ShootQ

We are extremely excited for our new partnership with ShootQ!  Their innovative organizational tools are going to become such an asset for our business.  Thank you for the upgrade, Pictage!

A Bit About Belen Aquino

What is your favorite moment of a wedding?

A good Hora!  There is nothing like it.  It gets everybody up and dancing.

What is your go-to lens of choice?

18-35; it's never failed me.

Do you have a fail-safe location that you couldn't do without?

Kinzie Street Bridge.  It's so iconic Chicago and has so many things to do in one stop.

What is your favorite appetizer?

A shot glass of tomato soup with the tiny grilled cheese on the rim.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while shooting?

Well there's not much that can be told in mixed company, but some cute ones was when all the groomsmen serenaded the bride with "You've lost the loving feeling" or a bridal party's choreographed rendition of Thriller.

Some photographers that inspire you:

Man Ray, Lee Miller, Walker Evans, Annie Leibovitz, Weegee, Andreas Gursky, Bruce Davidson, Diane Arbus, Dorothea Lange... how many more do you need?

Favorite venues:

Salvage One, Grainger Ballroom at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Palmer House, Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, and apple orchards

Favorite movies:

Eastern Promises, Goodfellas, Funny Face, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Touch of Evil, 400 Blows, Le Samurai

Favorite Chicago neighborhood:

To shoot in?  The West Loop.

Best vacation destination:

Cuba, Argentina, Scotland

Do you have a good joke to share?

That are appropriate? Nope.

Who are your favorite bands/artists?

Wilco, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Brad Mehldau, Peter Mulvey, Okkerville River

Personal work:

mbaquino.blogspot.com

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

Never really thought about it.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

Best Chicago restaurants:

Mixteco, The Girl and the Goat, Cozy Noodle, Sunshine Cafe, Bijan

If you were hosting a guest that has never been to Chicago before, where would you take them?

Architectural Boat Tour, the Art Institute, and a walk.

If you could see one band, front row, dead or alive, who would it be?

Probably the Beatles.

First concert:

Yikes!  Not going to tell you that!

Play an instrument?

Did.  Cello.

How did you meet your current special someone?

In the corner of the Long Room bar.

Favorite wedding color combo?

Mine of course!  Navy and grey with royal purple.

A Bit About Tim Jarosz

What's your favorite moment of a wedding?

I love taking the couple to some special spots around the city before or after the ceremony, that is the time I can really get creative with them and their wedding party.  I love the uniqueness of every couple. It is that special quality that I love to capture with the dramatic backdrop that is Chicago.

What is your go-to lens of choice?

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

Do you have a fail-safe location?

Olive Park, because the background view of the city.  I love the alley across the street from the Chicago Theater,  the lighting and the urban feel are gritty and beautiful.

What is your favorite appetizer?

I stay away from appetizers, but when they are forced upon me,  I like crab cakes and the small lamb chops are pretty tasty.

Some photographers that inspire you:

In a way, I get inspired by all other photographers.  Everyone has something that is special or different that can inspire me.  One of my favorites though is a street photographer named Boogie. The Vivian Maier show at the Chicago Cultural Center was an inspiring look at Chicago and people out on the street.

Favorite venues:

A New Leaf and Salvage One.

Favorite movie:

Beautiful Losers

Favorite Chicago neighborhood:

Wicker Park and Bucktown

Best vacation destination:

Jamaica is one of my favorite places in the world.  You cannot beat the beaches, culture and people.

Do you have a good joke to share?

Who ever remembers jokes?  But yea... A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks, "Why the long face?"

Who are your favorite bands/artists?

Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Brand New, The Shins, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Biggie

Personal work:

www.timmyjyo.com

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

I would have to be a turtle living on a reef in the middle of the ocean.  Just taking life slow and enjoying the view.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

If you were hosting a guest that has never been to Chicago, where would you take them?

The Signature Room on top of the Hancock.  Then probably walk down the lakefront and hit up all the touristy things along the way.

First concert:

Twisted 8 with 311, Bush, Blink 182, Alien Ant Farm, The Crystal Method, Sum 41, Puddle of Mudd, and Pete Yorn.  It was amazing at the time.

Play an instrument?

The Ukulele.  Seriously, I do.

How did you meet your special someone?

During college at Eastern Illinois University.

How did you meet your special someone?

During college at Eastern Illinois University.

