How we met
Robert: I was in the process of finding a new apartment to live in because my roommate and I were going our separate ways. Jeanna was a sales manager at a location in Bloomington Minnesota, I walked in and I was blown away by the beauty of this woman who was showing me the location of this place where I may possibly be living in. I actually called her like 2 hours after the showing and asked her questions I had already asked when I was taking the site tour because I wanted to ask her out, but I chickened out. She told me later on that If I had asked her out then, she would have said no. So about 10 days go by and she sends me an email letting me know to act fast because the places I was looking at were being sold. I end up friend requesting her that day on Facebook and she accepts. We continue messaging and I end up getting her number. We looked at a place in the same complex she lived in, she lived like 2 stories above the room I was looking at. We actually set up our first date about a week after this, since we had been texting and communicating for the past week or so. That evening, I ended up getting super hungry and we decided to go out for dinner that night instead. I felt that we really just hit it off, she got a margarita flat bread at a place that is known for having super good burgers, so I thought that was really funny.
Jeanna: He almost blew it on our second date, he made a bet with me that if he won then I would have to kiss him. I made a guess of what the final score would be and I nailed it. He said if I was wrong then I would have to kiss him.
Robert: I still tried to kiss her but she backed away, I went home that night thinking I just blew my chance to date this beautiful, bright, wonderful, sports loving woman. I woke up Saturday morning in a horrible mood, thinking I completely blew it, but she ended up texting me at 1 or 2 in the afternoon asking if I knew about a person named Chris or Kevin Hockey, who has a side gig as a country rock singer in the Minneapolis area.
Jeanna: The day before our wedding, I told Robert that I was supposed to go to that concert with somebody else but he bailed on me.
Robert: I was her back-up plan!
Jeanna: We did end up having our first kiss that night
Robert: We kissed and danced to "my kind of crazy" at the show. We also played that song at our wedding. That night, I ended up staying the night at her place and I never left. Now here we are married for 2 years, with a 2 month old baby and 5 year old puppy and we couldn't be happier.
Proposal
I got a job back down in the Chicago land area in Oakbrook, We were still dating but lived separately for about 6 weeks. I was home alone at my parents house on a Saturday afternoon and I knew I wanted to marry her, and I decided to just go to the mall. In fact she even started bugging me about ring ideas a few weeks before. the first store I walked into I found a diamond, a band, and it was within a price range that I was willing to spend.
Jeanna: I texted him actually to see what he was doing at the store and I asked if he was buying my ring
Robert: I had to play it off, I called her mom and her best friend what I just did. That was in November. For Christmas I got her black hawks tickets for her and I to go to the game on her birthday on February 11th. In my mind I wanted to set up a dinner with my family, her family, and her best friend so they could see me propose and then we could go to the hawks game. Jess, Jeanna's best friend wanted to take pictures of me proposing so I had to get her down here at that time
Jeanna: Robert created a big group text with everyone to coordinate times to go to dinner together. He also said it was a big day because of my birthday and everything, then his dad said in the group text, "Its a big day for you too Froggy!" which is Roberts Nickname, so I knew what was going to happen.
Robert: We knew we wanted to be together even since the October before, we even talked about kids and kids names even the first month of dating. I thought it would be funny if I pretended to lose the ring but I messed up, it was a janky proposal but the thought was still there and it was funny and just amazing. She still said yes! At that point we had to rush to the Hawks game, the Hawks got absolutely murdered that game. I've never went to a game smiling so big and leaving so happy after watching out favorite team get demolished and both of us just didn't care. We were just engaged, there as Fiance's enjoying each others company watching our favorite team on her birthday! Now her birthday is special in two ways, because we can relive how I screwed up our proposal and celebrate the beautiful woman that she is, who is now the mother to my children.
Favorite picture and why?
Jeanna: My favorite photo from the wedding was the going away shot with the song “Don't stop believing” playing. I the picture everyone is happy and excited and having the times of their lives. This was the best day of our life and that's just my favorite photo for that reason.
Robert: That is also my favorite photo as well, everyone I talked to said that was the fmost fun wedding they have ever been a part of. We aren't ones to party but if we do we want to make sure we are having as much fun as possible. Everything was fantastic, that was our goal. We just had the best, most loving and energetic people, all of our closest friends her bridesmaids my groomsman. Everyone cooperated, it was just a non-stop party all night, since we pulled up and until we went to bed that night. There is a reason we hung that picture up in our living room because we believe that photo just shows the love and happiness we felt on that day.
