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

Indian Engagement Party | Nimisha and Chetan-ENGAGED!!!

Melissa — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:16:55 +0000

I met with Nimisha and Chetan contacted me earlier this year about shooting their engagement party. This will be my first time shooting an indian engagement party. I’ve shot many Indian weddings but never an engagement party so therefore I was a little bit excited about this day. The tent lighting at the Eaglewood Resort and Spa was absolutely gorgeous and it brought such a beautiful glow to the mood throughout the room. This day was full of many surprises to the bride and groom. The biggest surprise was for the bride herself when the groom sprinted off his chair to perform a Bollywood style dance! The look on her face was priceless!!!

Here are some of my favorites from this party!

Congrats you two!! Thanks for having me on this day!

Venue-Eaglewood Resort and Spa

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Spring Me Into Happiness Contest Winner!

Melissa — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:14:12 +0000

It’s been a super fun contest!. There were so many really cute contestants. I can imagine it was hard for most people to decide whom to vote for.

For those that entered, every contestants receives a credit of $25 toward future sessions.

Annnd, without further adieu…

Third place winner goes to Beagle Love. The 3rd place winner will receive a $50 credit towards a future session with Melissa Diep Photography!

Second place winner goes to Little Bunny Freddy. The 2nd place winner will receive a $75 credit towards a future session with Melissa Diep Photography!

First place winner goes to Sweetness. And of course, first place winner receives a session of your choice. Winning photo session must be redeemed no later than June 1, 2012.

To schedule future session, please contact me at contest@melissadiep.com

Thank you everyone that voted. It meant a lot to me and everyone else that entered. Once again, congrats to all!! See you all next spring for the next contest!!

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Newborn Photographers | Evan-8 Days Old

Melissa — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:17:10 +0000

I know Evan’s mom, Jennifer, for as long as I can remember. She’s somewhat family to me. My sister-in-law’s little sister. Little Evan, at eight days new, is a champion sleeper. Even through all the poses, he was still out like a light. Love!! Now Little G has another play buddy to play with! Yeah!!!

Chicago Newborn Photographer

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Chicago Engagement Photographer | Michelle and Adamo-ENGAGED!!

Melissa — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:13:36 +0000

I used to work with Michelle a few years back when I was in the dental industry. Fast forward three years later, she’s now engaged to a super sweet and FUNNY man named Adamo. We decided to meet at the Lincoln Park Zoo for their session. The weather forecast has been threatening 60% chance of rain for days. On the day of, it was cloudy and warm. I met Adamo for the first time that day and we bonded like I’ve known him for years! Adamo sure does know how to spice up this session. It was non-stop laughter. From us getting yelled at by a crazy passerby while we were minding our own business to Adamo being a risk taker and practically vandalizing a fenced off fully bloomed floral tree so we can have the perfect shot. I wish this session was on video because it was comedic.

Thanks Michelle and Adamo for making this session so much fun. It was definitely memorable to say the least. Best of luck to you both!!!

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Chicago O’hare Intercontinental Wedding | Anna and Christopher-MARRIED!!!

Melissa — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:30:52 +0000

My first wedding of the year. I am proud to say it started off with a big, big bang. I met Anna and Chris for coffee late last year and immediately, it was instant chemistry. During our meeting, Anna only had one photo request. It’s a rather unique one. If I do receive any requests, it would be certain of poses or to be photographed at a certain location, etc. Anna’s request was a photo of Anna and Chris serving tea to their parents during the Chinese tea ceremony. I was a bit blown away. When the bride and groom serve their parents tea during the ceremony, back in the days, it’s when the groom formally introduces the bride to his family. It’s also a huge sign of respect. In the Chinese culture, the tea ceremony is a huge deal. One word kept playing in my head over and over when I thought about Anna’s request. Respect. It told me a LOT about both Anna and Chris’s characters.

Thanks Anna and Chris for allowing me the honor. It was fun getting to know your friends and family!!

I forewarn you all. This is a super loooong blog with LOTS of images. Hehe. Sorry, blame it on the combination of the nice winter break and being super excited with these photos!!!

Check out this awesome Same Day Edit from the talented Chris and Oliver.

we are the lucky ones | anna + chris SDE from Chris & Oliver on Vimeo.

Bride’s Guide

Bridal gown-Demetrios Brides

Bridal shoes-Jimmy Choo

Groom’s tux-Formally Modern

Bride’s make-up-Anna Chiem

Bride’s hair-Livia Caporale

Floral-Tina and Dollie

Cinematographer-Chris and Oliver

Custom Printing-Sheila Mustari

Celebrant-Bev Albert

Ceremony and Reception-Intercontinental Chicago O’hare

Cake Artist-Take the Cake

DJ-Remix Entertainment

Second Shooter-Chad Foy

Assistant-Willam Moran

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Spring Giveaway!!-A Facebook Contest

Melissa — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:14:45 +0000

Hey everyone! It’s SPRING!!! Doesn’t the warm weather just put everyone in a good mood?! It’s been years since I’ve launched a contest of any sort so I thought I would give away a free photo session to one deserving fan!

Here are the deets:

STEP 1. Take a new photo that captures your idea of “Happiness”. Simple as that. It could even be taken with your camera phone! I’m not looking for an award winning photo. Just something cute and creative!

