It was so fun to be able to shoot a wedding as Monica’s second photographer. Last year I spent a week in Colorado being mentored by Monica. Monica has been my mentor for a couple of years, but we go way back. Like, 20 years ago back. That’s right! We’re from the Mallard Landing hood! Boo ya! Rep-ru-zent’n! Just kidding! I’m a nerd. Anyway… Seriously, we grew up a couple of houses down from each other but as I mentioned in my last post, we didn’t really hang out because her sister, who is my age, is my best friend and kids who are 4 years older than you don’t hang out with you! That’s just how it works!

Before I go into anything further, please go check out Monica’s blog by clicking here!

I have a TON of funny stories I could tell you from the wedding. From the groom’s mom shakin’ her thang to Baby Got Back, to the beautiful tears of the bride’s father right before he walked her down the aisle and during the father/daughter dance, to our equipment malfunctions, etc. We had a blast! Here’s my favorite photo of the bride and her father during their dance. Just the raw emotion is so beautiful.

This wedding was top notch. Every detail was carefully planned. The wedding took place at First Christian Church of the Beaches and the reception took place at none other than the fabulous Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

When I met Kristen on her wedding day, I was surprised at how calm she was. She was such a sweetheart and even on her wedding day, was totally selfless. She was glowing with anticipation of marrying her best friend. Here is my favorite of her getting ready.

As we got the church and all of the girls changed into their dresses and the guys changed into their tuxedos, Monica and I were told of the very strict limitations of the church on photography during a wedding. Basically, we had to stay in the back 1/4th of the church. I saw a baptismal up front and off to the side and asked if I could shoot from in there if I was discrete because if we had to stay in the back of the church, we wouldn’t be able to get any shots of their faces. She said no one had ever asked to do that before so she’d have to ask the pastor that was coming in to do the ceremony but she never got back to me. So… When the ceremony started, I put on my “photo-journalist pants” and didn’t ask questions. I just high tailed it to the baptismal. This is a view from the balcony. You see the baptismal off to the left side of that large cross window? It kinda looks like a framed painting on the wall? Yup. That’s where I was. The funny thing was that I wanted to get a couple of different perspectives, so I had to crawl back and forth on my hands and knees on the floor of the baptismal between the two sides so as not to be seen as I crossed. I almost cracked myself up doing that. Monica has better gear than I do, so she shot from the aisle. Anyway, so instead of seeing this view the whole time, you got to see….. (scroll down)

… this one! Ta dah!

And I’m pretty sure no one ever knew… That’s a pretty awesome story eh? lol!

All in all, I had a fabulous time. I also caught a shot of Monica in action. Have a look below. She’s soooo good at what she does and I appreciate her sooo much! I know I always gush about her, but seriously, she has such a giving heart and has helped me with so much that I owe her sooo much!

So, without further ado, here are all 66 photos that I couldn’t choose between narrowing down further for my blog. So… Enjoy!

Jen Shannon Photography

Jen Shannon Photography

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

To book with us, send an email to info@jen-shannon.com or visit our website by clicking “view our portfolio” and then “contact us.”

View Our Portfolio

This is probably my favorite. You can see the damask pattern in the left of the photo. That was a window with a ledge that I evened out and then added the texture too, then masked out the texture on the chair and such…

This is probably my least fav. I’m not a huge fan of the “jean” texture but I think for this picture it works.

This is another great one! I love the words in the background. Obviously they wouldn’t be written on the wall but I think it makes a great collage-ish kind of texture.

And last but not least! The wrinkled paper texture! This one also gives it that old photograph/vintage look. Love it!

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Hi there!
I’m Colby, Jen’s husband. I’ve been helping Jen from the start of her business. It’s been amazing watching her go from just a dream of being a professional photographer to blossoming into the professional she is. I’ve been helping her since day one, which was March 24, 2008. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was finishing installing the baseboards in our living room while she was on the couch, pondering starting her own business. Like she usually does, she just made the decision to jump in with both feet. She grabbed her computer, came back to the couch, went to the IRS website and read up on everything she needed to do to start a business. Then she decided to apply for a tax ID. Part of the tax ID required a name. That’s where she got hung up and I stepped in! At the time, she had planned to do both graphic design and photography. She said she wanted something with the words, “Art and Design” in it. To me, Starlight fit perfectly in front of it, but she didn’t like it at first. She loves stars and I like to call her my, “sweetness in starlight” so why wouldn’t starlight work? After she thought about it for awhile, starlight began to grow on her and before I knew it, she was officially Jen Avril-Rae Shannon DBA Starlight Art & Design. She applied and received her tax ID right there and off she was. In August of 2008, she decided graphic design was not for her and went full force with photography. She kept the name Starlight Art & Design for awhile but decided Jen Shannon Photography was her best bet to have people know her name as a photographer.

So, this section is supposed to be about me right? Well, here is where I fit in. I help her in any and every way that I can. In the beginning I helped her with all sorts of technical stuff, then when she’d go on photography jobs I’d set up her equipment while she chatted with her clients. When she started doing weddings I started second shooting with her which is also what I currently do. So… I help her on her portrait sessions with her equipment, accompany her on every job and I second shoot for her at weddings. I also help her when she has IT issues. I’m her “go to” guy

So, with that said, you’ll be seeing more of his work soon!

Scott and Mandy, thank you for having Colby and I be a part of your home celebration! Congratulations on starting your married life together!

First, I have to start out with my latest addition to my bloopers page! Scott and Mandy’s dogs were too cute but Sadie really wanted to see what was going on. They also have the cutest name for their other dog. His name is Chicken Nugget! I LOVE it!!!

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Pat and Cris met on a single’s cruise (although I heard something about them meeting at a Cub’s game) and were the only success story of the cruise. The wedding started off at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church here in Joliet (literally a 5 minute drive away). We arrived about 45 minutes early and met Pat for the first time. Later I met Deb and Vince, the maid of honor and best man, and before we knew it, Cris was there and the show began. The mass was beautiful (although I wish these amazing churches had air conditioning… I am so spoiled). Cris surprised Pat and had a bag piper come down the aisle and escort them down the aisle after the ceremony. After the mass we headed to Bicentennial Park for pictures. Then we had about 2 hours before the reception started so we went home and changed. Cris said we wouldn’t be allowed at the reception if we were still dressed up, so, what can I say? Cris is the boss! So we changed into our comfy clothes and shoes. The only problem is I was super tired from all the house drama from this past week (see my blog entry from a few days ago) that I HAD to go to Starbucks. So we hit up Starbucks on the way to Shorewood for the reception (grandecaramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso!). The reception was held at Hammel Woods Forest Preserve. It was, again, fabulous! Cris’s brother bbq’d up some DELICIOUS ribs! Literally fall off the bone, incredibly seasoned ribs. There was also hamburgers and hot dogs. It was such a fun, family oriented reception. Everyone had a great time!

Cris and Pat, Colby and I truly enjoyed working with you both. This was an amazing wedding and surely stands out among them. You made us feel like part of your family and we couldn’t have had a better time. Thanks for being so fabulous!

Here are some sneak peak photos from the wedding

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer

Jen Shannon Photography, Chicago Wedding Photographer