Raina + Libu : proposal {Evanston, IL}
- July 25, 2009 -
Shortly after Michelle and Suresh’s wedding, their family had a bit more excitement as Suresh’s younger sister Raina got proposed to! I had been speaking with Libu for a short while planning out the details, and the best option was the weekend of Raina twin sister’s engagement (you’ll remember Shaina from her proposal as well. Do you think they look alike?) , as Libu would be in town for that. He told her that they were going to be looking for e-session locations for later in the fall. Little did she know that I was being a ninja hiding out behind the trees and bushes :)
Libu’s brother was with me scouting the place before we got started, and wanted to get some personal photos taken as well, so I obliged :)
Now on to what you really wanted to see!
I think she said yes!
Right after we did a little mini-session for them. Why? Because we could.
Then it was time for the family and friends to congratulate the newly engaged couple and hear the good news! Raina could not stop smiling :)
If their bridal party is as fun and willing to do anything as these friends were, we’re definitely going to be having some fun times at the wedding. :) These guys kept ASKING for more pictures- gotta love that!
Congratulations again, and thank you guys for letting me play a role in such a precious moment in your lives. I’m looking forward to working with you more as we get closer to the wedding- it’s just the beginning!
be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.
natemathai | 
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Young + John : Proposal (Chicago, IL)
- April 21, 2009 -
Yep, we did it again!
The elaborate setup started with a night out for Young with friends to go to dinner downtown. Since they were going to get dressed up anyway, they decided to head out to Millennium Park beforehand to just take a few fun pictures. Now, John lives out in Tennessee, so there would be no reason to suspect that he would be anywhere nearby.
Except for 1. On his drive up to Chicago, he stopped by their old college campus and attended the Good Friday service. Well a friend noticed him there, and e-mailed Young that night “Happy Easter. John is here.” Confused by it all, Young talked to John and asked why he was out in Champaign, to which he denied, and they brushed it off as the friend just being crazy. :) CRISIS AVERTED!
I met up with John and a few friends to discuss the plans shortly before Young was to arrive. While we were getting settled I spotted a few photogs I knew from U of I shooting an e-session, David Lai and Alex Roy – everyone was out to shoot today!
When you put in a lot of planning in an event like a proposal, your nerves start to get the best of you. One of the bigger worries is making sure everyone is where they need to be at the right – and here John is managing everyone’s whereabouts.
Before Young arrived, her friends got a sneak peak of the bling – I think they approved!
The joy of this proposal was that Young did not know what I looked like, so I was able to just walk around like a random photographer taking shots of the city. So she went around taking pictures, and when I thought she spotted me I did this…
When in reality, I was making sure I had an eye on her at all times…
John patiently waited and prepared until he got the sign…
I LOVE this! I gave him the heads up that she was in ‘the spot’, so here he is peaking out, ready to make his move…
Before the actual proposal, they shared a quiet moment in prayer…
She said YES!
Afterward, the friends admired the ring as it was now on her finger. :)
Congratulations Young and John! It was my pleasure to capture this beautiful moment in your lives, and I wish you all the best!
be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.
natemathai | filed under: Modern ProposalsAby + Shaina : A Proposal (Arlington Heights, IL)
- April 16, 2009 -
I had known Aby pretty much my entire life, but we only got close near the end of our senior year of high school – the decision of choosing a place of higher learning started conversation. We both attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, were roommates starting our sophomore year, had the same group of friends, served in ministry together – pretty much watched each other grow up. And it was great to hear that he had found the love of his life in Shaina, friends from the same home church. And I know say it every time, but I love hearing about relationships that grew out of a friendship – those are the best!
I took a couple pics of the ring for Aby, so that he’ll have something tangible after the whole proposal :)
They are going to be having a formal engagement ceremony in June, so they wanted to take a couple quick pictures for their save the date cards – at least that was the story Shaina heard. Little did she know that, while they were ‘waiting for me to show up’, Aby would pop the big question!
I got to Lake Arlington and got into my position to avoid being seen (its rough when the girl knows who you are!). Here’s a look at my view while I waited (massive props to Jaimy and Sijin for getting me some Starbucks, as this was immediately after their e-session):
I got a text from Aby when they arrived, and then the sniping began.
Their close family/friends were there hiding out to be the first to congratulate the newly engaged couple!
As promised, we did a quick photoshoot to give them some save-the-date images to work with. I think this first set really pictures their relationship:
Shaina’s sister and her college roommate supposedly had a “picture with them sitting on a rock” that she requested…might not be the same one, but it’s a nice “picture with a rock” right? (might just be my preference, but I’d make this a 20×30 canvas to hang in a hallway)
LOVE IT!
Their wedding will be in the summer of 2010, so we’ll be having a ‘fuller’ e-session later this summer, so definitely keep an eye out for that!
be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.
natemathai | filed under: Couples Lifestyle Sessions, Modern ProposalsYoung + John : A Proposal (teaser)
- April 13, 2009 -
Yep. We’ve done it again! This past weekend, John popped the big question to Young at Millenium Park in Downtown Chicago, and she said yes! Here’s your tease: (I LOVE her reaction when she saw the ring :))
be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.
natemathai | filed under: Modern Proposalsfinal teaser: Shaina + Aby (a proposal)
- March 31, 2009 -
I’ve done it again! Another teaser image, as well as another proposal shot! I’ve known both Aby and Shaina for most of my life, and was roommates with Aby during my college years, so it was quite the honor to shoot their proposal and some portraits of them last weekend. Definitely will have more to show later on, but here’s the tease for you!
Alright, I’m all teased out, I think :) Now you can all keep an eye out for a ‘fuller’ post from my recent shoots. Woo hoo!
be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.
natemathai | filed under: Modern Portraits, Modern Proposals