A Bit About Maggie Thalheimer

What's your favorite moment of a wedding?

When the bride and groom walk down the aisle just after being announced husband and wife.

What is your go-to lens?

It depends on the situation, but I carry two cameras on me during a shoot.  One camera always as a 24-105, and the other usually has my 70-200.

Do you have a fail-safe location you couldn't do without?

Olive Park.  It provides a park, a beautiful view of the skyline and the beach!  It works great with both small and large wedding parties.

What is your favorite appetizer?

I rarely turn down crab cakes.

A funny or weird thing that has happened to you while shooting?

I cannot remember the "funniest" thing, but groomsmen are always weird...

Some photographers that inspire you:

Eugene Richards, Salgado, Lauren Greenfield, and Joe Buissink.

Favorite venues:

Chicago Illuminating Company, MCA, and Salvage One.

Favorite movies:

Wedding Crashers and Elf.

Favorite Chicago neighborhood:

West Loop and Lincoln Park.

Best vacation destination:

Anywhere with good company, beautiful weather, and delicious food.

Who are your favorite bands/artists?

Son Volt, Wilco, Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, and Salt-N-Pepa

If you could see one band, front row, dead or alive, who would it be?

Michael Jackson or Bruce Springsteen.

First concert:

Britney Spears and BBMak.  I'm not afraid to admit it!

Play an instrument?

I played trombone for about a week when I was in 5th grade, but that's about it.

How did you meet your special someone?

I met Brad at Ohio University, but how we actually met is a mystery.

What's your favorite wedding color combo?

Grey and yellow.

If you could be an animal, what would you be?

I have always wanted to be a dolphin.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs.  Cats are gross.  They can give you toxoplasmosis.

Best Chicago restaurant:

Toro Sushi and Frontera Grill.

If you were hosting a guest that has never been to Chicago before, where would you take them?

I would take them to breakfast at the Bongo Room, vintage shopping in Bucktown, happy hour on Market's rooftop, then dinner at Decero.

A Bit About Melody Follweiler

What's your favorite moment of the wedding?

I like the moments that are the most emotional: the first time the couple sees each other, vows when they have been written by the couple, and really genuine speeches.

What's your go to lens?

I usually keep it between my 24-70mm f/2.8 and my 85mm f/1.8.

What's your favorite location?

The Chicago Theater - you have the marquee, the awesome fire escapes to the south, an urban alley to the west, and it's just steps away from the riverfront.

What's your favorite appetizer?

Brie and raspberry poufs.

What are your favorite venues?

Chicago Illuminating Company or anywhere outdoors during golden hour.

What's your favorite movie?

Billy Elliot - "I just want to dance the ballet!"

What's your favorite Chicago neighborhood?

Pilsen.  It makes me feel like I'm in a real Mexican town again.  I love the mango carts, kids playing fútbol in the streets, and the bachata music playing in all the storefronts.

Best Chicago restaurant:

The Publican or Girl and the Goat.  But when the budget is wearing thin, Rocky's Tacos.  Get the Ronaldiña torta - pork chop, pineapple, bacon, and cheese.

If you could see one band, front row, dead or alive, who would it be?

The Rolling Stones.  I would liquidate all of my assets to see them in a small venue.

Play an instrument?

Acoustic guitar.

Personal work:

www.melodia.tumblr.com

Photographers that inspire you:

Robert Capa, Walker Evans, Mary Ellen Mark, Lynn Goldsmith, Stefan May, James Nachtwey

Best vacation destination:

Budapest in the summer, Latin America in the winter, Münich in Oktober

Favorite bands/artists:

The Rolling Stones, Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire, Bob Marley, The Black Keys, Guns N Roses (circa 1987)

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

A panther.  Sexy, sleek, mysterious.

Dogs or cats?

Absolutely dogs.  Big ones.

If you were hosting a guest that has never been to Chicago, what would you do?

An afternoon at Montrose beach, a tour of the Half Acre Brewery, dancing at Neo.

How did you meet your special someone?

We literally bumped into each other while watching Nada Surf at North Center's Rib Fest a few years ago.  Yes, he was covered in BBQ sauce.

Brides & Blooms 2011

Mark your calendar for Brides & Blooms 2011 on March 23!  It's a great event for brides to be, their bridesmaids and parents of the soon-to-be wed!  Get a look at the latest trends and designs for 2011 and get inspired for your unique wedding look!