How did Valen make you feel special?
Jeanna: I actually met with Steve originally ad he mentioned that he has a dress shop too, I made an appointment to try on a dress and I fell in love with it. I was treated so great during that experience. Our Engagement session was with Kelly, We love some of those photos to this day. After these 2 experiences we could not wait until our wedding day, we were so excited to work with you again. On our wedding day you didn't rush us, you took our time, you didn't shove unnecessary positions down our throat and you just let us be ourselves, it was amazing. It was like you guys were a part of our family.
Robert. Since day 1 you guys have felt like family, letting us do some nontraditional poses and just letting us be ourselves. It allowed us to show our goofy side, One of my favorite pictures from our wedding is when Jeana was holding a champagne glass and I was in the back pointing at her like “yeah that's my wife right there” and you just don't see that in traditional wedding pictures. There's no one else we would rather have do or photography as a continuation of our lives from this point forward. No one else.
2 things you would keep 1 thing you would change?
Jeanna: One thing I would keep the same about my wedding that I absolutely loved is keeping our location and vendors. We had the best food, the best venue, DJ, all things I certainly would not change about our day.
Valen: Who was your DJ?
Robert: Memory Makers.
Jeanna: One thing I would probably go back on was I felt like I had to invite select people. I would have changed some of the people who we invited to our own wedding. There were some people who we wish we could have invited instead. Trust your instinct and invite truly the most special people in your lives, not anyone else's.
Robert: Just setting the ground rules, especially with parents. You're parents will want to be a big part of your wedding, and rightfully so, but you need to set the ground rules, that this Is my wedding without sounding too self centered about it. If your parents want to invite someone who met you when you were 2 months old, they might not be worth inviting if they are not very important in your life at 26 years old. We regret not inviting people who are very important in our lives and will be going forward, we regret it but there's no sense in going back on it now.
Groom to groom
Robert: Valen has been the best photographers I have ever dealt with in my life, and I have a couple personal friends of mine who are photographers, and we considered them. But when it came to Valen it was the personal relationship they bring to you. They make you fell like family when they photograph you. They are respectful of your time and your budget. They want to make sure that it is feasible for them to have your business because they feel your business is like an extension of their family. When they bring you on they want you to be a part of their lives moving forward forever, and when you leave any type of session with them, you leave feeling like their family. My wife and I have felt that way since day 1. Since we walked in and had our first conversation with Steve, ad we have now used them for the 3 most important sessions of our lives. They'll make anything work and do an absolutely exceptional job doing so.
Bride to bride
Jeanna: I think that Valen studios photos are just absolutely incredible, whether you pick them for your wedding day, a new born shoot, or any photo shoot, it is important to pick the best because you will treasure these photos for the rest of your life. On your wedding day you are surrounded with your closest friends and family, you never know when it will be your last moment with someone. Exactly 2 months after my wedding day my cousin passed away and she ironically was the one who caught my bouquet at the wedding. We have some of the best photographs with me hugging her after she caught it. Those photos will always be so so so important to me! If we didn't have the best photographer that is ready to take those amazing shots right away and make sure that they are great, I wouldn't have those memories. I think that it's super important to have a great photographer that not only has the best work but truly cares about you as a person and we definitely found that at Valen Studios.
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How did you meet?
Amanda: We me online on a website called plenty of fish, I knew I really liked Shawn when I was on a date with another guy, texting Shawn to meet up for drinks as soon as that date was done.
Shawn: All my profile said was that I like pizza and beer on Friday nights so it was an easy decision to message her.
First Date
Amanda: Our first date was at Nutties in lake villa, they had really good Moscow Mules. It was also the first pre-season bears game.
Shawn: Its easy to remember our anniversary date because I just need to go back ad look at the date of the game.
Amanda: Do you remember who won?
Shawn: Bears lost like they always do.
How did you propose?
Shawn: I proposed on Groundhogs day in the town square gazibo in Woodstock, I had my sister come out to take pictures as I did it and it worked out perfectly because Amanda did not know who she was until afterwards.
Amanda: I remember it being cold and just wanting to go to dinner
Shawn: I almost couldn't get her all the way into the gazebo because she was cold and just wanted to go inside the restauraunt to get out of the cold but I made her go with me into the gazebo.
Amanda: It was right around Christmas so it was very special.
