Good Omen Photography

15/02/2024

We feel so fortunate for the countless number of beautiful humans that chose us over the years. I had a big essay-sized caption to post today, but instead I want to keep things light and express my thanks to all those that invested their time/money/faith in our business and art. We endured many hardships in 2023, but the memories we created with our couples will forever bless us. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Good Omen Photography
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14/08/2023

As I work on finishing up this wedding gallery, I stop every so often to reflect on these moments suspended in time. Despite having done a first look, the groom got very emotional when the bride approached the altar. With his eyes filled with tears he took a deep breath to collect himself, smiling in disbelief as his vision slowly returned.

This was the look he gave her during our engagement session, carrying the same ferocity and passion from his wedding day into their everyday life. When I say it's a privilege to be with my couples during their most intimate endeavors, that comes from a special place at the depths of my inner core. The earth is burning ( ), society is crumbling, but my faith in humanity continues as I experience first hand the power a little love can have...
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Good Omen Photography
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01/06/2023

Happy pride month!!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 Let's kick it off with this incredible q***r couple I had the honor of photographing. It warms my heart that q***r visibility is at an all time high. Unfortunately, anti-LGBTQ+ hate is as well. In 2023 alone (in the U.S.), over 500 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced into state legislature with over 50 anti-LGBTQ+ laws already enacted.

The goal is simple, to erase q***r people from history. The first N**i book burnings happened at a Trans clinic in Germany. They burned all traces of LGBTQ+ history and the same thing is happening in the United States by local governments. They have criminalized being q***r, much like it was before the Stonewall Riots in 1969 when police would brutalize and criminalize LGBTQ+ people for simply existing.

For my cis-hetero friends and family, being an ally is not a title you give yourself, and instead a title you earn through your actions. Support your marginalized communities through votes, protest, purchasing from LGBTQ+ owned businesses, and by using your privilege through times of injustice.

For all the closeted q***r folk who are not out, you are 100% just as valid and this month is for you as well! Whether you're closeted due to safety, security or any other reason... you matter and you are a part of our community.

Trans is beautiful. Gay is beautiful. Intersex is beautiful. Q***r is beautiful. 🏳️‍🌈
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Good Omen Photography
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***r ***rphotographer ***rphotography ***rartist ***rcouple ***rart ***rpride

01/04/2023

We took our kids to a trampoline park yesterday, followed by ice cream at the little parlor by our house that is now open for the year. Our daughter is 12, obsessed with painting her nails and trying out new styles. She's figuring out who she is and where she fits in the world. Our son is about to be 10 and he refuses to grow up, and parts of me hope that quality doesn't fade too quickly.

I feel like the little girl I once knew is in the distant past. She makes it a point to remind us that she doesn't like pink anymore, and would rather chat with her friends on the phone than do most things. Seeing her jump around at the trampoline park reminded me that she's still full of youth, despite her best efforts to try and grow up too quickly. She gets blue ice cream topped with whip cream and gummi bears, and still reaches for our hand as we walk through the parking lot. It’s not quite the animal parties we used to throw where we would get every stuffed animal in the house and play board games or draw, but it brings her a bit closer to the girl who loved bubble baths and playing with slime (well…plot twist: she still loves slime).

Our son still wakes up to play with blocks, although the things he builds are much more technical than they used to be. He’s also neurodivergent, which makes his personality unique while simultaneously causing us headaches on a daily basis. I wouldn’t change him for the world. He still cuddles up in my arm when we watch movies, gives me a hug every single time he sees me, and reminds me that he loves me with all his heart. Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve him, because he’s one of the brightest parts of my life even when I struggle in the darkness.

I know this has nothing to do with photography, but it’s the biggest part of who I am outside of my work. It’s the other thing I’m really good at, and being their parent is what drives me to take my best form. I couldn’t do what I do for you if it weren’t for them. Forever our babies, even when they inevitably get taller than us.

