Chicago wedding photographer and videographer

An actual timeline as prepared by one of our recent brides. This timeline was sent to the entire bridal party, parents, etc. The day was perfect and everything ran smoothly.

Ok everybody the wedding is this week!!!!

I spoke with Dennis, the photographer and we discussed the timeline below:

10 am – Dennis will come to Zanos salon (address: 35 S. Washington Street, Naperville)

11:15 Dennis will go to my parents house ( mom- he needs out my dress/shoes/jewelery/invitation to take pics of before I get there)

12:00 I need my dress on, Dennis will take pictures of my family with nancy/granny and bridesmaids/flower girls.  (if possible Kristy- can you have the girls at my parents house first then they can go to the church after) Also brian you will need to be there.

1:30 Dennis will pack his stuff and leave house go to church

2:00  arrive at church for Hantle immediate family pictures/ groomsmen pictures.

Grandpa Gene should be there if possible.

3:00 ceremony

3:45 Immediatley following ceremony, flower girls/Kristy can you pass out the bubbles to everyone, Brandon and I are not greeting everyone after the ceremony (too long) we will greet everyone at the reception.

After bubbles Brandon and I and our families will take pictures at the church 1st then pictures with the bridal party.

After church pictures bridal party only will take the party bus to downtown naperville/river walk area for pics.  (Kristy- you can come on the bus with the girls)

5:40 Plan on arrivng at reception for mom, carolyn to do the bustle of my dress

- Fred Fox Chicago wedding photographers

DiNolfo's Banquets - Hommer Glen - Photography by Fred Fox

Our photographers are absolutely amazing!  Take a look at these images from DiNolfo’s in Homer Glen and ask yourself if you’ve seen nicer atmosphere than this at a wedding reception.  These images are very dramatic because the surroundings are gorgeous.  From the beautiful windows to the elegant chandeliers, it’s all there.  If you have your wedding here your images will be just as beautiful.

Visit DiNolfo’s website – Click Here

- Fred Fox – Chicago wedding photographer

Georgios Banquets - Photography by Fred Fox

Exquisite banquet dining; what more do you need to know about this fine facility? Check out these images and see for yourself how the staff at Georgio’s  pays such great attention to detail.  Our photographers love photographing weddings at this site because they know they will always capture prize-winning photographs.  After  the reception is over, step down the hallway and you are in the Comfort Inn where you have a choice of a suite or a sleeping room. Many of your guests will take advantage of this convenience. Your wedding deserves this type of luxury.

Visit Georgios website – Click Here

- Fred Fox – Chicago wedding photographers

Wedding Photography Checklist

(Checklist of helpful hints & tips for planning your Chicago wedding photography)

When you think of a photography checklist, do you imagine giving your photographer a list of pictures to take?

At Fred Fox, the leading Chicago wedding photographer for over 90 years, we don’t believe that a checklist should just be a list of pictures.  What’s really important about a checklist  is your thoughts and feelings that you want to share with your photographer.  There are no two photographers that will photograph your wedding the same even if you provide them with a checklist.   We’re here to tell you that a checklist is not all that necessary if you hire a competent wedding photographer.

So, what’s important to you? What do you want your finished images to reflect?  One day when your children look at your wedding day images, what will you want them to see… How great their mom and dad looked?  How happy and in love you appeared?   What family members are no longer with you?  It’s up to you to write the checklist “script” for you and your photographer to follow.

A well thought out checklist should tell a romantic story of your wedding day and not some article copied from a magazine.  As your wedding day unfolds your checklist will be written.  Did you tell your photographer that you are a very contemporary bride and you want the images to reflect that; or do you want a more photojournalistic style, capturing the moments of your day as they happen?  Did you tell your photographer that you want more traditional images?  Maybe you told your photographer to do a mixture of all three styles.  Communication is the key.

Speaking of advice, here is a brief outline of how your wedding day should flow from a company that has been photographing Chicago weddings since 1919.

How many hours of service will you need? If you want a more photojournalistic style then you’ll need more time to capture moments as they happen.  Many special moments happen early in the day (at the salon, putting on your dress, etc.) The more time we are with you the more moments we will capture.  Traditional photography needs a little less time.  Contemporary Chicago photography needs the most time because there is more planning involved.  Contemporary images are like sets from a movie where the director (photographer) sets up beautiful, natural scenes.  The great thing about contemporary images is the fact that they don’t look posed at all. We like to use the word “direct” instead of  pose” when we are photographing the contemporary style.