Favorite pictures of your wedding?
Amanda: I had so many favorite pictures from our wedding I love the "Don't stop believing" picture, it is my screensaver at work and people always comments on how its such an awesome picture. I also love our first dance picture and I also love the photo of Shawn and his Mom during the mother and son dance.
Shawn: My favorites are me and the groomsman because those are friends I don't get to see much, us cutting the wedding cake and me and my mom dancing.
How or what did we do at Valen Studios to make you feel special?
Amanda: Everything! You guys did an awesome job from our engagement photo session all the way to our wedding pictures. I think all my bridesmaids, groomsmen and everyone in our families felt special and felt like a part of our day and a part of us. Everyone felt very comfortable and excited.
Shawn: I agree, It was just a very special and amazing day.
Amanda: It was a fun day
What are 2 things you would keep about your wedding?
Amanda: Valen for photographs, you guys did such an amazing job ad then our DJ Frank Casano, he sings Frank Sinatra during dinner and then after turns into a DJ so we got the best of both worlds, he did an awesome job of engaging everybody and making sure everyone was having a good time and I really loved that.
Shawn: I would have kept paying the extra money for the backdrop. If you dont want to pay for something make sure you argue about it i front of the venue with your spouse and they will drop it by half. It was originally $600 ad they brought it down to $300. It was worth it though it made our pictures look beautiful. I think it added to the way the room looked, it made it look fancy to me.
Amanda: It did look amazing in the pictures.
Shawn: I had a lot of opinions in our wedding, I let her pick out anything she really wanted but if there was something I wanted I made sure I tried to fight for it.
Amanda: Some of the music selection, one of the things that was really important to Shawn was to play footloose as our first song. He was very adiamant about it.
Shawn: Not a lot of people danced right away but they eventually started to.
Amanda: There was a very big discussion on the tuxedos, I wanted Navy but Shawn wanted Gray. I wanted the tuxes to have pink as well to match the girls dresses but Shawn didn't want the pink, but we got pink. Shawn Did not wear pink though only the Groomsmen.
What is one thing you would change?
Shawn: I would have walked around to each table with Amanda to talk to everyone for 2-3 minutes to check in and see how everyone is doing. We didn't do that because it went by so fast and we didn't plan it out to do that but I thought that we would have done it at some point but it never really happened.
Amanda: I think I would have had my dress Bustled earlier because I was trying to get it done at dinner time and it was a pain, everyone came out looking for me, I should have had my mom do it right when we were done with our pictures at the reception venue so I would have been more comfortable at that time, but everything was perfect and it wasn't even that big of a deal.
Concord Venue
Amanda: Concord was amazing, they did a beautiful job, their food was spectacular, they set everything up perfectly, we couldn't have done it better ourselves. They worked really hard to make sure all of our needs were met. I think all of our guests had a great time, the service was fantastic.
Shawn: Just don't set your drink down because they will scoop it up and throw it away.
Amanda: They just want you to go back for more hahaha.
What would you like to say to Valen studios on behalf of a bride who is thinking of hiring us to encourage her to make the investment.
Amanda: It was worth every penny, all of our pictures turned out amazing. I couldn't have asked for better service. From the time of us getting ready in the morning at my house all the way to the church ceremony and to the end of the night. Pictures were going constantly, so many unique pictures, the little moments were captured, me holding my little nephew balling his eyes out crying and it was just perfect. All of our first dance pictures, us dancing with our mothers. We really got every aspect of the wedding covered. We can't wait to see our video which we know will be just equally as amazing. If you want well done pictures of your wedding then spend the money on it, you will have those pictures forever.
Shawn: Valen studios was a good purchase, worth the money, everyone worked hard start to finish. I got all of my pictures with my friends, some that I asked to be taken and some that I was forced to do hahaha.
Amanda: Shawn is in the Marines and some of his marine buddies were in town so he got those special pictures and has not seen them in a very long time.
Shawn: It's nice to see the people that you served with that you don't get to see often and now I can remember them with photos.
Amanda: I loved that you were able to get pictures of everybody at their tables because I feel like we didn't get to see a lot of people, but it's really nice to see the pictures of everyone.
How did using our preferred vendors which created synergy, help on the day of your wedding?
Amanda: Courtney Pilman did our flowers with Trellis, She is a great friend of mine and I am very thankful for her introducing me to Steve and his team. She had a vision in mind from the start, everything looked spectacular and top notch so that was really great. You can tell that they work very well together and that their relationship goes beyond professionalism and that they have a very strong connection outside of work as well.
