Kara Schultz | Chicago, Lake Geneva, Milwaukee Suburbs Storyteller Wedding Photographer » karatography

Introducing….

Kara — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:10:34 +0000

So here I am almost a year later. I can’t believe how my life has changed this past year. At this time last year, I had only shot 4 weddings, had several on the books for 2009 but never thought my 2009 would end up like this. In 2009, I shot 30 weddings, countless engagements and ran 4 boudoir marathons with over 30 girls in my hectic schedule. I quit that other job and took this one by the reins. I’ve fumbled, I’ve been swamped to the point I thought I’d never see the end of the tunnel. My office became a disaster zone, filled with photo-related items that I needed and massive empty boxes (these are still in my garage, anyone need a box?)

I’ve taken a good hard look at myself and at my business these past few months. I’ve really dug down deep and with the help of some very good friends (thank you Mel, Gerrie, Krystal , Pam and Tori) for listening to me hash these ideas out or tell me I’m crazy. Now I wouldn’t have normally done this on my own, but my formal education is in public relations and communications (and some political science and now I take pictures for a living, getting use out of my BA!). Somewhere along the lines I forgot everything! So it was getting back to what I know and what I’m good at.

It all sort of culminated at Partnercon in New Orleans, I was truly inspired by all the photographers around me willing to share, help and also learn in return. Joe Buissink made more of an impact on me than any one else, he was real, he was himself, he was humble despite his resume. I laughed and cried during his presentations and had the chance to spend 2 hours shooting with him. His passion for photography reignited what I do and how I do it. So to the drawing board I went about a month ago.

I wrote copy upon copy, I changed it, I moved it around. I knew what had to get done. Mel started the logo design process while I finished up the other half, branding. When I started this business- almost a year and a half ago, it was a name that I didn’t plan on keeping, it was kind of a joke but then stuck and I was never really 100% confident about it, I tried really hard to embrace it but it just didn‘t feel right. I also felt sorry for any of my brides that kind of had to explain what was going on with their photographer, people thought it was cute or clever but I just couldn’t get behind it and I think that affects some other things as well. So I dropped the -tography and added my last name -Schultz! This will make things easier for you to know what’s going on and how it all works. I also didn’t realize how fast it would grow, FAST! 2008 – 4 weddings, 2009 – 30, 2010 – ?? It’s amazing to see such fast progress with bookings but also with my skill. I knew I wanted to be photojournalistic in nature but never felt like that was fully me or that it was exactly what I wanted to embody mainly because photojournalism in it’s truest form doesn’t allow for any guidance in posing or prompting those moments. And my style is to help and I may set up a shot so that the light is right or that you have the right background or so that it’s flattering so I never felt like photojournalism really told my style. So on and on I searched for what was my thing.

We finally found it: storyteller. Now you may ask, what exactly is that? Look at an image and see more than just the prettiness of it If you look at my recent slideshows, you’ll see the story of a day over 100+ pictures, but if you stop and look at each image carefully, you’ll feel what is happening. The idea I take when shooting a wedding is to have people feel like they were there even if they weren’t. I want to show that emotion and have my clients see it. It’s not always about that “perfect shot” because I’ve learned that there’s really no such thing, sometimes the shots that you aren’t planning for are the perfect ones, the ones that just happen, sometimes it’s even the ones where you can’t see all the faces.

It’s about that emotion that you feel when looking at your pictures. Every time I go to edit a wedding I relive the entire day over, I see what happens, I remember what was said when everyone was laughing. And my goal is so that you feel the same way when you look at your wedding pictures and maybe even remember some things you forgot and laugh about it (you know when you sit there and you go OH MY! I forgot THAT happened!). This is something different, it‘s a story, a fairytale maybe, a romantic comedy or just a comedy. This is what you really want and what I’ve been provided for the past few months. This is who I am. You want those intimate, fun and joyful pictures of the bride and groom. You want the bridal party to be simple but have fun and not complain. You want your family to say, wow, that was easy. My focus continues to be on the bride and groom and getting that 16×20 (or larger) canvas picture so that you have to have that canvas, that it’s so difficult for you to choose what goes in your album. And I want it to be easy for you, I always joke with the bridal party that “painless is my motto” and it kind of is. I want it to be painless for the couple, their wedding party (because we’ve all been in that wedding party…), and the family.

My pictures will be modern but still show emotion, but not be too abstract that you don’t really know what’s going on. It’s about the couple not about them being separate. It’s about the connection between you and your new husband or your fiance during your engagement session. Don’t be afraid to show me who you are as a person or a couple and forget that I’m there! I’m still there and will get what I need but most often the images that are the best are the ones when you don’t notice that I’m around at all. Forgetting that I exist and I’m there is a good thing, despite what you think, ignore me, I’m no one!

