Author, Brianna DuMont

      Brianna DuMont is a Middle Grade Author, a lover of French food and British TV series, a beautiful soul, and a dear friend. Brianna's first book in her Changed History series, Faux Figures: Legends, Fakes, and Phonies Who Changed History will be making its debut this fall and I am waiting with bated breath (you should be too!!!!!). Spoiler alert everyone I know with children, and even those without will be receiving this book from me for every gift giving occasion come fall because I know for a fact it's amazing. I was beyond honored when Brianna asked me to take her head shots for the upcoming PR campaign of her book. So, on a chilly Chicago Tuesday, with our cups of highly caffeinated "Downton Abbey" tea close by (friends support friend's caffeine addictions) we spent the afternoon shooting in her lovely lakeside condo. Here are some of my favorite shots from our session.

Marfa, The Most Magical Place

       I'm moving to Marfa!....Not really, but I wish. As some of you know, I'm about to complete Masters degree in Museum and Exhibition Studies this May. Last weekend, the college of Architecture and the Arts at UIC took a group of qualified students to Marfa, TX to visit the Donald Judd and Chinati Foundations. I can say with pure honesty that it was one of the most magical and beautifully surprising experiences of my life.

       Marfa is the best kept secret around. In fact, in order to keep this little secret, I considered NOT writing a blog post, sharing pictures on Facebook, AND not telling anyone about it general...ever. But alas, my experience was so thrilling that I can't help but share it. What the heck is Marfa you may ask? Marfa is a small town about 1.6 square miles, seated in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert in the Southwest corner of Texas. In the 1970s minimalist artist Donald Judd acquired property in Marfa with the intention of creating artwork that fulfilled his philosophy on art and making. Judd believed that art should be made in conjunction with a specific environment and should remain where is was created (or rather installed) instead of moving around the world to different museums and galleries. Marfa is now home to the Chinati Foundation, whose mission is to maintain a place for large scale installations created by artists invited there by Judd. Chinati holds permanent work by artists such as Dan Flavin, Claus Oldenburg, Roni Horn, John Wesley, Zoe Leonard, and of course by Donald Judd. 

       The town of Marfa itself is beautiful and quaint, the weather is delightful in the Spring, and the people are warm and friendly. I truly cannot wait to go back to this magical place! In the meantime, here are some photos I took (sadly only with my iPhone so don't hate).

       

Wedding at the Nature Museum

What a GORGEOUS couple, they looked like a pair of models. These two were super laid back and really fun to be around. Here are some shots from their beautiful wedding at the Nature Museum.

                            

 

This wedding was Second Shot for Angela Renee Photography

Vintage Country Club Wedding

Vintage, vintage, vintage, I love vintage!!!! This beautiful country club wedding was embellished with the most lovely details; from her birdcage veil to the custom bags boards on the lawn, this Bride's taste was fabulous. With a classic location, perfect weather, and a romantic "how we met" story, this couple had it all. I really enjoyed being a part of their day, here are some of my favorite shots...

                         

     

                       

                       
         

                       

         

                       

                     

Second Shot for Angela Renee Photography