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Special note from Steve, owner of Valen Studios,
I have been shooting weddings at The Shores of Turtle Creek for 8 years and the amount of beautiful natural locations are countless. I absolutely love this place! Anna and her crew are some of the hardest working people in the business. I've seen them in action countless times, dealing with couples in the most respectful manner. http://www.shoresofturtlecreek.com/
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Becca: I have quite a few favorite photos from my wedding. My first one is a picture of Vince and I by a pond, you can see our reflections in the water and it is just us.
Becca: My second favorite picture, or more a series of pictures, are the candid pictures of my bridal party during the speeches. The pictures reflect how our relationships with those people are. Full of life and laughter.
How/ What did we do to make you feel special?
Becca: One of the things that made me feel so special was throughout the whole process I felt like I was your only bride. I know that isn’t true and it would be unrealistic to think that. It was just amazing to feel like we were your only client. Whenever I saw either Steve or Kelly at the studio, a vendor fair or randomly at an event I was always greeted with a smile and a hug.
What are two things you would keep form your wedding?
Becca: I kept my flowers (they were fake) and a hankie my aunt embroidered for me, which I’ve used at weddings ever since.
What is one thing you would change from your wedding?
Honestly, I would probably end my reception an hour earlier. I was exhausted by the time the night was done, and my guests were too. We added an extra hour to the end of my reception but we should have stuck with what our vendor recommended.
How did using our preferred vendors, which created synergy, make your day less stressful?
My vendors all worked great together, my wedding coordinator made sure everything went smooth and worked with my personal attendant that day so I didn’t have to worry about anything.
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How did you two meet?
Eric: We actually met in high school. My sister started working for a special rec place for people with disabilities. I started working there as a summer camp counselor shortly after. That's where we met Carly who also worked there. We got to know each other pretty good because we hung out with a core group of friends. We saw each other quite regularly but then we both went off to college. We talked frequently but every so often we'd visit here and there. We have a lot of similar interests and know some similar people and we also communicate well. Well that just turned into one of those things like "why not" so I asked her out and she said yes and the rest is history.....haha
What were some of your favorite pictures and why?
Carley: One of our favorite photos would be the wide bridge shot. When we went outside we knew that there was going to be some really cool areas to shoot. We were driving over this bridge to a cool location, Harper and Dean told us to stop and before we could turn around they were already chatting with excitement and setting up the shot. We thought this was an amazing space but we were unsure what their vision was. They encouraged us to look out in the distance. It's simplistic and shows the area we were at. To us it's just a really cool moment captured that wasn't planned.
We definitely love the ones where we played this "5 second game." We also love the editing effects. We just loved the idea of the 5 second game, it's where we can be goofy and ourselves. It's a really fun experience and you get to look back at the images and think "what the heck were my friends thinking?" Makes you wonder... maybe we should choose better friends. HAHA!
The Romantic shot on the bridge... it's a beautiful landscape out there and you can't tell that it was what like 15 degrees outside and snowing in October. I love how much those flowers pop and I love all the color and all the effects that are put into that photo. It's definitely one that you need to make sure it's on a canvas, hung up for public to see. I mean that one is by far one of favorite photos.
Eric: Another one is the "end of the night shot". The black and white one! We got a couple different options, but the black and white one specifically, it's such a cool photo! You can see a lot of the people that are still there later in the night and it's just like a depth shot where there's a lot going on and you can pick out different people in the crowd. This is really cool too because it's got a romantic moment between me and Carly kissing and that you've got everybody else just kind of doing their thing in the background so this is a cool way to end the night with the photographers.
How did we make you feel special and why?
Eric: When we actually came in to meet with you for the first time we sat on the couch and you asked questions about who we were and what we like to do. We didn't even talk photography for like a half hour. It was more about getting to know us and actually getting a feel for each other before we went into you showing us what you do for photography. It was more of like a friendship than a business relationship. We met with other photographers, and they were all about business, "Here's our packages, what do you want us to do?" When we walked into Valen Studios, they were much more about the relationship. I feel if you have a great relationship with your photographer, the business will take care of itself. If you don't have that good relationship between each other then the photos will suffer. So much of the collaboration started from the very first visit. I think one really cool aspect was doing the engagement shoot as well, we got to meet the people that are going to be with us on our wedding day. We were able to have that connection before our big day so it wasn't just a random person like a big studio.
