ashley biess photography

Coming soon

Ashley — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:50:14 +0000

I’ve had a very busy summer and it’s been obvious that I haven’t been paying enough attention to my blog. I’m hoping things will slow down for a little bit so I have a chance to catch up! Until then, here is a preview of all the blog posts that will be coming soon!

Kelli and Ben’s engagement session in the cornfields.

Sara and Ben’s Peoria wedding.

Samantha and Dustin’s engagement session at Goose Island. One of my new favorite places!

The lovely Miss Veronica’s very hippie-chic inspired photo session at Sylvan Island in Rock Island.

Becky and Andrew’s engagement session at Northerly Island and Museum Campus.

Jackie and Pete’s engagement session at the Kinzie Street Bridge.

Kelli and Ben make a second appearance! Their wedding was just this last weekend, and has to be one of my favorites so far.

Stay tuned

Cambria and Ben

Ashley — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:28:00 +0000

I made a special trip out to my alma mater for Cambria and Ben’s very Augustana engagement session. The two are both Quad City natives but did not meet until their college year’s at Augustana. During the summer everything is usually closed, but we had VIP access to any building we wanted. So much fun! Enjoy.

Kate and Brent – Wedding

Ashley — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:16:37 +0000

This was such a fun wedding! Kate and Brent’s love for music (and each other) was reflected throughout the entire day, and fittingly so -they met in the Augustana Choir during their college years. Kate walked down the aisle to a live a cappella version of “Goin’ to the Chapel”. The two even sang a duet together during the ceremony – adorable. And the musical performances continued at the reception. I had about an hour of time to take pictures of just Kate and Brent together after the ceremony right as at sunset. The lighting was so perfect and so romantic, I don’t think I could have planned it any better. If my love for sunsets wasn’t clear before, it should definitely be obvious after this shoot. Thanks again you two for such a wonderful time!

Beth and Andrew – Engagement

Ashley — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:34:14 +0000

Beth and Andrew were just settling into their new Chicago apartment and wanted some very Chicago engagement photos to match. We covered quite a bit of territory during this session. We started out at Kinzie Street Bridge and ended up at Millennium Park, with a few pit spots in between (we even stopped at their apartment to get a family portrait with their adorable golden retriever, Emma). I had a lot of fun with you guys and I can’t wait for your October wedding!

Now accepting nominations for a free engagement session

Ashley — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:13:33 +0000

You read correctly. I am giving away not one, not two, but THREE free engagement sessions this month! I am looking for three very special couples in the Chicago-land area who are in need of some classic, romantic and fun engagement pictures. Couples are completely welcome to nominate themselves for this opportunity, but if you are a friend or family member of a deserving couple, please submit a nomination on their behalf. Unfortunately, current clients of mine or people have previously contacted me about photography services are not eligible for this opportunity. I’m looking for some brand new faces

Please email me @ ashley.biess@gmail.com with a favorite photo of the couple and the information listed below:

-Names of couple
-What’s the story? How’d you meet, what have you been through together, etc.
-Three words that best describe you as a couple
-What is your ideal location for an engagement session? And why?

Looking forward to reading all of the submissions!

Danda Forest Preserve

Ashley — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:40:16 +0000

First of all, let me just say how much I LOVE the Danada forest preserve. Had it not been for the mosquitoes, I probably could have spent all day there exploring the prairie grounds and equestrian center. I woke up this morning in a particularly artsy mood, and Danada is always the first place I think of visiting. I love the quietness of the country. I feel like I can really be alone with my thoughts (and my camera). I also think this would be such a romantic place for engagement photos, and the first couple who asks me to take photos there will probably make my wildest dreams come true . Here are a few of my favorites from this morning. Enjoy.

Kate and Brent – Preview

Ashley — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:45:16 +0000

Just a little preview of more to come. Loved my wedding shoot with this very happy couple

Photographers wanted

Ashley — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:29:39 +0000

If you haven’t heard through the grapevine, I’m currently holding auditions for the role of assistant/2nd shooter/partner in crime for my 2011 wedding season. If you or someone you know would like to know more about this opportunity, please read further!

What I’m looking for…

Someone who is fun and artsy and has a creative eye
Someone with at least a few weddings under their belt or has experience in other fields of photography that can relate
Someone who already owns their own equipment including camera body, lens and flash

If you are interested please email me @ ashley.biess@gmail.com and answer with the following information -some of these are just for fun, so please just humor me . To be fair, I will answer all of these questions (even the crazy ones) so you can also get to know more about me. Here we go.

What’s your name? Ashley!
Where do you live? Suburbs of Chicago
What’s your education background? I have a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, Art and Music
What camera equipment do you own/shoot with? I am the proud owner of a Canon 5D Mark II, along with several Canon lenses (including my loves the 50mm and 70-200mm) and a 580 Flash.
How many weddings have you shot? Were you on your own or working as an assistant? I’ve lost track, but I think I’m close to 20. I started out as an assistant/second in college and shot my first solo wedding back in April of 2008.
If you could have any job in the entire world what would it be? I would LOVE to be a decorative paper designer. I would design paper, sell it in my own little shop, and play my french horn all day. The perfect life.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? (Ice cream is kind of a big deal to me) Graham Central Station from Whitey’s. Hands down. Who would think that Graham Cracker flavored ice cream would be good, but I will stand my ground when I say that it is the best ice cream flavor of all time.
If someone gave you $1,000 and you could only spend it in one store, where would you go and what would you buy? Instantly my mind goes to clothes. I can’t help it. And my poison would most likely be Anthropologie. *Sigh*

Thanks for reading. I hope hear from you all soon

Lauren and Johnny – Wedding

Ashley — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:55:08 +0000

If I had to give this wedding a title, I think it would be “Romance in the Cornfields”. I am by no means a country girl, but after Lauren and Johnny’s wedding, I am completely in love with the idea of a beautiful, country wedding. Lauren, John, and their families did everything themselves, and I can’t even begin to imagine just how much planning went into this day. Their reception was held at Johnny’s grandparent’s farm, and as you can see in the photos, it was literally in the middle of the corn fields. I could probably gush on and on about how much I loved shooting this wedding, but I think I will let the photos do the talking for me. Wishing you two all of the best!

Collen and Dave – Engagement

Ashley — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:18:14 +0000

I’ve fallen behind in my blogging. My apologies! Here are some engagement photos featuring Colleen and Dave. Within minutes of starting our session, it began pouring rain and storming like crazy. We attempted to wait it out to see what would happen, and luckily the storm cleared out and was replaced by a beautiful sunset. Couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful evening. Thanks for being so patient, you two. Looking forward to October!