In Wedding on
June 25, 2021

I Do BBQ: Chicago Backyard Wedding Reception

Photographing Danielle and Joe’s backyard wedding reception was such a treat. This stunning couple eloped in Florida and decided to celebrate their intimate wedding reception here in Illinois with their family and friends. The day’s details were dreamy! From the bride’s stunning wedding reception dress to her cute wedding shoes. From her fun and vibrant bouquet to their amazing mariachi band. It was a great celebration of love. It was a hot one in Chicago that Saturday, but the bride remained stunning throughout the day. Don’t you agree?! Her make-up artist did an amazing job because the heat did not faze her make-up.

Here is a brief storytelling of the day through photos.

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In Portrait on
August 23, 2019

Yoliluz & Luis » OLD SAN JUAN ENGAGEMENT

Engagement portrait session in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

One August summer morning, San Juan Puerto Rico was perfect for these engagement photos. Hot but perfect! With the sun shining bright like a diamond, I started my day early with the couple.

I was so happy to meet Yoliluz & Luis in person that morning after communicating for a bit via phone only; their wedding is in April. They are the sweetest and easy-going couple. It was a pleasure to capture their love story with the historical backdrop of Puerto Rico, which was divine, fun and playful, and fit Yoliluz & Luis personality perfectly.

Because we started early Sunday morning, parking was quick and easy. We had the colorful streets of Old San Juan to ourselves that morning. We hiked up and climbed down the narrow blue cobblestone streets for roughly two in half hours. The bride to be was a champ, doing all the walking in stilettos in the paradise summer weather. We started in front of the pretty colorful buildings and ended at one of the historical forts called San Cristobal. I hope you feel the happiness I feel viewing this colorful and lively engagement photos. It is everything!

Yoliluz y Luis: Gracias por confiar en mi. ¡Espero que disfrutes los retratos tanto como yo! ¡Felicidades con su compromiso! Abril está a la vuelta de la esquina. (Translation: Thank you for having confidence in me. My hope is that you love them as much as I do! Congratulations with your engagement! April is around the corner.)

Engagement portrait session in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read more

In Portrait on
June 18, 2019

Brie’s Quince Portrait Session

Quinceañera Portrait Session in Cantigny Park ‖ Hazel + Skye » www.hazelandskye.com

We shot the lovely Brianna at Cantigny Park in Wheaton a couple of weeks ago as a pre-event portrait session. Her Quinceanera (or cotillion) is fast approaching in August.

A Quinceanera celebrates the coming of age on a girl’s 15th birthday.  It typically involves a church service or mass, followed by a party.  It serves as a public proclamation of the importance of religion, family and social values in this journey of childhood into maturity.

We can’t wait to capture and witness Brianna’s day!

Quinceañera Portrait Session in Cantigny Park ‖ Hazel + Skye » www.hazelandskye.com Read more

In Wedding on
June 17, 2019

Alexia & Eric // Sweethearts

Wedding Party under tree canopy at Cantigny Park, IL ‖ Hazel + Skye » http://www.hazelandskye.com

Alexia and Eric are the sweetest high school sweethearts. Our conversations were mostly over the phone since they live in California. However, their wedding was going to be here in Chicago, which is where they are originally from. Even though it called for all-day rain, it stopped at the perfect time and Alexia and Eric had one of the most beautiful days this spring.

My day started at the church, St. Raphael the Archangel. This church seems to be in the middle of nowhere because of all the real estate it occupies; (8-10 mins away from Gurnee Mills) it is a stunning church and land.

Bride with bouquet and wedding rings. Read more

In Wedding on
February 17, 2019

Room 1520

Room 1520 » Hazel & Skye

Last week I joined an amazing list of Chicago wedding vendors and was honored to be able to highlight them in front of the camera.

The shoot took place at Room 1520, which is one of my favorite Chicago venues. Located in the trendy area of the Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, it is a modern, bright, clean and industrial venue space featuring 4,000 square feet plus a cool rooftop skyline showcasing the Chicago skyline city views. It also has elegance and chic vibes. Room 1520 has a private glamorous bridal suite, perfect for getting ready photos or freshening up before the ceremony/reception. It’s a must see and you will also fall in love with this space.

The weather did not permit for the use of outdoor space on the rooftop, but this spot will not disappoint.

PS. I also fell in love with the dress we shot from Jenny Yoo in Chicago. I think it is on the top of my list for a dress for my own wedding destination vow renewal that I am starting to plan.