21/03/2023

Spring is finally here, and with the snow also melts away my seasonal depression. You won't be missed. The winter months are slow for a lot of photographers in Chicago. It's our time to edit, analyze our previous year in business and marketing, work on updating portfolios, and much more of the like. I'm not built to be a business person. My passion is people and my craft is photography. I wasn't born with an innate ability to manage taxes and bookkeeping, but alas, it comes with the territory.

I can't wait to get back out and shoot, not just weddings, but a few passion projects in the backburner. I want to travel with my friend Dave and take photos of quirky small towns and what they hide inside. I want to venture out with my family to the Garden of the Gods and other beautiful forest preserves to capture and connect with the nature my ancestors treated like family. I want to reignite that spark inside me that was snuffed out by freezing temperatures and frigid air.

This year will be a tremendous year of growth. I learned so much in 2022 about myself, my business and where I want it all to head in. I booked some clients I'm bursting with excitement to work for, and I want to show up as the best version of myself. I want to try new things and take risks, because I can't get stuck in stagnant water. I'm ready to make 2023 my favorite year yet, despite turning 35 (ew) and adding more gray to the helmet. I believe in me, and if you're reading this, I believe in you too because we have what it takes - it's up to us on what we do with it Good luck to us (and good omens for everyone)

12/03/2023

A few years ago before I got my business license and made things official, I sold my cameras to pay rent. I can’t begin to explain how painful that was for me. I felt like everything I was working toward was thrown away, just like that. But my family found ourselves in a rough patch and I did what I needed to do at the time. Spoiler warning - I reacquired new gear a bit later, but I was unsure if I could even use it the same or at the standard of quality I had once set for myself. My confidence was completely gone. My creativity was shot. I was struggling with my mental health and I didn’t know where to go, but I knew photography was a part of who I was (and who I still am).

I started shooting again, slowly but surely. People put their confidence in me and I couldn’t let them down, so I worked incredibly hard to shake off the rust. I began to trust my gear again, and in turn, trust myself. I sought therapy and worked on my childhood trauma (amongst other things) and became a version of me I never knew could exist. I loved myself, for the first time in my entire life.

Jimi Hendrix sold his guitar before he became famous, and he would squat in under-construction buildings as a struggling musician. I’m no Jimi Hendrix, but I am an artist with a passion who would do anything to make their dreams a reality. Just like Hendrix got his guitar back, I got my cameras back and began to carve out a name for myself.

People used to call me one of the best portrait & bo***ir photographers in the Chicago underground scene of creatives before I sold my cameras. I cared a lot about self-image back then, but things were different this time around. The experience of being down on my luck was humbling. The healing I went through allowed me to realize my true purpose, and that is to serve others with my talents rather than seek affirmation for selfish reasons. I don’t know what kind of life I would have lived if I never found my way back to my cameras, but luckily, I don’t ever have to know. I am a photographer, and I’m not sure I believe in destiny…but if I did…this is it.

16/02/2023

It's easy to feel small and insignificant. I pose questions to myself like why do I recycle or does me being vegan really make an impact? Can one person make a difference? At some point, people along the way inspired me to make more fruitful choices. I bet they asked themselves these same questions.

I don't have all the answers, and I can't show proof that what I do is actually helping the animals or the environment. What I do have is a soft spot for innocent life and a determination to promote change in the way people think about the voiceless. I know that over the past 4+ years, my wife, son and myself have had conversations with others about our lifestyle. We even have a worm farm that turns all of our scraps into fertilizer for our garden. These decisions we made are not only self sustaining, but they make me think about other aspects of my life and how I can improve on them.

I just want to be better. I want to be a better guest on this planet. I want to be a better sibling to my kin. I want to be a better photographer for my clients. And maybe if I just keep trying to be better, I won't feel so small and insignificant. Maybe I can even inspire someone else to see the bigger picture like someone had shown me. Turn to your partner and ask them if you made a difference in their life. I'm willing to bet that you've made more of an impact than you realize.

