See more Patrick Haley Mansion photography here.

This wedding took place at the beautiful Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet, IL.  Lexie was such a beautiful bride her new husband Rich was a hoot.  We had a great time together.  We started the day at Lexie’s mothers beautiful Shorewood home.  Then traveled to downtown Joliet for some fun shots near the Realto Square Theatre.  We ended the day at the Patrick Haley Mansion where the ceremony and reception took place.  It was a beautiful day and we had a blast partying the night away with an awesome bride and groom.

Thank you Lexie and Rich for the great time and the new friendship!!!

Chicago Photo Booth | Downers Grove Wedding Photographer | Chicago Wedding Photographer

This amazing wedding took place at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL.  Just about an hour and a half southwest of Chicago.  Starved Rock has to be one of my favorite places for a wedding getaway.  The lodge is beautiful and the scenery is second to none.  This wedding was no exception.  I have to say, Laci and Ian are, what I like to refer to as, “beautiful people”.  We all wish we were as good looking as these two.  At least I do, lol.  It was virtually impossible for me to take a bad picture of them.  To top it all off, they were genuinely just good hearted people which made my job just that much easier.  For this Chicago wedding photographer, this is as good as it gets.  See more Ottawa, IL wedding photographer photo’s by Corlis Gray here, and Ottawa, IL wedding photography here.  You can also see Laci & Ian’s Chicago engagement session here.

I probably looked pretty silly from other people’s perspectives, but laying on the floor and adding a slight camera tilt, gave this shot a little edginess.

Here the shallow depth of field draws your attention to the groom gazing at his soon to be wife.

I love the very editorial look of this photograph.  The punchy colors ad to the drama of this photo.  Just a small note, this was NOT posed.  I just captured a really stunning moment of Laci gazing out the window of the trolley, just soaking in the days events.

Here the shallow depth of field and the sharpness of Laci really brings out her eyes.  They are almost mesmerizing.  It doesn’t hurt that she’s done some modeling either.  LOL.

In this image I placed a flash behind Laci and Ian as they were dancing to capture a silhouette of them dancing while using another flash to give a slight fill light.  With the long shutter speed I could grab some of the ambient light surrounding them and in the background.  I think it’s a wonderfully romantic image.

Ian and Laci, you are truly two very wonderful people, and I wish you all the best.  Your wedding was almost as rockin’ as you!

-Corlis :: Contact Me

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth

Chase and Karen had a beautiful destination wedding in the Bahamas.  Unfortunately I wasn’t invited LOL, but I did get the opportunity to photograph their reception when they returned.  The reception took place at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica, IL.  At first I was a little apprehensive about what the quality of their banquet facilities might be since this is more of a family getaway facility with water parks and carnival rides.  But I have to admit, the banquet hall was stunning!  It was really well decorated with beautiful lighting and a superb staff.  Not only that, with a “carnival” near by it was ridiculously fun!  hopping on rides with a wedding party is more fun than you might think .  Here’s a little taste.

See more Ottawa, IL wedding photography here, from Ottawa wedding photographer Corlis Gray Photography.

I caught these two love birds having a quiet moment outside of the banquet hall.  I love the direction lighting falling on the couple and the tonality it adds to the picture.

I thought this cool ambiant light the DJ had set up along the wall really made the cake pop.  A little camera tilt gave the image a little more flair.

This silky black and white image beautifully captures Karen and Chase happily gazing at each other during their first dance as husband and wife.

I know this seems out of place but I just couldn’t resist.  At Grand Bear they had this cute baby leopard.  Check out the bling this cat is rockin’!

The lovely couple riding this awesome carousel at the amusement park.

And last but not least, who can resist a quick kiss in front of the swing buggy?!  It’s like blinky light heaven! LOL.

A special thanks to Chase and Karen for the amazing time we had at your beautiful reception.  And an extra extra special thanks to the wonderful staff at Grand Bear Resort.

-Corlis :: Contact Me

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth

What I like about this shot: The light was perfectly soft underneath the umbrella on this bistro table which allowed me to perfectly expose for their faces.  I thought it was great that I could get the name  Cafe Brauer into the shot to document the beautiful location we were at.

I added a little vignette to this image to focus our attention on the beautiful couple.  Notice how Laci has created a broken angle with her leg, adding more drama to this image.

This close up is just amazing!  There are some beautiful highlights in their eyes giving them a sparkle.  We were in some beautiful shade on this one which gave us really great and even skin tones.

I used a fairly shallow depth of field on this image to give it a more artistic look and to get rid of some of the distractions in the background.  I love the relaxed expressions on their faces, they were naturals!

This is a really fun and playful image.  The light breaking through the trees in the back ground adds drama, and since the couple were fully shaded the skin tones are beautiful.  The shallow depth of field draws the viewers attention directly to the subject.

I walked around for a while to find this spot.  It was pretty difficult being that it was downtown Chicago.  I love the contrast of nature meets urban landscape in this one.  It looks like they are spending the perfect afternoon downtown picnicking.

I cant say enough how much of a great time I really had with you guys.  I love any excuse to get to the city and just spend a day taking in the sights and I couldn’t think of two better people to do it with!

