Happy New Year 2010!!!!!

Days before celebrating Christmas with my family in Durango, Mexico, I was asked to do a photoshoot for a local magazine cover, the January cover. I had to come up with a concept in one day and with my sister's ideas, we planned in going to "El Cerro" (the hill) where you can overlook the entire city. The temperature was about 40 degrees with trecherous winds. Being from Chicago, that was perfect working temperature for me but not for the model, assitants, magazine editor and anyone else that decided to stay around to watch the photoshoot so I had to work really fast (but I'm sure everybody felt it like hours!) I wanted to have sparkles in the model's hands and a champagne glass. Well, they didn't get there on time and luckly, we had wine glasses in the car and the modle brought her own bottle of Champagne, since her family owns a liquour store, that was most convinient.
I also photographed an engagement session of one of my sister's couples, since I was already there, well, why not! They looked superb in their evening attire, so appropriate for "El Cerro" and the night skyeline of the city.

Anna Fong, The Wit Hotel and Me

This past weekend an extraordinary team came together to create a fashion shoot for Chicago Designer Anna Fong, http://www.anna-fong.com/. Her line of custom desinged cocktail and evening dresses and her recently added custom made wedding gowns were photographed at the extrahordinary Wit Hotel, State and Lake. Thanks so much to Mark Shouger and Michelle at The Roof for letting us use this fantastic location and for being so kind to us. It was a long day but we all had a good time, the models were actual brides for whom Anna designed wedding gowns this past season and were very willing and excited to get to wear their gowns again. Another model was Laura, a bride of mine that will be getting married next season and professional model Callie Edwards, an extraordinary model indeed, I felt intimidated by her!

A great competition experience

I have actively been submitting images for competition at different professional associations and these are some of the images that got a degree of recognition.

This image won a Merit of Excellence at the 1st Annual Photography Seminar in Mazatlan, Mexico sponsored by SMFP, Mexican association of profesional photographers.

These two images also participated in Mazatlan and where short 1 point from getting a merit, sooooo close! This is the album of a favorite wedding of mine, Thessa and Robert. I presented this album and the following images at the annual APPI convetion in Lisle Illinois. They all got awarded in the excellence category.

Amy and Jack, The Metropolis Ballroom, Arlington Heights

Amy and Jack's wedding was the last wedding of my 2009 season. Being an October wedding, my favorite time of the year, we hoped for a nice sunny day and we got instead a cloudy and rainy day. That didn't stop me from taking advantage of the good disposition of Amy and Jack to take them to the cold and wet environment of downtown Arlinton Heights to take some beautiful images. I love to shoot at the Metropolis ballroom, it's one of a kind hall on the second floor where the ceremony took place in the ballroom and while cocktails were being served, the staff rearranged the room as a banquet hall. The day went superb and I trully enjoyed all the 80's music that Amy and Jack personally picked for their party, they truly brouhgt the house down!
Thank you guys for your patience and dedication to your photography, I'll see you soon to see the rest of your images.

CanCun 2009

I recently spent a week in Cancun, Mexico with my brother's family. I refuse to be a photographer that photographs everybody's families except hers so, I dragged all my equipment to Cancun and on a beautiful day at sunset, we went to the beach and did a photo session. My brother returned the favor and photographed me and my better half the next morning under blasting sun, but you can't tell by the photos! Anyway, I will be going to Mexican beaches to do seminars and destination weddings and I will be offering photo sessions for whoever wants to have a beautiful portrait at the beach. I call them "OCEAN PORTRAITS". The following dates are confirmed for Ocean Portraits: October 10-12 in Mazatlan, Mexico and December 27-30 also in Mazatlan, Mexico. I will be in Cancun in January 2010 but dates are still to be confirmed. To inquire about OCEAN PORTRAITS and to make reservations, contact me via email or phone at photographer@argentinaleyva.com, 630-667-4633

Stefanie and Brandon, Marriot Resort, Oak Brook IL

It's the end of the wedding season for me and I closed my season with the beautiful wedding of Stefanie and Brandon. From the very beginning, it was a farie tale wedding that will be close to my heart for the longest. It was so emotional that I cried in several occasions with the family, I could have not asked for more! Stefanie and Brandon, I just want to keep photographing you for the rest of my life! Check my Facebook for a mini video with more images.