Archive for October, 2009
i always love having opportunity of shooting cultural weddings. i met with charlotte last year and was so excited to be hired to photograph her and mike’s wedding. earlier this year i photographed charlotte and mike’s engagement shoot, and since charlotte and mike travel frequently for work, we did a lot of communication via email regarding the details of the wedding day and her photography plans and ideas. in addition to wedding-related chatter, charlotte, being a foodie, she gave me some great tips on where to find true Québécois poutine made with real cheese curds.
charlotte is from singapore and her family spoke mandarin, while mike’s family spoke cantonese. i love being able to document cultural and family traditions, and this wedding in particular had some especially fun parts to photograph. i witnessed some hilarious games and a pretty tea ceremony which happened before the traditional style wedding ceremony that i am used to. before tea, the groom was quizzed by bride’s friends and family and had to partake in humorous demands before the mother of the bride released her daughter to the groom.
i asked charlotte about some of the details of her wedding day and she said:
The Chinese tea ceremony was requested by my mom. Basically it is a way for us to thank our families for raising us. The groom comes to the bride’s house to collect the bride. But the bride’s friends and family will try and block the groom and his men. The groom will have to go a series of games to prove his love for the bride. At the end, the girls will negotiate a price for the bride. Usually the number ends in 99. So $299, $399, etc.
When the groom claims the bride, they are supposed to go to the groom’s family to do the tea ceremony. Then they return to the bride’s family to do the tea ceremony. We did it all in the same room to save time!
Mike and I are so laid back, so we wanted fun pictures. Mike requested the lakefront shots and I like indoor shots and vintage looking locales, so Union Station was awesome! I love the look and feel of your photos! Very different from the others I have seen and very imaginative! That was ultimately the reason why we picked you!
after their wedding, the bride and groom headed to Curaçao for their honeymoon where they went to explore the island’s shores via scuba diving.
婚礼摄影师在芝加哥
中文和粤语的新娘和新郎
charlotte purchased adorable containers for the wedding rings which were enscribed with to have and to hold.
the bride’s mother watched over over the groom during some lighthearted games
the groom answered questions regarding his new bride
mike and char were a very easy-going couple – they joked around a lot and had a blast all day!
two families came together during a tea ceremony overlooking famous michigan avenue. they had one of the best hotel suites i have ever photographed in.
charlotte takes tea to present to the families.
i heard someone mutter that some of the tea had some wasabi in it!
the groom leaves the room before the bride changes into a white wedding gown.
simple bouquet of flowers to match a simple elegant dress.
the groom waits in the hotel lobby for a scheduled “first look” as the bride descended down a grand glowing staircase.
we took a limo to museum campus and played a little game of trust over lake michigan.
the chicago skyline is in the distance as the groom holds on tight to his bride.
charlotte forgot the disposable adhesive heating pads in her hotel room to keep her bridesmaids warm for outdoor photos so we went to union station after museum campus. she had prepared for inclement weather by buying a photo permit in advance for union station so that we would have no issues if we needed to use the location as a setting for her wedding photos.
the groom looked dapper don’t you think?
the groom looked dapper, don’t you think?
we wrapped up our 90 minute photo shoot by heading back to michigan ave and the bride and groom were cuffed by a chicago cop (all in good fun of course!).
the newlyweds had beautiful rings which i photographed on the stem of a tulip.
cocktail hour…
what a cute nephew and a proud father!
here are some of the wedding reception details including favors, cupcake centerpieces, and an overall theme of red – the color of happiness.
and a toast…
and a cake cutting and a cake smoosh followed by a smooch.
guests seemed to be having a great time
charlotte’s matron of honor was just as fun as she, and raised the bar on the dancefloor getting everyone going!
the bride and groom were a very fun laid-back couple to work with, and definitely know how to throw a party!
wedding ceremony & reception: marriott magnificent mile
makeup: monique madrid styling
dj: one stop dj (peggy liao, speaks mandarin and taiwanese)
alterations on white gown: Ms. Couture
alterations on qi pao/chengosam: oriental fine tailor
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Tags: asian, bride, chengsam, cheongsam, chicago, chicago wedding photographer, chicago wedding photography, chinese wedding, chongsam, coastal, groom, heather, heather parker, heatherparker.com, illinois, modern, parker, photographer, photography, photos, qi pao, qipao, quipao, wedding, wedding photographer, weddings, 婚礼, 摄影师, 新娘, 新郎, 芝加哥
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a wedding DJ posted about feeding wedding vendors on their blog, and it has been going making rounds on twitter in the wedding vendor community – i saw it posted through many of the wedding vendors i follow. i imagine that most clients don’t put too much thought into this and figured i would shed some light on it. as a photographer, i work with brides for up to eight hours, often running around more than the bride herself. i run around sometimes carrying up to three cameras, an array of lenses, and miscellaneous camera equipment. a recent bride abigail even quoted me as being a ninja photographer, and i can see why she must think that. i sometimes finding myself crouching behind tables or running swiftly through narrow staircases up to balconies to get the best angle for a shot. and when aunt betty solicits me for an impromptu photo of her with her son, i’m there in a flash. weddings are hard work and can be exhausting, so a nice meal is always enjoyable. i want to thank the couples who have generously offered a warm meal to myself and my second shooters. it does not go unnoticed.
recently, one of my brides emailed me:
Hi Heather!
