Olivia Leigh Photographie Blog :: Photos and Experiences from a Chicago Wedding Photographer bio picture

Welcome //SCROLL FOR NEW PHOTOS//

My name is Olivia, and I am the owner and photographer of Olivia Leigh Photographie, a boutique photography studio based in Chicago, specializing mainly in weddings for unique clients across the country. I am so very lucky to do what I love every day -- to be allowed to observe and artistically interpret the love between what are truly the most divine clients from Chicago to New York, DC to San Francisco. If you are new, thank you for taking the time to take a peek; if you're a current client, stay tuned for the latest updates and work; if you're a lovely regular reader, thank you as always for reading and viewing.

My Chicago wedding blog is a collection of my recent work, wedding style that I adore (particularly fond of vintage and quirky details), other bits of inspiration and snapshots from my personal life as a Chicago wedding photographer. New posts will show up below, so scroll down!

You can view my rarely updated full wedding portfolio here. I definitely recommend searching the blog for the latest wedding photos!

Some summer posts you might enjoy:

Julie + Brett (architectural artifacts wedding) | Autumn + Brian (lake engagement) | Julie + Matt (sneak / wedding i / wedding ii / engagement / film) |  Mary + Dan (warehouse district engagement) |  Matt + Catherine (Chicago wedding) | Jessica + Jeff (lakeside wedding in Minneapolis)  | Classic NYC wedding

Modern Wing Wedding Photos [Art Institute] :: Sudhir + Chrissy

Chrissy and Sudhir were married at the end of December in what was a typical winter Chicago day — gray, slushy and cold! But despite the weather, they had one of my favourite weddings of the year, an elegant but relaxed celebration at the brand new Modern Wing at the Art Institute. This space is such a stunner, and made a gorgeous showcase of Chicago for their incredibly sweet friends and family who came from around the world to celebrate their wedding. I am photographing another wedding there in September and can’t wait to see how different the space will be in the warmer months, with guests taking advantage of the gorgeous terrace and bridge (where we took a few portraits below).

Regarding the portraits below, I think we wedding photographers talk a lot about getting our clients to trust us. It is so critical to getting great portraits — having that connection and trust. But I think we — or I, at least — forget that sometimes we also have to trust our clients! Chrissy and Sudhir gave me  little direction about where to do the portraits of them, telling me they trusted me, and saying they liked the industrial photos they’d seen in my portfolio before. Couples occassionally tell me to “do whatever I want,” but I think it can be really hard to trust that they really mean “whatever!” and not “whatever…by which we mean photos on Michigan Avenue.” Since it was my last wedding of the year, I decided to just go with it, to try to push it a little, and I could not be more happy with the results. These are my favourite type of pictures to take, and I hope it shows.

Thanks to all the vendors who were all just great! Hair and  Makeup: Krystyn & Samara of Bridal Beauty Chicago  // Flowergirl, ring bearer accessories (so cute!): my oh-so-talented past client,  Julie Booma  // Bridal jewelry: also by Julie, through Poesi jewelry// //Venue: Modern Wing/Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago 

unique chicago wedding photos at the swissotelartistic prep photos of modern wing wedding couple at swissotelchicago wedding photography at swissotel chicagoartistic romantic chicago wedding photography with texturesmodern wing wedding couple prep at swissotel chicagochicago wedding photos at swissotelartistic unique chicago wedding photography in winternontraditional unique chicago wedding photographycreative chicago wedding photography with sudhir and chrissycreative chicago wedding photography by olivia leigh photographiemodern wing wedding couple industrial wedding picturescreative chicago wedding photography olivia leighartistic chicago wedding photos of sudhir and chrissymodern wing wedding couple sudhir and chrissy artistic wedding photosmodern wing wedding couple sudhir and chrissy in the west looprooftop chicago wedding photos olivia leigh photographyblack and white chicago wedding film photographycreative chicago wedding photography of art institute couple sudhir and chirssywinter wedding cape chicago wedding photos in rockscreative chicago wedding photography in winterwinter chicago wedding photosthe publican chicago photos of wedding couplethe publican chicago photos of wedding couplethe publican chicago photos of wedding couplemodern wing art institute chicago wedding photoswedding photos in art museum art institute chicagochicago wedding photography at art institute chicagomodern wing chicago wedding photosart institute chicago wedding photosmodern wing chicago wedding photos sudhir and chrissyart institute chicago wedding photoscute wedding kids outfits flowergirl ringbearerapple wedding decor greengreen orange wedding details at modern wing terzo pianomodern wing chicago wedding photosdancing at modern wing wedding chicago art institutemodern wing chicago wedding photoswedding photos at terzo piano at art institute chicago modern wingwedding photos at the art institute chicago modern wingcreative wedding photos chicago millennium park bridge at nightromantic black and white winter wedding photos chicago