Swipe for the before image...
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Good Omen Photography
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08/02/2023

I know I take my wife for granted. To be fair, I feel like we all do with our partners at some point. We've been together almost 8 years now in a journey that started out at a dive bar eating fries and drinking who knows what. We were infatuated with one other, spending every waking moment we could in the comfort of each other's arms. I would race to my phone to check my notifications in hopes that there was one waiting from her - my rush of dopamine.

These days, we live in a beautiful new house together and work hard to raise our two children the right way (if such a thing even really exists). We're exhausted, worn out, insert synonym for tired here. It feels like sometimes we can never catch a break. In the midst of parenting two children, we have to pay the bills and put food on the table. Somewhere in there we're supposed to make time for each other, but it happens less and less.

My wife is upstairs cooking as I type this, making sure that we all have something nutritious (& delicious) to eat for the small moment the four of us finally get to sit down together. She's good at that, taking care of us that is. She schedules the Dr appointments, coordinates with school teachers, plans every meal and does all the shopping. I could go on, but you get it - she never stops putting herself last to ensure we're always first.

Every time I edit an engagement session, I reflect back on those kids at the bar who met for the first time, not knowing they'd spend a lifetime together. It's an opportunity to recognize my shortcomings as well as my achievements, and hold space for a little more appreciation toward the person I sometimes take for granted.
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Good Omen Photography
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02/02/2023

I've been lost in reflection today. I get asked what my favorite part is about being a wedding photographer, and there are endless answers that can fill in that blank. The food (obviously!), the build up, the huge celebration at the end of the ceremony, the crazy dance floor at the end of the night...all good answers.

The part that sticks in my mind the most are the quiet and intimate moments I share with my couples. When I reflect on a wedding day, I'm often taken back to the first look, the first whisper, the first tear wiped from a lover's eye, the first embrace. These are the moments of impact that resonate with my soul.

It's impossible to not be engulfed in intense emotion, even when (especially when) everything quiets down and the only thing that exists is a bond that started its journey years ago. I think about how serene those split seconds in time are, and how difficult it must have been to arrive there. There were fights, sleepless nights, and maybe even break ups - but the only thing that matters in that instant is each other. It's truly indescribable. Love isn't easy, and a lot of the time it can be VERY messy, but we have to cherish the quiet times, the slow times. Those are the ones that stick.
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Good Omen Photography
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01/02/2023

If you needed a push to wear two outfits on your wedding day, this is it! Always a good time at the City Winery in Chicago, even for a sober person like me ;-]
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Good Omen Photography
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27/01/2023

The seasons come and go so fast that i can't wrap my head around the swiftness of time. Some days I yearn for night to come, whether stress gets the best of me or I just need to rest my body and soul. Other days I wish would never end. With about 100 weddings under my belt, I can honestly say I've held on to the time I spend with my couples until our final goodbyes (and even long after).

I know this is your day, but I'd be lying if i said it didn't mean something special to me as well. I'm surrounded by intense emotion, families reunited, love celebrated. It's beautiful, and I wish I could find a better word, but beauty conveys exactly what my eyes tell my mind. Yes, the flowers are always lovely and the table settings have a character of their own, but the beauty I speak of exists in a form that you cannot feel physically. It's present in every smile and first look, ignited through every kiss and caress. It's the long gaze in a lover's eyes and knowing exactly how that feels. The weightlessness of it all, yet heavy all the same.

I don't just show up to weddings - I experience them with you, knot in throat when the vows are read and tears in my eyes at the first kiss. I'm often praised for my ability to convey the authenticity of a wedding day, and this isn't a humble brag, but more an explanation as to why that is. Because I feel everything everywhere & all the time, with you and for you...
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Good Omen Photography
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19/11/2022

This short story covers the build up to the couple's beautiful wedding at the in Chicago. First looks are a modern trend that I hope stay forever. Not only does it give you a moment with your partner before the chaos, but it also gives you that sense of comfort that you feel when they are by your side.

