MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Engaged

Patrick + Anna Maria | Engaged

filed in:

with a simple post on Facebook. I was traveling out to Chicago to shoot my cousin’s engagement session and I mentioned it on my KJP Facebook page. Literally a few hours later, I received an email from Anna Maria asking if there was ANY way that they could have their engagements done in Chicago too! I’m shooting Patrick and Anna’s wedding in Fredericksburg, VA this fall and we had scheduled an engagement for Virginia in June. However, when Anna Maria heard I was coming to Chicago, she just had to ask and see if this could work out! …. Well, it did!! We found a way to coordinate our schedules

and I stayed an extra day in Chicago and shot their engagement session last Monday.  Chicago is THEIR city. It’s where they met and spent the first part of their relationship together.  As we walked up and down the busy streets of the windy city, they showed me where they used to work, where they met, their favorite restaurants, their favorite fountain, etc.  I felt like not only was I getting to shoot a fun session but I was also getting a professional tour of Chicago!! These two are amazing. It was HOT…. like really HOT. We took a couple mini water and gatorade breaks and I’m so thankful they were willing to stick with me for close to 2 hours! We toured Millennium Park and I got to see the BEAN and how Chicagoans spend their evenings on hot summer days.  There was a concert going on, children playing in the fountains and tourists taking their obligatory “Bean” pictures. Despite the heat, it was an amazing evening! I loved getting to know Patrick and Anna a  little more. They are so easy to talk to and that makes any engagement session so enjoyable. I can’t WAIT to see them again… next time a little closer to home! :) Enjoy some of my favorites!!

Patrick and Anna Maria, THANK YOU for making this happen! I’m so glad we were able to shoot your engagements in YOUR city!! :) I had a blast! Enjoy!!

Definitely a favorite!!   Just love her laugh! She’s so much fun! Love! The Bean!!! Funny story! One of Anna’s best friends is in charge of the landscaping in downtown Chicago! So we shot some in her beautiful flowers!  I don’t think Anna Maria could have worn a better necklace!! It matched EVERYTHING!  Love it!!! Classic.  Love this one too! You should have heard me yelling instructions from across the 4 lane highway! haha  Beautiful location!  Last but not least, a few shots at the EL! :) 

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

R6 Flat Files

How to Fix Flat R6 Images We finally found a solution!

A year ago, we promised to find a solution for those who were complaining about their R6 raw files looking dull and lifeless in Lightroom. However, due to various circumstances, we couldn’t deliver on that promise until now.

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

Kelly is an incredible wedding photographer who has been shooting 90 weddings a year. I know, it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true! Kelly’s success and the volume of work she handles is truly impressive.

Kelly Sea & Katelyn James
READ MORE

Ep. 34 | How She is Booking 90+ Weddings a Year And staying sane while doing it!

The Katelyn James Podcast
Free Posing Class

Free Posing Class The KJ Way

Your sessions should be working FOR you not against you!

READ MORE
Education
Manual Mode Made Easy

Mastering Manual Mode The Simple Way!

Shooting in manual mode might seem complex and overwhelming at first but there is an easier way!

READ MORE
Youtube

Welcome to your Lightroom Classic Starter Guide video!

Lightroom Classic Beginner Guide
READ MORE

Lightroom Classic Starter Guide Everything You Need to Get Started!

Youtube
5 Essentials to Turn Pro

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

READ MORE
Youtube

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.