Exclusive 3D Photo Montage

I'm thrilled to be offering this new 3D photo montage! During the month of December I'm offering a free 3D photo montage of your wedding images to any couple choosing Packages 1 or 2.

Please email me or leave comments to tell me what you think.

Antonia & Sean: Wilmette Engagement Portrait

Antonia & Sean came into town for their engagement session last week and we met up at Wilmette's Gillson Beach...just down the street from my studio. It was so pretty with tons of fall colors still around.

They brought along their pup Athens. They got Athens from a shelter and are doing something special for their wedding that has to do with the shelter. I'm not giving away details in case it's a surprise for their guests...however one thing I can say is they're planning on using her photo for their Save the Dates.

Anyhow, Athens is so sweet. When she wasn't smiling for the camera she was digging in the sand.

View my Facebook biz page for more of my favorites.

A & S: I had a great time hanging out. I can't wait to hear your comments on these photos! Have a great Thanksgiving. Best, Kim.

Meghan & Jason: Engagement Portraits

I had the pleasure of photographing Meghan & Jason wedding last weekend. The weekend before we got together for this engagement session. They are a beautitul couple and I can't wait to post their wedding photos...coming soon!

Until then, I hope you enjoy these portraits (view more on my Facebook page):

Erin & Jim Tied the Knot November 7th...

Erin & Jim were married on Saturday November 7th at Chicago's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. It was so warm and sunny outside, it was a great day.

Their ceremony was held in a tent on the Museum grounds and the reception was indoors. During the cocktail hour guests were able to walk around the museum, I went into the butterfly room and got a little butterfly phobic...they are everywhere and are not afraid of people at all!

Erin & Jim are a classy couple and their wedding was no different. These are some of the people that helped make it beautiful:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Catering: Food For Thought
Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet
Shoes: Caparros
Bridesmaids Dresses: (various...each bridesmaid selected her own.)
Tuxedos: the groom wore Jack Victor and groomsmen were in Joseph Abboud
Hair Design: Michael Anthony Salon & Spa
Makeup Design: Ulta
Limo: Empire Limousine
Florist: Robert's Floral Design Studio 773.836.9680
Cake: Dinkel's Bakery
Program/Menu: Kristin Neperud Merz of Unscribbled, Inc.
Musicians: Belle Music
Tent: Partytime Productions

I've included some of my favorite photos mainly of details here...tons more are on my facebook page. Check it out and become a fan!

One of the many things I really liked was the program and menu. They had one large program presented at the entry of the ceremony and one large menu at the entry of the reception. This saved on paper waste and is so Green...just like Erin & Jim.When the cake was served, it included a slice of white chocolate.

I wish you both the best. Erin you're a doll and Jim is so sweet. I'm so honored I was chosen to be a part of your day. xoxo, Kim.

Lisa & Brian were married November 6th!

Lisa & Brian were married a few weeks ago at The Cotillion. It was decorated very pretty with fall colors. Here are some of my favs...you can find more on my Facebook page.

Some Details:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Cotillion

Florist: Belmonte Brothers Florist

DJ: Kevin at Show on the Road

Cake & Sweets Table: Domino's Pastries

Hair & Makeup Design: Tammi Charlie Ravenscraft

Officiant: Tom Serek (Lisa's brother)

Congratulations Lisa & Brian. You were a blast to work with!

Paul & Erica: Hitched Last Night!

Erica and Paul were married last night in Elmhurst, IL at her family's church Immaculate Conception. We went to Graue Mill and the forest preserve in Hinsdale for formals with the bridal party. Transportation was provided by Village Trolley & Tours. The reception was at Meson Sebika in Naperville. The food was so delicious - my favorites were the tapas! Florals and cake were Wendy & Leslie of All Things Elegant. Gregg Eisel of Sounds Abound was great too!

This is just a sneak peak...more images are posted on Facebook. Check them out under my Facebook business page Kim Shokouhi Photography and become a fan!

Congratulations Erica & Paul. You're a fabulous couple and I had a ton of fun. Wish you lived closer - stay in touch! xoxo, Kim.

Proof: Originality can lead to Leadership

I saw this video today on YouTube and had to share it. I sometimes come up with quirky ideas and am told "no way, it will never work" or "that's too risky". This video proves to me that you can be different and everything will work out awesome.

Check it out.

Thanks Kim...

I love this email. They haven't even seen the images from their wedding and I feel like I've just received a big hug.

Hey Kim!

