Keya & Robert Engagement

One of the things that happens to me when I photograph people is that I start to "fall in love" with them. It's a platonic love like you would have for your best friend, but that love makes me want to do anything and everything I can for them. I don't know if there's something romantic about looking through a lens, afterall it can be quite cinematic when the only thing in front of you is viewed through a black tube, or if it's the process of getting to know people in a way that just isn't possible on a wedding day. I'm pretty sure it's the getting to know people- that's always my favorite part.



I love learning all of the little things that make up a couple's world. Like the new home they just moved into, or seeing the neighborhood where they spend most of their time.









As we were exploring the neighborhood, there were a bunch of kids drawing with chalk on a pillar, so we took advantage of the lovely art work and made a little of our own too.


What I really love about Keya & Robert is that they have so much fun together. They haven't lost the kid inside and it keeps their laughter strong.






The trains have been a big part of their life and relationship in Chicago, so it only seemed fitting to really explore their relationship and the part that the trains have played in their lives.



They say the sign of a great couple is when they have certain "love touches" - this is one of Robert's for Keya...




How adorable are these shoes?!


I just love their smirks. ;)


This image reminds me so much of Slumdog Millionaire, even though this was taken way before I had seen the movie - just the feeling of the rushing train and her kind of looking over her shoulder with a smile...


Keya used to wait for Robert to get home each day by hanging out in this spot, reading the newspaper until he came home. How sweet is that?


I'm a pretty big believer that everyone needs to have a big fight before they get married. Not because you need to suffer through the anger and the fear, but because you need to know how each other handles anger when it relates to something you really care about. Does your partner fight fair? Do they throw verbal insults? Do they bottle up? Do they run away? A couple that never fights worries me because it means that someone isn't standing up for what they believe in, and a relationship needs to give both people an opportunity to have their say. A great argument should lead to some compromise on the part of both people in the relationship, based on hearing each other out, no matter how long it takes.

When Keya & Robert told me that this location was where they had one of their biggest fights, I knew right then that this is a couple that will grow old together because they aren't afraid to share their feelings with each other. To help make it a place of healing, we took some time to make sweeter images and memories of that spot- because really, there will be many more things in their future that they'll have to work on in their marriage, and this is the reminder that they can get through anything together.




What a better way to end a long day than with a huge ice cream Sunday?! Yummmmmmayyyyy...




Robert had us cracking up the entire time. I can't wait for this wedding!! I can already tell it's going to be so much fun!!!