diptych_julie+josh
Julie and Josh were positively radiant on their wedding day this past Saturday, August 28. See those two photos above? I have TONS of photos like that of them where they are just staring into each other’s eyes. They chose to have a somewhat destination wedding at the beautiful Starved Rock State Park near Utica, IL. I had a wonderful time hanging out with the couple and their friends and families all day, and I wish them the best as they enter this next phase of their lives together.

This was one of those days where I shot one absolute favorite getting ready photo, and I once again knew it was going to be a fabulous day. I love the way the light falls around her eyes:
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Ready to roll!
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Another one of my absolute favorites from the day. The light here was perfect.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie’s new last name is “Hartke.” Get it? :) (Thanks, Andrea, for explaining it to me!!)
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
The printed materials were amazing, from the programs, to the placeholders, to the menu signs. I loved all of it.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
The bride requested this special shot. I haven’t done this one in a very, very long time! Josh is a writer so it’s very fitting.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie arrived at the ceremony site by horse-drawn carriage. Here, she and her dad are beginning their ride.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
So happy to be getting married!
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
At the beginning of the ceremony, they both took a few moments to look out at their friends and family.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
MOH is concentrating on the bustle.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie wanted a shot with the horses.
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Oh my goodness… I LOVED the cake. And the best part? One layer was strawberry, so when they cut it, it looked like a slice of watermelon!
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie is a goldsmith at Browne’s Fine Jewelry and actually designed her own ring! Here’s the story in Julie’s words:
“…He planned it so I would set-up my own ring with out knowing it was mine. The funny thing was that I remember setting the ring up and saying to myself, “I would take this” while looking at it on my hand. Little did I know it was really mine!” Love that story!!
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding
Julie + Josh | Starved Rock State Park Wedding

Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: Starved Rock State Park, Utica, IL
Florist: Danny Whitehurst, St. Louis, MO
Catering & Cake: Starved Rock
DJ/Band: Dawna Nelson & the Crazy Johnny Band
Officiant: Rev. Derek White

Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie and TJ were married August 21 at St. John’s Catholic Chapel in Champaign. In between the ceremony and reception, we headed over to the Quad for some wedding party photos. We then moved on to the Hilton Garden Inn for the reception. Katie looked stunning in her gown and TJ didn’t look too bad himself! :) Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.
You may remember the Model T from their engagement session.
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
I’ve mentioned before that I rarely get to shoot the bride and her father just as they enter the church because I’m usually in the front. For Katie & TJ’s wedding though, I decided to stay in the back for the processional, and I’m so glad I did!
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
I love the look on her face here!
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
So happy!
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Again, LOVED the bouquet, from Lori at County Market on Kirby/Duncan.
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
It’s always fun going out to a public place with a wedding party. The students had just returned to campus, so the Quad was full of onlookers wishing them congratulations.
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Isn’t she fabulous?
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
They requested a re-make of my infamous ring photo! :)
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding
Katie + TJ | Champaign Hilton wedding

Ceremony: St. John’s Catholic Chapel, Champaign
Reception: Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign
Florist: County Market (Kirby/Duncan)
Cake: Erika’s Cakes and More
DJ: Party On Productions
Dress: David’s Bridal
Suits: Men’s Warehouse
Linens: Linen Tablecloth (theirs are for sale if you’re in purchasing some for a good deal! email me and I’ll hook you up!)

    Apple phones posted the following on August 27, 2010 at 2:51 am.

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures. Its too good..

    Dawn posted the following on September 2, 2010 at 12:03 am.

    I love that last photo on the dance floor.

Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam were married on one of the hottest days I think I’ve ever experienced as a wedding photographer. As far as I know though, no one passed out and there were umbrellas and ice-cold water bottles for the guests at the ceremony, and the reception AC was cranking to cool everyone off for dinner. Theirs was a beautiful wedding (regardless of the heat) full of tons of wonderful details. They’re enjoying a honeymoon in Maui right now, but they’ve seen a few of these on my same-day slideshow I had set up at the wedding. Hope you guys are having a great time!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Not only was it Lindsey’s wedding day, but it was also her BIRTHDAY! This girl knows how to party!! :)
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
This may be one of my favorite bridesmaids shots ever. Ever!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
The beautiful bridal bouquet courtesy of English Hedgerow:
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
I am loving the pink and green, and also dresses with pockets!!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Another shot of the bouquet… this one was Kara’s idea!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
All the paper products were designed by Courtney Callahan Paper. Here Brett is modeling one of the dual-purpose programs/fans for me.
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey and her dad Mike having a laugh before they head down the aisle:
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Sam went to Mizzou. I HAD to sneak in this photo.
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Ok, I take it back… maybe THIS is my new favorite bridesmaid photo.
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
I believe this was during the Best Man’s speech. Priceless!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Ok, so I loved the bouquet!
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding
Lindsey + Sam | Allerton + Memorial Stadium wedding

Vendors:
Ceremony: Allerton Park
Reception: Memorial Stadium
Florist: English Hedgerow
Dresses & tuxes: Michelle’s Bridal
Paper: Courtney Callahan
Band (reception): Fantasy Band
String Quartet: 1st Choice
Wedding party transportation: Larry’s Limousines
Guest transportation: Starr Limos
Planner/coordinator: Stacey Porter (Savvy Expressions)
Videography: Park Life Video
Photography: Holly Birch Photography
Second Shooter: Kara Slating
Cake: Diane McPheeters (Monticello)
Linens & light monogram: Signature Events, Springfield

    Cbazaar posted the following on August 19, 2010 at 3:40 am.

    wow beautiful gown and the bridesmaid girls and their outfits too… looks nice.