Just checking in with you and also wanting to thank you for the being so fabulous on our big day!! We received many compliments from friends and family regarding you and the nice job you did. You made us feel so comfortable, and you were very professional. We are so excited to see the photos! I have no doubt they will be awesome!

Thanks again Kim, you are so great!

Katie and Matt

Thanks Katie & Matt - your photos will be online next week and I can't wait for you to see the final product. They turned out beautiful.

Dan & Desirae: Hitched in Highland Park (Part Two)

This wedding was so incredible - quaint and beautiful at Dan's parents home in Highland Park, Illinois. There were so many details I was in love with that I couldn't choose the photos to blog...so this will be a bit longer than most. (Click here to see the slideshow with a more complete story).

The amazing vendors for Dan & Desi's wedding include:
Bridal gown was a Casablanca gown from Doris Bridal in Highwood.

Bridesmaid dress was a Vera Wang.

Hair was designed by Angie at Via Venuto in Highland Park.

The musicians were Michael Gallagher and his brother Tom from Chicago. (Fabulous vocals and guitar - at one point I thought I was listening to an IPOD - it was fantastic. Desirae also told me that Michael toured with Oprah in Europe...he is that good!)

The florals were from Art Quest in Highwood.

The tents were supplied by Indestructo in Des Plaines.

The cake and catering was provided by Designed Cuisine (a division of Catering by Michaels).

Michele Grossman of Designed Cusine assisted in the planning of the wedding and was also the day of coordinator. She also did Dan's sister's wedding 4 years ago at the Newberry Library in Chicago. (She comes highly recommended by this family.)

They had passed hors d'oeuvres for guests before the ceremony began along with pink champagne.Michael Gallagher...simply outstanding.

These were the place setting cards. They had beautiful multi-blue colored stones holding them in place.Desirae wanted Tiffany colors...beautiful.Yummy!I'm not sure what was mixed in this butter - but it was so pretty and looked delicious.I think this is one of my very favorites cakes of all time. I love it!Bar set up: Even the liquor matched the colored theme. :)The reception was tented behind the house.

All the food was presented so well - you didn't even need to taste it to know it was divine.Toasts with laughter are the best.It was a fabulous evening. Desi and Dan - you two are the best...xoxo, Kim.

My daughters and the sunflower field

I randomly came across this sunflower field a few miles from my house. I dressed my girls up and made them hike out to it with me so I could snap a few photos.I love being a mom...they are so sweet and they're growing up too fast.

Happy Anniversary: Jose & Krystal

Jose and Krystal were married one year ago today in Broomfield, Colorado at the beautiful Chateaux at Fox Meadows. This is a special post for me because this is the third wedding I have photographed for this family (referrals are the best compliment I can receive). But also...in one week, my hubbie Jian and I were married at the Chateaux seven years ago in 2002. :)

Here's a look back at some of the details from their wedding...

Krystal's parents surprised them with a Dove release.

I love mariachi's too.

Amazing orange decorations...so bright and the orange slices looked so fresh and yummy.I LOVE candy...thus, I love candy stations! Why didn't they think of this when I got married!

Congratulations Jose & Krystal. Love, Kim.

Wedding Chicks Preferred Vendor...Kim

I have been so excited about this news but I've been holding out on the announcement until everything was complete!

I've been chosen as a weddingchicks.com preferred vendor. I'm thrilled about this...because it's one of the blogs I love to read to stay on top of wedding trends.

I'd love for you to check it out - unlike the larger wedding planning sites...weddingchicks.com is dedicated for the creme de la creme of wedding pros.

Bride Wears Gown with 1.2 Mile Train!

Wow - I've never seen anything like this before...
http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/08/07/bride-weds-in-gown-with-1-2-mile-train/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main%7Cdl8%7Clink5%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F07%2Fbride-weds-in-gown-with-1-2-mile-train%2F

I don't think I'd want my guests to "unfurl" my dress for 3 hours! Would you?

Chicago Cover Band: South of 80

While I'm writing this post my memory jogs back to when I was a kid. I remember time passing so slow - I couldn't wait for the school year to be over and summer to start. Then summer became boring and I wanted to go back to school.

How is it that time goes so slow when you're young, yet so FAST as you grow older? I can't believe it's August already!!!...where did the summer go? Where has the year gone???

Anyway, back to my post...I went to John Barleycorn's in Schaumburg on July 17th and saw a local Chicago cover band: South of 80. My friend Katie's husband Frank is the keyboardist. They are so fun and sound awesome...definately recommend them to everyone!!!

