Each year, Stritch hosts a large auction (2010 photos here) to raise money for their International Service Immersion & Global Health Fund programs. (Photos from our 2010 GHF trip to WV here.) This year, Carolyn and Mike won our photography package that we had donated to the auction, and we could not have asked for a better couple with whom to work!
Carolyn is a 4th year student at Stritch, and her husband, Mike, is a second year resident. While they have been married for two years, they are still clearly in the "honeymoon phase" -- their love for each other is evident! They made my job easy since I didn't have to prompt them to hold hands, hug, kiss, or smile at each other. :]
As for the location, we were at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. I've been waiting for nearly a year and a half for a good opportunity to do a session there. It's a gorgeous 1,700 acre (yes, you read that correctly) botanic garden with 16 miles of walking trails, 9 miles of paved bike paths, woodlands, grasslands, ponds, streams, and even a large shrub maze! It is so massive that it cannot be fully explored in an entire day -- let alone a three-hour portrait session! Fortunately, we were able to easily find many suitable spots on our first visit, and the weather could not have been more perfect. But if you find yourself visiting during the warmer months...wear insect repellant! ;]
Carolyn and Mike –- it was a joy working with you both! You were such great sports and never complained about traipsing long distances, sitting on the ground, or holding poses while being nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes. Thanks for being so awesome and making this portrait session a great memory for us!