Carley: It was nice to walk into the church to the room where we were getting ready, and Harper was already there. Since I already had met her it wasn't awkward like "oh you're my photographer" I was like...EXCITED. It was so welcoming and really nice having that connection and relationship.
Two things you would keep from your wedding...
Carley: As a couple we like to put together some puzzles and we'll put them up on a wall like artwork pieces. We had a wooden puzzle piece guest book that had individual puzzle pieces in a bowl and that's what they would sign. We pieced it together and now that's something that we have that we can frame and put up on a wall somewhere. That is another thing that will last a lifetime from now and it's something that will be able to see the messages that people left for us on that day. I think that was a really cool idea to do something like that.
Eric: I would keep our DJ, DJ Nate from "enchanted evening". www.anenchantedevening.com/ The music was constantly changing but there was never a time that the dance floor was empty. At 11:30 when the event was over there were still 200 people on the dance floor, I'm like sorry I people you gotta go! That's a good problem to have.
Carley; We'd keep the venue, we did it at White Deer Run golf course in Vernon Hills, IL. https://www.whitedeergolf.com/wedding-venue/
It had the atmosphere we wanted with some greenery behind us. We didn't want to be in like a strip mall setting or something like that. The staff there, the food, everybody raved about the food portion size and quality. We looked at several venues and are very happy with the one we picked.
One thing you'd do differently on your wedding day...
Eric: I think one thing I would change would be my lack of paying attention to time lines before the wedding day. When I booked our shuttle from the church to our venue I knew we had X amount of hours and if we went past that we're talking about hundreds of dollars in late fees for 15 minutes. I kinda felt like this should all work out, but then you get in the moment and you actually feel rushed to get family pictures done before the shuttle needs to leave. I wanted to be able to remember who was there, through those special photos, so it really does help to write down what specific photos you want ahead of time and give that to your photographers, like we did. But even after all that, so many family members want unique family pictures as well and this adds so much unexpected time. Had I personally prepared for this, I would have had the shuttle stay longer in my contract. After we signed it, the late fees were WAY more than the original contracted price. So my advice is get an agreement with your transportation with a hour buffer built in for delays that you can't predict.
Carley: Something I wouldn't change but take into consideration that no one really told me is my dress choice. I loved my dress but it was heavy. My mom said, "didn't you know that when you were trying it on?" I wasn't thinking it was heavy at the time, but you are going to be wearing it for 7 hours. Later in the day I'm standing at the altar and I'm like oh my gosh I'm sweating... it's heavy. I definitely loved it but no one tells you to think about these things. Even sitting down for dinner I took up two chairs because it was poofy. I loved it but just looking back I would have liked taking that into consideration.
Groom to groom...
Eric: I would definitely say to all the other grooms thinking about the wedding process that photos are such a huge aspect. The personalities at Valen, Dean specifically who was our shooter, was just like one of the guys, it didn't feel like there was this wedding professional that was with us that's doing this for a job. It felt more like a friend who happens to have a camera. Steve the owner and his crew are so incredibly friendly that it made our wedding day better. Set up a time to meet with them and I have a good feeling you'll feel the same way. Valen was the second photographer we looked at, and everyone we met after that just couldn't compare to the quality and friendliness so we knew it was a pretty easy decision once we left.
Special note from the owner Steve,
I have shot several wedding at White Deer Run and I can speak from experience that I love this place! The staff and grounds are amazing! Schedule a tour and ask to see our photo album they have there for you to see what the place looks like start to finish.
https://www.whitedeergolf.com/wedding-venue/
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What is your favorite photo from your wedding?
It is so hard to pick a favorite photo, we love all of them. One of our favorite photos is the epic photo inside the hall where Catherine is more of the focus and I'm standing by the stairs. But all the epic photos are amazing and still makes it hard to decide a favorite.
What did we do to make you feel special?
You guys made the whole experience fun and very enjoyable. You guys took the time to listen to our ideas and also contribute your own ideas to make the day that much more memorable.
What are two things you would keep from your wedding?
There are more than two things I would choose to keep from the wedding. first would definitely be the photography. All the special moments we wanted to be captured were, including the unique and creative garter dance and toss. Second would be the music. Having the right DJ kept the atmosphere just perfect.
What is one thing you would change from your wedding?