I brought my camera along and took some photos of the band for fun...I sort of "Geek Out" with my camera and carry it around it too often.

So I can't believe it's already August 6th now and I haven't posted these photos on my blog. Helllooooo!

View more photos on the Kim Shokouhi Photography facebook page.

I handed the camera off to my husband Jian for a quick snapshot of us girls. (I'm the second from the left.)

Limited Offer: Colorado Family Portraits

I've continued to receive numerous requests for portraits from my Colorado Facebook Fans...which thrills me to announce my first "Portrait Marathon" in Denver!

I will be doing nine family/individual one-hour sessions at Wash Park in Denver on Saturday September 12th from 8am to 7pm.

This one-hour portrait session is $250 with an added BONUS of your favorite 20 images on a hi-res disk for FREE. This gives you the freedom to re-print your own photos and cards for the upcoming holidays and is an excellent way to save $$$.

Space is limited…contact me soon to choose the time slot that works best for your family!

http://ks-photography.com/slideshows/portrait-marathon

Photographed: Kris Malandruccolo

I had the opportunity to photograph a fellow wedding vendor and friend Kris Malandruccolo yesterday. Kris also a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants...which is how we met. She owns Elegant Videos By Kris located in Chicago's western suburb of Carol Stream. With more than 20 years of experience, Kris is an industry leader and often presents seminars for numerous wedding professionals and videographer events. She has also been featured in muliple local and national media including an article in U.S. News & World Report.

Kris was alot of fun to photograph. We began talking about this because she needed a new headshot for business use. Somehow we ended up taking fabulous photos that were much more than just a headshot.

Kris is the proud owner of a convertible Mustang. She brought it along to take some photos in it and it was so fun. I've never done car photos before...except when I was a senior in high school and the photographer took some photos of me in my Jeep! Anyhow - we went down into Evanston and parked her baby...brought along the red heels from my boudoir props just for the final touch!

We finished up at Wilmette's Plaza del Lago for some outdoor portraits.

While we were in the studio, Kris put on a dress and we did a few elegant boudoir photos she could surprise her hubby of 24 years with! I hope Bob enjoys his surprise! I had a great time...thanks for the break! xoxo, Kim.

Dan & Desirae: Hitched in Highland Park

It's 10pm on Saturday night and I just got home from an intimate wedding I will always remember. Dan & Desi got married this evening at Dan's parents house in Highland Park, Illinois. They are a beautiful couple with the sweetest personalites. The entire family was wonderful and I'm so happy I was chosen to photograph this day for them. It truly was a gorgeous wedding. This is just a sneak peak at two of my favorite images from the evening. A full post will be done soon! :)

Congratulations! I can't wait for you to see the rest. xoxo, Kim.

Engagement Portrait: Chicago

Meet Kelli & Kenny. I was introduced to Kelli & Kenny through my sororities' alumni newsletter. I was featured in it for a photography award I received and Kenny happened to be reading it. It's so funny...but amongst all the women I know from Sigma Kappa - only our husbands read the newsletter! I always thought they were just checking out the photos of the active members...I give credit to you Kenny for actually reading it.

Kelli went to school at Eastern Illinois and I attended Northern Colorado. I love that we have something in common and were so far apart. She's an awesome girl and I loved hanging out with them for this photo shoot.

We spent the morning around Chicago. Began at Lincoln Park Zoo, then off to Cadillac Palace, over to the Art Institute of Chicago and ended up at Millennium Park. I love these photos and truly cannot wait to photograph their September wedding at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin.

See you both soon! xoxo, Kim.

Engagement Portrait: Chicago

Laura & Todd were married a few weeks ago and I'm so excited to blog about their wedding soon. It was at Prosecco in Chicago...and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Until then, I wanted to share some of their engagement portraits we did this Spring. We went to Belmont Harbor on Lake Michigan and then a park near their home in Chicago. Enjoy...

Engagement Portrait: Highland Park

I photographed Dan & Desirae's engagement session on Friday. We were supposed to meet at Chicago's Botanic Gardens, but they were closed for a private event. So we ended up at Dan's parents house in Highland Park - which worked out great because this is where they are getting married in a couple of weeks, so we were able to get in a walkthrough the same day!

This happened to be our first face to face meeting also. They were fun to work with and after getting acquainted it was no problem getting them to laugh and relax. I'm really excited for their wedding...they are a cute couple and they both have a great personality.

Look for the wedding photos to come soon!

D&D: I had so much fun making you laugh - I can't wait for your wedding! See you soon, xoxo Kim.