Nicole and Steven: Lincoln Park, Chicago Couple’s Shoot

Nicole and I have mutual friends in Chicago, and I originally was going to meet up with her to do some portrait work for my portfolio. (She’s a model. Duh.) Schedules and visions aligned, and we decided to add a couple shoot afterwards with her adoring boyfriend Stephen, who met up with us at Lincoln Park.

Stephen and Nicole are both models and actors, while also holding down full-time day jobs, so working with them was a little different than most of my clients. These are people who aren’t afraid of the camera. They’re used to being filmed and photographed; they know their angles, and they aren’t shy.

This would be a dream scenario for most photographers.

Here’s the thing, though. I’m not most photographers. Generally speaking, I don’t actually love photographing models. Part of the art, for me, is getting people past their feelings of insecurity and intense vulnerability. Photographing models can feel a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. We get great photos, but that emotional piece that’s so important to me often isn’t a factor, so I feel like I’m missing out on my favorite part of the job.

Imagine my delight, then, when these two beautiful humans surprised me with their incredibly tender, cute, and silly love for each other. With looks, touches, jokes, and in every interaction, these two are sweet together. It was very endearing. Having just worked with Nicole individually, I found her truly open up when Stephen arrived. She couldn’t stop smiling, and neither could he. They were easily amused by each other. They seemed to only have eyes for the other. And (my favorite thing): it seemed like there was no place they would rather be than right where they were, doing what we were doing. Any excuse to be in each other’s arms.

We had a beautiful early evening in Chicago, and they were such amazing sports. It was truly a collaboration, and damn…we got some gorgeous images. I cannot wait for their wedding–knowing what I know about them, it will be one hell of a party…and full of love, too.