked about this a couple times since June! WHY & My wedding day goals

XI. Start video blogging Yes! I did the first one: a little tour of our first floor/meeting space & kitchen. I have another one planned about my new camera bag, but I have to have someone else hold the phone to film it…I haven’t twisted Wil’s arm yet :-)

XII. Rock married couple’s worlds with my new Beloved sessions (announcement coming soon!!) I am LOVING these sessions and would LOVE to be shooting even more of them!! Recent Beloved work right here!

I feel like I really have actually kicked it up a few notches since June! Now to finish the wedding season and year strong!

Personal Goals and New Years Resolutions! 

I. Have a regular quiet time. blerg. I have a great group that I’m reading with but I don’t feel like I am getting the quality quiet time I need. This is COMPLETELY because I’m not carving out the time for it. I need to figure out how to make this happen (aka get up earlier).

II. Build into my marriage with Wil and into him as a person! In general I think I’m doing o.k. at this but I need to be doing so much more. 

III. Master meal planning, eating local and clean. With 7 this month I feel like I’m doing better at this. Not awesome. But baby steps are still steps in the right direction.

IV. Dress up more! Too funny. This quarter I’ve found myself in lululemon pants even more frequently. Okay I need to pull out the real clothes :-)

V. Read more, for business and for fun! I will read on the train today. Any recommendation?

VI. Floss five days a week.  I need to set an alarm on my phone and grow out of this stupid bad habit.

VII. Hire cleaning people.  This badly needs to happen.

VIII. Simplify our home style and make it work for us. I feel like we’re definitely on track here. Now just to simplify the amount of stuff. 

IX. Spend my weeknights wisely hmmmmmmm this is a bad week to check in on this goal. I’m just working so much…but I don’t know where else the time would come from. 

X. Mentor someone I’d still love to have a couple people that I could be consistently helping more hands on than just email…but I’ve been answering a lot of questions via email! 

XI. Get our finances in order. Wil says we’re on track and I believe him. I would love to not stress out about this (at least this much) next year. 

XII. Pursue joy in everything! I’ve added “smile” to the bottom of each of my to do lists. It’s a little heart warming reminder every time I check my lists…which is basically all day :-)

Thank you SO much for reading and supporting me. Please feel free to comment and nudge me in the right direction where I’m lack here too ;-)

Since every post is better with pretty pictures…I leave you with Lauren & Stefan. Their wedding is coming to the blog next week!

Comments: 5

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Categories: All things Emilia Jane, Business

Chicago Photographer » Zed 451 Wedding Photos

Kris and Sabrina’s wedding encompasses SO many things that I love about my job. Picture this, an intimate restaurant wedding with 20 guests. Getting ready at a super modern, gorgeous hotel downtown, the James. Had their first look in the lobby with friends looking on. Bridal party pictures in the bar that looks like West Elm? Yes please. 

Pre-ceremony cocktail hour with the bride and groom? You know I love it! Zed 451′s rooftop is simply too gorgeous.

Kris’ dad is a doctor. He hand wrote their card. Have you ever seen such beautiful script?!

The moms hugging each other kills me! So much joy.

Annnd the food. I don’t even know where to start! Literally every single dish was delicious. I love working with foodie couples SO much!

And to all a good night. XXOO

Comments: 8

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Categories: Intimate Wedding, Restaurant Wedding

Devil’s Lake Wisconsin Camping Trip

First thing Saturday morning Wil and  I drove up to this little town in what felt like the middle of nowhere called Baraboo, Wisconsin. Hidden there is what I think is probably the most beautiful part of Wisconsin I’ve seen yet, Devil’s Lake. We planned this camping trip with friends months ago for fun and to celebrate Josh’s birthday :-) Saturday afternoon we lounged in row boats in the middle of the lake….and I didn’t bring my camera so you’re just going to have to take my word for the fact that it was gorgeous. We literally couldn’t have asked for better weather to camp this weekend. 

I forgot to take a picture of our tent, but it’s the green one in the background of these two pictures below. Last minute Amazon Prime for the win on that one! I can’t wait to use it more.

Sunday morning we went for a nature walk around the lake…it was so pretty everywhere. Just a few of the leaves were starting to turn, I cannot imagine how absolutely stunning the whole place is going to be in a couple weeks. The rocks all had this awesome purple tint…I’ve never seen so much of that in one place before

Love this last shot that Wil got of us. He had fun bouldering while we walked on the trail :-)

It was so good to get out of town for a couple days, breathe clean(er) air, see the all the stars at night, and just be. AT&T didn’t have a lick of cell service so I actually went 24 hours without Instagramming, emailing,or checking twitter or facebook. It was so refreshing. 

I’m excited about all of the weddings coming up on the blog! I can’t wait to share more work stuff…but I hope you enjoy this little personal post too. We all need a break sometimes :-) I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!! XXOO

 

Comments: 7

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Categories: All things Emilia Jane, Lifestyle