Chicago Wedding Photographer

My cousin was busy planning her 2014 wedding when she asked me to not only design her wedding invitations, but to take her wedding photos. I graciously accepted the honor of designing her invitations….that came easy to me as a graphic designer, but I wasn’t sure about taking pictures for a wedding. I insisted that she hire someone with experience. Although photography classes were my favorite during my time at UIC, I knew that the pictures taken  on your wedding day are the most important photos you’ll ever have. After doing some research on wedding photography she came back and asked me again. She believed in my creativity and talent. I accepted and asked my brother (Isai) to join me. It was a nerve wrecking day, and I’m sure there were times my hands were shaking. I am the type of person that doesn’t know how I feel about something until the project is complete, but that night I felt like I did something great. I received a text message from my cousin when the editing was done. She shared with me how emotional she got, and how happy she was to relive the excitement of her wedding day.  My greatest joy from creating, whether it is in design, cake decorating, or photography, is knowing it brings joy. That’s when I knew I needed to give photography a try as more then just a hobby.

So that's my story. I am now a wedding photographer! It's so much fun to say that! I have at least 5 weddings I will be second shooting this year, and I am talking to a few others for a wedding I'll shoot on my own. This is totally nerve wrecking, but this year has been a true test. It's been hard. I am putting up my fists though and fighting for a better future. Fighting for my dream career. I can't wait to shoot! Check out my work here! 

*The first photo above was taken at the Abbey Resort and Avani Spa in Lake Geneva. That destination wedding was so much fun! The second one was taken in champaign Illinois! I love the vintage wedding theme! 

Engagement Cake

I love making cakes. There is something so special about the reaction people have when they see a cake I've made that makes me want to make a cake for every occasion! I've been too busy with work and school to actually do so, but now that I am working a little bit less, I hope to decorate a lot more. This one I love so much. I was so excited how great it looked and how well it held up (it was my first 2 tiered cake). I know why three tiers for an engagement cake? Go big or go home right? ;)

Cupcakes with a surprise inside!

Cupcakes with Cadbury eggs inside!

I saw a photo of this posted on Facebook and knew I had to try it! The recipe I saw used regular sized cupcakes with the large Cadbury eggs. I decided to make mini cupcakes instead with the mini Cadbury eggs to save money.

This is what you'll need.

• 1 Chocolate Duncan Hines Cake Mix (and the ingredients on the box for that)
• 2 packs of the mini Cadbury Eggs,
• Frosting! I used Ducan Hine's frosting Creations for the white frosting. 
• The pink frosting was actually royal icing and the recipe can be found here!
• Wilton's icing bags!
• Wilton's Lemon Yellow Icing Color, and Pink Rose Icing Color
• Tips from Wilton = 1M (yellow cupcakes),  2D (white cupcakes), and I believe the last one was tip 125 (pink cupcakes.
• Cupcake pan (I made mini and regular sized cupcakes)
• Cupcake liners - I purchased mine from thebakersconfections
• Pearl like sprinkles. I purchased mine at Ross.

All you need to do is make the mix like it is instructed on the box. Fill the cupcake liners 1/2-3/4 full. Push a mini Cadbury egg into the center. Bake as instructed on the box. I believe the mini ones were baked for about 12 minutes.

Once it's cooling start make the royal icing. Dye with Wilton's icing colors. I chose easter colors! Put a tip in the bag. Then decorate!  ( I used royal icing, because my assistant (aka mom) made that instead of buttercream. The royal icing, despite my hesitations, came out great. 

It was soooo good, and it received a lot of compliments. 

How to video on how I did the frosting!

Wedding Photos at Kitchen Chicago

I am still waiting for my photos from the wedding, but I do have a few photos shot just outside and inside (by the staircase) of Kitchen Chicago! They came out great! Kitchen Chicago is a fantastic venue, and the outside made it very rustic/urban meets chic.

Plus take a peek at my new blog and wedding photography website: www.melissaisaiphotography.com

My Etsy shop

Come visit my new etsy shop!!!! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Spilltheink?ref=si_shop

It's just a few Save the Dates, but I hope to expand very soon! 

6 months & Goals

I haven't written in this blog in so long. I always wanted to be that blogger that everybody loves to read, but instead I'm always on blogger just to read other great blogs. There is something so nice to get away by seeing great recipes or outfit posts. Anyway, for me, I'll try to be a better blogger.

My online portfolio is finally up. It still needs work and it needs to be updated.... But, here it is. You can visit it at meltang.com.

Joe and I just had our 6 month anniversary of being married! I can't believe how the time has gone by. I love waking up and falling asleep next to him. There is something just so relaxing about spending time at home with him.

The only bad thing? Well, being a "housewife" means cooking and cleaning and it is hard! It's hard when you've never had any responsibility at home before. I'm far from being the perfect wife, but it will get easier with time right? I know I sound like a giant baby, but I'm just being honest. It's annoying to clean. haha. I don't know how two people can accumulate so many dishes! Joe is a giant help though, and does more then I could ever ask for. He's great, so I try to make up for it by cooking every once in a while. I'm tired of eating out, but it's so much easier and it's almost addicting. My goal is try to get better, eat healthier, cook more, and work out!

A bigger goal? With graduation looming around the corner, I am hoping to open up my own Etsy shop.
I already have a name and logo, I just need to work on the content a little bit more. Something, maybe fear of being a failure or just laziness, always seems to hold me back on working on it harder. Joe has been by me motivating me, but I need to push myself a little bit more as well.

To end a much lighter note....

my cute nephew

a preview from the first part of my wedding day!

Engagement Photos & Location ideas

We booked AEphotography to shoot our wedding photography. With our package came an engagement session. I was so incredibly nervous. I am not a model! Eric (the E in AEphotography) shot our session. He told Joe to tell me things in my ear and make me laugh..and boy did Joe make me laugh. That was the key to a successful shoot.  The smiles below are real. They laughing is real. The love? Also real. haha We had such a fantastic time! I mean it had to be a great day, we did it on my birthday (April 20th)!

There were so many photos! Here are just a couple of my favorites....

Location 1: Wicker Park - We found a hidden gem behind an abandoned paper company. This was in the ally. We loved the rugged Chicago look and thought it fit in well with our urban wedding theme. The photos below were taken within a few blocks from each other! 

Location 2: Lightology! This was a last minute decision. Ok, they all were. They morning of the engagement shoot we drove all around the city looking for the best spots. I somehow bumped into this one online the day before, though. With the photographer, we decided to go here! We made it just in time. They were about to close, but let us go the their roof for a few minutes. How beautiful and diverse is this roof! It had a great view and it is so wonderful that Lightoloy lets you go up to take photos! They also have really fantastic light fixtures and lamps btw.

Location 3: Montrose Beach! This is a beach that Joe and I have great memories with! It was either this spot or the John Hancock. We were worried about traffic and that it would be overcrowded since it was Friday night. I am so glad we went here! Can I just mention that it was FREEZING! The wind was crazy and the sand was whipping at my legs. We got some amazing shots though. 

lake+wind+waves=this misty raining look. 

Our hazy city in the background. How perfect. 

Ahh, twilight. The best hour to be out taking pictures! 

I'd say that this was a successful day. A special thanks to Cristi for doing my make-up! :)