It’s hard to believe that this wonderful, loving father is the same annoying older brother who has always claimed to be my mom’s favorite (I, of course, disagree), and used to smear the lipstick off my face when he was a senior in high school and I was just a freshman. This was pure torture for a girl growing up; I’m glad Leonardo is his second son and he can’t tease a daughter the way he teased me!

My husband Milo was the one who actually introduced Noe and Lorena. This originally started as a plan to distract my brother from the fact that his little sister (me) was dating his friend of many years (Milo), but that is a different story for another time. Now, years later, they have made a gorgeous family and have given me two awesome nephews: baby Leonardo and 6-year-old Nicolas.

Nicolas playing with his new baby brother’s feet…

…and I just had to throw this silly picture in this post! Aren’t big brothers the best?

On Mother’s Day weekend, on top of all the baby excitement still surrounding now-3-month-old Leonardo, Noe and Lorena asked my husband and me to be his godparents. We couldn’t be happier and more honored to play such an important role in his life, and I can’t wait to teach him some tricks to play on his dad to get him back for always teasing me!

Nicolas is the sweetest big brother. I just love the pictures of him holding Leonardo while he’s still small enough to do so!

Taking pictures of my brother’s family really opened my eyes to the fact that he is no longer an annoying older brother who smears my lipstick (in fact, he hasn’t done that in years); he’s a doting father and husband, and I’m proud to be his sister. I’m sure if you would have told me in high school that I would someday say this about my big brother, I wouldn’t have believed you for a minute.

Thanks for taking the time to meet Leonardo, and I hope you come back for more cute babies, awesome families, and happy weddings on the blog very soon.

Hugs,

~V

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We left off after taking some chilly wedding party portraits around the bride’s hometown just as the snow started falling, which only made the scene more romantic. When it was time to jump on the party bus heading to Cog Hill, the country club reception spot in Lemont, Ill., the bridal party had a chance to warm up and start celebrating the new Mr. and Mrs. …and they didn’t stop for the rest of the night!

I think this small selection of pictures from Mike and Mary’s reception really gives a true feel of their day, which was incredibly joyous and full of their friends’ and families’ support. I am so thankful to have been a part of their wedding journey, and I hope you all enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

To say Cog Hill is a gorgeous venue is an extreme understatement; the vaulted ceilings, romantic chandeliers, and rich wood everywhere make it a warm space that lends itself perfectly to wintertime weddings.

Instead of having a traditional guestbook, Mike and Mary set out mini-questionnaires for their guests, titled “Words of Wisdom for Mike and Mary.” What a great idea!

Mike and Mary’s littler guests were a riot—and got VIP treatment all night. Such a ladies’ man!

A high-five from the father of the bride to his new son-in-law. Great moment!

Mike and Mary used every single inch of the dance floor during their first dance, spinning, laughing, and completely entertaining their guests. Her dress looked so gorgeous sweeping across the floor!

Sports-lover Mary naturally executed the perfect bouquet toss…

…right into the hands of one of the most excited guests!

Thank you all so much for following Mike and Mary’s wedding recaps right along with me; it was such a happy day and not one I will soon forget. Stay tuned for even more weddings and engagement sessions with my amazing clients – I can’t wait to show them off to you!

~V

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Thursday was my first day of training along the lakefront.  It was also my longest distance run, ever! As I train, I have no idea how far I can push my body to sustain such distances.  I have never been one to volunteer to join a sports team. The most physical workouts I’ve endured have been forced upon me by the Chicago Public School system in elementary and high school. Volunteering to run the marathon this year was something that occurred on a whim…just because I wanted a t-shirt.

Last year, the day before my sister was scheduled to run the marathon, she was super excited to run it yet again. She talked about her training, run times, triumphs with speed and a few mishaps along the way of her training. When she took out her race day packet to show off her t-shirt, I loved it!  It was all white. Devoid of advertisements.  The only text on the front, in blue were…Bank of America Chicago Marathon 10.0.11 then a Nike logo.  Juxtapositioned, in red ink, right at the center of those words, was the Chicago star.  It was so pretty.  I loved it and asked my sister if I could have it.  Without any hesitation, she said, “Sure, here you go!” without blinking an eye.  I was thrown off by how quickly she gave it away.  It took me a second to register, but I realized what I had asked for was absolutely wrong.  As much as I would have like to have the shirt, I knew I could never wear it…especially not in public.  What would I say if someone asked my about my time or my experience in the race?  I would be embarrassed to say that I took it from someone else who did run it.  At that moment I blurted out “I declare to run the Chicago marathon next year!”.  Those words came out of my mouth before I could even register the full commitment of the words.  It felt good so say them, it felt right, and it felt real.  Even if it was a silly t-shirt that was the inspiration for such shenanigans.

As I was surrounded by my family, the only natural response was disbelief.  Chubby?  Run? a MARATHON?  No way!!  My sister also didn’t bat an eye when she heard my declaration.  Instant support is what she offered.  I knew that if one person could believe in me to complete the race, then I had no reason to believe that I couldn’t.  She immediately offered her training knowledge and support.

