My family and I recently moved to Valparaiso, IN (still serving Chicago though!). So when it came time for Jillian and Kent’s sunrise engagement session, it was a 3:00am wake up call for me… Let me tell ya, it was so worth it! These two were truly a blast to capture. Their laughs were constant and their love seemed effortless. So stinkin’ excited to capture their wedding day this Fall.
I met Hana and Chris in Millennium Park on a crisp Fall day this past year. They planned to have their wedding ceremony in Southern IL in December, however, they still wanted to capture the beauty of the city of Chicago and so they decided to take their bridal portraits beforehand.
My time with them spent exploring Millennium Park and then Union Station was filled with such sweet love and laughter. Thankful to have played a small roll in their wedding celebrations.
And now, a thoughtful and much appreciated review from the bride:
We planned an elopement photoshoot in Chicago and loved working with Erika. She was not only professional but super easy and fun to work with especially during these stressful times. We also had to change locations a couple of times and every time she was helpful nailing down details. We also loved how she always came prepared and full of ideas — really, her optimistic and positive attitude helped get us through 30 degrees chilly Chicago winds.
The photos came out beautifully and couldn't have asked for more!
-Hana
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
I remember when I first met Noah, the adorable little girl with the pink overalls. She was a newborn then but she’s over two years old now. And soon this family will be welcoming their third bundle of joy into the family. It honestly is such a joy to watch other kids grow up and then to help document these days for their family to cherish for years to come.
Here are a few sweet captures from my time with the Brinkman family.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
Vendors:
Florist - Shamrock Garden Florist
Bridal Gown - Glamour Closet
Groom Attire - The Black Tux
Reception Venue - Salvatore's Restaurant
Bakery - Bittersweet Pastry Shop
Videographer - Pipe Dream Productions
A couple weeks ago I got to capture Gus and Belle get engaged! Here’s the story behind this proposal location... Gus was the new kid at school in 8th grade. Then one day at recess Belle walked up to him under this gorgeous tree to say hi.
They’ve been together ever since.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
Shelly and Wyatt had plans to get married this past May. Things happened… but rather than wait a full year to get married, they decided to elope at the Indiana Dunes National Park. They had a ceremony on top of a dune with their family present. It wasn’t what they planned but still beautiful and full of sweet love.
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
Rob and Nora met in Boston and moved to Chicago right at the beginning of the pandemic. They had plans to have a wedding in Puerto Rico with friends and family; however, well you know… So rather than wait to get married they put together this elaborate virtual wedding within just one week! They had a slideshow for guests that showcased the history of their relationship, family and friends did readings and made speeches, all were able to watch their ceremony and hear their sweet vows to each other, AND they cut cake and drank Champagne to celebrate it all!
While this day was planned rather quickly, it did not fall short in any way. It was filled to the brim with thoughtful touches, happiness, and love.
Last thing - Quick vendor shoutout: Nora found her hair and makeup team just days before the big day. Kiss This Makeup did such an amazing job!
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
A few weeks ago I had the great joy of capturing my friends' maternity session. Anna and Kevin will be parents any day now and I couldn't be more excited for them!
Sappy/personal story coming at ya - Capturing my friends' maternity session brought me back to when I was pregnant with Ari and the maternity session a friend did for me.
I loved those photos but the importance of them did not really hit me until after I had Ari. A couple weeks post birth, I remember putting my daughter down for a nap and pulling up our maternity photos. Friends, I balled. Like a real good ugly cry. It all came full circle for me. This precious baby that was now napping next to me, also grew into a person inside my body. Now she wasn't there anymore but here she was and I could now touch and feel her skin, hands, feet... Postpartum emotions may have played a role too, but nonetheless, it was such an emotional thing for me to walk through and hit me in a way I didn't see coming.
It made me appreciate those photos that much more. These images helped capture that 9 month season. A season that felt so long at the time but post birth I'd sometimes wish I could carry my sweet girl a little while longer.
You may be wondering, why am I sharing this? I think it is such a good reminder that these seasons we are in while they may seem long and exhausting, they are also short and beautiful. Whether you are engaged and hoping to get married in the next year or two; expecting your first baby any day now and tired/achy more than your comfortable with; have a newborn at home and lacking much needed sleep; or, have littles running around and you can't seem to get everything on your to-do list done... There are many more seasons but these are just a few I've walked/am walking through. But my encouragement is to be sure to photograph the season you're in! I assure you that one day you will look back on those photos and be thankful that those good ol' days were captured.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
The 2020 global pandemic has altered plans for many. Kate and Paul plan to have a large wedding in 2021, but rather than wait and see if their plans will remain the same, they decided to tie the knot a year earlier with a few friends in the Chicago area and many more loved ones via video chat.
I met up with them outside their apartment in Hyde Park as they helped each other put on their finishing touches. Side note - Paul actually did Kate’s hair! He gets two thumbs up from me. ;) We then walked along the path they take each day together to The University of Chicago - were they met. We took photos along the way and then at many personally significant spots on campus.
