Wedding Photography | Melissa Diep Photography | Chicago and Destination Wedding Photographer | Lifestyle Photography

Couples Erotic Boudoir Featured!!!

Melissa — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:52:18 +0000

I’ve been patiently waiting for this day. You have no idea how excited I am to receive an email from the luxury bridal magazine Grace Ormonde stating they wanted to featured the couple’s boudoir of Tiffany and Ly. The day is finally here and you can read about this feature here. I’m seriously jumping around in my living room! It’s such an honor to be featured next to some of the biggest names in this industry. It’s a photographer’s dream!!

Thanks again to these two HOT couples for allowing me to use these sexy photos. Here’s a more recent shoot sexy boudoir that you can check out here. Love you two!

It’s still not too late to book your Valentine’s Day session!!

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A Chicago Winter Wedding | Elizabeth and Spencer-MARRIED!!!

Melissa — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:53:33 +0000

I’ve never met both Elizabeth and Spencer before their wedding day. I’ve actually only spoken to Elizabeth less than a handful of times over the phone. They were referred to me by their sister-in-law, Copper, whom is a photographer herself. During the handful on times I’ve spoken to Elizabeth, I could just tell she was just the sweetest person ever.

The ground was covered with fresh powdery snow the morning of Elizabeth and Spencer’s wedding. As Emily and I were driving out to Joliet to meet with both Elizabeth and Spencer for their first look, I thought I gave her a call to confirm final details. I then asked her how she felt about shooting their portrait session in the fresh snow. Elizabeth said yes and that she’s open for anything. When I got off the phone we her, I did a little happy dance. I’ve shot in the snow before. But never a wedding!!! So needless to say, both Emily and I were ecstatic! On our way to meet them, we drove past this beautiful open field that caught my eye. I just knew we had to go back there for their portrait session. I’m so thankful that both Elizabeth and Spencer were adventurous and braved the cold. Both Emily and I were so, so happy with how the images turned out!

Winter Snow Wedding

Elizabeth looks so stunning here. She kinda reminds me of the actress Shannen Doherty!

I am IN LOVE with this beautiful winter bouquet!

University Club of Chicago Wedding

Love the use of cotton for the florals at the reception!

Everyone piled into the bathroom for this last photo of the evening. Lol. Long, long story but it’s quite hysterical! My belly was hurting from laughing so hard of them all in this tiny bathroom!

Elizabeth’s wedding dress-Alvina Valenta

Spencer’s tuxedo-Hugo Boss

Bouquets, boutonnieres, and ceremony florals-Palmer Florist

Reception florals-Vale of Enna

Church-Cathedral of St. Raymond

Reception-University Club of Chicago

Second photographer-Emily Gualdoni

Thank you so, so much Elizabeth and Spencer for being the sweet couple that you are. I’m so blessed to have clients like the two of you. Hope you enjoyed your pictures as much as I did! Have yourself an awesome 2012!!

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Happy Holidays!!

Melissa — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:14:22 +0000

From me and my two Giants to you and your family, Happy Holidays!!!! Be merry and safe! Let 2012 be a fantastic year for you all!!

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Chicago Winter Wedding | Elizabeth and Spencer-Sneak Peek!

Melissa — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:08:55 +0000

This is my first winter wedding shooting in the snow. Here’s a quick teaser of yesterday’s beautiful romantic portrait in the snow. I am IN LOVE with the images from this wedding!!!!! Can’t wait to share more!

Winter Wedding in the Snow

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Chicago Maternity Photographer | Josie and Brad

Melissa — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:13:57 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve last done a maternity session. After being pregnant myself, I can honestly say I now look at a pregnant belly in a whole new light. It’s absolutely beautiful! And beneath that beauty is a miracle brewing. I spent the morning getting to know both Josie and her husband Brad and I can’t wait to see them again when I photograph the little one when he’s here in January! Can’t wait! I’m also grateful that this family is allowing me to share these beautiful images. What a good looking couple they are and a gorgeous bump! Stay tuned for more in January when they welcome their precious gift!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture of Josie’s belly in her japanese soaking tub!!!!

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Galveston Lifestyle Photographer | Tiffany and Ly

Melissa — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:33:02 +0000

My good friend Tiffany and Ly moved to Galveston, Texas this past summer. They fell in love with the area and wanted a session so they bought me a ticket and before you know it, the Giant and I are in Texas. This is my first time visiting Galveston and was looking forward to seeing and photographing this good looking couple and stuffing my face with some fresh right off the boat seafood. Yuuuum!!!

We shot this session all in one day. We did take a mid afternoon break from the heat to eat, cool off (it was crazy HOT!), nap, and freshen up before heading back out in the late afternoon for the sunset shoot by the beach.

I love, love, love this wall!!

Because it was so hot out, we literally drove around town, hop out the car, snapped a few pics and ran back in to cool off.

I’ve always wanted to do a session beneath a pier. I was so excited when I saw this pier!!!

