Eric & Kristin

Their Wedding Day

September 26, 2009

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I met Eric and Kristin through my friend Mara. They've been such a wonderful couple to work with, and I couldn't feel more fortunate that they found me! Their wedding day was absolutely lovely, and filled with emotional and happy moments. Kristin made sure that every last detail of the day was planned for, which made for an even more beautiful day!

The happy couple opted to meet before the ceremony to take photos together, this way there wouldn't be a rushed feeling between the ceremony and reception. Eric and his beautiful bride to be shared a wonderful moment together by the fountain in Adam's Park in Wheaton, IL.

Their beautiful candlelit ceremony at First Baptist Church in Wheaton resulted in many shared tears in the congregation, as Kristin surprised Eric by singing him a song that she wrote for him.

Their reception was held at Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville, IL. Their celebration was the perfect ending to a beautiful day.

Congratulations to you both again! May your future together be filled with endless photographs of beautiful moments shared :)

~amy

Sometimes the News Can Be Exciting...
September 17 & 18, 2009
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When escaped convict, Robert Maday, got away from two guards, we helicopter folks immediately got a phone call for news footage yesterday. We spent several hours hovering over Arlington Heights with no sign of the fugitive.

Today we received word, in the middle of our morning show, that he had been spotted hijacking a car in Hoffman Estates. We again did quite a bit of hovering over THIS scene.

As exciting as chases can seem, there are a lot of times when you are forced to wait for more information and direction to come your way. This is the bulk of my job with the news helicopter, and can oftentimes challenge one's patience. THANKFULLY, the waiting came to an end when we heard of a bank robbery in Bloomingdale, less than a mile from my home. We spent much time hovering over this area searching along with the FBI, U.S. Marshall, and several teamed up police forces from surrounding areas. We were listening to as many scanner frequencies as possible, and roaming around based on tips we had heard over the air.

We got a tip that he had been in St. Charles, and headed out that direction. No Mayday. Shortly thereafter, the stations agreed that this could go on for hours with no sight of the fugitive. They sent us on our way. We had been flying about 6 hours at that point. Less than a half an hour on the ground later, we were dispatched back up to the air in order to get footage of the freshly captured idiot. He caused a car crash in West Chicago at the intersection of James and Rt. 59.

Almost 12 hours of total flight time later, as well as several vocal cameo appearances on NBC, Fox, and several online live feeds by yours truly, we were all relieved for many reasons (especially being on the ground again for at least a while).

Here's the story on James Mayday, along with a copy of his affidavit (available on Fox Chicago's website). Feel free to watch the video footage, which I shot, on either NBC 5 Chicago or Fox Chicago. OH! And if you're wondering about the camera shaking - the gyroscopes in my camera have been faulty for some time now. It truly wasn't a reflection on my competence as a camera operator, I assure you.

Do Your Part!
Cruisin' for Courtney
Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk
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There are only a handful of days left to make your donations for the Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk for 2009. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 26th. This year, I have made a donation from my personal earnings from shooting weddings towards the Cruisin' For Courtney team. Several friends and family members of Courtney Ksepka put this team together in her memory, as heart disease took her life suddenly about a year ago. They will be participating in this walk in the Downers Grove area. As a side note, this event is taking place on what would have been Courtney's 27th birthday.

Please consider volunteering for this event, or by making a donation to hep fund the American Heart Association's mission to prevent and create awareness about this disease!

I also want to take this time to remind you of four other great causes that I am supporting again this year:

The Prevent Cancer Foundation

Children International

The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

and

The Shannon Sperando Cancer Fund

A More Formal Welcome
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I just wanted to share a little bit about my team as I formally announce each member... I'll be introducing more people as time goes on!

Jacqueline Mulligan - Designer and Photo Retoucher

Jacqueline is a guru in design and photo retouching. She has several years of professional experience, as well as an educational background in design. I am so pleased to have her as a member of my team!

Jacqueline and I will be working with each of our clients to design the perfect albums, books, and unique photography products designed especially to suit everyone's individual needs and taste.

Jacqueline is more than just a designer, but a dear friend of mine and my family.

Dori Russel - Travel Agent

Dori has become a great friend, and a wonderful woman for me to work with for all of my travel arrangements. She is incredibly passionate about what she does, and takes care of her clients as though they are her best friends. She continually works to find the best arrangements for travel, even after trips are booked.

Dori has experienced endless different countries around the world throughout her travels, and would love to help you plan your adventures too! Feel free to contact her via email at dorirussell@cox.net

Be sure to mention that you found her through Amy Aiello Photography - she'll be sure to take extra special care of you!

Jonathan & Jenni
September 12, 2009
Naperville, IL
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Jonathan and Jenni were incredibly fun to work with back when we shot their engagement session, and their wedding was no different. Lots of laughs were had, and all kinds of wonderful and unique things about this wedding made it exciting to see. These two even had a lighting designer create a fantastic look for their reception!

The ceremony and reception were both held at Hotel Arista in Naperville, IL. I absoultely loved the contemporary feel of this hotel - it really suited the couple!! Jonathan and Jenni opted to see each other before the ceremony to take photos, and so Jonathan waited with his back turned towards his beautiful bride to be as she walked towards him to greet each other for the first time. It was really a special and beautiful moment!

We headed over to the riverwalk in Naperville to take a few photos, and then made our way back to the hotel for the rest of the day. Everything went by in a flash. Jonathan and Jenni were incredibly happy, as were all of their family and friends.

I hope you both enjoy your mini getaway this week! Congratulations to you both, and many well wishes to you in your new life together!

xoxo

~amy

They're Here!!
September 7, 2009
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My new sample prints arrived today: one metal, one acrylic and one metal mural. Here's how they turned out!

Metal












Acrylic









Metal Mural

Don't forget about the discount going on from now until Thanksgiving - 27% off in celebration of my 27th birthday!

Use coupon code amys27 at www.amyphotochicago.com (non wedding site) to receive the discount.

Melissa and Family
September 6, 2009
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Melissa first contacted me before I left for New Zealand about a family portrait session. When I returned, we started planning for the shoot. I LOVED her style right when we started talking, and was super excited about the shoot. Her idea was to do a shoot with her family with a sort of a theme, if you will, of 'after the party.'

We headed over to downtown West Chicago on Sunday morning to create this sort of a grungy feel to their photos. Melissa did a fabulous job choosing clothes for everyone to wear! We did have a little difficulty getting all of the children to get into the shoot, but we managed to capture a few winning shots. After the family shots were taken, Melissa changed clothes really quickly to take photos by herself.

Thanks so much for contacting me, Melissa - it was such a fun shoot!!!


~amy