My sister and I returned to Bermuda recently, our annual retreat together.   Instead of using my professional equipment, or even my point and shoot, I used my iPhone camera and several distinctive Apps.   We had a great time and my iPhone is the only camera I used throughout the week.

Airplane ride.

Bermudian ferry stop.

A pink village!

The world’s most amazing floating dock.  :-)   This is why we return to Bermuda.

Farewell, Bermuda… see you next year!

This summer I had the honor of teaching the graduate students at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.   I’ve taught the undergraduates for years, but this was my first time with the graduate students and the downtown campus.

I really enjoyed shooting downtown with my students…. a big difference from my usual lakefront locations in Evanston.

Fantastic summer, you guys!   Thank you so much!!

Jill and Fred simply radiate love… and I loved documenting it!   We started their engagement session at Chicago’s tiniest bar, the Matchbox, where Jill proposed to Fred.

I love his response.   “You just made me the happiest girl in Chicago!”

We endured Chicago Air and Water Show traffic and ventured to the Lincoln Park Pond by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum where Fred had planned his moment to propose.   Of course she said yes!

Fred had a branch-designed engagement ring made for Jill.

We ended our session at the Eleven City Diner, where they escaped the rain after their second proposal.

Thanks so much, you two.   I’m looking forward to your wedding in September!

Becky’s reaction after receiving a touching necklace from her mother.

In their family, the girls are given a thumb ring when they reach the age of sixteen.   What a cool tradition!

The girls watch a video of their festivities during the bachelorette party.

They got married at the Naper Settlement, truly a unique venue that I love photographing!

Their reception was at NIU Naperville, another great venue with tons of natural light.

Wonderful day, you two!   Thank you so much!!

Renee and Andrew are simply beautiful to document.   They are so into each other that they hardly noticed me!   I really loved watching them laugh together.

Andrew has braces that will be removed before the wedding.

I had to give the braces a final shout out!

We photographed on Northwestern University’s lakefront, where I teach Photojournalism.    Thankfully, we were able to duck indoors when it started pouring!

Thanks, you two!   I had a great time with you and am looking forward to documenting your wedding!

A shot from my good friend, Justin Runquist.

Another shot by Justin.   Love the wall and the dress!

Who doesn’t love their iPhone?

Another shot by Justin.

Thanks so much, you two!   Very best wishes to you both!

Sarah and Kyle were a lot of fun to photograph and spend time with.   Kyle works at the Harold Washington Library , so we ducked in there for a few shots.

Thanks, you two!   See you soon!

Jessica and Tony are the kind of clients that keep popping up in my life, full of love and surprises.

I photographed their wedding in Cancun, had a blast with them during a trash the dress session at sunrise the morning after their wedding, then won two WPJA awards from their wedding.

For a birthday present to her father, Kevin, Jessica and family scheduled a private photography lesson in my home, and later, we ducked out to Humboldt Park on a scorching day for a shootout.

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Jessica photographs her mother, Stacie, and Stacie tries to keep her daughter from toppling off the radiator.

Jessica and her brother, Zach.

Zach.

Zach and Tony.    Yes, it was that hot.   The cool, tile floor felt great!

Tony!

Jessica and Zach.

Kevin and Stacie.

Stacie and Jessica.

The fam.

Jessica and Tony, thanks again for popping back into my life!   Can’t wait to see you all again!

I posted a teaser of this wedding here, but this is their story and how it unfolded.

You can’t help but love this couple.   And laugh with them.   Loudly!

My kind of people!

I am happy to report this exploding incident didn’t ruin anyone’s evening.

The flower girl changed dresses, tore up the dance floor and spent the evening laughing with her family.   Before going back for more chocolate.   What an amazing attitude.

And a wedding I’ll never forget!