Willie Chandler Photography

Proposal: Toby & Shereen

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:11:00 -0400

Here’s a really unique proposal shoot from this winter season! I caught up with the happy couple as they visited Chicago’s Lincoln Park one night during the ZooLights festivities. Shereen thought this was just another date night…she had no idea that Toby had already planned out every aspect of this special evening, including having me there to capture the moment. Congrats Toby and Shereen, you guys are a great, fun couple!

Wedding: Scott & Renae

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:03:00 -0400

With the weather in Chicago finally getting a little nicer, I thought this would be a good time to post a beautiful lakeside wedding I shot last autumn. After getting ready at the historic Blackstone Hotel, we headed to the lake. Scott and Renae had a beautiful ceremony and reception at one of the best places for weddings on Lake Michigan: Promontory Point. This venue is rich in historical character, and offers amazing views of the downtown skyline from afar…a perfect setting for this vintage-themed wedding!

Wedding: David & Jennifer

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -0500

Here’s a great example of a unique Chicago wedding! You may recognize the couple from their engagement session last year. While that shoot was also located in Chicago (Humboldt Park, to be exact) it took advantage of the park’s beautiful settings and had more of an outdoorsy and natural vibe. In contrast, this wedding is all about the fantastic urban setting!

Located in Chicago’s well known West Loop gallery district, the wedding ceremony and dinner both took place at Design Cloud, a great gallery and event space. One element that makes a wedding like this very unique is the gallery space itself…the artwork on display at the time becomes part of the wedding decor. In this case, it was a collection of beautifully eclectic and edgy drawings and paintings depicting the human form. Really amazing work.

Because of the gallery’s great West Loop location, we had the opportunity to get lots of scenic, urban shots of the surrounding neighborhood and skyline while guests enjoyed happy hour in the gallery before dinner. Later in the evening the celebration moved to The Bristol in Bucktown, where plenty of hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails fueled the party throughout the night. Congrats to the couple for creating a unique and memorable Chicago wedding celebration!

Engagement: Patrick & Alyssa

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -0500

One of the great things about living in Chicago is the fact that you’re surrounded by great locations for photo sessions. I’ve shot at the Lincoln Park Zoo a couple of times for family portraits, but this was my first engagement session there.

It was late afternoon, and a little chilly, but Alyssa and Patrick braved the cold and were great photo subjects, making my job that much easier. We met at the zoo just before closing, so it wasn’t very crowded, and we could take advantage of multiple photo settings.

Thanks to the couple for a fun session. I’m looking forward to shooting their Chicago wedding this summer…hopefully it will be a bit warmer!

Wedding: Rob & Martha

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 13:29:00 -0500

Here’s a sampling of select images from a great winter wedding I shot in December. After a traditional church ceremony, Rob and Martha treated their guests to a more unique reception at the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of Chicago’s great treasures, and a very photogenic venue!

After meeting Rob and Martha last summer, and having a great time shooting their Oak Park engagement session, I was confident that they would have a fun and unique wedding, and I wasn’t disappointed. Congrats guys!

Engagement: Brad & Jenni

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:06:29 -0500

Here’s a great engagement shoot with a fun couple in downtown Chicago! I love scheduling downtown sessions on Sunday afternoons, because usually you can get some great locations all to yourself.

We started out with some shots along the Chicago River, taking advantage of a beautiful sunset and the river’s amazing bridges. The varied layers of structure and texture make for a great backdrop, and with little traffic, we could get some great shots without much interruption from passing vehicles.

After the bridges we moved on to my favorite place for Chicago skyline photos: North Avenue Beach. Just as dusk settled over the city, we wrapped up the session with some fun portraits, and even had the chance to include Brad and Jenni’s little best friend Eddie!

Wedding: Drew & Juanita

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 11:22:00 -0500

This pink and black rustic wedding was a fun experience and included lots of personal DIY touches. I had lots of fun with Juanita and Drew at their engagement shoot, so I was confident that they would have an awesome wedding…and they didn’t disappoint!

The day began with preparation photos at the Herrington Inn and Spa in Geneva, IL and from there we headed to the Fabyan Forest Preserve for bridal photos. The outdoor ceremony and indoor reception were both held at Brewster Creek Lodge, a great setting for this couple’s blend of a rustic ceremony with a more contemporary dinner and celebration. Congrats Juanita and Drew on a beautiful wedding and a great celebration!

