Chicago area wedding photography by Rachel and Jeff Owen.

TRUE BEAUTY Lately I’ve been having this conversation about self-esteem with many women. Why as women are we so fixated on our appearance? If I had to take a guess, I would say it’s probably because men are such visual creatures. It is said that when a woman walks into a room, she will judge…

As we come to the close of another year I’m looking forward to all 2017 has yet to be accomplished. My goal is to blog weekly whether or not it’s the next start of an epic novel or thought provoking ideas that will change the world. Just get my thoughts out; get something written. So…

Ten Reasons You Should Have A Photoshoot Now Reasons You Should Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone and JUST DO IT.  You’ll be really glad you did. You’re not getting any younger.  I have women age 50+ come in all the time and tell me they wish they would have done this when they were younger…

#1 Wedding Regret It’s hard to know what areas of your wedding you want to go all out with and what things you can do without. There is one thing brides regret not getting for the wedding above all else: not hiring a videographer. When you see your dad cry and tell you how much…

Robbery in Lemont The Vault’ from Whitney Cinema on Vimeo.   The collaborative work of businesses located on Canal street in downtown Lemont Photography by Rachel. J.R. Owen & Co. Photography Video filmed and produced by Alan. Whitney Cinema Costumes and Styling provided by Paige. 1 Happy Girl Boutique Hair and Makeup provided by Katie. White Lotus Weddings Location and Libations provided…

10 tips for picking a photographer 1.) Pick a Photographer You Like A good portion of your day is dedicated to taking photos.  You photographer will either add to your great wedding experience or make it a nightmare. 2.) You Don’t Always Have To Look At The Camera Candid moments are a huge part of…

If you’ve been doing a little research on boudoir or glamour photography you might find it’s more expensive than you thought. Anytime a product is created for one person and cannot be sold again, you can expect to pay more than the mass products you find on department store shelves. The average eight hours of…

How To Choose A Good Wedding Photographer Meet The Actual Photographer A good portion of your day will be spent taking photos; therefore, your photographer will be the vendor with the most direct impact on your day. It’s important to meet the actual person who will be capturing your memories. It’s the photographer, not the…

When gearing up for print competition   midnight the day before submissions are due   When you’re up to your neck in competition edits and the deadline is approaching When the perfect ideas comes to you out of nowhere When you find the perfect model for your vision When your vision just isn’t coming together…

“I’m totally freaking out!” said nearly every woman I’ve ever photographed. It’s ok; you’re normal. Unless you’re a professional model, you probably have a little apprehension about having a boudoir shoot and for most women that’s an understatement. You might be surprised to hear there is no such thing as a photogenic person. Being “photogenic”…

Unique Reception Ideas Dueling Pianos Bands and Djs are great, but if you want to wow your guests think outside the box. Dueling Pianos are interactive and a sure way to get everyone up and having a good time. http://www.felixandfingers.com/ Aerial Champagne Chandelier If you’re going to pour champagne why not pour it from the…

5 Tips To Really Enjoy Your Wedding Day Don’t Get Too Much Of A Plan In Your Head I couldn’t look at my wedding photos for six months after my wedding. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’ve met me and seen my wedding photos; and they are beautiful! I realize that now, but for…

The 6 Greatest Piece of Advice You’ll Wish You’d Read Before the Wedding Your Groom May Give You Jewelry The Day of the Wedding This doesn’t sound like a big deal, until you realize is probably excited to see you to wear it down the aisle. Make sure your groom knows you’ve spent time selecting…

Unique Reception Ideas Dueling Pianos Bands and Djs are great, but if you want to wow your guests think outside the box. Dueling Pianos are interactive and a sure way to get everyone up and having a good time. Click here   Aerial Champagne Chandelier If you’re going to pour champagne why not poor it…

I’m Going To Do A Boudoir Shoot, But I Need To Lose 20lbs First Here are 5 reasons not to wait for your goal weight: I can take off 20lbs just in the way I pose you. Let’s face it, you’ll probably just lose it in your boobs anyway. The hour glass ratio is soooo…

Too Nervous For A Boudoir Shoot? Then Glamour May Be Right For You What is a glamour shoot? Glamour is actually a very similar type of photo-shoot, just not in lingerie. The pose and expressions can still be sexy but in your favorite jeans or gorgeous gown. Often our clients opt for a glamour shoot…

9 Things You Wanted To Know About Boudoir, But Were Too Afraid To Ask It’s Pronounced Boo-Dwar Pronounced bood-wa in French the translation and means bedroom. It’s Really Not That Intimidating “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I actually felt really comfortable.” I hear this after every shoot. Corrective lighting and…

Six Things You Can Do To Get The Most Out Of Your Wedding Vendors If you’re going to tip, tip early.  It’s standard to tip someone at the end of the job based on how well they did, but if you want the most from your wedding vendors then tip early in the day. Tips…

Jeff and I were lucky enough to photograph Dimitrius’s epic proposal to his new fianceè Tyler.  He teamed up with the amazing team at Creative Ice Theatre to pull it off.  See the whole story below. Tyler is in the middle; she thinks she’s having a group skating lesson. Ralph is in the blue sweater.  She’s…

What he really wants There are two universal perfect presents for a man. The first is a remote-control helicopter. Seriously, there isn’t a man alive at any age that doesn’t want to play with a remote-control helicopter. The second is boudoir photography. If you’re getting married this is probably the more appropriate of the two.…