This past March was the official beginning to my unofficial training.  I began incredibly slow.  It was painful, but I didn’t stop.  One would think that running 5 intervals of run 2, walk 4 would be easy…uhm, not at all.  At least not for me.  After the first minute, I checked my watch after what felt like 5.  How could time run so slow?  Surely, my watch must have been low on battery.  I didn’t stop.  When day one was complete, I knew day two was coming.  I looked at my training as two minutes at a time.  That’s all I thought about.  Two minutes.  That’s it. Then four more intervals.  Four is nothing.  Two minutes.  Two down.  Three intervals to go.  Two minutes.  More than halfway done.  Only two left.  Two minutes. Someone please disrupt me and give me an excuse to stop now!!  One more interval and I’ll be done for 24 hours…at least.  DOOOONE!  Those two minutes were painful and as the run minutes increased to 30 minutes straight, I realized that I could do it.  Increments at a time.

On Thursday, I ran 5 miles.  Outside.  Most of my training has taken place on a treadmill.  So, deciding to run outdoors was a scary thought.  If I was going to run outdoors, I knew I had to make it something to look forward to.  I found free parking by Lincoln Park Zoo.  I walked through the zoo, through the parking lot and over the Fullerton bridge, to reach the beach.  I took my time.  I didn’t want to start the loong, paiiiinful run.  It was a beautiful day.  The weather was definitely a motivator to stay positive.  Once I started, I didn’t have a single negative thought.  The run was not only another day closer to the marathon, but it was incredibly theraputic.  I don’t know if what I felt during the run was my first runner’s high, or if I was ready to pass out.  Whatever it was, it was so worth it.

I hope you don’t mind my sharing my training experience with you.  It was just such a great run that I had to share.  If I don’t hear any objections from my readers, I will continue to share the process periodically with you.  Thanks for reading to the end!

Hugs,

~V

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Even when it started snowing and blowing and the ground turned into a muddy mess (not a good combination with a white dress), Mary didn’t hesitate to brave the elements to get the best possible pictures. Plus, she looked absolutely stunning–you can hardly tell how freezing cold it was on their wedding day!

This is only a small sampling of Mary’s group of bridesmaids; both she and Mike chose 12 people (each!) to stand beside them on their wedding day. It was a larger group than I typically get to work with, but there were a lot of laughs and tons of loving support! All of their friends were so helpful and caring about Mike and Mary, and it was truly obvious that they only wanted the best for the happy couple.

I promise Mary was not trying to run away in this picture! Unfortunately, Chicago is known for unpredictable March weather, and their wedding happened to fall during a cold spell (one of the very few cold weeks for us this winter). The rain and the snow turned the ground into mush and mud, which is a nightmare with white satin wedding shoes and a very lovely wedding dress.

But once I saw the path behind their house and brought up some photo ideas up to Mary, she threw on some tennis shoes and didn’t hesitate for a moment! Thanks to the help of a brave bridesmaid (and the bestest sister!), we were able to capture some truly breathtaking bridal portraits that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Love this “confetti effect” we achieved by taking pictures through the church windows – it definitely adds a bit of color to the ceremony space!

One thing that really stood out about Mike and Mary’s wedding was the outpouring of love and support from their families, friends, and wedding guests. While their parents surrounded them during a special part of the ceremony, their guests all stood and offered their blessings to the happy couple.

Just married and ready to celebrate!

We took these pictures at the Stone Avenue train station in La Grange, Ill., close by where Mary grew up. If you look carefully, you can see snowflakes starting to fall on the wedding party.

This wedding is proof that veils and windy days can actually be a beautiful combination – as long as the veil is pinned securely and won’t blow away, the gorgeous movement can all be captured in pictures.

Mike was so sweet, he even offered to breathe on Mary to keep her warm on such a cold day! Even though she doesn’t look too cold in these pictures, she was very relieved to wear his jacket once our session was over. It was snowing, after all!

Please stay tuned for Part 2 of Mike and Mary’s gorgeous March wedding at Cog Hill Country Club – trust me, you’re not going to want to miss their reception!

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I was first introduced to Mike and Mary, a very friendly and sports-loving couple, through some of my past clients. Mike and Mary wanted their engagement pictures taken in downtown Chicago as a reflection of their fun relationship–but they preferred their photos be filled with trees rather than typical Chicago landmarks. The mid-fall weather was lovely, and the greens were a vibrant mix with the orange fall mums and foliage.

It was such a pleasure working with Mike and Mary because they were so down-to-earth, and I think these pictures truly reflect that. I can’t wait to show you pictures of their snowy March wedding!

~V

Don’t you just love those gorgeous mums? You can find them every fall in the gardens by the Chicago Art Institute.

Such a beautiful couple! They look so happy and giddy, and they weren’t afraid to get close in front of my camera lens.

This location near the Art Institute is exactly what Mike and Mary were looking for: An intimate garden area with lush ivy and pretty trees. Doesn’t it look like they’re the only people around?

After we took some pictures near the Art Institute, Mike and Mary took a few minutes to change into more casual shirts near the Crown Fountain (you know, the fountain with the faces!) at nearby Millennium Park, then we were on our way again. This just goes to show that couples don’t need elaborate, full-outfit changes to get a totally different look in their pictures.

