Olivia Leigh Photographie: Fine Art Chicago Wedding Photographer. Available nationwide.
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Olivia Leigh Photographie Blog
Welcome to the all-new Olivia Leigh Photographie blog! Here you can find photos from recent shoots in Chicago and abroad. If you’re looking for a particular wedding or a certain venue, just search below. Use the navigation at the top to see the best work in the portfolio, learn more about services, or send an email to learn more about working together.
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Holy Name Wedding + Art Institute, Modern Wing Reception : Erica + Tom
- Posted on:
- 20 February 2012
I will be out of the studio for the next week so before leaving I wanted to share one big post. This was a dream wedding to photograph—relaxed schedule, beautiful style and intense emotion. The wedding was indicative of what I think is the “classic modern” Chicago wedding—traditional in some respects but personal in many others, beautifully combining the two aesthetics into one style that to me, is quintessientally Chicago.
Erica and Tom prepared at the Trump Tower in Chicago, and makeup and dressing started with some tears, as Erica put on her wedding gown and fur and necklace from her grandmother. We had a beautiful sunny day, such a rarity for the winter (well, most years!), and their first look was equally emotional and beautiful. After portraits around town we headed to Holy Name, one of the most historic and beautiful churches in the city. I find moments with fathers are what get me the most—I am usually pretty good about not dissolving into a teary puddle, but time with the bride and her dad really make the tears well up as I think about my own beloved pops and our relationship. At the church, Erica and her father prepared to walk down the aisle and the tears began to flow—thankfully her dad was prepared with a handkerchief, which he used to dry her tears before the aisle and as they walked down the aisle, stopping midway to take a breath! I found this to be such a beautiful and special moment—one that I will certainly always remember.
A reception followed at one of my favorite venues, the Art Institute, for what was my sixth (!) time shooting there. Tom and his mom danced the most fabulous dance that completely had me inspired to take dance classes, and Erica and her father did a routine with umbrellas choreographed to “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
Many thanks to all the great people who made this day come together, as usual: Terzo Piano at the Art Institute, Petal Play Designs, Sarah Postma and Casey Winkleman!
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Happy Holidays
- Posted on:
- 22 December 2011
I’m headed back home to the Carolinas today for the holidays. I can’t believe this time of the year is already upon us! The studio will be closed for the next couple of days, but I look forward to sharing so many more lovely things (including this stunning modern wing wedding) upon my return back. I hope everyone has a delightful holiday and new year!
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- 1
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Adam + Cassidy :: Art Institute Wedding
- Posted on:
- 03 November 2011
Cassidy and Adam were married this summer at the Modern Wing at the Art Institute, probably the venue that I shoot at the most often and one of my favourites in the city. Their day had a few little snafus—preparations took a little longer than planned, it rained literally all day long, our original portrait plan had to be adjusted on the fly. While these sorts of unexpected things can make for a stressful day, on some level, I find that a few hiccups can help to really exhibit what is important at the wedding. I find that after the stress of those types of things melts away, the emotion of the couple and the joy of the celebration shines through even more and really helps to confirm what the wedding is all about. Cassidy and Adam were certainly this way—their beautiful ceremony in Griffin Court featured a moving tribute to Adam’s father, along with emotional and tearful vows. This was followed by a gorgeous reception in Terzo Piano, where they held one of the most fun and spirited receptions I’ve done this year—full of many truly hilarious toasts and some serious shenanigans on the dance floor.
Venue: The Modern Wing/Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago | Coordinator: Catherine Gatto at Birch Design Studio | Band: Larry King Orchestra | Floral: Christine Noelle
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- 4
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Brides Chicago Spring/Summer
- Posted on:
- 15 February 2011
A big thank you to the great staff at Brides: Chicago for featuring a wedding and several other photos from events and sessions I shot in their latest Spring/Summer issue, and congrats to all the couples who had photos featured! Kristen and Scott’s beautiful wedding at Terzo Piano at the Art Institute had a lovely three page real wedding spread, which featured some of my favourite vendors from their day. A photo from Holland and Nate‘s engagement session also ran in a story about engagement session photo tips, Carolyn and Brian (whose wedding is still to come) had their amazing paisley cake from Flour Cake and Pastry, and a little photo from Julie and Matt‘s reception ran, as well. Congrats to all!
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- Posted in:
- modern wing art institute wedding photos
- press
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Saint Michael’s + Terzo Piano Wedding :: Scott and Kristen
- Posted on:
- 28 October 2010
Oh, this day! This day was just fantastic. 12 hours flew by with the greatest of ease, including a stop of the entire wedding party to have a casual lunch upstairs at Kristen and Scott’s neighborhood P J Clarke’s. The ceremony was held at the amazing Saint Michael’s in Old Town. This was my first time shooting here, and it is just a stunning space (with blessedly few photography restrictions!). I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a unique and beautiful Catholic church in which to marry. And, of course, the reception was held at my favorite, Terzo Piano at the Modern Wing. I just can’t say how much I enjoy shooting here; I feel continuously inspired here and am looking forward to more weddings here next year.
Kristen and Scott’s wedding was quite intimate—right around 100 people. Kristen and Scott dated for many years and both hailed from New Jersey, the combination of which created such an incredible feeling of intimacy and familiarity at their celebration, with guests laughing openly at little inside jokes very few people would notice at other weddings. All in all it felt like such a relaxed, emotional and joyful party celebrating one of the most laid-back and enjoyable couples I had this year.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give it up to Kristen for selecting the most amazing, couture bridal look I’ve ever seen! I told her that just a few days before her wedding, I was talking with a colleague about how you can look at photos from brides in New York wearing more fashion-forward, couture styles, but in Chicago that we rarely see such fashion risks. Kristen completely did it up, though, in an amazing Oscar de la Renta gown with a removable peplum, horse hair flower corsage, Oscar heels, a classic veil and a necklace that converted to a belt at the end of the night. Completely bananas; I loved it.
Ceremony: St. Michael’s in Old Town | Reception: Terzo Piano :: Modern Wing at the Art Institute | Dress: Oscar de la Renta via Ultimate Bride | Printed Materials: Smock Paper + Spark Letterpress from Magnificent Milestones | Floral: Hello, Darling | DJ: Style Matters | Day of Coordinator & Calligrapher: Marilyn at Honeybee Weddings | Makeup + Hair: Sonia Roselli
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