-Corlis :: Contact Me!

Downers Grove Wedding Photographer | Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago | Chicago Photo Booth

Audrey and Mark are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.  They are truly genuine and kind spirited people.  I really enjoyed this shoot because they were just so playful! They had no problem gettin’ a little dirty AND WET.  It was just like going hiking with two good friends I’d known for years.  The engagement photography was done at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL.  (It sure does seem like I’m there an awful lot doesn’t it? Maybe I should just move out there and become the “Starved Rock Photographer” LOL.)  See more Starved Rock engagement photography here, by Starved Rock engagement photographer Corlis Gray, and Starved Rock engagement photo’s here.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

I just love doing this shot.  People are always so much more relaxed when the pose isn’t really a pose.  The greatest expressions always come when a couple is simply interacting naturally.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

This shot is so great!  I told Mark and Audrey to play and have some fun and that is exactly what they did.  All of my clients and friends know I like to get a little dirty when I’m shooting, so I’m glad they joined in the fun.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

This shot is great because Mark was being such a gentleman.  He volunteered to carry his lovely fiance’ out of the water.  Plus the contrast of the rock behind them was just beautiful.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

I love this depth of field photograph.  It really draws the attention to the flip flops in the sand and gives you the impression they’re in some cove in the tropics or something.  Even though their just at Starved Rock.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

Genuine Smiles!  They always come after the fake one people give for the photographer.  LOL.  This is one of those special moments I look for when people think I’m not shooting.

Chicago Wedding Photographer

Audrey has some beautiful eyes and I wanted to capture that.  I love how they are dead center and your eye is drawn there immediately.

Thank you guys for such a fun time.  You know how I like to get dirty and roll around on the ground and you had NO problem with that.

-Corlis :: Contact Me!

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding | Destination Wedding Photography | Downers Grove Photographer | Chicago Photo Booth

When it comes to happy smiling people, these two take the cake!  Chris and Jeanette have no trouble finding something to smile about.  We had a wonderful time exploring the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  I especially love the fact they didn’t have a problem getting a little dirty and going off the beaten path.  Although the day began a bit wet with ominous clouds overhead, God saw fit to open up the sky just for us, and we had a beautiful shoot.  Here’s a little peek   You can see more Chicago Botanic Gardens engagement photography here, by Chicago Botanic Gardens engagement photographer Corlis Gray Photography.

Thanks Chris and Jeanette for the really great time and all the laughs!

-Corlis

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth

Julia and Shane are a super cute couple.  We had a really great time exploring the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  I absolutely fell in love with the Japanese garden!  I had no idea you could create Bonzai Trees that big!  LOL.  Although the heat was a bit intense we pushed through and were rewarded with some beautiful light at sunset   The sweetest part was that this was were their first date took place 4 years ago.  Awwww   You can see more Chicago Botanic Gardens engagement photography here, by Chicago Botanic Gardens photographer Corlis Gray Photography.

Special thanks to Shane for the great tour of the gardens.

-Corlis

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Downers Grove Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth

I separated Jonathan and Jamie and shot with a wide angle lens to show the immenseness of this canyon.  The vintage processing really gives this photograph an aged appearance and brings out the contrast detail of the waterfall.

Here the sun is acting as a hair light intensifying the dimension and the separation from the background.

Here the shallow depth of field diminishes the distractions of the background and brings your attention to the beautiful couple.

I love this natural pose.  It really shows a true interaction between Jamie and Jonathan.  No fake smiles here.

I used a lot of negative space in this photograph to accentuate the towering trees and show how vast this forest really was.

This canopy of evergreens was just too beautiful to pass up with the sun setting behind them.  The long shadows add to the drama along with Jamie and Jonathan being silhouetted with a halo of light around them.

Thank you Jonathan and Jamie for spending the day with me in such a beautiful place just getting to know each other.  It was great to share a walk in such a beautiful place with some great conversation.

-Corlis :: Contact Me

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Downers Grove Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth

Yet another beautiful day at the Downtown Naperville River Walk!  I have to admit, it was a bit hot, but Anthony & Kristin were troopers!  Amidst the hustle and bustle of what seemed to be an entire town congregated in one location, we captured some truly beautiful moments of two wonderful people in love.  Even though we were surrounded by groups of people cheering on these two love birds, it looks as though no one else even existed at the moments they got lost  in each others eyes.  See more Naperville engagement photography here, and Naperville engagement photographer here.

Michelle and I had a wonderful time  hanging out with you guys, just walking and stopping for the occasional Corona

-Corlis

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth Rental

Zack and Amanda’s wedding took place at the beautiful St. Josephs Church in Manhattan, IL. From there we headed to an all to familiar place, the Oberwortmann Horticultural Center! You might remember it from a previous post of mine “What the heck is an Oberwortmann” LOL. Zack and Amanda are just good people. With pure hearts and a taste for country living. Here’s a little taste of their amazing and FUN FUN FUN wedding!   You can see more Oberwortmann wedding photography here.

P.S. The blog title is from a Phil Vassar song “love is a beautiful thing”…I just love that song…lol.

Corlis Gray Photography

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Naperville Wedding | Destination Wedding Photography | Chicago Photo Booth Rental