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2009 rewind

It’s been a great 2009!  I know I’m a little late for this post, but due to personal reasons, it was delayed longer than expected… Anyway, better late than never… First of all, we would like to say thank you to all our clients who have become part of our lives in 2009, without you guys, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love to do.  Thank you to our families who have supported us from day one with our photography.  Thank you to our parents for watching Misha on the weekends while we go out and shoot.  Thank you to all of our fans on Facebook for their continued support.  And last, but definitely not least,  thank you to all our blog readers, especially to those who comment on our blog posts… We read each and every comment and we appreciate you taking the time to leave us a message!

As you can see, Andy and I have been working hard on some of the back end of our business with our new blog look :)  It’s a work in progress and there’s definitely more to come.

It is now 2010 and we would like to take a moment and reminisce about the major things that happened in 2009.

In February, we went to our very first photography conference known as WPPI where wedding and portrait photographers from all over the world go for seminars and the tradeshow.  If you are a wedding or portrait photographer, I highly recommend going!  We’re definitely going this year which is actually going to be held in March (instead of February).  Here’s more info if you’re interested.  Going to WPPI truly got our gears in motion for our 2009 season and we’re very excited for what’s in the works for our 2010 schedule.


In March, we had the opportunity to host a free photography seminar which consisted of different photographers with varying skill levels across the board.   We had a chance to photograph models and study available light shooting.  We had called our seminar “let’s shoot with Misha Media“.  People have been asking us if we will be hosting another seminar this 2010.  Andy and I actually haven’t decided if we’re going to or not.  We will definitely let everyone know if we do decide to have another one.  If we do host one, it will be in the month of March again… so stay tuned!  We also started a Facebook Group “Let’s shoot with Misha Media“  and we were thinking of taking a different route for it this 2010.  We used to have monthly ‘contests’ but we noticed that some photographers didn’t always submit their photos… So stay tuned for the changes that we’ll be doing for that.  Members of the group will be notified.

At the end of March, we went to NYC for my cousin’s wedding Karen & Jayr.  No, we did not photograph their wedding… we were guests!  Our friends out in New Jersey,  MPW Media Group documented their day and they did an amazing job!  Although we weren’t the offical photographers for their wedding, we did have a chance to capture an engagement session while we were out in New York.  Here’s their my blog post and below is my favorite.

Aside from spending time with family, we had a chance to visit the actual B&H Photo Video store where we buy most of our gear… and man, we were like kids in a candy store!  We shot around as we walked the streets of NYC and here’s my fave:

We also had a fashion shoot on a roof top in New York.

After New York, we drove to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

… and shot some images at night

In 2009 my parents celebrated their 60th birthdays.  I love them and without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

In April, we also had the opportunity to photograph an engagement session in Wrigley Field and had tons of fun doing it!  Thanks Liz & Nevin!

We officially started our 2009 season in April, with our first wedding of the year with Cathy & Mike.

In May, we had the honor of capturing Noelle & Joey’s wedding

Mindy & Doug

And in May, my lil sis graduated from UIC College of Education.  I love you Stine!

Majka & Ziggy started off our June weddings

Hanna & Christian

Liz & Nevin

“E & J”

In the beginning of July, we went to the Philippines for my brother Chris and Gilda’s Wedding.  This time, I was a bridesmaid, Andy was a groomsman, and Misha, a flowergirl :) The official photographer for their wedding was Dino Lara.

I did photograph their engagement session here in Chicago back in 2008 :)

When we got back from the Philippines, we hit the ground running for  Gina & Josh’s wedding at the end of July.

In August, we received an Accolade of Excellence award in the 8×10 print competition for WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) in the Engagement Category.  Click here to see our winning image.

Our August clients : Miriam & Andrew

Liz & Tyler

Diana & Roger

Meann & Brainard

Our September couples

Cheryl & Rich

Robilyn & Darell

Lisa & Eric

Maria & John

Robbie & Joe

Sadly, on September 25th,  the Philippines was devastatingly hit by a typhoon called Ondoy.  We hosted a photo fundraiser “Shoot for a cause : Ondoy Typhoon Relief” and we were able to raise $3,000 and collect 6 large boxes of canned goods.  It was a huge success!   Thank you to those who donated their time, money, and goods!