Instead of a checklist copied from a magazine, we suggest that you draft a timeline of the day and make copies that will be passed out to all the bridal party members and parents.  This one simple thing will make your day run much smoother.  Two hours at the bride’s starting location is ideal; the groom, his family and groomsmen should be at the ceremony location one hour prior to the ceremony for their photographs.  Give your photographer enough time for travel, packing and unpacking equipment.  You’ll  do as many images early while everyone is looking their best.  Unfortunately none of those images that are done before the ceremony involve both the bride and groom, so leave some time for creative pictures of you and your spouse together.  If you are hiring your photographer on an hourly basis then you must determine in advance if you would like the photographer to stay at the reception long enough to capture the bouquet and garter toss.  Again, if your package is on an hourly basis and you want the bouquet and garter captured, then you could tell your DJ what time you want this done so it will fall within your hourly schedule.

Our photographers’ number one goal is to make the bride and groom look better than they ever dreamed of on the wedding day.  Don’t stress about the checklist… our wedding counselors will help you set up the perfect schedule for your wedding day.  Experience makes the difference between a good photographer and a great photographer.

Fred Fox – Chicago wedding photographer

With the economy being what it is these days, brides and grooms naturally want to know how they can trim the cost of their wedding to stay within a budget.  We came across this absolutely brilliant piece on YouTube that really hits the nail on the head when it comes to the expectations of some brides with respect to the cost of their wedding photography.  Please sit back for the next four minutes and enjoy this very interesting and honest interpretation of the “give and take” that our industry faces in today’s economy.  (PS… we realize that all brides are not like this. )

Fred Fox Chicago wedding Photographers

I thought our first video blog entry should be about our “Love Story” since it takes place way before the wedding date.  The Love Story is an engagement video shoot with a storyline.  Every studio does this differently.

As a videographer/editor for FRED FOX, this has always been fun for me.  It’s a time to connect personally with the bride and groom and have blast with them that day.  The more relaxed I can get them, the better the video turns out.  I realize in most cases my B&G are NOT actors, so setting up shots that are natural is most important.

We (Jenny, Giuseppe and myself) had such an amazing time shooting this.  It was March and the water was FREEZING!!  There’s hilarious outtakes of them running into Lake Michigan, and then 10 seconds later, running back out screaming cause it was SOO cold!   The coffee and Hummer ride kept us warm.  The restaurant in the video is their favorite place to eat.  In fact they told me they have VIP there, never having to wait longer than 10 minutes for a table!  Nice!

It was fun to hang with the Mastrolonardos.  At their wedding everyone applauded their love story…and now we share it with you.  Enjoy! -LAF

Visit Our website to get your own Love Story! Click Here!

Fred Fox Chicago wedding Photographers

Cotillion Banquets - Photography by Fred Fox

Over the years we have photographed many weddings at the Cotillion and we at Fred Fox Studios all agree it is definitely a premier banquet facility.  Here are a few images recorded at the Cotillion by Fred Fox and they speak for themselves.  The rooms are always set up in a very elegant manner as you can see from these interior shots.  The h’ordeuvres are always very tasty and the sweet tables are a big hit.  Everything about the Cotillion lends itself to beautiful photography as shown here; the beautiful columns outside, the extremely elegant lobby and even the hallway is a great place for pictures.  Look at the picture of the cake and the head table directly behind. Does it get more beautiful than that?  All the photographers at Fred Fox enjoy photographing weddings at the Cotillion.

To find out more about Cotillion Click Here

Even though their wedding was May 29th, Heather and Derek had no doubts about the outcome of the Stanley Cup playoffs that concluded Wednesday night.   Our photographer Joe had a great time capturing the moments with the bride and groom and bridal party in the park.  Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks and congratulations to Heather and Derek (who knew all along.)

Fred Fox Chicago wedding Photographers

Wedding photography by Fred Fox at Venuti's

Venuti’s is the perfect setting for your wedding reception.  Here is a small sampling of recent weddings and the result is always the same; spectacular!  The choice of atmosphere for photography is unlimited.  Their attention to detail is always amazing.  Their sweet table is always a big hit with all the guests and their martini bar is famous.  We have photographed many weddings here and we know how to get the most out of Venuti’s wonderful ambiance.

To learn more about Venuti’s Click Here

Fred Fox Chicago wedding Photographers