Tag Archives: Chicago Event Photos

behind the scenes wedding photographer

Behind the Scenes Wedding Photographer | Chicago, IL

Unscripted Moments Wedding Photographer

Sometimes I have the pleasure of being hired to be the “behind the scenes” wedding photographer while another photographer is responsible for the portraits and “expected” moments. I love when I get this opportunity because I am there to catch the “off moment” moments and the fun stuff that happens when no one is looking.

Weddings are often filled with so many scripted things we know to watch for that it’s a true joy to look for the little moments that make up the bigger story. And Lisa and Jim’s wedding at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Illinois, was the perfect place to look for those moments!

The Groom Opening his Gift from the Bride
behind the scenes wedding photographerBridesmaids Watching the Bride Get Dressedbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerPre-Wedding Baileys Toastbehind the scenes wedding photographerQuick Visit with Grandpa Before the Ceremony
behind the scenes wedding photographerLast Few Moments with Dad Before Walking Down the Aislebehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerThe Main Eventbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerFamily and Friendsbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographerbehind the scenes wedding photographer

Would you like to see more examples of my event photography? Click here and here to see weddings I have photographed. Click here, here or here to see bar mitzvahs I have photographed. Click here for my Bar Mitzvah Photography Client Guide.

Interested in “day in the life” style photos of families? Click here, here and here to see examples of my family storytelling photography.

Ever thought about having a photographer capture the relationship between the grandparents and grandkids in your life? Grandparent Sessions make a great gift for any occasion. Click here, here and here to see examples of my Grandparent Session storytelling photos.

Would you like to talk to me about photographing your wedding? Please email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com with the date and location of your event and lets talk!

Instagram event photos: @SusanrkphotoEvents

Instagram family photos: @Susanrkphoto

Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/SusanRyanKalinaPhoto/

Small Wedding

Gene and Beth’s NSCI Wedding | Glencoe

Small Wedding Charm

There’s something so lovely and intimate about a small wedding. Not that a huge bash isn’t great too! But when everyone in the room is truly someone very special in your life, you can literally feel the love enveloping the bride and groom at their ceremony.

Gene and Beth had a lovely wedding at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe with their nearest and dearest followed by a luncheon at Froggy’s in Highwood.

Then, they had another party a couple weeks later in Chicago for their friends to celebrate and toast their nuptials.

Ceremony at North Shore Congregation Israel

Small WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall WeddingSmall Wedding

Would you like to see more examples of my event photography? Click here, here or here to see bar mitzvahs I have photographed. Click here for my Bar Mitzvah Photography Client Guide.

Interested in “day in the life” style photos of families? Click here, here and here to see examples of my family storytelling photography.

Ever thought about having a photographer capture the relationship between the grandparents and grandkids in your life? Grandparent Sessions make a great gift for any occasion. Click here, here and here to see examples of my Grandparent Session storytelling photos.

Would you like to talk to me about photographing your wedding? Please email me at susanrkphoto@gmail.com with the date and location of your event and lets talk!

Instagram event photos: @SusanrkphotoEvents

Instagram family photos: @Susanrkphoto

Facebook Business page: https://www.facebook.com/SusanRyanKalinaPhoto/

Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah

Jonathon and Mira’s B’Nai Mitzvah | Evanston, Illinois

Evanston B’Nai Mitzvah

Most temples will not allow me to take photos during the bar mitzvah ceremony, so I was thrilled to be able to photograph Jonathan and Mira’s rehearsal with Rabbi Weiss at JRC in Evanston.

The siblings did such a great job reading through their torah portions and saying the prayers.

Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah JRC Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah JRC Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah JRC Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah JRC Evanston B'Nai Mitzvah JRC

Party Time!

After doing such a great job on the bima, Jonathon and Mira celebrated their momentous achievement with a fantastic party at Maggiano’s Old Orchard.

Emcee JB with Energy Productions kept the crowd on their feet and the energy high. Kids and adults were on the dance floor throughout the afternoon.

Bon Events knocked it out of the park with their gorgeous decorations and organizing the event.

Evanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai Mitzvah

Evanston B'Nai MitzvahEvanston B'Nai MitzvahSpecial thanks to Marna with Embracing Grace Photography for second shooting for me at this fantastic Evanston b’nai mitzvah. Photographing two kids celebrating their big day is tricky for one person. So having a talented photographer covering the event with me made a huge difference in being able to capture all of the special moments at Jonathon and Mira’s party.

Want Me to Photograph Your Event?

I love photographing mitzvahs and events, but I also like to leave room in my schedule for family photos as well. Even though you may have your date 3 years ahead of time, I typically book bar mitzvah shoots 18 months out. Since I only photograph two mitzvahs per month, act fast if you are interested in booking with me. My schedule is full for 2017, but I still have a small handful of dates available for 2018. Would you like to learn more about my rates and how to book with me? Click here to see my Bar Mitzvah Client Guide with answers to frequently asked questions.