October brides & grooms:

Amy & Nadeem

Dana & Mike

November:

Kaori & Anthony

Lyssette & Richard

And last but not least, our last wedding of 2009 in December : Leslie & Brad

Seeing all of these images really brought back some great memories.  Thank you to all of our 2009 couples for choosing us and providing us with the opportunity to photograph your wedding and allowing us to continue to do what we love to do!  We had such a great time and you’ll be forever in our hearts.

Thank you for being a part of our growing Misha Media family.

Michele and Andy

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2009 weddings

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:: leslie & brad ::


Here’s to our last wedding of 2009!  Congratulations to Leslie & Brad!  First of all, we’d like to say thank you to Melissa & Clark for referring Leslie & Brad :)  We love referrals because awesome couples refer awesome friend-couples, resulting in an awesome wedding!  And it definitely was… A special thanks to Marcia and her team of An Urban Affair for coordinating their wedding.  It truly made our jobs a lot easier!

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Leslie & Brad got ready at the Blackstone Hotel where their reception was held.

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB06Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB04A James Ciccotti Bridal Shoes

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I just love how the light fell on her dress… I don’t always get such strong light coming in through the window and I had to take advantage :)

Dress by Pronovias

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB09Gorgeous Bride!

Make up by Andie Cumber

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Handsome Groom!

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I’m blogging on the above and below image… I couldn’t decide which one I liked better…

Sometimes when you’re shooting, all you have to do is look at the bigger picture and it really makes a huge difference in composition… :)

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB15Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB23Shortly after the reveal.  We had a late ceremony so Leslie & Brad chose to see each other.

If you’re having a late fall/winter wedding, this is a really good option to think about because of the light… The sun sets as early as 4:15pm in the early winter in Chicago.

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Brad + Groomsmen

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB34Leslie + Bridesmaids

Dresses by Watters and Watters

Flowers by Fleur Chicago

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Abbey Road by the Beatles

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“Ask for forgiveness, not permission”

It was just a ‘quick’ shot anyway… and very well worth it!  Thank you, bridal party, you guys rocked it out for Leslie & Brad! :)

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB46Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB53Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB66Their ceremony was held at the Fourth Presbyterian right on Michigan Ave.

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB55The Blackstone Hotel

Blackstone-Hotel-Chicago-LB70They had Molly’s cupcakes for their wedding cake!

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Thank you!

Michele and Andy

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Last but not least, thank you to all the vendors whom we had the pleasure of working with:

Wedding Coordinator: An Urban Affair

Make up: Andie Cumber

Florist : Fleur

Cake : Molly’s Cupcakes

Music : Lynne Jordan & the Shivers

Church : Fourth Presbyterian

Venue : The Blackstone Hotel

Next blog : 2009 Year in Review

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:: lyssette & richard ::

Congratulations to Lyssette & Richard!  It was only a few weeks before their wedding when we last saw Lyssette and Richard for their engagement session.  And wow did we luck out twice on weather!  It was a bit more chilly on their actual wedding day, but we were still happy that there was no rain or snow :)

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Lyssette got ready at the Westin on Michigan Ave.  where their wedding reception was also held.

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Such a stunning bride!

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Richard and his groomsmen…

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Lyssette and mom as they walked down the aisle… Their ceremony was held at St. Mary of the Angels in Chicago


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The Westin on Michigan Ave.

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This was shortly after their entrance.  I love the welcome feel of all of their friends and families in the middle of the dance floor!

Every reception should start out with an up-beat music that everyone can dance to with the bride and groom!

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Richard’s parents were enjoying the reception from their seats…

so Richard brought the dance floor to his parents… Love it!

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Hands down, the best dressed chocolate covered strawberries I’ve ever seen =D

yummmmmm….

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Thank you for such a memorable wedding!

Michele and Andy

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:: antoinette & rod : engaged! ::

Antoinette & Rod are so cute together!  We got lucky and caught the tail end of the fallen leaves! :)  We had so much fun getting to know you guys and we cannot wait for your wedding next year!

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Doesn’t this picture remind you of Farmville?  LOL… Sorry I had to do it!

Lincoln Park Zoo

2001 North Clark Street · Chicago, IL 60614 · 312-742-2000

Michele & Andy

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