Champaign and Urbana wedding photographer | Holly Birch Photography

Abby + Justin : Helms Park Champaign engagement session

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:22 +0000

Abby + Justin met me at the relatively new Helms Park in Champaign on a rare Saturday evening session opening. It turned out to be prom central, but we managed to work our way around the park without any prom goers in the background! I’m finally happy to photograph sessions at this park now that the rocks have weathered a bit and lost their deep yellow color. Abby + Justin loosened up in front of the camera quite nicely, and we got some great images. The one of them sitting on the park bench with the purple flowers behind them is my favorite!

Heidi + Chris : University of Illinois Quad engagement session

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:33 +0000

Heidi + Chris wanted to wear three outfits for their engagement session on the University of Illinois Quad, so we timed it out so we could fit in all three, and I’m very happy with the results! I also told Chris he somewhat resembles Garth Brooks… thoughts? I’m getting excited for their June wedding in rural Sullivan!

Danielle + Konnor : Rural Gibson City engagement session

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:21 +0000

Danielle + Konnor just bought a cute farmhouse southeast of Gibson City, and I gladly obliged their request to do their photos there. Their dog Harley even got in on the action a bit, as well as the lovely Farmall M tractor that sent me on a trip down memory lane. Like most of my engaged couples, they told me up front that they didn’t know how to act in front of the camera. I assured them that I would pose them and get them to look natural, no problem. How do you think I did?

A.J. & Craig : Urbana engagement session

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:44:38 +0000

A.J. & Craig are getting married in June in my hometown of Easton, Illinois, followed by the reception in Lincoln. They made a trip over to Urbana though for their engagement session, and brought along A.J.’s son Max to get a couple family shots in as well. For couples who already have kids, I think this is a great idea! It doesn’t take anything away from the engagement portion of the session, and chances are you don’t have any “new” family photos yet anyway! I look forward to photographing your wedding in just over a month!

Sky Gallery : Champaign 40 North billboard photo contest

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:10:26 +0000

One of my photos is in the running for one of 6 spots on billboards around Champaign-Urbana. Please visit this link and vote for your favorite! Mine is the purple/bluish photo in the airplane hangar. You can vote once a day through Monday. I’m currently in first and would LOVE to get billboard exposure around town! The contest is sponsored by 40 North & Adams Outdoor Advertising. The full photo is shown below from Kristen & Clayton’s wedding last fall. Thanks in advance for your votes!!

IHSA Class 1A State Champions : Illini Central Cougars

admin — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:01:48 +0000

I had a pretty fun week last week. I was able to secure a press pass for the IHSA Class 1A State Finals in Peoria, and while I was at it, went ahead and got one for the Super Sectional in Bloomington. Cougar nation (Mason City, Easton, San Jose) had high hopes for their boys’ basketball team, after their 3rd place finish at State last year, and if they went back this time, I wanted to cover it.

Tuesday started out like any other day, I answered some emails and got my camera gear ready. There was a snowstorm in the forecast, so I told Aaron I was going to head out early to make sure I got there safe and sound (and on time.) I made it to Downs before the ISU athletic department called me and told me the game had been postponed. Oh well. The drive home was actually better anyway! So Wednesday, I repeated the whole process, and got over to Bloomington a few hours before tipoff. I was also able to stop by the hospital and see my past clients/friends Lindsey & Sam’s new baby boy Michael who had been born during the snowstorm the day before.

Illini Central ended up winning over Cissna Park, 50-39.

So then it was time to make plans for Peoria on Friday. I had a 6-month-old baby girl session first thing in the morning on Friday, so I did that session, and then left straight for the state finals from there. The Cougars ended up handling Nokomis in the semi-finals well, defeating them 52-38.

