Bride and groom creative wedding portrait on the Kinzie Street Bridge in Chicago.

J. Brown Photography - Best of 2020

After a year so full of uncertainty and worry, I wanted to reflect on the work I was able to create, and the people who so graciously allowed me into their lives. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for the clients who stuck with me during a extremely difficult time in the wedding industry. I’m so lucky to work with amazing people, who were able to find creative ways to celebrate with family and friends in a safe way. Outdoor weddings, mini weddings, attendants in masks, front porch sessions, surprise weddings, courthouse weddings…..2020 was full of professional firsts for me.

Given that it was such a unique and crazy year, I’m showcasing variety of work including night sky star photographs, a fantastic outdoor Indian wedding, a Montana destination wedding, “stoop shoot” portrait sessions, and headshots for the talented planners at Wedicity. We’re not there yet, so please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and I truly look forward to brighter days ahead. In the meantime, please enjoy some of my favorite images from the past year.

Sarah & Chris were surprised with a wedding ceremony at Soldier Field during the Chi-Together summer movie series produced by Fueled Events.

Masked groomsmen put on their boutonnieres before a wedding ceremony at Assumption Church in Chicago.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle married during the wedding ceremony in Chicago.

Fun family photo at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Rainy day engagement session photo at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Downtown Chicago engagement session photo in front of the Board of Trade.

Outdoor Indian Wedding

South Asian and Indian weddings tend to be quite large affairs. Despite the pandemic, Sushma & Smit were able to limit their guest list, and still celebrate all their traditions with close family and friends.
The photos below are from the couple’s outdoor haldi ceremonies, as well as their wedding at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Honestly some of the most fun events I got to photograph last year.

Groom reacts to seeing his bride during an Indian wedding at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

Indian wedding rice throwing ceremony at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Illinois.

Bride and groom wedding portraits at sunset at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

Father and bride embrace before her at-home wedding ceremony in Chicago.

Outdoor engagement session with fall colors in St. Charles, IL.

Father and bride embrace on her wedding outside the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook.

Night sky star photography

With the world slowing down, I was able escape on a couple road trips to some wide open spaces. Went I’m not working with couples or families, I do like to photograph landscapes, and lately I’ve turned toward the night sky. Below are photographs from Arches National Park in Moab, UT, Grandby, CO near Rocky Mountain National Park and Wild Rose, WI. In particular I have to recommend you take a trip to Moab. The Arches National Park is one of the darkest places in our modern world, and the stars put on one heck of a show.

Night sky star photography in Granby, Colorado.

Star photography in Moab, Utah and Wild Rose, Wisconsin.

Montana Destination Wedding

It goes without saying that planning a wedding during a global pandemic is no small task. My clients took many approaches from rescheduling to next year, to trimming their guest list, to having a mini-wedding now and a big party later. For Madelaine & Adam…..they headed to Big Sky, Montana. After finding a new venue (Rainbow Ranch Lodge) near the bride’s family home, they trimmed down their guest list, and turned their Chicago event into a destination wedding out west. Cannot thank them enough for allowing me to come along and document their day!

Groomsmen photo all wearing Stetson western hats during a wedding at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Big Sky, Montana.

Bride and bridesmaids portrait during a wedding at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Big Sky, Montana.

Wedicity Wedding Day Detailing - Team Portraits

Right before the pandemic, I had a blast creating new team photos from the fabulous event planners at Wedicity!
They’re the best in the business in helping couples realize their wedding day dreams, as well navigating this incredibly difficult time. I can’t wait to work with them again!

Wedicity Wedding Day Detailing team photos in Chicago.

Creative wedding ring detail photo at Ruth Lake Country Club, Hinsdale, Illinois..

Father and groom getting ready together during a wedding at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Indian wedding bride and groom on the LaSalle Street Bridge.

Mini wedding photo of the bride and groom at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago.

Stoop Shoots!

Early on a project that helped keep me busy, save my sanity and connect with my clients was the front porch sessions I got to photograph.
I’m so grateful to the friends and past wedding client who were open to the idea. More than anything, simply being able to connect (from a distance) and create images made quarantine life bearable.