Interested in seeing blog posts of other bar and bat mitzvahs I have photographed? Check out these links here, here, here and here.

And of course I love photographing families. I love to capture authentic moments with your family spending time together. Would you like to see some examples of my family photography? Click here, here, here and here.

Thanks so much for taking a look at my post today. Leave me a comment, email me at Susanrkphoto@gmail.com or call me at 773 510 7105 and let’s connect!

 

chicago mitzvah photography

Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Pinstripes, Northbrook

Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Katie S had a fantastic Saturday night party at Pinstripes in Northbrook. As a Chicago bar mitzvah photographer, I have photographed at many different venues. Between the bowling, bocce, and gorgeous party room, the guests at Pinstripes always have a great time.

And as expected, Katie S’s bat mitzvah party did not disappoint!

Before her big shindig, Katie had a beautiful bat mitzvah service at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston. To see photos from the temple shoot, click here.

Before the Guests Arrived

chicago bar mitzvah photographer

Let the Games Begin!

The kids started off their evening with bowling and goofing around in their own dedicated space while the adults had cocktails and played bocce in a different area.

chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographer

Bocce ball was a hit with the adults and littlest guests.

chicago bar mitzvah photographer

chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographer

Speeches

As expected, the girls made the sweetest tributes to their big sister during family speeches.chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographer

Dance Party

And of course Brandon and his crew from Famos! DJ Entertainment kept the kids and adults on their feet dancing and entertained throughout the night.

chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerI think Katie’s mom, Carrie, was as excited about the chocolate fountain as any of the kids!chicago bar mitzvah photographerAs the night progressed, the kids and adults kept the energy high and the dance floor hopping!chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerKatie S is a very special girl. She has two moms who love her very much, her mother Carrie who adopted her and has raised her and her birth mother Mary. chicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographerThe whole family got their turn in the chair during the hora.Chicago Mitzvah Photographychicago bar mitzvah photographerchicago bar mitzvah photographer

Interested in seeing more bar mitzvah photography? Click here and here .

I also love doing day in the life sessions with families. If you would like to see some examples of those photo shoots, click here and here.

And my favorite thing to photograph is Grandparent Sessions. There is nothing quite like the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. To see examples of a Grandparent Session and hear why those are so important, click here, here and here.

To follow me on Facebook, click here.

To follow me on Instagram, click here.

Susan Ryan Kalina is a Lake County, Il, Family Photographer, Lake County, Il, Event Photographer, Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer, Chicago Event Photographer, Newborn Photographer, Grandparent Photographer, Day in the Life, Documentary, and Candid photographer servicing Chicago, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, and Glenview.

Bat Mitzvah Party

Chicago Mitzvah Photography

I find it to be such an honor when someone asks me to be their mitzvah photographer. I truly enjoy capturing their family story on such a momentous day.

I love witnessing the culmination of all their hard work.

Mitzvah kids study Hebrew for years. They identify and perform a mitzvah project. Doing the mitzvah (volunteer) project is such an amazing way for kids to open their eyes to the world around them and learn about helping others. It’s so beautiful to watch young teens finding a way to give back.

And of course the mitzvah kids have the pressure of  preparing their Torah portion and their speech. I can’t even imagine leading a service at the tender age of 13! What an incredible accomplishment for these kids.

Emily did such a great job with all of her responsibilities. She handled her big day with grace.

Deerfield FamilyMitzvah Pre-Ceremony

Party Time

Emily’s party at  Austin’s Fuel Room  was definitely one to remember.  Energy Productions kept everyone out of their seats and dancing all afternoon. And I don’t think I will ever forget witnessing Emily’s little brother Ben singing “Baby Got Back.” Priceless! Who knew he was such a great little break dancer too?!

For many families, having a bar or bat mitzvah is the first time since their wedding that so many of their family and friends are all together in one place. You could literally feel the love in the room.

Chicago Mitzvah PartyChicago Mitzvah Photography

Austin's Fuel Room PartyFather Daughter Mitzvah Moment
Austin's Fuel Room Bat Mitzvah Chicago Mitzvah PartyFather Daughter DanceBat Mitzvah PartyChicago Mitzvah PhotographyAustin's Fuel Room Bar MitzvahChicago Mitzvah PartyChicago Mitzvah PartyChicago Mitzvah PartyAustin's Fuel Room Bar Mitzvah

Winding Down

The entire room got on the dance floor for the last couple songs. Everywhere I looked the crowd was all smiles.

I know I wasn’t the only one who was sad when the party ended!
Chicago Mitzvah PartyChicago Mitzvah Party

 

To see more mitzvah photography please click here. For more event photography, please click here. To see Chicago family photography, please click here, here and here.