this is a shot from sandra & tim’s engagement photography session from last year. this spring, we had discussed some of the details of their zoo wedding. though i was familiar with other unique animal-inspired wedding locations such as the new england aquarium, the shedd aquarium and the new york aquarium, i had not previously photographed a wedding at a zoo. i knew this shoot would provide for an interesting journey. the day started by documenting the bride, her mother, and her bridesmaids getting ready at her house before i jumped in the limo with them. we headed to a city called oak park for the wedding ceremony. this is a popular chicago suburb with tourists who venture out to see the homes designed by world-famous architect frank lloyd wright. the wedding ceremony took place at st. catherine of siena, a catholic church. following the ceremony, we headed to the brookfield zoo, where we took some formal photographs, then took a golf cart with the bride and groom for a private tour and photography session amongst the animals, after hours. guests took the trams to the giraffe exhibit for “cocktails with the naimals,” and the dinner reception was at the zoo’s own bocaditos restaurant. a large bank of windows surrounds the venue where i was able to capture a reflection of the couple during their first dance.