So we did our menu tasting last week and have the following choices for you:
1. Filet Mignon with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
2. Greek Chicken with roasted potatoes
3. Miso Halibut with wild rice
4. Vegetable Strudel
though i never like to take too much time to eat, after 15 minutes of scarfing down a delicious meal, i am completely revitalized and begin shooting with as much energy i had when i start my day. i am so grateful when i get a warm meal as it truly refuels me and allows me to continue giving 100% energy during the remaining portion of a shoot. i would say that nine out of ten events that i shoot provide me with a hot hearty meal. i’d be lying if i told you i didn’t have my fair share of soggy sandwiches with a side of smooshed cookie. the warm meals really do make a difference and are very much appreciated.
while we are on the topic of vendor meals and guest meals, i’d like to bring up an important note. if your wedding coordinator or wedding planner suggests that you feed your photographer in another location such as on another floor, please think about how that will impact the shots you may want taken. i love to be able to hear if an impromptu speech has started so that i can always try to chime in and take photos. before your wedding, please make sure your caterer or wedding coordinator/planner knows what, when, and where your vendors should eat. 
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Tags: food, vendor meals
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we all know who the king of rock and the king of pop are, but few people are familiar with the king of ska: jamaica’s own derrick morgan. last year i had the opportunity to meet and photograph him as part of a documentary by generoso fierro who puts together the roots of reggae, rocksteady, and ska on film. 
some of my favorite music comes from jamaica. ken boothe, hopeton lewis, delroy wilson, alton ellis, just to name a few.
i was recently contacted to do a shoot in jamaica and i couldn’t say no! while most americans hadn’t held passports for years and were able to still flock to the caribbean, my passport is on its last legs and i have never been to the caribbean – or jamaica for that matter. i will be working on two shoots in the town of negril. i used allison at CRC Travel (773-525-3800) who has been great in helping me understand booking with the right layovers & thus ensuring even with delays i have a higher chance of making it to important destination shoots. i’ve also passed her name on to several clients for their honeymoon travel agent needs. though we all have the capacity to book travel online, sometimes it is very helpful to have someone to guide you through decisions you may not have even thought of.
those of you who have seen me shoot know that i often carry around my trusty jelly bean trolley made by designer hideo wakamatsu. how could you miss it, right? you’d be amazed how much gear you can fit in this little beast. it’s not specifically a photographer’s equipment case, but it does the job well. i use the tamrac modular accessory system to safeguard my equipment and with a little practice, i am able to fit a lot of gear into a small suitcase – and whats even bettter, it fits in airplane overhead bins.
two of the most important things i will bring on my trip are my hasselblad and my iphone. over wifi i will be available by phone and have access to email. 
unfortunately although my dog has been on airplanes before, she has to stay home for this trip.
random note: for any film photographers who follow me, the best investment for a hasselblad system is the acute matte D focusing screen. i swear by it!
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i am the photographer stacey and steve chose to hire for their 2010 wedding at the garfield park conservatory. we scheduled an 8am shoot and made great use of a park during a relatively desolate time of day. the colors of the leaves were unreal. i like to think of an engagement session as a warm up photography shoot before the wedding day. they had quite the warm up before heading off to work.
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Tags: chicago, chicago wedding photographer, engagement, engagement session, engagement shoot, heather parker, heatherparker.com, illinois, photographer, photography, photos, wedding, wedding photographer
Posted in engagement |
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au·tumn n. – when they turn off the fountains and the leaves go orange.
it was a surprisingly tolerable morning, weather-wise! i photographed victor and nicole for their engagement shoot at their favorite park. their dog gizmo is hiding in one of these photos… where’s gizmo?
i will be photographing their wedding in july 2010 at pazzo’s 311 located at 311 South Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606-6627 (312) 913-1600
Tags: heather, heather parker, heatherparker.com, parker, photographer, photography, wedding, wedding photographer, weddings
Posted in engagement |
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Tags: chicago, chicago wedding photographer, chicago wedding photography, couple, crystal gardens, engagement shoot, heather parker, heatherparker.com, indoor engagement shoot, indoor engagement shoot locations, navy pier, photography, wedding locations, wedding venue
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“We’re getting married and figured it was a good excuse to throw a party for our friends and family!” this is what Bonnie and Jeff told me when i asked about their wedding. they were having a non-traditional wedding at boston’s quintessential luxury hotel, the taj boston (formerly Ritz Carlton Hotel). steeped in history, the hotel was the first Ritz Carlton, and the first hotel to offer private baths in guest rooms. what a luxury.
