Kevin and Deb’s Wedding was a two-parter.  On the first day, we hailed a cab to City Hall and got in line with a bunch of other smilin’ couples where we waited for the doors to bust open.  A small group of Kevin and Deb’s immediate family met up with us to witness the magic. The clock struck 9AM and everybody filed into the building and waited for their names to be called.  After a few short minutes, Kevin and Deb were called into the chambers. The judge uttered a few magic words and with a wave of his hand, our lovely couple were married.  After the lightning-quick ceremony, the couple and I took a quick stroll around the loop for some pics and then jumped on the train to head back toward their Lincoln Square Hood.  We stopped at a pretty little community garden for a few more portraits and called it a day.

Kevin and Deb didn’t want to spend any of their precious party energy on getting married, so the party part of the wedding took place 2 weeks after they were married.  This proved to be a good idea as all the revelers were fully energized and ready to party.  Everybody ate, danced and chatted and rocked the night away while still being able to enjoy a beautiful autumn evening, curtesy Dank Haus’ huge balcony.  This party was so much fun.  There was even a giant cannoli stuffed with little cannolis!  Thanks for asking me to be a part!

Here are some pics from a psyched-out nutzoid show that happened at Reggies a couple weeks back.  First, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate  bashed through some spaced out punk jams, then Killer Moon oozed some droney, tripped out tunes, and then Nik Turner’s Hawkwind  hit the stage. I love the Hawkwind of the yesteryears and heard that there were currently two versions of this legendary band touring and fighting over who gets to be called Hawkwind so who knew if this would be any good.  Man!  This thing floored me.  Nik’s band was composed of some dudes from a bunch of classic British punk bands and they totally ripped through a ton of Hawkwind’s Space Ritual era songs.  It was so unbelievably good, it cruised along for at least an hour and a half, and I was really sad that it ended.  I can’t wait to see David Brock’s Hawkwind in March!

The Spooky Forest Installation at The Storefront Gallery was pretty damn fun. Thanks to my good pal Todd Klebenow, once again, for helping me paint the background….and generally figure out how to put this thing together and make it work in a small room and thanks to Brandon and Angel, who operate The Storefront, for letting me stink up the space during Halloween Week. Lots of people showed up in some pretty unique and creative costumes. We managed to drag a healthy handful of trick-or-treaters inside to have their portraits taken and even managed to really creep out a few people and send them running. Must have been a combo of the fog, strobe lights and home-made spooky tunes. A successful Halloween indeed!  Custom made installations, like this, will be available for your events soon so stay tuned!

I will be shooting Halloween Portraits at The Storefront Galley (2606 N. California…Just north of Logan Blvd.). My good pal Todd Klebenow helped with a lot of the backdrop painting and general assembling of this thing. There’ll be candy and some beer (will be gone fast). Stop by when you’re lookin’ weird and on your way to some Halloween party. Stop by while you’re trick-or-treating or just stop by. Bring your kids! Bring the whole family!
Here are the hours of operation:
10/25 7-10 or 11
10/27 3-7
10/31 4-7

Katie and Mario got hitched at a Hubbard St. design studio that was converted into a spacious party ground for one steamy night in August.  We took a stroll around the hood, snapped some shots and headed back up to the party where a handful of their closest friends were loosening up in preparation for this couples unification.  Katie and Mario pledged their devotion to each other in an ultra-sweet and short ceremony and out came the grub that Get off the Couch Catering deliciously provided (Mario’s grandad also supplied some excellent baklava!).  Right after dinner, a man with an ice cream cart appeared and everybody sugared up for what was to become a hot ‘n sweaty summer rager.   This party was a blast!

Kate and David were married on a warm and sunny Saturday evening in the hidden gardens of Honky Tonk BBQ. The ladies popped some champagne and prettied up while the dudes kozzied some cold beers and suited up. It was now that time! Guests and family mopped up the joyful tears that streamed from their eyes as Kate elegantly walked down the aisle. Vows and looks of love were exchanged under the ceremonial Chuppah and it was time to break the glass. There was no glass within reach so David bolted past the congregation and vanished for a few suspenseful seconds. He quickly emerged with a plastic tumbler and shouted “Plastic’s okay, right?” Nobody seemed to mind so under the foot of David went the plastic cup. Mazel Tov indeed! After the ceremony,  a few signature  cocktails were served and on came  an incredible spread of Honky Tonk’s finest meats and sides.  After dinner the couple was welcomed and toasted into their new marriage.  Then they sauntered and swayed their way around the lawn as they danced for the first time as a married couple.  Rebecca, from Toast and Jam,  laid out the hits and got everyone on the dance floor…I mean lawn.   The drinks flowed and out came the sparklers.  Guests danced, laughed, played with fire and wrestled furniture.  I dragged Kate and David out in front for a few more quick photos before the party ended.  This was such a fun party at a really unique spot with some awesome folks.  Thanks for asking me to shoot!