Goyal Family Photos

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:21:00 -0400

When Arusha first contacted me, she said her family wanted some portraits done, and also mentioned that their most recent professional photos were taken when her brother was 5 years old. When I found out that he’s now in his mid-20s, I agreed they were due for a portrait session. :)

So, we set up an early morning session including time at the park, and time at home with Buster, a small dog with a huge personality! Portraits are always so much easier and even more enjoyable when I get the opportunity to work with subjects who are fun and easy-going. That was definitely the case with the Goyals. It was one of those shoots where things just flowed naturally, and I could just keep on clicking!

Martha and Rob Engagement Session

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:04:00 -0400

I always love the opportunity to shoot in new locations, especially when I can explore places that I’m not all that familiar with! So when Martha and Rob mentioned the idea of an engagement session in Oak Park, I was really excited to see what we’d come up with.

Although it’s one of Chicago’s more famous and historic suburbs, I’d only been to Oak Park a couple of times before this session. Since the couple was very familiar with the neighborhood, they had a few ideas for photo locations…we made sure to hit those spots, as well as some good ones we stumbled upon along the way.

We took advantage of some of the area’s more famous and photogenic settings, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, the iconic Lake Theatre, and even the bakery providing Martha and Rob’s wedding cupcakes, Sugar Fixe Patisserie. And, since we started a bit later in the evening, we were able to capture some images of the neighborhood at night, which really turned out to be a beautiful setting!

Wicker Park Family Session

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:38:00 -0400

I was going through some photos today and realized I never posted images from this great family session earlier this year! Shame on me, but in all fairness, I put it off for a while because I was sworn to secrecy…

In the months leading up to Lynn and Bill’s wedding, their kids contacted me to set up a secret photo session. They wanted to get some family photos with all of the couple’s kids and grandkids, to create an album that they could present to Lynn and Bill as a wedding gift. So we scheduled an afternoon session in Chicago’s historic Wicker Park and got some fun photos of the whole crew!

Well, Lynn and Bill received their beautiful album (which they loved!) at the rehearsal dinner, so the secret’s out…now I can safely show off the shoot without ruining any surprises!

Juanita and Drew Engagement Session

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 08:27:00 -0400

Since Juanita and Drew are planning for a beautiful wedding this fall at a Chicago area forest preserve, we decided to do an engagement shoot where we could take advantage of not only natural, but also urban settings. So, what better location than Millennium Park?!

We met up in front of the Art Institute, and began with some shots near the famous lions. The museum was the site of Juanita and Drew’s first date, so it seemed like a good starting point for the session! From there we strolled through Millenium Park, finding great locations all around. It was a Saturday, so the park was definitely busy, but we were still able to get lots of photos away from the crowds. This is another example of why I love doing shoots in downtown Chicago…there is such a variety of great settings within walking distance!

Jennifer and David Engagement Session

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 11:12:37 -0400

In the last few weeks I’ve been shooting lots of engagement sessions with couples getting married later this year. Here’s the first of a few new engagement session posts with some fun couples!

I met up with Jennifer and David at Humboldt Park, which is fast becoming one of my favorite outdoor shoot locations…there are just so many great settings in close proximity, and it’s right in the neighborhood! After the park we stopped at some unique spots on the way to Small Bar in Logan Square, where Jennifer and David first met. A good beer at a great local pub is probably my favorite way to wrap up a fun shoot! Congrats guys, and looking forward to the wedding!

Pop-Up Shop at Modern Co-op

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:26:41 -0400

A few weeks back I hooked up with a newly opened store in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, to take some photos of an event they were hosting for the Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays. The store, aptly named Modern Cooperative, has an enormous collection of beautiful (and reasonably priced!) mid-century modern furniture, housewares, decor, etc.

Throughout the evening store visitors were treated to 5 Rabbit beer as they shopped the Co-op, and had the opportunity to purchase vintage apparel and accessories from JenStyle, in addition to the great collection of modern and handmade items on display. For this evening, JenStyle was the guest “pop-up shop” designer, and Modern Co-op plans to host similar events with more local Chicago designers/artists featured during upcoming Pilsen 2nd Fridays.

Oh, and to top it all off, the Tamale Spaceship was right outside the store all night, catering to hungry patrons as they refueled for more shopping and exploring! Congrats to Mike and Tiffany for hosting a great event…be sure to check out their new shop next time you’re in the Pilsen area!