STEP 2. Enter the contest and upload the image here!

STEP 3. Voting will begin on April 22nd at midnight and run until April 28th 11:59PM. To vote, you must first “Like” Melissa Diep Photography on Facebook and then “vote” on this link here.

STEP 4. Once your photo is posted on the fan page, go tell the world about it!!! Share your photo link via Facebook (don’t forget to tag Melissa Diep Photography in your post), email, and Twitter and encourage your Facebook family and friends to VOTE for your photo!

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES: April 21, 2012

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FINALISTS: April 22-28, 2012

Photo with the most votes will be announced 12pm, April 29, 2012!

The 2nd place winner will receive a $75 credit towards a future session with Melissa Diep Photography!

The 3rd place winner will receive a $50 credit towards a future session with Melissa Diep Photography!

And… all entries will receive a $25 credit towards a future session with Melissa Diep Photography!

THE WINNER:

The winner will be entitled to:

-FREE 1.5 hour photo session of your choice (children, family, seniors, boudoir, or engagement – it’s your choice!)

-Date of choice (upon Melissa Diep’s availability)

-One location of choice (within 30 miles of the Chicago)

-30 edited images on a disc

The Fine Print ~

*The photo that you enter must not have been taken by a professional (not even by me, as much as I absolutely love taking your photos:)

*Only one photo entry per family/household.

*This contest excludes photo sessions such as weddings, newborns, family gatherings, and/or parties. Winning photo session type will be subject to my approval.

*Photos will be posted on Facebook, so if you are entering for someone else, you must have permission to do so.

*Your winning Photo Session must be redeemed no later than June 1, 2012.

*To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and be willing and able to have your winning Photo Session within 30 miles of Chicago. If you’d like for me to travel to you (Hawai’i? Alaska? Italy???), additional travel fees will apply.

I am SO looking forward to seeing your entries! Great luck to each of you!!

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Spring Picnic Engagement Shoot | Jennifer and Brian-ENGAGED!!!

Melissa — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:08:21 +0000

When I met Jennifer and Brian for their wedding consultation, I can seriously say it was love at first sight. Everything about them makes me smile. Their love story, their chemistry, our chemistry! When Jennifer contacted me the following day with the good news saying they wanted to book with me, I was seriously doing the happy dance in my living room. I couldn’t stop talking about these two with my Giant!

Jennifer had a vision of what she had in mind for their engagement session. They were a bit nervous for the shoot but it quickly became fun and next thing we know, we were all laughing non-stop through out the entire shoot. It helps up forget about the cold as well!! I seriously can’t wait to work with these two on their wedding. Love, love, love them both!!!

Jennifer made these save the date invitation for the shoot herself. Isn’t it awesome!!!

Make-up by Tran Nguyen

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An Engagement Story Featured On WCIU-The U-Jenna And Nathan

Melissa — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:42:27 +0000

A few months ago, the producer to the morning show You & Me This Morning on WCIU, The U contacted me about wanting to feature some of my work. I immediately thought of Jenna and Nathan. Shortly after their e-session, they met with the producer, Dartise, to film their interview. The interview got featured this morning on You & Me This Morning. If you missed it this morning, you can check out that interview here. Jenna and Nathan, you both were too cuuuute!!! Love the interview!

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Three Week New Newborn | Julia

Melissa — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:10:25 +0000

At three weeks old, sweet little Julia curled up like a perfect little ball. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect model!

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A TV Personality, Rock Star, and Fear Factor Finalist, All Roll Up In One-Jenna and Nathan-ENGAGED!!!

Melissa — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:19:46 +0000

To say I had a blast during Jenna and Nathan’s e-session is an understatement. I met Nathan for the first time at the shoot. Immediately, we all hit it off. We meaning me, the Giant, and Little G. Lol. Let’s rewind a little bit. I met Jenna last year when she modeled for me at one of my trash the dress get togethers last summer. You can check that out here. She was such a blast to work with so I decided to work with her again for this shoot here. Since then, Jenna has become the TV personality to the show JBTV. I was so happy for her when she got the part because she’s just so fun to talk to! We can never run out of things to talk about. Well…when Jenna got engaged late last year, once again, I was ecstatic for her! Like I had mentioned, I never met Nathan (other than talking on the phone) till the day of the shoot. We brainstormed some ideas and came up with an urban/modern camping theme less than a week before the shoot. The stuff that Jenna and Nathan brought to the shoot to transform the camp area was awesome!!! Their energy and laughter was just so contagious. During the shoot, I got to know Nathan a bit. Nathan is the front man of the band Madina Lake. Nathan has a twin brother, Matthew, whom is also a vocalist and plays the bass in the band. Another interesting fact about both Nathan and Matthew is that they were the finalist to the hit reality show, Fear Factor, back in 2007!! Isn’t that so cool!! Nathan said they ate a cow’s head with maggots. All of the contestants, Fear Factor staffs, and both Nathan and Matthew ended up in the hospital for eight days!!! Crazy! Both Nathan and Matthew won and walked away with half a million dollars. Woo hoo!!

Needless to say, I’m a big fan of these two love birds and I’m honored I get to shoot their wedding this coming May. Here are some of my favorites from this session!

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