Just recently I had a bride who emailed me about must take lists, she said this “ I’ve loved just about every picture I’ve seen of yours on your website and blog. I just want creative, sentimental yet fun shots that capture the little details you sometimes forget about, the big moments, but also the quiet moments (just the two of us) as well.” and THAT’S exactly what I’m going for and what I do! It was too perfect timing! Once I said I would take control and make sure that’s what she got, she was relieved that I made it so easy for her.

At heart I am an artist first, I’m emotionally connected to what I create and want to pass that onto you!
Let’s see some pictures right? I’m calling these my signature images. The images that define me as an artist

This one really started it all for me, it was from Brooke and Brett’s wedding in May. You can see what they both feel at that moment and how much they really love each other. Look at Brett’s face specifically.

Mike and Kim didn’t care that I was there at all. Mike obviously said something to make Kim laugh and here we are, no looking at me, no worrying about what I think, just themselves.

This is just one of my favorites of this year. This is Amanda and her grandfather dancing, halfway through the father/daughter dance, her dad gave up the spot to her grandfather who is ill, I’m pretty sure the entire room had lost it at the point (including me!). Even though you can’t see her grandfather’s face, can’t you see what it looks like?

Another favorite from Amanda and Steve’s wedding. I didn’t tell Amanda to look at me like this or even tell Steve to slightly rest his head on hers, can’t you see how comfortable she is with him and just how much he loves her? Isn’t it amazing that in one picture, you can see what their life is like?

From Karen and Greg’s wedding, I told them to just look and interact with each other, and this is what I got (along with a ton of other great images). You can only slightly see Karen’s face, but you know that smile is genuine. And just the way that Greg’s face is wrinkled up you can tell he’s just having the time of his life.

This moment I’m not even sure that Katie and Mark knew it happened. It was following their ceremony and just as they finished the receiving line. I had told them earlier to stay out for just a second for just a few pictures, as the last guest in the receiving line went in, this is what they did. Can you see the relief? The comfort they have in each other?

Shannon and Matt were the first clients to ever book me. But it’s about the pictures right?? So here, look at how Matt is gently touching Shannon, do you know what is going to happen next? Yep, they kissed. That’s not something you can set up, not something that is forced and if it is, it looks forced, this was truly what Matt felt like.

This image is from another one of my favorite weddings this year! Jessie and Mike’s wedding was nontraditional in the greatest sense of the word! They did nothing that was planned but this picture when I uploaded it from my card made me gasp.

Another gem from Jessie and Mike’s wedding. Again, I didn’t tell them to do much and they ignored me just like they’re supposed to. Do you see how they feel about each other in this image? Can you feel it?

You know how much I love first looks, so here’s one of my all-time favorites from Lauren and Brian’s wedding. As Lauren got emotional, Brian just wiped the tear off her cheek so gently. Can you see Lauren’s expression, no, but do you know what it looks like? Of course! That’s the beauty of this image.

Now, this isn’t all about weddings, I get these things at engagement sessions too! This picture is from Loretta and Aaron’s session. We had a wonderful time, they were fun and laughing the whole time. And then we get to the end. I tell them to sit on this bench and get all close. Aaron whispers in her ear about how beautiful she looks and Loretta lost it (and I have pictures of the crying) and this kiss says it all. Look at it.

Stephanie and Dave were nervous about their engagement session, not really knowing how it would all work and I actually went to college with Stephanie! So even a bit more scary for her I’m sure. Can you just see how calm she is and how she often uses Dave to lean on?

This one will always be a favorite and their entire session was as well. Remember a few up when you saw how Mike looks at Jessie? Well now you see the other side, this is how Jessie feels about Mike!

This one also cracks me up every single time I look at it. Don’t you just smile when you see Anna’s pout to Ethan? They have such a fun relationship where they joke, laugh and have fun together and this just shows that one time when Ethan didn’t want to play along! (I’m pretty sure Anna asked for a squirrel at this point)

And finally, I’m going to get killed for posting this but it’s way too cute. This is Mel and Dave and of course, Brando. Dave is just like this. Can you tell how happy go lucky he is? Can you see how much Mel loves Brando? And at the very least, can’t you see that Brando loves his mom and dad? Look at those faces! He’s so relieved they’re both there! (and Mel is my fabulous graphic designer…so she’s going to kill me for this.)

(note: yes, a lot of these are black and white images and you’re probably asking why? I have a slight idea, while I love color I also love black and whites! There’s something so simply beautiful about them and the ease in which they convey what you’re looking at!)

