In January of this year, DJ, our team photographer, captured one of the most cinematic sessions in Chicago. We both still post about it to this day because of how effortless and fun Meghan + John were to work with! If you haven’t followed DJ yet, please do check out her about page on NTCo. to get to know her – she is amazing.

Start of The Session – Fourth Presbyterian Church

The beginning of the session started at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, which is one of our favorite places to shoot in the city. The outdoor courtyard of the church is perfect because the natural lighting is so dreamy and soft. Not to mention, the stunning gothic-revival architecture with greenery that has found it’s home growing up the walls of the building. Though, this session was in the dead of winter so the greenery wasn’t present on the outside of the building. I honestly loved how it looked in the winter, it create the most beautiful neutral background.

Meghan and John truly killed this session and they were the most fun to be around during the session. They are truly such a naturally in love couple – the way they melted into each other can be felt in every single photo in their gallery. DJ captured so many sweet moments on the outside of the church from them running around the building, spending a little time making out, and creating the most effortless magic for their engagement photos.

They spent some time outdoors in the church, then went around the corner to this beautiful door of the church. We absolutely love to take photos in front of this door, so it is likely not the first time you’ve seen it here at NTCo!! Once the sunglasses came out here, DJ knew this was about to be an iconic session. Meghan and John truly know how to accessorize and make the session their own.

Exploring The Streets of Lincoln Park

After running around the church, DJ, Meghan, and John took it to the streets of the Lincoln Park Neighborhood, which sort of felt like New York city in these photos. These two quite literally never stopped giggling and I love that about them. They were so incredibly playful, happy, and so full of love for each other. They were so in the moment with each other and it made for the most perfect, candid, raw and organic photos – which are some of DJ and I’s favorite photos to capture. In case you didn’t know, we hate posed and staged photos and truly wants to capture the candid, raw, and authentic documentation of you and everything that you are. None of that fake smile, awkward pose bs. Just the raw, real, and messy love that makes life worth living.

A Love Note To Meghan + John

One of the most iconic shoots that DJ has done – Meghan and John made it everything that it could have been. Talk about a couple who could go out and model – truly. Their engagement session is everything that I consistently give advice toward: they had coordinated but not matching outfits, accessories to make the session unique, and the personalities that shined through the camera and into their photo albums. Also, shoutout to winter sessions and the couples brave enough to stand outside for so long in the windy, Chicago winter.