* Champaign Illinois * Engagement Photographer *
Traveling to Champaign, Illinois a couple of weekends ago I was very excited to see Lisa and Jordan again for their engagement session! It had been some time since I drove up and met them for coffee after they visited me at the Champaign Elegant Bridal Expo in January. We had hit it off pretty early and I was looking forward to learning more about them as a couple as well as meeting their furbaby, Ollie! With two crazy dogs at my own home, I always love getting extra snuggles from client’s pups! But, meeting Ollie would have to wait as we started their session downtown in a cute little area Lisa picked out. I knew Champaign was a college town with the University of Illinois campus right in the center of it all, but I had not really experienced it much. The downtown location had lots of restaurants, bars, and little shops. Lisa had pointed out an alleyway just beyond a few bar patios and we got some adorable shots of Lisa and Jordan walking hand and hand and snuggling up closely. There was joking that the shirt for Jordan that Lisa had paired with her dress was a thicker flannel, which was a bit warm on the toasty 80 degree day. Jordan was a trooper though and I think it paid off with amazing shots of the two. As we walked to the next location they told me all about their recent vacation where they road tripped to the east coast including many locations my family and I know well such as Philadelphia and Cape May, NJ. So it was great to hear about their adventures! We finished up downtown with a beer at the bar where they shared their first drink. Talking long into the night and hitting it off almost instantly! Cheers to the beginning of their love story!
Then we made our way over to the U of I Arboretum, which included lots of flower lined walkways, colorful benches, and fun bridges. And this is where little Ollie made his appearance! Lisa’s twin sister, Amy, brought over Lisa and Jordan’s furry son for his close up! This couple is completely over the moon for their puppy and it was so fun to see the three of them interact. We all made our way through the park, stopping along the way and giving Jordan the opportunity to share hugs and kisses with both Lisa and Ollie! The soon to be newlyweds were wonderful to work with giggling most of the time with one another and having no problem getting close to each other when I was photographing them (and even when I wasn’t). We, of course finished up playing with the sunset that dropped perfecting where we were walking at the park. The whole evening with Lisa and Jordan plus cutie Ollie was so nice, relaxing, and full of energy! I have no doubt their September 2018 wedding will be just as awesome!
Warm Regards,
Lauren