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In Wedding on
February 17, 2019

Chicago Brookfield Zoo

Chicago Brookfield Zoo Wedding » Hazel & Skye

In the summer of 2018, we had the privilege of shooting for Brookfield Zoo. It is definitely a venue perfect for animal lovers and for the kid at heart.

Photography – Hazel + Skye (https://www.Hazelandskye.com)
Venue: Brookfield Zoo (https://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Home)
Bridal Model – Emily Zamitis
Makeup Artist – Vee Rubio Makeup Artistry (https://www.facebook.com/veerubiocreations)
Hair – Mariefel Lagatuz Westa
Flowers- Kay Sordel
Jewelry – Vintage Meet Modern (https://www.vintagemeetmodern.com)
Stylist – AbbyBella Couture (https://www.etsy.com/shop/AbbyBellaCouture)
Liaison/Coordinator: Village of Riverside Commissioner (https://www.riverside.il.us) – Alexander Gallegos Read more

In Wedding on
February 11, 2019

Laura & Kevin || Part 2

Laura & Kevin ‖ The First Look » HAZEL & SKYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Laura and Kevin’s first look and bridal portraits needed a blog of its own. I always recommend the first look to be somewhere that is special for you both. For this couple, it was the corridor at their condo building in the Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square. You see, they met at a Christmas party in their condo building where they were neighbors. Laura was hosting the party and they had their pivotal, ice-breaking conversation. Kevin took some leftovers home and texted Laura how much he loved the food. The rest is sort of history!

The hard rain held off most of their big day, at least enough for the outdoor first look and the bridal portraits before the ceremony. Now, there is no rule of where in the timeline to take bride and groom portraits. However, my personal favorite is before everything starts. That’s the point where everything kind of shifts into high speed. Thus, taking a moment for the portraits before allows for that calm and private moment for the couple. Then the couple is ready and excited to welcome their guests for the rest of the day, without missing a beat.

So, for bridals, we stopped at Welles Park in Chicago. It was the perfect spot! A few minutes away from the ceremony and with the perfect Gazebo to shelter for the rain. I had so much fun with these two, they are a total sweetheart of a couple. Enjoy! Read more

In Wedding on
January 18, 2019

Laura & Kevin

Laura & Kevin » Dank Haus Wedding ‖ Hazel & Skye

I had looked forward to Laura and Kevin’s wedding from the moment I spoke with Laura. There is no way to narrow down the many images that I want to share from this day, so I am going to do it in two blogs. This first part of their wedding is from their wedding day preparations at their condo. My wonderful second, Beth, was with the guys, while I was with Laura.

Laura & Kevin » Dank Haus Wedding ‖ Hazel & Skye Read more

In Personal, Portrait on
January 11, 2019

The Beauty of Freckles Project

The Beauty of Freckles Project » Hazel & Skye ‖ www.photographybydre.com

This project celebrates the beauty of freckles. This project was a result of an incident I encountered.

I was told by a professional makeup artist at a beauty counter that she wanted to show me the best foundation make-up to cover my “flaws” (aka my freckles). Little did she know that I love my freckles and I don’t consider them flaws. That was the first time someone hated on my freckles. So, I did respond with “I love my freckles” and walked right out. However, I was thinking what if this make-up artist would have said this to someone that didn’t love their freckles, those words could have been devastating. Let’s be careful with our words! Freckles are beautiful and unique! Read more

In Personal on
January 3, 2019

New Name: Hazel + Skye

I’ve been thinking about this day ever since day one of my business, which was a decade ago. “What will my business name be?”. At the time, I could not relate to any names. Therefore, I settled for the name ‘Denise Espinosa Photography’. I knew from the start that I was not going to use it forever; I think I shared with anyone that would listen how I needed to change my name. Fast forward to the summer of 2018, when a fellow photographer responded to a “call” about my name change desires and challenges. We met for lunch, talked a bit about the business and to my surprise the new business name was birth during that lunch; it resonated instantly.
I could wait to do a whole re-branding before sharing. However, I decided that I waited long enough. I will be sharing and celebrating as I go.
After several months, thanks to another fellow photographer/designer, we ended with not only one but two logo branding kits that we absolutely love! Although we are starting with one branding kit, the other will be on file in case I decide I want to switch things up a bit down the road. For now, I am sharing our first main logo. I could not be happier! Thanks to my fellow photographer/designer for having so much patience with me when creating my brand…I do not have enough words to describe how thankful I am. I feel very blessed for the help of these photographers, I love and truly believe in community over competition. 

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