Spring Family Portrait Series at Osaka Japaneese Gardens

A beautiful day in Chicago was the scene for the 2010 family portrait series. The location, Osaka Japaneese Gardens and the Museum of Science and Industry two jewels in Chicago that not many people know about. I wanted to share the before and after photos that I took of two great families that have been my clients for over 5 years. The images shown are as taken and then as they were retouched to create images deserving to be displayed as 30x40 wall portrait at my client's homes. The next portrait series will be fall 2010. Send me an email to reserve your spot!
http://www.argentinaleyva.com/, photographer@argentinaleyva.com

Nicloe and Joseph at Downers Grove Train Station

I recently did the engagement session of Nicole and Joseph. They will be getting married in June and I can't wait for their wedding. Nicole came to the session with the dress she wore at her bridal shower and I couldn't resist having her white dress against the white floor of the fountain at the train station in Downers Grove that had just been painted. Both were so willing and excited to do anything I suggested and it is reflected in their images. It was rush hour at the train station and photos are fantastic with the trains in the background, although I used more hand signals than anything due to the intense noise! Nicole and Joseph, you were great and I had so much fun, I can't wait for your wedding!
www.argentinaleyva@yahoo.com

Sandra and James, The Baker Hotel, St. Charles.

I had the pleasure of photographying the wedding of Sandra and James, a most amazing couple and my first wedding of the 2010 season. The location of their portraits was the amazing Baker Hotel in downtown St. Charles, right at the Fox river. The day was a little chilly but sunny and with a kind breeze that just made Sandra's veil flow in all of her portraits. Sandra and James, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your day, I know how important is your photography for you and you dedicated the time it deserved to preserve this amazing day, I wish you the best in your new life together!
www.argentinaleyva.com

Poetry for your Eyes

Fashion Shoot at Lamborghini Gold Coast

I recently had the oportunity to work with the film producer Mychal Mitchell doing a photoshoot at the amazing Lamborghini Gold Coast. I photographed Mychal and the great Paris Hilton lookalike Jennifer, who is starring in Mychal's production. As amazing as these cars were, it was very difficult to capture the cars without being obvious about being at a car showroom. Since we were limited on what we could do, I had to work magic with angles and composition. I did some shoots outside in the cold, I ended up so wet and cold from laying on the ground to capture these images! After the Lamborghinis, we move on to Champion Cycle in the north side, an amazing show room with hundreds of bikes. Here the situation was much better, lots of room and bikes to choose from. The owners were amazing by actually bringing a super bike for us. I hope you like them.

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!