~ Laurie Peacock ~ Chicago Wedding Photographer

New RSS feed link

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:54:40 -0600

Hi Everybody! For those following me via RSS, I have a new blog and you can subscribe at lauriepeacock.com/feed/.

Hope to see you around. Thanks!

Sneak Peek: My new blog

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:26:38 -0600

It's just a matter of time before I reveal my new baby, er, blog and branding to the world. The design company, Flosites, has been wonderful to work with.

When the new blog is finished, expect a ton of more posts.

In the meantime, feel free to head over to my sister site, Revealed Boudoir, and see some of our latest work.

Hibernation is Over

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:23:36 -0600

Ahhhhhhhh...what's that sound? It's the stretching of my legs and arms out of hibernation. Thank goodness the snow is melting in Chicago. I'm getting back to blogging and work after dealing with various family illnesses and drama.

After the last snow, my partner at Revealed Boudoir, Maggie Rife, dragged me out of my house (thank goodness) and after blinking my eyes at the long-forgotten sunlight, we set out on a photography safari. Instead of wild beasts, well other than taxi drivers, we photographed and trudged through mountains of snow.

I only brought one lens, the AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED, hence why there's more of the landscape photos. Maggie brought her 70-200 mm lens, so she has some great close-ups, you can view here.

I even had tons of fun modeling for Maggie.

You can see why I promptly took a nap after this excursion. Jumping in deep snow is like an aerobic class.

Here are some more of my photos.

Thanks, Maggie, for the great time!

Civil Unions Signed into Law in Illinois

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:08:12 -0600

[Here is where I may alienate some of my current or potentials clients, but I'd like to think people hire me for my abilities regardless of whether they agree with me. I guess you might say I'm an optimist.]

I gave a little whoop of joy when I read the news that civil unions, which allow partners of the same or different sex to have the same benefits and rights of married couples, was signed into law in Illinois.

It's about time. As a long-timer supporter of gay marriage, I've never understood denying those who love each other the right to legally declare their commitment to each other. Religion, whatever, and blah blah blah aside, finding somebody you want to spend the rest of your life with is such a miraculous event in itself that it deserves celebrating.

According the Chicago Tribune, the law also includes "protections include sharing a nursing home room, visiting a loved one in a hospital and preventing those in a civil union from testifying against each other in court. Couples who enter into civil unions also will be able to make funeral and end-of-life decisions, inherit property and get certain employment-related benefits such as insurance."

I live in Andersonville, which is home to the sweetest gay couples you'll ever meet. They are awesome neighbors, and I hope they are also celebrating this new law (although I bet they are probably much more concern with digging out their cars from the record-making snow right now).

If you'd like to learn more about this issue, check out White Knot.

Cross-Atlantic Romance: Lindsey + Josh

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:21:25 -0600

Lindsey is probably one of the sweetest people I've ever met, so it's no surprise to me that Josh would travel from England to the U.S. to see her pretty blue eyes. Josh is a pretty swell bloke too, of course. :)

All in all, I had so much fun documenting the fun these two cuties had during the portrait session. Between snow fights, hot chocolate and the Ritz's awesome holiday decor, it was a blast.

Having dated long-distance myself, I hope the time apart speeds by quickly. Thank goodness for Skype! :)

I'm b-b-b-back (and it's cold)

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:18:15 -0600

I've been trying to catch up with e-mails and phone calls since my return from Panama. Like a freezing kick in the arse, Chicago welcomed me back with open arms.

In an effort to warm things up, here's a little sneak peek of the fun chemistry between Lindsey and Josh.

Happy Holidays (out of the office)

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 10:26:15 -0600

Holiday Pups

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:25:00 -0600

Whew! I feel as if I've been running a marathon. The marathon of portraits, praying for my safety while driving in snow and packing for my trip to Dayton to visit my family for Christmas. I bet I'm not the only one feeling a little battered and exhausted.

So what makes me happy when I'm tired and feeling a little bah-humbuggish? PUPPIES!!!

Luci, the Chihuahua, and Gus, the Maltipoo know how to bring on the holiday spirit.

Newborn Portraits: Introducing Francesca!

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:32:08 -0600

Francesca belongs to the fabulous Misse Daniels of Honeybee Weddings. Francesca is the sweetest newborn! She gives procreation a great rep. Even when she's having a cranky moment, she's adorable.

The best thing for me to see is how at ease Misse is with her new baby. Not only is Misse a great wedding planner, but she is such a calm new mother. I know who I'm going to for mom tips when I have a baby! :)

Congrats, Misse + hubby! I bet these holidays are going to be magical for your growing family.

Silly Goose

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:53:27 -0600

As you've probably noticed, I've taken a little sabbatical from blogging. Instead of spending so much time on the computer, I've been shooting portraits, visiting relatives and catching up on tasks neglected during the wedding season. I've even thrown in some fun like baking and cooking.

Also, I've outgrown the functionality of this website and am in the process of rebranding and getting a new site to feature more topics like photography how-to's, my inspirations and life. It should be revealed in the new year. I'm stoked about it and have been fighting the urge to save posts until it's finished. But enough of my neglecting you, onto the photos!

In the spirit of the season, here is the Gingerich family whose wedding I photographed over a year ago. Don't you just adore their boxer, Goose? Sarah, Fred and Goose, thanks for braving the cold by the lake!

Theresa + Greg... + baby

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:50:47 -0600

I was thrilled to hear that Theresa and Greg are expecting a lil' one. Already the proud parents of three adorable boxers, I just know that they are going to be AWESOME parents.

This is the fourth session I've photographed with them and I love seeing this family grow. Developing long-lasting friendships with my clients is one the best parts of my job.

Theresa and Greg are seriously going to have one adorable baby, I just know it. :)

Leyla + Charlie Engaged

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:38:19 -0600

I love it when clients become as excited as I am for their portrait sessions. Leyla's enthusiastic location scouting, incredible fashion sense and her obvious chemistry with Charlie made my job easy.

Actually, I've been really fortunate with clients and am looking forward to the weddings I've booked for next year. They have and continue to make me feel so welcome and honored to be part of their big day. :)

Both Leyla and Charlie have such warm personalities. They're the type of people you'd love to grab a drink with and just...chilllllll.

I'm so looking forward to your wedding, you two cuties!

Kathryn + Ryan's Autumn Wedding

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:27:24 -0600

Kathryn + Ryan's Evansville, Indiana wedding was so beautiful and worth the drive.

Currently, Kathryn and Ryan reside in Chicago, but they headed back to Kathryn's hometown for their big day.

I totally would bottle up autumn light and colors to use throughout the winter if I could. Totally stunning.

Kathryn's dress was a stunnah too. She was breathtakingly gorgeous. Ryan, you didn't look so bad yourself. :)

Special thanks goes to my second photographer, Allison Cosmos. Not only did she travel with me and keep me awake, she also had a ton of fun with the guys prior to the ceremony. I love groomsmen hijinks.

Sadly, this was my last wedding for this year. Don't worry though. I have a ton of portrait shoots to post. It's been one busy spring, summer and fall.

Kathryn and Ryan, thanks to you and your family for making my last wedding of the year so special. Congrats and best wishes!

Vendors:

Dress--Pronovias
Venue--O'Day Discovery Lodge

Cake artist--Piece of Cake
Florist--randig@zeidlers.com
Caterer--linda@schnitzelbank.com
Rentals--jane@trueventrental.com
DJ/Band--terry_tunks@yahoo.com

Mary + Louay engaged!

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:21:42 -0600

When I was a kid, I wanted long, dark hair just like Mary's SO BAD. Instead I had pouffy hair, which more closely resembled a mullet than luscious long locks. *Sigh* "We can't always get what we wa-a-aant," as the good ol' Rolling Stone song goes.

Somehow I think Mary and Louay have gotten what they want: each other. Congrats on your engagement and thanks for braving the cold, windy day with me!

Elizabeth + John's Prairie Production Wedding

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:57:04 -0600

How much do I love Elizabeth and John's wedding? Let me count the ways.

1.) Elizabeth is seriously one of the funniest people I've ever met. She almost got the reception guests to believe that John and she might be expecting...in two years or so. The delivery was extremely on point and hilarious.

2.) She's also one of the kindest people I've met.

3.) John has quite the moves on the dance floor.

4.) So does Elizabeth.

5.) When John kissed Elizabeth after her reception speech, it sent shivers down my spine. So romantic.

6.) John's socks.

7.) Elizabeth's family (Yay, Lauren + Mike) Like seriously, can they all get married again just so I can hang out some more with them? Also, Elizabeth and her sister's deep affirming love of Wisps (disposable toothbrushes) prior to the ceremony, cracked me up.

8.) John's SUPER-EXCITED-OMG-I-JUST-MARRIED-THE-BEST-GAL-ON-EARTH look after they walked down the aisle and out of the church.

9.) Speaking of the church, Holy Family Parish, LOVE LOVE LOVE. Having survived the Great Chicago Fire, it's been recently restored. I've never seen anything like it before.

10.) Elizabeth and John rockin' out the entire night.

Congrats you two cuties! Muah!

Vendors:

Florist - Asrai Gardens

Caterer - D'Absolute Events and Catering

Cake - Bittersweet

Venue - Prairie Production

Dress - Pronovias. Bought at Dimitras

Bridal Belt (reception only) - Enzoani

Make-up - Sonia Roselli Studio

Hair - The Hair Loft

Dj - Duke at Style Matters

Band (Cocktail) - Bottomfeeders

Also, special thanks to my second photographer, Allison Cosmos, for her beautiful work!