Wedding Inspiration // Dreamy Autumn Forest Elopement

Wedding Inspiration // Dreamy Autumn Forest Elopement

This styled shoot steps away from the more traditional wedding attire and keeps the focus on the couple's connection, supporting the free and wild spirits out there and showcasing that marriage and love truly is meant for everyone, no matter who you are, where you are, or what you're wearing. 

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Maternity Shoot Turned Wedding Proposal and Engagement: Kelly + Tom

Maternity Shoot Turned Wedding Proposal and Engagement: Kelly + Tom

Kelly and Tom met during Lollapalooza weekend at exactly this spot in 2013, so this location was very important to him. On a perfectly crisp November afternoon, we met at Buckingham Fountain under the guise of maternity photos. I began their session just as I would any other. Focusing on that sweet bump, a few on her own, a few of them together. Until we made it around to "the spot".

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Feminist Wedding Photography in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago: Watassa Wedding Photography

Feminist Wedding Photography in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago: Watassa Wedding Photography

We’re about to introduce you to one of our favorite people we’ve met this year. If you are a Midwestern couple planning a wedding for 2017, we envy you. Quick! Hire Emily Alt of Watassa Wedding Photography before she’s booked up!

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Real Couples // Rainbow Wedding: Dana + Colleen

Real Couples // Rainbow Wedding: Dana + Colleen

In their words, "We met in fourth grade and became best friends while hunting grasshoppers together; our old elementary school is where we exchanged our rings. Though it was forecast to mega-rain on our special day, it ended up only being a sprinkle...just enough to make a gorgeous rainbow! It was absolutely perfect."

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Real Couples // Peoria Riverside Engagement: DiAnn & Lauren

Real Couples // Peoria Riverside Engagement: DiAnn & Lauren

This session was so incredibly special to me. DiAnn & Lauren just radiate love!  We met at Grandview Park in Peoria, Illinois to start their session, then moved on to downtown near the river walk and finished at sunset across the river at a small beach in East Peoria. I usually prefer to have one or two locations for a session, but this one was calling out for more. I can't explain it, and I'm really glad I listened to my artistic instinct — because the evening progressed from adorable to sweet to magical. At one point, I directed them to forget I was there and have an intimate conversation.  Lauren tells me they need to use their hands for this. That was exactly my point. DiAnn is deaf. The intimacy of their conversation just blew me away — the depth of their love for one another was the most poignant during this part of the session.

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Real Couples // Olive Park Proposal: Ivan + Fara

Real Couples // Olive Park Proposal: Ivan + Fara

Ivan got in touch with me a week before his trip to Chicago, with his girlfriend, Fara. They had a fun agenda planned for their weekend getaway, and the Midwest welcomed them with some amaaaazing weather AND a memorable, busy/buzzing city...celebrating the Cubs' achievement of making it to the World Series! Though, I'm sure that will be the last thing they remember about their time in Chicago, ha!

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Real Couples // A Microbrewery Engagement: Jess + Jessica

Real Couples // A Microbrewery Engagement: Jess + Jessica

For starters, aren't these two the cutest? We started at a hole-in-the-wall pub called The Anchor and ended up in the heart of Wichita, Kansas. From the moment I met these two, I felt like I was hanging out with a couple of old friends. It was a nice summer Saturday filled with laughter (and lots of it) and love. We incorporated the little aspects of their relationship like imported beer, handwritten notes, and unique architecture. I would celebrate Jess and Jessica's love for each other every day of the week if I could. The passion and love they have for each other shows in every image that I took. I am overjoyed that I get to openly share their story and their soulful love for each other. 

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Real Couples // Minneapolis Romance: Theresa + Brenda

Real Couples // Minneapolis Romance: Theresa + Brenda

Theresa and Brenda are examples of strong, modern individuals who do great work in the world: Theresa has a PhD in Child Psychology and is a university professor, and Brenda is an MD who practices medicine. This couple lives in Portland (OR) but traveled back home to Minneapolis to get married and celebrate amidst their loved ones. They are the kind of couple that is not only so happy and in love, but they are also incredibly deserving of the happiness and love they have found. They are kind and gentle, and their joy is truly contagious.

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Real Couples // Couples' Boudoir: Monique + Rochelle

Real Couples // Couples' Boudoir: Monique + Rochelle

I've shot many couples' boudoir sessions before, but when Monique and Rochelle first expressed interest in being photographed, I realized this was our chance to do something different, something a little more wild than I had ever done before. I did everything I could to establish a safe environment for the session, but mostly let this amazing couple do their own thing. I did receive one of the best compliments of my life after the session: "Kinzie! You're so easy to get naked in front of!" But really, the magic was all them; I was just there to document the journey. 

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Out of the Box Challenge // Featured Team: Love From The Windy City

Out of the Box Challenge // Featured Team: Love From The Windy City

Last month, we hosted our first-ever Out of the Box Challenge, a styled shoot challenge similar to the cooking show Chopped. We had nine teams from across the country compete, and we sent them boxes of mystery items including dresses from Ash and LightCelia Grace, and Urban Set Bride along with accessories from Kerry Ann Stokes and Wood Thumb. Our first and second place winners will be featured in Volume Three of Catalyst Wedding Magazine and all the other teams will be featured here over the next three weeks! We are extremely proud of all the teams and their hard work (and beautiful photos)!

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