I spent the night in Hopedale at my friend Kristina’s house before heading back in to Peoria again on Saturday for the state championship. This game was totally intense. For you Illini fans out there, it felt like the 2005 Illinois-North Carolina game national championship all over again. Nothing was going our way, shots weren’t falling, our best big man was in foul trouble. But then in the 4th quarter, they turned it on, and turned the game around. This team was not going home without a win. I won’t lie, when they tied the score at 32, the tears welled up a little bit! Illini Central outscored Madison 28-12 in the 4th quarter to win 55-44. The Cougars were state champions for the first time ever. It was so cool being on the floor after the game, and seeing all these familiar faces from my hometown community congratulating each other and loving that moment.

This Cougar team was comprised on NINE seniors, and I’d like to recognize the whole team by name here: Jared Entwistle (all-state), Jordan Bradshaw, Justin Onken, Duncan McClure, Grant Bale, Connor Martin, Noah Kirby, Jesse Thompson, Ean Albers, Derrick Himmel, Willie Neuendorf, Cody Curry, Jordan Lynn, & Justin Luft. Congrats again to the Illini Central Cougar boys’ basketball team! I’m one very proud alum!

Brianna & Ian : Allerton couple session

admin — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:02:28 +0000

Brianna & Ian were married last summer at the courthouse, but they never really had any formal photos taken either for the wedding or their engagement. They actually moved overseas last week for the military, so Ian’s parents wanted some photos of the two of them together before they left. We met up at Allerton where there was a lovely covering of snow on the ground, and even though it was chilly, I think the session turned out beautifully!

One Winter Night : C-U at Home fundraiser

admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:32:59 +0000

The 2nd annual One Winter Night event was held from 6pm to 6am on Feb. 1 & 2 in downtown Champaign and on the University of Illinois Quad. Founder Melany asked me once again to capture photos of the event and its participants. Since the scope of the event is somewhat large, I did my best to tell the story of the night. I ended up snowing somewhere around 1-2″ overnight too, so that was an added element to deal with. I went home and got about 4 hours of sleep, and then returned to be sure to get some images with the snow.

There are still opportunities to give to C-U at Home. Visit their website here.

Pricing changes coming Jan. 11

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:00:47 +0000

My pricing structure will be updated on Friday, so if you’re looking to book a wedding in the near future, there’s an extra incentive to do it this week! I’ve also added 3 all-new packages for seniors (previously I just did the regular portrait session with a la carte product options). Newborn, individual portrait, and headshot sessions will be staying the same, with the addition of a new mini-headshot session option (20 mins.). Print prices are basically staying the same, with one big change that all prints size 8×12 and smaller will be the same “gift” print price.

I’m excited for all the new changes, and am eager to see what 2013 brings for Holly Birch Photography and my family! Thanks for your support!

Shannon + Brandon : Holy Cross + iHotel wedding

admin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:45:07 +0000

Shannon + Brandon had an absolutely beautiful and perfect wedding day — just like I knew they would! Shannon had her ducks all in a row well over a year ago when they hired me to photograph their wedding. Everything was planned to a T, with few hiccups (were there any??), and even though it was December, I don’t recall the weather or the light being a problem! We ended up with about two hours for potraits after the ceremony, and about half of that was after the sun had set, so we had a little fun with some lights on campus and in downtown Champaign by the train tracks. These two have become friends, and I wish them nothing but the best in their future together. Hope you’re having a great time in Destin on your honeymoon!

Leave a comment below the post, and after 50 comments, Shannon + Brandon will receive a complimentary 10×15″ mounted print of their choice.

Vendors:
Ceremony: Holy Cross
Reception: iHotel
Officiant: Fr. Steve Willard
Caterer: University of Illinois Catering
DJ, linens, video + lighting: Star Talent Events
Limo: Larry’s Limousine Service
Florist: Abbott’s Florist
Cake: The Cake Artist’s Studio
Dress: Ultimate Bride, Chicago (Monique Lhuillier)
Bridesmaids: Bella Bridesmaid, Chicago
Tuxes: Formally Modern Tuxedo (Joseph Abboud)
Photographer: Holly Birch Photography
Assistant photographer: Melanie Anderson