The wedding day coincided with the five surviving presidents and other dignitaries in town, though Bonnie wasn’t going to be outshined! with potential traffic from some heavy rain and dignitaries’ security, i arrived early at the salon on Newbury Street and photographed Bonnie getting ready. we headed next door to the hotel for her to get into her dress and have a “first look” with Jeff before the ceremony. the couple had a simple ceremony in the lavish tea room. their officiant was a close friend of the bride’s who got the JP for a day certification. friends and family filled the room with laughter when Jeff’s young son muttered “are they getting MARRIED?!” as the bride and groom stood face to face under the handmade chuppah. after the ceremony, everyone headed up to The Roof Top at the Taj for a fun celebration surrounded by friends, family, and fantastic views of Boston city lights.
Boston Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony venue and reception venue: Taj Boston Hotel
Wedding Florist: Winston Flowers
Boston Wedding Photographer: Heather Parker Photography
Wedding Hairstylist and Wedding Makeup Artist: Avanti Salon 11 Newbury St Boston, MA
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Tags: boston, boston wedding photographer, boston wedding photography, bride, heather parker, heatherparker.com, jewish, jewish wedding, jewish weddings, ritz carlton, ritz carlton wedding, taj boston, taj hotel, wedding, wedding photographer, weddings
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during their engagement shoot, abigail and sam told me about their wedding planning and were excited about having hired a professional lighting design team for their stan mansion wedding. they transformed a space that was a true blank canvas by choosing purple lighting that created an atmosphere for their wedding that guests commented about all night.
i photographed abigail getting ready at her home, and on the wall i noticed a painting by jamie haynes! i immediately recognized she had a connection to my favorite city: new orleans. abigail’s mother lives in new orleans’ garden district and we chatted a bit about second line parades. abigail didn’t grow up in NOLA otherwise i probably would have photographed another bride and groom in new orleans. abigal and sam headed to logan square for a planned meeting where they would have a documented “first look,” followed by some fun photos before the ceremony. after we finished creative photos in the park, sam went to stan mansion and made sure every detail was set perfectly, and gave a thumbs up to begin the ceremony. i wanted to make sure as much purple light was visible in their wedding photos as possible so i used my one of my favorite lenses for most of the night, that enables me to shoot without use of flash. whenever possible, i try to shoot without flash, or with low flash, so that the natural colors, shadows, and true look is preserved. i want my clients to have photos that accurately document their wedding from the little details, to the atmosphere of the room.
wedding vendors:
venue for ceremony & reception: stan mansion
photographer: heather parker photography
florist: lasalle flowers
lighting/drapery: art of imagination
br>caterer: food evolution
wedding cake: b true bakery
br>ceremony music: guitarrista neil dixon smith
Tags: bride, chicago, details, groom, heather, heather parker, heatherparker.com, ideas, illinois, inspiration, mansion, modern, new orleans, neworleans, NOLA, parade, parades, park, parker, photographer, photography, photos, planing, planning, purple, second line, second line parade, secondline, shoot, stan, stan mansion, stanmansion, wedding, weddings
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i had the opportunity to photograph dora and diego before their wedding for an engagement shoot. they had an atypical wedding and put a lot of thought into the unique details. her good friend happened to be a costume designer and created a wedding dress that was exactly what dora wanted. she enlisted angela from lather to come up with a vintage pinup hairstyle for her wedding day. they wed on a rooftop in the presence of their friends and family and invited their friends inside zed 451 for a private reception where guests visited bountiful harvest tables full of so much food and then had churrasco – a variety of meats brought to each table, served on skewers. the newlyweds had their first dance to madness’ song “it must be love.” the bride said that “the wedding certificate that our guests signed is inspired by a traditional quaker practice. when quakers marry those who are attending the meeting sign a marriage certificate as witnesses to the promises that the couple made before God. ours served as a way to include friends and family in our ceremony and it was also used in lieu of a guest book.”
a review from the bride:
“when heather and i were discussing the final time line for my wedding i had very few things scheduled and not too many “must have” photos to tell her about… when i first looked at our photos i realized that she had managed to capture exactly what i had wanted. we had a smaller wedding so every guest was someone important to us. heather and her assistant were able to capture so many fantastic candid photos of our loved ones. it’s like we now have portraits of all the special people in our lives! she managed to get some gorgeous shots under some challenging lighting conditions and she put a lot of time above and beyond our contract into adjusting the contrast of those photos. i feel really fortunate to have found heather! she’s talented, dedicated, professional and easy to communicate with!
ceremony & reception site: ZED 451
florist: dilly lily
officiant: bruce otto of spirited weddings
wedding gown designer: kelly neuls designs
dj: nate from style matters
hairstylist: angela from lather
stationer: papeterie store
Tags: bouquet, bride, details, dilly lily, groom, heather parker, heatherparker.com, illinois, modern, offbeat, photography, photos, quaker wedding certificate, shoot, table numbers, wedding, wedding details, wedding gown, wedding photography, weddings
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