My new galleries are called stories and you’ll see just a few of my favorites! Go ahead and check them out! Each one has a special meaning to me and really created an emotional charge with their images, I think each bride emailed me telling me they cried and laughed during their slideshows which to me is really what my job is about!

Because of the name change, my current email kara@karaschultz.com will no longer be in service as of today. If you are using my gmail account karaschultz@gmail.com that will still work but please switch to kara@karaschultz.com (or karaschultzphoto@gmail.com) This has been sent out to an email for all my 2010 brides and other regular contacts.

I’m really excited for the changes that are happening in 2010! There’s newsletters that are going out to really help all my brides with questions from the expert (me!) since I know there can be some fumbling and confusion during those times. We’re increasing the communication with ALL my brides (and grooms), so if they ever want to grab coffee or have dinner (or meet my adorable puppy) just go ahead and email me! I’d love to sit down with each couple (or just the bride, I know how the planning works!) and just talk about their day and their life. So don’t be afraid!

Also, I’m doing something really awesome now that no one else does. I’m giving all my 2010 couples (old and new) a mini-session 1 year (or right around there) after their wedding. Let’s look at this like a story, the engagement session is the preface, the wedding is the story, and this is the afterword! So my AfterWord sessions are short, sweet and let the couple reflect on their first year in marriage whether that means an addition of a furry child or a baby we’re going to follow up on your story! I also know that you get to a year later and you say something to the effect of “the only pictures we have printed are from our wedding, I think it’s time to print others” and that’s what this session is for!

In another post I will go into more detail about this, but I will no longer be doing boudoir sessions, my last marathon will be in March 2010 with a limited amount of spots available. So if you want a session with me this is your last chance!
I also will talk about albums in another post, this one has gotten huge as is!

Let’s recap, I know this was a lot of information to take in:
1. The new name is Kara Schultz, no longer karaschultz
2. My focus will be on storytelling, especially with the bride and groom, this isn’t photojournalism, it’s better
3. Painless is still my motto for everyone
4. I’m offering a brand new, never before seen AfterWord Session for all my couples in 2010 and beyond.
5. No more boudoir after March 2010
6. MY EMAIL HAS CHANGED TO KARA@KARASCHULTZ.COM (that one’s kind of important)
7. It’s not about anything else but you
8. Hiring me solves world hunger (ok, that one was just making sure you were paying attention…hiring me does not solve world hunger, this is what you get on your wedding day, me and corny jokes, I make fun of myself pretty well, I’ll make you laugh! In all seriousness, I do donate to a local women and children‘s shelter and animal shelter)
9. the url is now www.karaschultz.com (though karaschultz.com will continue to work)
10. you’re the best

Thanks for coming on this crazy journey with me! And if you read the entire post, you deserve a cookie!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

Downtown Chicago Engagement Photography | Lucy & Pete

Kara — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:33:05 +0000

I met Lucy and Pete and we just went everywhere! They’re holding their wedding up at Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake (which is a fabulous place for wedding photography!) so they wanted some really downtown pictures and really wanted to incorporate certain buildings into it! It’s always great to meet people before photographing their wedding! It’s nice to get to know the couple and have them know me, I’m generally relaxed and laid back and they had me on the end of a long day of engagements! I’m sure Lucy has been stalking my blog for this and I’m sure she’ll do the same for her wedding photos!

we started in Lincoln Park at the Lily Pond right there:

We then headed over to State Street/Michigan Ave to finish up the session!

I really love this one!!

Thanks for looking! I can’t wait to photograph your wedding Lucy and Pete! You both were a bunch of fun and laughs!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

Wrigleyville Engagement Photographer | Loretta & Aaron

Kara — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:46:52 +0000

I met Loretta and Aaron in Wrigleyville to start their engagement session. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding!! I’m so excited to be their photographer because these two are a riot! They laugh, they cry, they skip. I can’t imagine what their wedding day will bring, but it sure enough will be a load of fun! Ok, enough of me, let’s get to their engagement pictures!

Look at how fun they were!

I usually don’t take pictures like this, but I LOVE this one!!

and then Loretta cried, it was so cute! I wonder if she’ll cry at her wedding? She thinks she’s going to be a mess!

this was totally unplanned

I hope you enjoyed these Loretta and Aaron, I truly had a great time with you for your engagement session and I can’t wait until I photograph your wedding! I’m sure it will be 10x more fun!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

Museum Campus Engagement Photographer | Kim and Rob

Kara — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:10:38 +0000

Kim and Rob are such an awesome couple and their wedding isn’t until mid 2010! Their wedding is going to be so much fun as well, when I first met with Kim and Rob we spent like 2 hours talking after I had finished up a wedding and they dealt with my mumblings! We connected at that moment!