Nerves are typically high during wedding days (I speak from personal experience), and the embrace of your partner can help calm them. I always ask couples and they tell me the same thing: the first look does not take away from the moment of seeing your partner walk down the isle. 10 minutes is all you need for a special point in time that will be captured forever. So if you need a push, I'm here to push you! Do a first look, and hire us to photograph your wedding while you're at it!
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Good Omen Photography
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19/09/2022

Two years ago, I got to marry my best friend. Now we get the pleasure of capturing that romance for all our couples as a married photography hype team! We only get one life in these bodies, and I'm so fortunate to be spending it with you and our beautiful children. Happy anniversary my love...
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Photos by

07/03/2022

It was 70 degrees on Saturday and now it's snowing. Take me back to this beautiful fall wedding at ...
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Good Omen Photography
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20/01/2022

Oh hey, we made the 'Best Of Weddings' on The Knot, and the 'Couples' Choice Awards' on WeddingWire! Thank you to every client that made this possible. 2022 will be our biggest year yet and we are ready for the celebrations!🎉🎉🎉

08/01/2022

New blog post is up!

https://goodomenphoto.com/shay-grant-hotel-arista-naperville-wedding/

Traveling Chicago photographer captures wedding at Hotel Arista in Naperville, IL. Named top 7 best Naperville photographers.

08/01/2022

First looks are a wonderful opportunity to have an intimate moment together before the ceremony takes place. There are not many chances throughout the rest of the day to get away from the crowd, which is why I always encourage every couple to take part in this special and trending tradition...
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Good Omen Photography
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24/12/2021

Happy holidays to all the wonderful people who put big trust our small business!
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Good Omen Photography
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20/12/2021

For this engagement shoot, our couple had goodie boxes for their flower girl and ring bearer to surprise them with the news. I didn't include those shots, but it was a very special moment that I'm thankful I was a part of. What I did include are many moments highlighting the connection between these two people, one that I immediately picked up on at our very first meeting. Ann and Rollin have a way of making you miss your significant other if they're not around. It's the look, the smile and the energy in the air that makes their love unique and impactful. And this is just the beginning of their long journey together...
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Good Omen Photography
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11/12/2021

The day before shooting a wedding is always a good time for reflection. I think about all the shots I've taken, what I could've done better, and how to show up as my best self. Tomorrow I'm shooting a wedding and today I'm reflecting on the second wedding I ever shot. It's very humbling to think about all the people who believed in me, leaving the corporate world to invest in myself. And to this day, people are putting their utmost trust in my talent and also me as a person who will be a big part of their event. I am not only grateful, but also solidified in my stance that this is where I belong - capturing love for incredible people...
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Good Omen Photography
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02/12/2021

Elise and Drew wedding I shot back in August. What a beautiful and memorable day 😊

01/12/2021

I know this engagement shoot looks super romantic, and it was, but we were blasting hard rock/nu metal the entire time 😂😎 was the anthem because we tailor your experience with us as best as we can. Plus, Chevelle is life 🤘🏾...
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Good Omen Photography
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27/11/2021

The Chateau Bu-Sche is a comfortable space with a pretty riverwalk and plenty of room for celebration. Their workers were very friendly and accommodating, the grounds were clean and I would not be disappointed if I had to shoot another event there. Everything you need for a memorable time and beautiful pictures exist within walking distance, making this venue a great one stop shop for any wedding...
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Good Omen Photography
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25/11/2021

For us indigenous people (and for cool progressives), today is the National Day of Mourning. Acknowledging this is working toward change where we no longer accept the lies of colonization that have been perpetuated throughout American history. My Native ancestors are very loud today, and the emotion in my chest tells me they live through me, today and for the rest of days....
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Good Omen Photography
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12/11/2021

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