I met up with Kate and David for an engagement session around Logan Square. We started at their place and decided to grab a few sweet and tender portraits with Hannah the dog but Hannah was more into showing off her running and rolling skills. We eventually caught up with Hannah and held her down for a quick pic.  So away we strolled down The Bouelavard and toward The Centennial Monument.  Most of the local riffraff split at the sight of my camera and gave us the space that we needed for making some portraits. All of that modeling worked up a thirst so we ducked into Billy Sunday’s for a few sips of whiskey and prepared to head back home….with sparklers. A fine evening for all!  Kate and David are getting married at a BBQ joint later this month and I can’t wait to shoot it!

April and Selena definitely had their work cut out for them planning a wedding from a distance since their move to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both are well-versed in the art of wine and food, so all knew they would be in for a treat. I had been eagerly anticipating this amazing display of nuptials all summer long, and finally the day was upon us! April and Selena’s magical day took place on a sprawling and picturesque family farm in Monmouth, IL. The couple tenderly exchanged vows in front of an impressive garden overlooking a pond, where they performed a hand-fasting ritual and jumped over a broom for the ceremony finale.  Each guest had a nice relaxing afternoon of socializing, games in the yard and pleasant breezy strolls along nature walks as we took family pics. As the guests munched on a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres and sipped on some fully loaded sangria, chef Cecil Rodriguez fired up the grill and prepared a hearty spread of grilled pork, chicken, greens, quinoa and everything in-between.  April and Selena finally caught a glimpse of the fully functioning barn that was lovingly transformed into an intimate lodge-style dining room with pretty succulents and tiny lights that glowed like little stars over the long rectangular tables. Needless to say it was breathtaking and perfect for their small and lively group. Mother nature added a little bit of urgency to go into the barn as the clouds suddenly darkened and brought in a torrential downpour! The excitement was in the air as everyone pulled together to save the buffet and gather the essentials from outside. The storm added a surprising element of comradery and bonded everyone together, not to mention it cooled that barn down by a good 10 degrees – perfect timing for a pleasant meal. Everyone gathered in the barn and took their seats as the newlyweds were toasted with smiles and giggles. The amazing and lovingly prepared meal exploded everyones minds with deliciousness and bellies became happy and full.  Jessica Casteñeda made a decadent cake with rainbow-winged doves for the ladies to cut, and delicious little mason jars of  fruit-filled shortcakes for guests to nibble or take home.  As the storm passed, a faint rainbow glowed in the distance and the sky opened up just enough for all to witness a spectacular sunset – a perfect coda for the day.  Evening fell and Rachel Karlic cranked some booty quaking jams and everybody stomped into the wee hours of the night. The vibe was casual, fun and twinkled with love and friendship.  It was a straight-up barn burner that I was honored to be a part of! Congratulations April and Selena!

The Tarantismo Summit Art Show 2013 blazed by a couple weekends ago at Chris Ilth’s Ravens Nest.  I was offered a space to set up an installation/photo booth of sorts for the entire weekend and the cargo elevator seemed like the perfect little spot to roll a tree stump into, lay some sod, and let the smoke rise.  The place was jammed with all kinds of eye bulging art from  way-out and underground musician types like Jimbo Easter, Mac Blackout, Ben Lyon, Christopher Ilth and so many more.  A few people commented on how much they liked the “nature installation”.  I was genuinely thrilled to inform them that it was a photo booth and that they should have a seat on the stump and let me work my magic.  It was a wonderful weekend!  I’ll be setting up another installation later this summer at a gallery space in Logan Square.  More details soon!

I recently met up with Kari and Andy at the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on a hot and muggy July evening.  We took some pics among the trees and wildflowers and then scooted our way over to the lakefront to try to catch a breeze.  I can’t wait to shoot their wedding at the Bottom Lounge this October!