After photos we made our way to the Ida Noyes Hall Courtyard were their ceremony took place. Friends gathered around on blankets and more watched virtually as they exchanged their vows to each other. It was sweet and full of so much love.
Thankful to have been apart of this special day for Kate and Paul.
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
As your kids get older, you may be a little less likely to have your family photos taken. However, I encourage you to still do them! These years are still so precious and your kids are probably growing up faster than you could believe. Take some time to capture these older ages too. I promise you that we will still capture some sweet memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Side note, I am also a huge fan of grabbing some solo parent photos too even when it is a family session. It’s so important to capture your love too!
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
This was my second time capturing the Tanaka family and what a joy it was. Our first session together was back when their son, Logan, was just two months old. Now he is two-and-a-half year old with a personality that just lights up the room. The smiles shared by this family were infectious. I am so thankful my work brings me to a place that captures the pure joy and happiness children bring to the world.
Looking forward to capturing this family again now that they’ve got a new little man added to the fam!
Family photography at Indiana Dunes National Park in Chesterton, IN. Relaxed beach sessions that capture genuine moments with your family.
In-home newborn lifestyle photography in Valparaiso, IN. Capturing your baby's first days with natural, heartfelt family photos in the comfort of home.
Extended family photography at a Flint Lake vacation rental near Valparaiso, IN. Timeless family reunion photos by a Northwest Indiana family photographer.
See this beautiful extended family session at Beachwalk Vacation Rentals in Michigan City, Indiana, captured by Northwest Indiana family photographer Erika Mattingly.
Maternity Session at Gabis Aboretum in Valparaiso, IN. Northwest Indiana family photographer.
Family Session at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Northwest Indiana Family Photographer.
There’s no time like the present to be reminded of the joy and laughter from Breece and JR’s wedding day this past Fall. When I looked back at my notes during the planning process, I had asked them. “What details from your wedding day are you particularly excited about?” Here was their reply:
Everything! All the memories, laughs, smiles, and love from our family and friends. Getting ready with our friends, first look, saying our vows, hearing our families' speeches, EATING, and dancing!
When I looked back at these images to create this blog post, I was reminded of all these moments and how much happiness and love was felt throughout this entire day.
It greatly warmed my heart to be reminded of what a gift it is to document these special moments in peoples’ lives. Looking forward to the day I get to do this again; until then, I’ll continue to share my couples’ love stories here.
VENDORS:
Photo Location - Chicago Botanic Garden
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Pinstripes
Wedding Planner - Forever & Always Events
Bridal Dress - Essence of Australia
Groom Attire - Suit Supply & Tie Bar
Hair - Pin Me Up Chicago
Make-Up - Joyce Tsai, Pin Me Up Chicago
DJ - Remix Entertainment
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
When I was in high school, Indiana Dunes National Park was one of those places we used to go in the summer time and I absolutely loved it. Such a beautiful and peaceful place to be. Now I have a husband who actually grew up in this area, and we’ve created many fun memories there too. Fun fact - Ari’s (our daughter) first beach day took place at the Indiana Dunes! Gosh, this place has a special piece of my heart.
When it came time to planning Shelly and Wyatt’s engagement session they knew they wanted something in nature and at golden hour. When we decided on the Indiana Dunes, I was thrilled! I learned even more so how magical and gorgeous the Indiana Dunes are at sunset.
Shelly and Wyatt are a fun, low-key couple that have been together nearly a decade. Their love for each other feels easy and natural, and I loved every minute of capturing it.
Anna and Quinn are great friends of mine from church. When they asked me to photograph their intimate wedding at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool you can only imagine how excited I was!
Anna and Quinn started dating back when they lived in D.C. They each have lived throughout the U.S. and Anna has even lived aboard for some time. When it came time to plan their wedding, they decided rather than have one large celebration in which many would have to travel to, they’d have an intimate ceremony with just immediate family in their current hometown of Chicago. Then they had wedding celebrations in their past hometowns for all to enjoy. And the thoughtfulness didn’t end there… They even lived streamed their wedding ceremony so that all were able to witness their beautiful wedding vows wether physically or virtually.
Capturing these friends of mine get married was a true joy and certainly a highlight to my year.
VENDORS:
Ceremony Venue - Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Brunch Venue - Uncommon Ground
Officiant - Jason Helveston
Videographer - Daniel D Video
Bride’s Attire - BHLDN
Groom’s Attire - Bonobos
Hair - Freyja Salon
Daphne and Chris are high school sweethearts. They met through a mutual friend in home room… who would have thought that years later would wed?!
For their wedding, Daphne and Chris planned an intimate and laid-back celebration with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St. Benedict Church. After photos downtown, the celebrations continued at The Ivy Room. The amount of joy and laughter shared throughout this day was contagious. So incredibly thankful to have been apart of Daphne and Chris’s day. These two have such a deep and sweet love for one another, and it was such an honor to capture this highly anticipated day for them.