Chicago Boudoir Photography : Valentine’s Day Boudoir Specials!

Valentine’s Day is always one of the most popular occassions for boudoir photos, and if you’ve been procrastinating on finding an unexpected gift, I am teaming up with one of my favourite beauty companies for some amazing boudoir specials! On Sunday, January 24,  myself and Krystyn Johnson of Bridal Beauty Chicago will be hosting a day of boudoir sessions at a glamourous Michigan Avenue hotel. Krystyn will beautifully style your hair and makeup, and I will photograph you in the most flattering poses for one hour in a luxurious one-bedroom suite. After the session, you will be able to view a selection of your images to create the perfect Valentine’s gift! This is also a wonderful opportunity if you are planning ahead for a wedding or anniversary gift, as these “hotel included” boudoir sessions at this fantastic price usually only come around once a year!

chicago-boudoir-photography-special

A $525 session fee includes:

 

  • Hair and makeup styling by Krystyn Johnson of Bridal Beauty Chicago
  • A 60-minute photo shoot with Olivia from Olivia Leigh Photographie
  • Private, password-protected online gallery of all your images
  • Your choice of a beautiful silk brocade wrapped folio with 2 matted images or a $75 credit toward prints or an album (perfect if you are planning ahead for a great anniversary or wedding gift!)
  • Light refreshments

 

For more information or to book, feel free to email me at olivia [at] olivialeighweddings [dot] com!

Life as an Artform : CHICAGO

I don’t go to a lot of photography workshops. They tend to be a little on the expensive side, are rarely held in Chicago and one really never knows if the investment will be worth it! That said, ever since I heard about Jesh De Rox, about a year into starting my photography business, I have been wanting to go to one of his Life as an Artform workshops. This is one of the rare workshops that I have only ever heard great things about; how it is has been so transformative for many of my colleagues, both in terms of the way they approach relationship-driven photography and also in just how they approach their day to day life. 

Through a bit of serendipity I am so excited to say that Jesh will be visiting us here in Chicago, June 14/15-17, for his only date in the Midwest this year. The workshop will take place at my studio in the West Loop. I can’t wait to learn from him and also host a bunch of wonderful photographers who are interested in learning more about connecting with our clients. 

I know it is in June, when I know many of us are often busy, but for me, I imagine this workshop will come right when I am needing a little jolt of inspiration the most. If you are coming from somewhere else in the country, June is also one of the best months to visit Chicago!

Spots are limited; you can sign up here and get more info here.

Chicago History Museum Wedding Photos :: Jackie & Steve

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s! I was out in North Carolina for Christmas and Wisconsin for New Year’s, and I am so excited to share the last two of my 2009 weddings. Jackie and Steve were married in December, with a ceremony at the completely darling Resurrection Lutheran Church in Wrigleyville, and a reception at the gorgeous Chicago History Museum. Jackie looked stunning in her Monique Lhuillier gown and the oh-so-kind wedding party looked so classic and lovely in black and white. Jackie and Steve were one of my most relaxed couples of the entire year, making for a calm, fun day of shooting. Many thanks to Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali, who kept this wedding more on track than anyone I have ever seen! Ali also did a great job on the decor, adding a fun, graphic pink and damask flair to the elegant, traditional feel of the History Museum. 