Honestly, there is not one thing we would change about the wedding. Catherine and I took the time to discuss everything we wanted and didn't want, and worked together to make it happen. We wish we had more time in the day, especially in the morning for getting ready, but also for enjoying all of our hard work.
Special note from Steve, owner of Valen Studios,
I have been shooting weddings at Astoria Banquets for 9 years and I absolutely love this place! The way they uplight this venue is so beautiful, and enhances my photography to the highest level. Max and Lora are some of the hardest working venue owners in the business. I've seen them in action countless times, dealing with couples in the most respectful manner. https://www.astoriabanquets.com/
Special note from Steve, owner of Valen Studios,
Favorite photos and why?
Ying: My favorite photo is one that was taken outside, what I love about it is I love the color and I love that it feels like that we are in Alice in wonderland. Also how the photo was taken at an angle and then the way they made the veil look was very unique. It was a very interesting way to capture that moment, all the veil photos I thought were just beautiful and stunning because it captured our love story.
Zach: Something special that happened that day... we were outside and it actually rained and it only rained for about 5 minutes total and we all had to go inside to do the signing. Something that was really amazing was when it rains it's a good omen because Israel is in the desert. It rained literally for only those five minutes. That was just a really special amazing moment, why bring that up? Because we went back outside and then we took all the pictures of the veil and most of them were just out right beautiful!
How did we make you feel special?
Ying: I don't think it's just a one-day occasion that you guys made us feel special I would have to say that it actually started with the engagement session. Right away we felt that we can trust you guys and that you would make us feel very special on our big day. Not only did Valen Studios listen to what we wanted, they made us feel like a family and on top of that you made me feel so beautiful. Steve and his team made me feel so beautiful on the inside, this makes me so excited, it feels so genuine and makes us happy. We were just really thrilled to go through the whole process and that you guys were the ones to take these pictures and capture this moment of our lives. We love how passionate you were on our wedding day, it's as if you were apart of our wedding too.
Now that your wedding is over, what two things would you keep the same?
Zach: I would keep my bride. hahaha
Ying: I loved everything. I love the family, the people, the food and I love the photographer! there's nothing I can think about specifically that I would change, I just loved the whole day, it was perfect.
Zach: I loved everything about the wedding there's really nothing I'd change in terms of the vendors we used and of the relationship we built with Valen Studios and some other people. I loved the event all to put together, we had a very unique wedding because we had three different ceremonies! We had the Jewish traditional ceremony, the Chinese ceremony and the typical American ceremony with the whole aisle and what not. But yeah I loved everything, I can't really say one thing I'd do different.
Now that your wedding is over, what's one thing you would do differently?
Ying: One thing that we might have done differently is when we were looking for the right venue, we thought maybe we'll host somewhere in Chicago because part of her family is going to come in from China. China to Chicago is a long flight and we were really quick to find a beautiful venue which we loved. We put down a down payment right away because we were excited only to realize a week or two later that maybe everyone's not going to come in from China, and actually about 95% of our invited wedding guests live in the suburbs. To do a suburb wedding would be more convenient and even more cost-effective, so don't be so quick to to jump into a certain venue unless you really know that that's what you really want.
Zach: We ended up going with Deer Path Inn located in Lake Forest, IL. The service was top notch and the food was amazing. We were very happy with our final decision. https://www.thedeerpathinn.com/
Current Groom to future Groom...
If you want somebody who's going to care about you and make the whole process fun and to really be in tune with what you guys want as well as making you feel extremely special on your wedding day, then definitely go with Valen Studios. Due of how passionate they are with what they do, you can tell that they love what they do here and not only do they love photography, they love people too. When you blend the combination of passion and love for people, it creates this amazing experience personalized for you, and made us very happy with everything we got.
The DJ we went with was Ryan from 4 Sure Entertainment. http://4sureentertainment.com/
Special note from Steve, owner of Valen Studios,
"I have worked several events with Ryan from 4 sure Entertainment and I'd have to say that working with Ryan has been nothing but a total joy! Ryan is incredibly friendly and his experience shines through every time. I love his enthusiasm and hard work. We were in constant communication throughout the evening to ensure a smooth running event! For real, Ryan is awesome!" ~Steve
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We had a hard, bitter winter this year but I say it is worth it when I capture amazing images like these! I got to spend my weekend with two amazing little boys. Both of them were troopers! Now that the weather is warming up it can be hard wearing pants and long sleeved shirts outside in the hot beating sun but that didn't stop them from having a good time.