    Selin posted the following on August 19, 2010 at 7:07 pm.

    Great pictures, outstanding work. My best wishes for the couple :)

    Wade McMaster posted the following on August 22, 2010 at 2:01 am.

    Excellent photos, love the football field idea! The rest of the photos are excellent, full of nature, plenty of green. Good work!

Lindsey + Sam | Allerton & Memorial Stadium wedding
Sneak peek from Lindsey + Sam’s wedding this past Saturday (8/14) at Allerton & Memorial Stadium. The heat index was ridiculous but everyone made it through! And there’s definitely more photo awesomeness from this wedding to come later this week!

Edited to add: this is DEFINITELY one of those times where I wish I had a tilt-shift lens.

Here’s a little hint for you to keep you in suspense…
keys
(sorry for the crappy photo… obviously my camera phone does NOT compare to my D700!)

This is what I’ve been up to this week! I’m still supplying a ton of photos for InsideIllini.com (Scout.com), and also gathering photos of some individual players for their parents. After all, Moms and Dads want to know what to know what their boys are up to! Contact me if you’re interested in seeing or getting copies of photos of any particular players.
Camp Rantoul | Fall 2010 | Holly Birch Photography
Camp Rantoul | Fall 2010 | Holly Birch Photography
Camp Rantoul | Fall 2010 | Holly Birch Photography
Camp Rantoul | Fall 2010 | Holly Birch Photography
Camp Rantoul | Fall 2010 | Holly Birch Photography

Hawthorn Wedding Expo
Here are a few of my favorite images from this past Sunday’s wedding/bridal expo at the Hawthorn Suites. Thanks so much to all of you brides, grooms, families and friends who came out! If you were there and you’re interested in hiring me as your wedding photographer, please email me asap at holly [at] hollybirchphotography [dot] com to take advantage of the special I have going on through the end of this week! The photo above was one I’ve been wanting to get for a long time… a bride with a birdcage veil! I pulled this awesome volunteer outside for a few quick shots of it. Love it!!
Hawthorn Wedding Expo
The outfits were all provided by David’s Bridal. Look at this little stud!
They had a short dress that I LOVED, but I didn’t have a chance to get a photo it.
Hawthorn Wedding Expo
A photo of the Holly Birch Photography booth:
Hawthorn Wedding Expo
How often do you see 3 brides dancing at the same time? Not very!!
Hawthorn Wedding Expo
Also, thanks to Complete Music DJ for providing the music and the dancing entertainment (along with the models). Kyle (on the left) and I have worked together at 2 weddings already this year!
Hawthorn Wedding Expo

    Past Life Reading posted the following on August 11, 2010 at 11:40 pm.

    Beautiful wedding picture! You have some crazy talents there :)

    Webcasting posted the following on August 18, 2010 at 3:14 am.

    Bridal dress was simply superb…

    Wade McMaster posted the following on August 22, 2010 at 1:59 am.

    These photos are so alive and crisp. The football field wedding is a unique idea! I’d go for a similar idea, but my fiance probably wouldn’t be into it lol…

Please come out to the wedding show on Sunday, August 8 at the Hawthorn Suites in Champaign. It’s from 2-5pm and I will be set up in the NE corner of the main room. You’ll get the chance to see my spiffy BRAND NEW canvases from 2010 weddings and engagement sessions, as well as my new 5×7 full-color glossy promo cards! There may also be some other perks for attendees, but you’ll have to come out to see!

Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
When I go through and do the post-processing for my weddings, I inevitably come across a few more that I would love to share with the world on my blog. Today’s post shows a couple more of my photos that I didn’t blog in the first pass (after my initial rough blog selection/edit), and a few shots from my assistant for the day, Tricia.
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL
Melissa+Kyle Wedding | Champaign, IL

    Stacey posted the following on July 28, 2010 at 5:12 pm.

    LOVE that first one of the flowers. The warm colors are gorgeous.

    Flecken posted the following on August 3, 2010 at 2:45 pm.

    That dress is awesome! And i also really like the flowers very good job with the photos.

    Catch Beauty posted the following on August 9, 2010 at 12:33 pm.

    Hi Congratulations! Your blog is great! keep up the good work!

    johnmarc posted the following on August 17, 2010 at 12:23 am.

    Wow. I love the third one. The wedding gown was awesome.

Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
I am IN LOVE with this new sample album I received from Forbeyon yesterday. This album was necessary for a few different reasons: 1) I was drooling over the new 2010 eco materials Forbeyon recently released, 2) I needed a sample boudoir album, and 3) I wanted to try one of their non-flushmount products–the linear-bound book. I could not be happier with this book, and I hope that with this sample and my cover swatches, that maybe I’ll get some more album cover orders (my current packages include only the classic black cover with square metal cameo).

And of course, as I was taking photos of this delightful little book, the idea popped into my head to do a short stylized shoot. Luckily I also have a RED kitchen full of red utensils. :)
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
The photos definitely do not do it justice. You need to see it in person.
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
Actually, I was a bit surprised (pleasantly!) by the pages. I was expecting the linear-bound pages to be much more flimsy than the flushmount pages, but they are still very sturdy and shiny.
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album
Forbeyon Cherry Pie Boudoir Album

    Rachel posted the following on July 28, 2010 at 9:54 am.

    That is such a creative idea. I think that is amazing. Who would have thought to have a kitchen theme. Well done.

    Forbeyon posted the following on July 30, 2010 at 11:47 am.

    That’s a hot book.

    PSDhome posted the following on August 10, 2010 at 9:28 am.

    Very well designed. I like it a lot.

    kiscope.com posted the following on August 26, 2010 at 6:39 pm.

    Very nice book

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