Ceremony: Resurrection Lutheran //Reception: Chicago History Museum  // Dress: Monique Lhuillier // Shoes: Stuart Weitzman // Flowers: Tina & Dollie  // Coordinator: Engaging Events by Ali 

monique-lhuillier-wedding-dress-for-chicago-history-museum-weddingchicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevemonique-lhuillier-wedding-dress-with-white-rose-and-feather-bouquetchicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-steve-wrigleyville-ceremonychicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-pink-white-black-damask-decorchicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-stevechicago-history-museum-wedding-photos-jackie-steve

Brides: Chicago

A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Brides: Chicago for featuring Crista & Bill’s gorgeous wedding at the MCA throughout their new Spring/Summer 2010 issue. What a treat it was so open up and see the photos throughout! Brides always does a gorgeous job of selecting and laying out images, and this issue is no exception. Please pick up a copy to read more of Crista & Bill’s cute story and see much more beautiful wedding inspiration. (Need to actually sit down and scan these pages but some out-of-state friends were asking me to see, so photos it is!)
brides-chicago-magazine-museum-of-contemporary-art-mca-wedding-100abrides-chicago-magazine-museum-of-contemporary-art-mca-wedding-102brides-chicago-magazine-museum-of-contemporary-art-mca-wedding-103brides-chicago-magazine-museum-of-contemporary-art-mca-wedding-106

2009

I was recently talking to someone who has known me very well for the past two years or so. We were chatting about how different this year has been for me, how many changes I have seen in my work, my personal life, my own life. We reflected on where we were last year around this time; what our states of mind were, how we were feeling about the year that was to come, etc. To be honest, I was pretty terrified about 2009. I was so excited about the couples that I had booked for 2008, but it was my first year as a solely full-time photographer, and I had absolutely no idea how 2009 would shape up to be.

Needless to say, it shaped up to be phenomenal.

I have been reflecting on 2009 for the past few weeks, and I feel such a strange and wonderful mix of humbled, surprised, excited, flattered, and many other emotions of the positive variety. My clients this year were, in a word, wonderful. Just absoultely wonderful. I watched the slideshow that I made below and felt so excited for all of them — for all of you — remembering back to their wedding days and how incredible all of them were. I think what has struck me most about the clients I have met this year has been their overwhelming authenticity. They are such true people, so kind, so honest, so real, and I hope the truth of who they are as people and as couples has come across for their friends and families, as well as readers of this little blog.

I know my words are flowery, emotional, maybe silly to some. My friends make fun of me sometimes for saying how amazing all my clients are, such that I tried to go into a few weddings this year thinking “It will just be an okay wedding. They will be just ‘nice.’ Not amazing, or the nicest groom ever, or the most thoughtful bride ever, or whatever superlative I might choose for them.’” but every couple has really shown me unique things this year, been brought to me at I think the right time to be able to show me something I needed or wanted to see.

It was a wonderful year.

I hope you all enjoy this little retrospective slideshow I made with my favourite wedding photos of the year. There are a lot of images. I am not a very judicious person, unfortunately, and I doubt many of you will sit through the whole thing, but I hope a few of you enjoy it. There are actually two weddings missing from it — a great wedding from the History Museum last weekend, and one from the Modern Wing tomorrow (!), but those will be coming soon.

Thank you so much to all of my clients this year. Really truly, you were the best and I don’t ever know if I will get a better group of clients in a year. Thanks to everyone who took me to amazing places around this country! Thanks to the amazing couples for 2010 that have already booked me and made me much less nervous about 2010.  Thanks to all the photographers I worked with this year including Daniel Kreiger in NYC, Debbie Hinz in Minneapolis, Kelsey Thompson in D.C., and Luis Bueno and Frank Lieu in Chicago, and my intern Jordan Freeman. Thank you also to all the vendors who have been so fantastic this year (too many to name), particularly Natalie Walsh at Hello, Darling; Renny Pederson and crew at Bliss Weddings + Events; the amazing, amazing group of people at Kehoe Designs; Kiri and Brett at Pen Carlson; Josh and Melissa Mitchell at Continuum Photography; and Carolyn Dunahoo at Sutton Place,  all of whom have been particularly encouraging of my business and its growth this year.  Thanks as always, too, to my wonderful parents who were so helpful when I started this little business, my wonderful friends (Laura!), and my wonderful boyfriend, Joel, who has learned more about weddings in the past nine months than any twenty-something guy deserves to.

I hope everyone has a blessed holiday season and a wonderful New Year’s Day. My studio will be closed Dec 22-27, and Dec 31-Jan 4. Can’t wait for 2010.