I love Prairie Crossing for its uniqueness. They have their own barn, a small beach, the homes are colorful, and they are known for their beautiful tall grass. Basically a photographer’s dream location!
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We love public speaking, Steve and I have both spoken/taught many times before. Steve has spoken numerous times for small to large classes, teaching camera basics (get that camera off automatic, lol) to amateurs and hobbyists as well as to large conferences, attended by 1,000's. Steve actually just got off from teaching for the third year in a row to a large group of corporate photographers on how to create stunning images for their organizations, including adding photo fusion (using the DSLRs to record video then edit the two mediums together). I have taught numerous times over the years on parenting, home life, time management and posing for boudoir and pin up.
This past August, we were honored to be chosen by Skip Cohen and the board of SCU to speak at 2013's SCU unconference. SCU is a week long, hands-on intensive workshop for professional photographers, attended by photographers from around the world to learn side by side with the best of the best in wedding, portrait, landscape and corporate photography. I clearly remember looking out into the group of my peers, my colleagues, people that inspire me, people that I have become friends with from meeting up throughout the year at professional conferences and workshops. Then....my eyes met those of my mentors.... people that I have learned so much from, the talented men and women that I have gone to see that have helped me hone my skills as a photographer, business woman and artist. Wow....very humbling indeed.
Now, this morning, as I tighten up my outline for the first SCU 2014 Hangout, I am so aware of the caliber of colleagues that will be tuning in. We take that to heart and want to do right by all of them and present from my heart, knowledge and experience...."I know how you feel, I have felt the same way...and this is what I found..."
Thank you all, our family, friends, past and present mentors and clients for giving us so much more than you could could even imagine. Insights to help us, help others.
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Congrats Kristen and Oleg! Here's to a life of joy and love. Blessings to you, your families and beautiful friends!
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So, Christy came to me through a Boudoir Living Social Deal that I was running. We arranged everything through emails and after her photo shoot was scheduled, she emailed me and asked if we did wedding photography. They were looking for a photographer who was creative and artsy....oh, Baby...did you come to the right place. This past weekend we were honored to capture the special moments of Christy and Kevin's day at the gorgeous W hotel downtown. On the way to take some fun pics out and about, we were in the limo and Christy said to me, "Why do you have to be so likeable? I want to hang out with you!" I want to hang with you too new friend! Congrats to you and Kevin and thank you soooo much for letting me share your beautiful self! Just a hand full (or 2 ;) ) of Christy's images that she chose for her photobook~
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Pictured: Bex Anderson, owner of The Fitting Room
Thank you so much to Bex Anderson, owner of The Fitting Room in downtown Grayslake, an upscale lingerie and bra fitting boutique, for co-hosting an amazing benefit for Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Bex brought together a wonderul group of ladies to model some of the lines that The Fitting Room carries. The event was sold out, with about 200 people in attendance! We had wonderful vendors represented as well, Kelly and Kate from The Bloom Room, Amy and Erin from Paris Hair Design, the gals from Uniquely Sweet, Dave and Danielle Woll and Andres Acevedo from Memory Makers DJ service and photobooth. What a wonderful time! We could not have pulled it off without the help of our significant others, Steve (Harper's) and Sean (Bex's), Tess Anderson (Bex's mom) and many other wonderful friends and family who pitched in. We had a super fun Burlesque Revue with Peeka Boo Revue, starring Sarabella Scandal and Cozzie and Pea (aka Sara Pierce, Kevin and Meghan Cosgrove) followed by the fashion show. Way to go everyone! Great event! We even had local and big celebrities attend. A couple DJ's from 102.3 XLC were in attendance, and then I was star struck twice....Completely flipped out when Steve pointed out to me that Rob Harvey from the phenomenal band Bella Cain was in the house http://bellacain.com/fr_home.cfm and then completely lost it when I glanced across the runway and saw celebrity stylisit and makeup artist, Constantine James there! I still cannot believe that with his crazy rockstar schedule that he came to the show! Amazing! Thank you to all the people in attendance! We raised close to $1,800.00 for Sandy Hook! Job well done show attendees! Thank you to all the vendors that also donated raffle prizes! Much love to ALL involved! Enjoy viewing the gallery!!
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Please visit us at this address until the name is changed :) www.SerentyGallery.net it will soon be MischieviousMe.com
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