Initially we weren’t going to do engagement photos.
I thought they were silly and a bit self-indulgent. The outfit changes, the poses, the props… it was all just a little much for me. Like Amy Poehler says, “good for you, not for me.” Some people are really into all of that and that’s cool, I just wasn’t.
My high school senior photos were stressful enough. I think I brought 23 outfit changes and laid on at least seven docks near a lake while propped up on my elbows gazing out in the horizon. Also, thank you mom for paying a million dollars for those photos. I think we both know it was obviously worth it.
But back to the engagement photos we weren’t going to take.
Simply put, I caved because I wanted a good photo for our Save-The-Dates. I also happened to stumble across a great photographer by the name of Elias. We have mutual friends in common because Elias is a very talented comedian who performs regularly at The Second City with some of my pals. Do you know what’s even better than having a great photographer? Having a great photographer who is also super chill and funny and can make awkward camera-people like Chris and I feel just a little less awkward.
Right from the start I told Elias we had 45 minutes tops to get these done. At the 46 minute mark Chris was going to call off the engagement (jk! But seriously, he was less than happy about the shoot because Chris is a typical man and blah blah blah.) So I said no outfit changes, no picnics, no going to a railroad crossing to pose on the tracks. Simple was our goal.
Harlow, however, had another plan. He’s a total diva and turns into an absolute maniac when we go downtown. He wants to sniff everything and say hi to everyone. Not only that, he threw a tantrum every time he wasn’t in a photo. My mom would hold him off to the side, but he would bark and jump, trying his best to get back into the shot.
Harlow got “recognized” at the dog park a few weeks ago and he’s never forgotten it. It went straight to his head and he’s been an asshole ever since. But that’s a tale for another time.
Anyway, ready to see way too many photos that probably look exactly alike to you but seem totally different to me? Cool. Here it comes. One more thing, we had been drinking all day… So we’re giggling a lot.
And that’s all folks.
Would you just look at that tail swing? So much damn sass it kills me.
Do I still think engagement photos are silly and self-indulgent? Absolutely. But sometimes it’s fun to self indulge. Moral of the story, do what works for you. And if you’re in the Chicago area and ever need a killer photographer, hire Elias.
See you tomorrow. It’s ALMOST FRIDAY!!!
Aw I love you pictures!! The very last one is my favorite 🙂
Lovely photos! I was resistant about taking engagement photos too but an hour or so of awkwardness is worth it I suppose 🙂
The third (black/white) and the last two. Favorites. Love!
Freaking awesome. these could go in a magazine for sure. Y'all are so pretty (is it weird to say that – sorry chris) I'm glad you indulged 🙂
The pictures turned out so cute, especially the ones with Harlow! That's the one thing I regret about our engagement pictures, not having our fur baby with us.
Seriously they look great, I love the silly moments like Chris making a fart noise. And who can blame Harlow for being a diva really? That's what happens when you're born with beautiful super model genes I've been told! Just ask Ariana Grande (;
I love your pictures. It looks like you had fun even if you were dreading them.
So which one is for the save-the-date?? My vote is for the last one 🙂
<3
I feel like engagement photos have huge potential to just be super awkward and cringeworthy but your photos are great! You guys look calm, cool, and collected. Mostly.
Love all of the pics! That's probably my favorite area of Chicago right there!
Love these 🙂 🙂 🙂
These are beautiful! My husband and I were just in Chicago last weekend and saw a couple doing engagement photos by the riverside (near Calypso cafe). You can't get a better background than Chicago! 🙂
Your photos turned out so well! I love the outfit you chose too! Engagement photos are def self indulgent, but you only get to do them once in your life – so own it!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
You will not regret having them either! Those are adorable photos too! Love the photo with your backsides and Harlow's derrière. With that sounding as not weird as possible! http://www.lifealacarteblog.blogspot.com
Um…if your engagement pics are this gorgeous then I'm pretty sure your wedding pics will deserve a spread in a magazine! These are perfect and you won't regret taking them! Y'all are perfect!
These are beautiful! You all look great and I love that it looks natural.
Holy freaking moly these are absolutely incredible!!! Perfect perfect perfect outfit choice too!
These are so cute. And I LOL'd at least 3 times while I was ready your commentary on the entire experience, especially the part about Harlow and being "recognized". Hilarious and your pictures are amazing. Well done.
Major tail swag and the one of your three "paws"
They look beautiful! And not too self indulgent. 🙂
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
The cutest!! We never did engagement photos and I kind of regret it. After that I vowed to do them for every other occasion – pregnancy, baby, to make our future children suffer, etc.
These are so cute, and love all the giggling happening! Looks so much more natural than the forced poses. Congrats again!
"no going to railroad crossings to pose on the tracks" LOLOL! Ok. First of all, I feel I have to apologize because on your previous post making fun of engagement photos, I totally joined in and was maybe a little mean about them. But that could be because I didn't get to do any of this stuff, so I pretend to hate it. MAYBE, I don't know. But these are adorable. And the one with the dog paw?! Get out. at all. My cousin just sent out her save-the-dates actually (also from Chicago) and it's just their little pug with a suit and bow time on scowling so badly, and a banner in the background that says the date. It's awesome.
there's an "at all" thrown in there because I don't proof read..
Love these!!! I love that Harlow was in them… I mean, obvi he had to be. But you know Chicago is my dream city and that's what makes me so insanely jealous of these photos. I mean, you guys are cute too and all…
These pics are gorgeous!!! The last photo eve though I don't see your heads, wins all the days for me.
The pictures were great! I am torn on a favorite. It is between the fake fart kiss and the last one because I love shots of people walking away (does that say something about me, that I prefer people walking away?).
The hand/paw picture cracked me up! I love it! So awesome! This pictures are great. 🙂
Have a good weekend!
The photos turned out great! Also, that hand/paw photo is the BEST!
Your pics turned out too cute and I loved your outfit!!! Chicago has such a beautiful backdrop for photos! Y'all look really happy in the pics not fake and awkward like so many engagement photos do. And the dog.. absolutely adorbs!!! Bravo!
theritzyglitzy.com
Loving all of them! Of course that last one is the absolute best! Chris will love these photos one day, he will. If nothing more than to recall the funny & ridiculous moments 😉
Love all of these!! It's hard to do staged photos, it will never feel natural, but you'd never know from looking at these pics! Also love the outfit, very classic. Harlow is a pro.
I was so dead set against engagement photos at first…but then I realized maybe it would be nice to have some professional pictures of the two of us, instead of all the bar photos we already had. I have to say…Harlow looks great! What a handsome devil! Also, you two took some really great pictures 🙂
love them all, but that last one with the dog tail swing, too adorable!
Ummm…pretty much just LOVE them all!
All of your pictures are just SO damn cute! Congrats on the amazing pictures! Harlow stole the show for sure! 😉
These photos are stunning! You guys had a great photog and did a great job. Good job to Harlow too 😉 I just love your skirt, too!
Your pictures are so good and your outfit was perfect!
I love these!! You guys look great.
OMG, I love that last one. Also I would have to definitely have alittle bit of a glow going on too.
Love the skirt!!! Where is that from? I must have it!
Love the photos! You guys are adorable!