HEAVAN

Naperville Engagement Photographer

A few weeks ago I met up with Heather & Evan (short for...you guessed it...HEAVAN) in Downtown Naperville for their engagement session.  Let me first say I understand where "Heavan" came from...their names, much like them, fit together so well that it's actually difficult to say them together without combining them!  By the end of our shoot I gave up and think I may have actually just been referring to them as Heavan (seriously...try to say "Heather" then "Evan" quickly one after another...it's TOUGH).

I suggested Evan climb the gi-normous tree (I was kidding).  Buuut as you can see...he took me seriously! Thank goodness Heather was there to help...I mean this was a BIG tree.  Evan I'm still impressed you had the 'ups' to get in that thing.

These two really have fun together. I love that.  At one point they were having so much fun that they had me laughing so hard my eyes were watering.  It is difficult to focus properly when your eyes are watery! Honest to god this was the first time I've ever asked a client(s) to stop making me laugh because it's hard to shoot when my eyes are watering!

Heather & Evan your big day is just around the corner...so I'll be seeing you all very soon!  Holla!

JIT Maternity Session...

CHICAGO MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

Mother Nature has been a bit of a beast this year. Beast may be kind.  The thermostat actually read in the 50's at one point today.  MID-JUNE.  What??  Crazy low temps are one thing...all this rain is a bit harder to swallow.  Outdoor sessions are a wash (awful unintentional pun) when it rains!  Such was the case with Amy & Matt's maternity session.  I think we had to reschedule a few times over...we were so lucky that the third time was a charm, because little Lucy arrived not long after this shoot! Congrats on your new arrival Amy & Matt!!

SO NEAT...the "Y" wasn't tipped to the side like that the whole time. As I was clicking away I saw Amy's tummy jut out all of a sudden...an elbow, a foot, a hand...?! It was definitely something.  I like to think Miss Lucy was sending us a message.  You see, Amy & Matt opted to keep the sex a surprise...therefore we did shots with both their boy and girl names.  She was in there all "heeeeeey....it's meeee...LUCY!! I am no boy!! This is the right name! And I'm ready to make an appearance so this shoot is just in time..."

Built-in BFF...Marla and Keira

Let me start by saying...holy COW these girls are Be-u-ti-ful!  My 5D did a decent job of capturing how glittery and bright their blue eyes are, but still don't think these pics do them justice!!

More fun than having such sweet and gorgeous subjects, was getting to watch these two interact.  I've not shot twins before.  What struck me is how much of a bond they already have...it is the cutest thing to witness!!  And how neat is that---to be lucky enough to be born with a best friend for life?! Someone who will be there with you every step of the way...

Beth & Bryan

In April I had the privilege of photographing Beth & Bryan's wedding at the Racquet Club in downtown Chicago.  Such an amazing day!! A beautiful ceremony followed by a rockin' party of a reception...the dance floor was packed all night long! Such a fun wedding to shoot...Beth & Bryan--I am honored you chose me to document your big day.  Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter!!

I'm not usually one for 'public declarations'...

♥ BUUUUT...today, on the 1st anniversary of the BEST DAY EVER...I'm making an exception...A little something for you Rico ♥

Heather Ever Present!

I recently took some head shots of my dear friend Heather Meibach.  About 4 years ago Heather began her wedding planning business as something on the side.  Not surprisingly, her charm, wit, crazy-over-the-top-organizational and planning skills, and her calming personality have made for many-a-happy bride, and the referrals have made this "something on the side" into a legitimate business!  So, brides... if you are looking for someone to help maintain your sanity on your big day (and the days leading up) -----SHE IS YOUR GAL.  I can recommend her as a friend but also as a past client :)  Heather ran the show on my big day...which was a destination wedding in Florida with over 100 guests who flew down for it...no small feat!! She was nothing short of heaven-sent that day! 

One of the things I plan to do on this blog is feature other artists/professionals who have turned something they love into a business.  I'm calling this little feature "Artist Love"... and Heather is my very  first feature!!  So...introducing...Heather of Heather Ever Present!