They were seriously up for anything that I asked of them. And by the end of the day, I asked for a lot! But if I suggest it early enough, you know it’s a good idea at the end of the day! We started out on Rob’s rooftop where they got engaged and then Kim’s dad drove us around to take pictures all over Museum Campus and Millennium Park for a final stop. I really can’t wait to photograph their wedding next year!

We spent a lot of time around the Shedd located at: 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL?

GO BEARS!!

Look at the air Kim got in those heels!!

museum campus engagement photo

we headed to Millennium Park for some photos in the fountain!

I love Rob in this one!

I did start the session by saying they should go in the fountain, and by the end of it, they knew it was a good idea!

and an after shot!

I hope you guys enjoyed these! Sorry for the long wait!!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

{sneak!} Stefanie and John | Chicago Wedding Photographer

Kara — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:38:18 +0000

Stefanie and John got married just a few weeks ago and had the best weather! It wasn’t too hot or too cold and they were such fun to work with! I know you all don’t read my writing and just skip onto the pictures, it’s ok, I do the same!

I also caught the sneak at their new rings:

oh yeah, I caught this:

this is just my opinion but I totally think this should be at least a 16×20!

they were so silly!

I love these next 2!!

How sweet is this for the last dance of the night?

Kar

{wedding} Andrea & Adam | Rockford Wedding Photographer

Kara — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:20:48 +0000

Andrea and Adam now live in the sunny state of Florida but still had plans to get married in good old Illinois! We had a lot of fun and Andrea was probably the most relaxed bride I’ve had to that point! She didn’t stress about any part of the day and just laughed things off. I would also like Adam to note that I did include his self portrait in the slideshow when I asked him to hold my camera while I bustled Andrea, Adam decided a self portrait was in order! How funny!

Music generously provided by Andrew Belle Love his stuff!!

Kar

{engagement} jessie & mike | chicago engagement photographer

Kara — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:44:57 +0000

Jessie and Mike are getting married this Saturday! Cutting it a bit close for engagement photos but they wanted to get them in anyway! Their lovely pup Kaya (I had the name totally wrong!) crashed the session and made it interesting for sure but still a lot of fun!

see you on saturday!!

Kar

Hotel Baker Wedding Photographer | Nadine & Rick

Kara — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:08:35 +0000

I’m sure Nadine and Rick have been waiting for this since they told me they were back from their honeymoon! They got married at Hotel Baker in St. Charles and I LOVE this place. Not only was it a great ceremony site but also had a lot of places downtown St. Charles that I could utilize! I loved shooting the wedding and reception at the same place. Nadine and Rick opted to do their wedding portraits during cocktail hour and we roamed around the hotel and downtown to get all of the shots, we even found some hidden areas! The staff at Hotel Baker couldn’t be nicer there too, the maintenance team got right on a giant wasp that was located in their reception room and got it cleared before any guests were disturbed! Enjoy your wedding pictures!

Hotel Baker
100 W Main St
St Charles, IL 60174-1810
(630) 584-2100

Music again provided by Nick West whom I still love! So when he has a show in Chicago, everyone should go see it!!

Thanks for including me in your day! I enjoyed being your wedding photographer!
Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

Arboretum Club Wedding Photographer | Kim and Mike

Kara — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:06:21 +0000

I bet Kim is stalking my blog right now waiting for me to post their wedding picture sneak preview. Is it funny that I know which brides do this? (Hi Kim!) Despite the rainy whether that would normally put a damper on their day, Kim and Mike took it in stride and truly enjoyed their wedding day! They were one of my favorite couples to photograph, funny, relaxed and just fun in general! I knew that from their engagement session and it all came back on their wedding day! They ended up getting married indoors instead of out at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove IL, this is truly an awesome venue for weddings and the staff was so accommodating for us photographing it!

Everyone started getting ready at the Hilton in Wheeling where there were so many places for pictures!

2855 North Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 480-7500

seconds after first seeing each other

new favorite bride portrait:

Kim and her sisters LOVE top model (a group after my own heart) so I made them pose, who’s stealing the show!?

and a walk off:

The ceremony took place at the Arboretum Club in Long Grove:

The Arboretum Club

401 W Half Day Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-6548
(847) 913-9112

Thanks for stopping by and checking me out! Can’t wait to show them all!!
Kar

{sneak!} Andrea and Adam | rockford wedding photographer

Kara — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:54:13 +0000

Adam and Andrea were very relaxed all day! Even though I was a little stressed that I forgot my little bag of batteries at home and made my husband drive them to me! Luckily we weren’t too far away and I got to see the puppy in the middle of a shoot! But anyway, lots of fun!

I love this, I told the boys to go stand against the wall and this is what I got:

I told them to make a funny face and this is what I got: