Carmela & Carmen

Carmela and Carmen, or as their friends call them, "The Carms"  tied the knot on a surprisingly hot day for October.  Mike had shot the maid-of-honors wedding last year so we knew this was going to be a fun bunch.  We skated on over to the Oak Park ice rink for some pictures before the ceremony because Carmen and most of the groomsmen played hockey.  Then it was off to Ascension Catholic Church for a beautiful ceremony.  The church had a lot of meaning to the couple because Carmen's mother has worked for there for many years.  Before the reception at Harry Caray's in Lombard we snapped a few photos at Dominican University as the light faded.  Thanks to Carmela and Carmen for having us be a part of your day!

Debbie & Mike

Debbie and Mike's wedding was so much fun.  They got married at the Westin River North on an absolutely beautiful day.  We shot pictures with them around the city at the Chicago Theater, Olive Park and Michigan Ave. before arriving for the wonderful ceremony and reception that Sue Primer had perfectly planned for them.  The day was great and they kept us laughing the whole time.  Thanks to Debbie and Mike for having us share their wedding day with them.

Christina & Rick's Engagement Session

On a surprisingly warm October day, Christina and Rick had their engagement session.  They are getting married next June in Rosemont, so we made sure to get some urban shots to compliment their wedding photos.  We had a great time walking around the West Loop and downtown.  The couple just moved to the city, so it was cool to get photos of them in their new stomping grounds.  We're excited for their wedding - not only is Christina going to be a beautiful bride, but Rick is one goofy dude!  We're looking forward to working with this great couple on their wedding day!

2010 Holiday Cards are here!

We are so very excited to have a whole new batch of holiday card templates for the season! All of them are customizable and can be used for any occasion. Call the studio to get your hands on these cards before time runs out!!!

Shawn's greatest catch!

We knew from the moment we heard about Shannon and Shawn's wedding, that it was going to be a blast! The couple tied the knot at Old St. Pat's, then stopped at some of Chicago's hot spots before ending in Wrigleyville. Shawn, a Boston native, met Shannon during a Cubs vs. Red Socks game, and the rest is history. The couple had their reception at Mrs. Murphy & Son's Irish Bistro. It was a fabulous night filled with awesome food, good music and many laughs. Thank you Shannon and Shawn for allowing us to take part in your special day!

Sarah & Dave

We had the pleasure of working with Sarah and Dave on one of the most beautiful days in October.  The could met way back in college at the University of Iowa and finally tied the knot at the W Hotel on Adams.  They had an intimate Jewish ceremony followed by a romantic reception with great mood lighting.  The two of them were a perfect pair - goofy and fun with lots of love!

60 Looks in 60 Minutes: Kurt Gerber's PartnerCon Workshop

We were so happy with the turnout today at the workshop in New Orleans.  Kurt would like to extend a big thank you to everyone that participated.  As promised, we are now going to post some key points covering what we demonstrated on the streets of the French Quarter.

Angle

Don't be afraid to take the time to change your position, your point of view, or your lens.  Take a look at your subject from different angles, below, above, and to the sides.  Allow yourself to think about the image you want to create and from which angle it will be the most powerful. 

Background

Before the shoot, scout some natural backgrounds in the area.  Pay attention to what time of day you will be shooting and how that will affect your lighting.  Utilize textures like brick, stucco, peeling paint, wood, flora, and public art to make your photos more dynamic.

Details

Details are what your clients have chosen to make their weddings unique.  Use your own perspective to zoom in and capture the details dramatically and artistically. 

Emotion

Clients are filled with many emotions on their wedding day.  Use your eye and your instincts to capture the emotions as they're happening. Sometimes the moments between moments yield the best photographs so always be present in your view finder. Real emotion is gold.

Focus

Current trends in wedding photography use a shallow depth of field.  We use focal length and aperture to isolate the couple.   

Framing

Natural and man made objects can be used in unique ways to frame the couple.

Light

Light is essential in turning a good photograph into a great one.  We look for situations in which we can make silhouettes, find shadows, bounce light, backlight, and utilize lens flare. Good light can even be found at mid day if you keep your eyes open.

Wish Upon A Wedding

Many members of the Chicago wedding community came out  for Wish Upon a Wedding's First Annual Blissful Wishes Ball which  took place on Monday, November 1, 2010 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel.

We are humbled to have been nominated for, and to have won the first  Chicago Shining Star Award.  G+S Cofounder Kurt Gerber was honored for charity and generosity within the community.

 Our mission at G + S to is to always be grateful for what we have and always extend our hand to those in need.

We were  also proud to be one of the sponsors for the evening. It was a fun-filled night with over 200 of the most prominent and generous individuals from the wedding industry in attendance. Dana Kozlov from CBS2 Chicago and Dan Bernstein from The Score were the co-emcees and hosts for the evening.

The Blissful Wishes Ball was a gala celebration benefiting Wish upon a Wedding, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide weddings & vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

By giving the gifts of dream weddings & vow renewals, Wish Upon a Wedding is able to grant some of the most intimate and heartfelt wishes of these people's lives, and help them share this important day with close family members.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from the Blissful Wishes Ball will benefit Wish upon a Wedding, Chicago, and its mission. This fabulous event would never have happened if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication of our dear friend and colleague, Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali. We are so blessed to have such amazing giving spirit in our community.

Guests at the evening's festivities  were treated to a three-course sit-down dinner, open bar, and dessert provided by Sarah's Pastries and Katherine Anne Confections. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Larry King Orchestra and it didn't take long for them to get the dance floor going!  Guests also had a chance to experience Shutterbooth's photo booth, have their photos taken by Gerber + Scarpelli Photography, be a part of  the highlight film of I Do Films, as well as view the extravagant decor provided by Bbj linen, The Meetinghouse Companies, inc., Classic Party Rentals, Tablescapes Party Rental, More Cupcakes , Frost lighting and CS Brides.

Blissful Wishes from I Do Films on Vimeo.