Global Fund For Women

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 23:18:00 -0400

A few weeks back, a friend of mine asked if I’d be interested in covering a fundraising event she was co-hosting at a new-ish Chicago pub that I had been meaning to check out. Opportunity to cover an event for a worthy cause, while visiting a new Chicago establishment? Yes, please…

The event in question was a fundraiser for the Global Fund for Women. Organized by a few local Chicago members, the party was held in a private room at the Old Town Pour House, in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. As you can see, a great cause at a great location is a good combination for a great party!

Happy Graduation!

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:29:00 -0400

Earlier this month I joined a recent DePaul University grad and her family, to capture photos of her graduation celebration at Quartino Italian restaurant in Chicago.

The party included tasty hors d’oeuvres and entrees, as well as a great gift for guests…delectable little handcrafted chocolates! I always appreciate the opportunity to capture these milestone events for individuals and families, and working the evening with a fun-loving group makes it even more enjoyable. Congrats Tori, and best of luck in your post-collegiate endeavors!

Lynn & Bill's Garden Wedding

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:15:00 -0400

Over the weekend I shot a small wedding ceremony at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was a great ceremony in a beautiful setting, and with temps in the 90s it was a fitting start to the summer wedding season!

As guests arrived, they were greeted with cocktails and refreshments in the Circle Garden. After spending some time visiting with friends and family, everyone was invited into a private garden where the bride and groom exchanged their heartfelt personalized vows. When the ceremony was finished, there was just enough time for some quick family portraits before the festivities moved on to the reception. Congrats to Lynn & Bill on a memorable and beautiful wedding celebration!

Modern Maternity

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:19:44 -0400

I’ve never really been a fan of the cutesy maternity photos that seem to be more and more popular these days. I figured eventually I would probably end up doing a shoot with an expectant couple, but I really wanted to avoid the “heart-shaped-hands-on-belly” type of shots. So, when Swathi contacted me a few weeks ago and mentioned that she was pregnant and wanted to do a photo session with “no cheesy stuff” I knew I’d found the perfect couple for my first maternity shoot.

After discussing some location ideas and putting a little itinerary together, we met up this past Sunday (on Mother’s Day!) for a morning photo session. We visited some of my favorite portrait locations, as well as a new spot that turned out to be a great outdoor photo studio. Congrats to Swathi and Adam, and thanks for a fun shoot!

3 Squares

Sat, 12 May 2012 13:11:28 -0400

I’ve been interested in food photography for a while now, so I’ve been anxiously awaiting the right opportunity to team up with a talented chef who can create some beautiful (and tasty!) dishes.

A couple weeks ago I met up with Chef Stephen of D’lish Dish Catering. He was looking to make some photos for an AmazonLocal promotion he was planning. He wanted to feature 3 dishes in the ad, so we set up a few shots, some with all three plates, and some individual looks. I think we ended up with some pretty tasty images!

Photos at Home

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:05:00 -0400

Some friends of ours (who happen to also be our upstairs neighbors) recently sold their condo and wanted some family portraits taken prior to moving out of their first family home. So, before they were fully packed, we set up a quick session at their place. Thanks for a fun shoot guys, and good luck with the move!

Surprise Engagement at Navy Pier

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:50:00 -0400

Recently I was once again lucky enough to be a part of an emotional and touching proposal, with a fun and loving couple. This time the setting was Navy Pier, on a cloudy and cold Chicago afternoon. Fortunately, I think the chilly weather actually worked in our favor…on any other Saturday afternoon the pier would be swarming with people, but with this weather we had the place mostly to ourselves, allowing for more flexibility in capturing the engagement as it unfolded.

The shoot was a little trickier logistically than my recent bookstore proposal shoot. This time, I met up with Xing the day before and walked the Pier, scoping out potential locations. I actually hadn’t been there in quite awhile, and was surprised to find lots of good proposal settings. We chose our 3 favorites, and decided to make the final location call the next day, just before he would pop the question.

This turned out to be a very wise choice. When I showed up on Saturday, one of our favorite spots, the Crystal Gardens, was occupied…by a wedding! Apparently you can reserve the Gardens for events. It’s a beautiful setting, which is why I wanted to use it for the proposal, but I guess another lucky couple beat us to it. Good thing we had some alternates.

Since Xing and I were communicating via text message all day, we were able to call an audible, and choose one of our backup locations, with the skyline off in the distance. Here we had a bit more freedom, and I was able to keep my distance and stay somewhat inconspicuous thanks to the “Big Bertha” lens I brought along for the occasion. After Jia said yes, we took the opportunity to capture some impromptu engagement photos.

I have to say, these surprise proposal shoots are a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to scheduling some more soon!