GIANA SITZES Photography Presents:

ARTIST LOVE...

 What is the name of your business and where are you located?  Please include your web address if applicable.
The name of my business is Heather Ever Present.  I am located in Chicago and my website is  Heathereverpresent.com.


 What products/services does your business produce/provide?
I am a wedding planner.  My focus is primarily day-of wedding coordination, but I do full-service wedding planning and enjoy both aspects equally.  I offer a few different packages, but always assist the bride, groom and their families for a twelve-hour period on the wedding day.  I will be there from the first stroke of makeup to the stroke of midnight or later!  I believe that being “ever present” is the key to offering consistent, exceptional service for the best wedding possible.


What inspired you to start this business and how did you get your start?
I have always been a girly-girl and I have always loved weddings. My first job after college was in the Food and Beverage Department of The Drake Hotel where I had the opportunity to learn what makes a wedding successful from an operational standpoint.  I also worked at Belle Vie Bridal Couture selling gorgeous gowns and speaking with excited brides about their wedding plans.  Since then, I have planned corporate events for six years at The University of Chicago Gleacher Center and just recently began to plan Executive Education programs at the Gleacher Center through The Booth School of Business.  My very first brides were my corporate clients that enjoyed planning with me at The Gleacher Center and asked me to assist them on their wedding day.  Over 50 weddings later, I have been able to use my corporate planning experience to make weddings run as smoothly as possible.  


 What do you find rewarding about your business?
 I absolutely love making people feel happy and relaxed enough to enjoy their wedding day.  I have the greatest job in the world because I get to work closely with brides and grooms on one of the most important days of their lives.  It’s such an honor.  I have also developed strong and lasting bonds with many of my couples.  By far the most rewarding part of my job is receiving a birth announcement from a couple with whom I worked!


What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in getting your business off the ground?
The bridal industry is a saturated market and there are many excellent wedding planners in Chicago.  My biggest challenge was finding a way to separate my services from everyone else’s.  After some consideration, I found that charging a flat rate, and not a rate based on an hourly fee or a percentage of contracted services, worked best for me.  I am not looking to waste time or force statements on my clients to make more money personally.  I believe that the best working relationships come from trust.  I offer three packages with the core element being the “ever present” aspect.  The bride and groom can utilize my services to best suit their needs without worrying that I am trying to constantly up-sell them to increase the bottom line for my own gain.  


How have you marketed your business?
Up until now, my business has been strictly word-of-mouth.  I just launched my website and I am excited to be able to offer my services to a broader market.  As a corporate event planner by trade, I also network on a daily basis which helps in gaining referrals and planning many weddings for corporate clients and fellow planners.  


Any advice for those aspiring to start something up?
Follow your passion and offer your services to friends and family for a discounted (even free) fee.  Show people that you are as good as you say you are and make them true believers in your craft.  I planned countless weddings and events for people I knew well for a very low fee, so I could learn the best and most effective way to plan a wedding on my feet.  It was a give-and-take situation because clients trusted my dedication despite my limited experience and I was able to build my portfolio, learn from experience, and make valuable contacts with vendors.  Word-of-mouth advertising is the best way to get people interested in your business and confident in your expertise.  Now, my former brides and grooms refer me to their families and friends and I am able to enter into new working relationships with couples that know what I can do.  It’s a fantastic feeling!  

Hannah Bean

So this shoot was supposed to happen somewhere around Hannah's 1st birthday... I think I will just make the excuse that her mama and I are busy ladies with schedules that rarely match up!  But that's besides the point.  This baby girl gets cuter every time I see her...♥♥♥♥♥♥!! Hannah Bean you have my heart!

Words don't describe how jealous I am of this tutu  ↑ I've always had a thing for tutu's...I've already decided I'm going as "Black Swan" next year as it gives me a fabulous excuse to sport a ridiculously large tutu and wear face paint to boot....yessssssss....

And finally...do you know how many babies I know who just LOVE iphones?  Steve Jobs is creating a generation of teeny tiny Apple maniacs...