Thanks Tiffany and Ly for showing us such a great time. I just love photographing you two! Have fun in Costa Rica! You both deserve this break!

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Little G | Roman Rhys Peterman

Melissa — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:13:42 +0000

It’s been a little over a month since I’ve written my last post. Since then, Little G has finally made his long awaited appearance. After nine long months, five countries, and five states, he’s finally here!!!

Born exactly a month ago today on October 9, 2011.

Weight 8lbs 9 oz

21 inches long!

One big healthy boy!

Here’s a short video documenting Little G’s arrival. To turn off the blog music, please scroll to the bottom of this page. I used to sing and hum (and I still do) the song “Make You Feel My Love” to Little G all the time when I was pregnant. We thought it was the perfect song for the video. We were so tired and boy was I SWOLLEN from all the IV fluids and medications. I don’t even recognize myself in the video! Every time I watch this video I just sob – tears of happiness of course. We’re so blessed that we were able to have video footage of Little G starting from his first few seconds entering this world. We both can’t believe we created something so beautiful, and how he can make us so immensely happy. We were both so emotional the day we brought Little G home from the hospital. We can barely get things done nowadays because all we do is just stare at Little G. Lol.

I’ve been taking pictures of Little G daily. People keep telling me how fast they grow so I don’t want to miss a day (at least try not to) without a photo taken of this little chubster. Here are some photos that were taken by me during this first month of life.

Roman Rhys Peterman from Michael Peterman on Vimeo.

Photo credit goes to Suzy from Simply By Suzy

Thank you everyone for all your well wishes since the birth of Little G. We all appreciate it and we’ve read every single one of your messages. We’re deeply touched and hope you continue to follow Little G’s journey in life.

With love,

Melissa, Michael, and Roman

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Chicago Hotel Palomar Wedding | Mimosa and Will-MARRIED!!!

Melissa — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:12:46 +0000

When I first met Mimosa and Will for their consultation, it was instant chemistry. Mimosa is like the sister I never had. Over time, we became such great friends and I can literally spend forever on the phone with her and we won’t run out of things to say. Working with Mimosa from day one has been so much fun. From planning their e-session earlier this year to planning their wedding a few weeks ago. I seriously love these two to pieces!!!! Talk about finding a lifelong friend. I definitely found it in these two.

I have to warn you, this is a REEEEALLY long blog post with lots and LOTS of pictures. You see, when I shot Mimosa and Will’s wedding, I was 8 months preggers. And because I was that far along, I had two photographers and one assistant handy. I normally would have one photographer and one assistant but brought one more photographer on board just in case. Thanks Jimmy, Ray, and William for everything!!!

Mimosa is the epitome of the word “blushing bride”. She was beaming from ear to ear the entire day. I’m so surprised she didn’t mentioned anything about her cheeks hurting. Mine does just looking at her. Lol!!

Their tender first look…

We then took off to Hotel Palomar downtown Chicago for their portrait session before heading to the church for the ceremony.

St. Joseph Church

Now I’ve gotten my wedding party in the past to form a human pyramid before but this one here is a REAL pyramid. Mimosa actually climbed to the very top! I was seriously in tears.

Yes, I brought props with me this time. Wanted to try something different. Hehe.

Also check out Mimosa and Will’s Same Day Edit by the talented Brian from Pogi Photo Video! To turn off the music on my blog, scroll to the very bottom and hit stop.

Thank you Mimosa and Will. Thanks for being such an amazing client but most of all, thank you both for your friendship. Looking forward to many more years of this! Hope everything works out well with your honeymoon planning for this month. Can’t wait to hear about your Italian honeymoon!!!

For friends and family that want to see more of this gallery, you can pre-register here.

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Newborn Photographer in Chicago | Evelyn-8 Days New!!

Melissa — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:11:25 +0000

Here’s a quick blog on my newborn session yesterday with the adorable Evelyn. Currently at 8.5 months preggers, this will probably be my last session before the arrival of Little G. Can’t believe I’m going to have one of these angels in my arms in 2.5 weeks or less. Eeek!! So stinking excited!! Ok, back to Evelyn, lol. At only eight days old, she is insanely adorable! At one point during the session, while Evelyn’s mom Michelle tried putting her to sleep, it was so relaxing, I found myself wanting to dose off with Baby Evelyn. Lol. Here are some of my favorites from yesterday’s session!

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Chicago Lifestyle Photographer | Anna and Vivek

Melissa — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:19:57 +0000

Typically I would shoot my client’s lifestyle session before their wedding. But because Anna and Vivek were living in California until right before their wedding, it was not possible. So we decided to do things backwards and shoot their session after the wedding. It’s always a pleasure seeing these two again. They’re easy and up for anything.

We chose one of my favorite hotels to shoot in Chicago for this session. The gorgeous Dana Hotel and Spa. They were even kind enough to let us use the entire Vertigo Sky Lounge for ourselves. A rainy gloomy morning turned out to be a gorgeous day. The lighting was just gorgeous for their shoot.

Here are some of my favs from our session. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

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