Alexis & JamesGillson Park, Wilmette - IL

Alexis and James chose Gilson Park in Wilmette for their engagement session, a beautiful location close to home and right along the shores of Lake Michigan. Their session took place in October 2021, just a few months before their July 2022 wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club.

Fall couldn't have created a more beautiful backdrop. The warm autumn foliage and rich colors complemented the deep azure blue of the lake, while the soft October sunlight gave the entire session an almost fairytale-like quality.

They also decided to add just 30 extra minutes to their session, bringing the total to 90 minutes. That additional time made a wonderful difference. It gave them the opportunity to change outfits, incorporate all the personal details they had brought with them—including a bicycle, champagne, and their Iowa University sweaters—and simply enjoy walking together along the boats on Lake Michigan without feeling rushed.

And this is something we always tell our couples: time matters.

Whether it is an engagement session or your wedding day, having enough time allows us to create more variety, explore more locations, incorporate meaningful details, and capture the little moments that naturally happen in between.

Brides, don't cut time from your wedding photography timeline. When you cut photography time, you're not just cutting photos—you may be cutting away memories that can never be recreated.