It’s hard to believe that these pictures were taken in Millennium Park, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the entire city! Luckily, we were able to find a few quiet places that give us some privacy from all the hustle and bustle.

During our Millennium Park photo shoot, we made our way across the BP Pedestrian Bridge toward the Lurie Garden and the Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Remember when I said Mike and Mary were big-time sports fans? Just wait until you see the next pictures; yes, they are playing catch with a football autographed by Chicago sports legend Mike Ditka.

To see more of Mike and Mary’s lovely Chicago fall engagement session, view their slideshow.

Please stay tuned for the next installment on the blog: Mike and Mary’s lovely (and cold!) Cog Hill wedding!

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In February of 2002, as I was a week overdue to give birth to my daughter, my mom (Eva) was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Through chemotherapy and radiation she gave me her strength and attention as I became a mother.  She is the epitome of selflessness.  She is a giver. Never have I had a better understanding of what being a woman and mother was.  She has taught me everything I know about caring and nurturing.

I am running to help find a cure for breast cancer.  We all have women in our lives that we love.  God forbid any of them succumb to breast cancer.  Through education, awareness, and medical attention we can help save lives.  I don’t pretend to understand the politics behind this organization.  Neither do I care to.  I do understand that $0.84 of every dollar that they receive goes towards research to find a cure for breast cancer.  That’s what matters.

I am grateful that my daughter and son know and love their “Jita”.  I am grateful that through research and education, the doctors at Rush University Hospital were able to diagnose her and come to understand the treatment that will save her life.

I love my Momma.  If all I have to do is run to help save someone else’s Momma, or someone else’s “Jita”, then I’ll see you at the finish line.

Please support me and the team by making a donation as I give my all to finish my first marathon.  In doing so, you will also be supporting the health of the world’s women.

Click here to donate.

Thank you all for participating in our contest.  You’re all welcome to stop by the loft to check out our new space.  I’m sure you’ll see many familiar faces on our walls.  We’re super excited to have this fantastic photo featured on our wall.

If you’ve been here before, you will notice that the site changes make viewing the beautiful weddings easier for clients and new visitors alike. My true passion is documenting life’s most amazing moments, and the new website (coming soon) and blog shine a bright spotlight on the people I’m lucky enough to work with. I can’t wait to share the incredible stories about all kinds of love in and around the city of Chicago.

However, one of the biggest changes to Hinojosa Photography is the addition of our very own business loft and meeting space at 1932 S. Halsted in Chicago. The open space features giant windows that make even the gloomiest day bright and cheerful, and we’ve worked to create a stylish meeting space that reflects the wedding industry and type of work I love to do. The ceilings are high and there is an abundance of white wall space. What better canvas to show off my gorgeous clients?

However, there’s one small problem…

…I just can’t decide which photographs to display. I’ve enjoyed working with all of my past clients so much, choosing only a few pictures to hang on my walls has turned into an overwhelming task.

After poring over thousands of pictures from 2011 weddings and engagements, I’ve finally come up with a solution I think you all will enjoy: the Hinojosa Photography White Wall Contest!

Visitors to the Hinojosa Photography blog, Facebook page, and Pinterest profile will get to vote and choose the photos to be showcased on the walls of the loft for potential clients and guests to see. The winning image will be printed on a high-quality 24”x36” canvas wrap, and the winning couple will receive the same image on an 24”x36” print for their walls.

I’ve started the process by selecting a few images I think are beautiful, but narrowing them down is the tough part. I have the best memories from past shoots, and my clients are all too gorgeous!

There are several easy ways to enter the Hinojosa Photography White Walls Contest; the scoring system will be based on the photograph that gets the most points through Facebook, Pinterest, and the Hinojosa Photography blog:

• 1 Point: Like the picture on the Hinojosa Photography Facebook page;
• 2 Points: Comment on this blog post telling me which couple you’re voting for;
• 3 Points: Repin your picture from the Hinojosa Photography Pinterest profile.

The Hinojosa Photography White Walls Contest ends February 28, 2012 at 7 p.m. CST, and the winner will be notified via email and announced on the blog March 1, 2012. Be sure to tell your family and friends to vote for your pictures to win a canvas on our studio wall and a print of your very own!

Thanks for visiting the new blog, and I can’t wait to share more pictures of past events with you all! Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the ones you love.

~Veronica

*If you’d like to stop by the new loft space for a visit (or to see the bare walls for yourself), please call or email me for an appointment. I love catching up with past clients and meeting new people!

After months of planning, the best way to end a wedding day is with an awesome new spouse, a phenomenal bridal party, and a kick a** DJ.  Nancy and Son didn’t hold anything back when it came to the reception.  They enjoyed every minute along with all the guests.

I love it when a bride dances with her mom!

PARTY TIME!!!

You know the reception is a blast when folks start dancing on chairs!

Oh yes he did!

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She arrives to meet her groom.

She makes a final adjustment to his tie…

Now, everything is perfect, the ceremony man begin!

…and let the party begin!!

Please stay tuned for Part 4 of Nancy & Son’s Hotel 71 wedding reception.

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