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Chicago Photographer + Kelly Ry Photography bio picture

Welcome, welcome!

Whether it's my home or my blog, I love visitors.  The ones that come to my home to visit add something new and interesting to the mix of daily life. But then they leave again, forcing me to return to daily life without their smiles and laughter.  The great thing about blog visitors is that they can come again and again, and need never leave. 

Photographer Vincent Versace said, "We came to photography because the world moves us in such a way that we want to photograph what we see so others can be moved the way we were."  And so it was for me.  Despite my deplorable skills with a canvas and paints, I found the joy of creativity with a camera.  

So welcome.  Make yourself at home.  Enjoy the people in love, the gorgeous details, and adorable families.  I'd love to hear from you.

PS. And as much as I love having visitors, I love being a visitor!  I have had the pleasure traveling around the world to capture weddings and families, and I would love to come visit you.  Live across the country (or continent) or planning a destination wedding?  I'm a wonderful guest.  And I bring my camera.


Love: The Bride ~ Anne ~ Destination Wedding Photographer

Anne.  My sweet, freckle-faced friend has one of the most beautiful smiles I know and a warm personality to match.  I spent every day of the week before her wedding with her and not once did she appear anxious, nervous or stressed.  Perhaps it’s because she was so organized with lists and lists, covering every detail.  Or perhaps – and this is what I think is most likely – she was just so completely certain, without a single drop of hesitation, that she was marrying the absolute best man for her.  Secure in that knowledge and in the love of her Niels, she radiated happiness that made her more beautiful than the California sunshine.

Before leaving her parent’s farm to head to the church, I snapped a few of my gorgeous friend amidst the piles of snow (wearing rainboots).

Anne, my friend, you were without a doubt one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen and had the pleasure of photographing.

March 9, 2010 - 5:06 pm Molly W. - So beautiful! Love the rainboots. :) BRRRR, you're a good sport, Anne!!

March 9, 2010 - 7:28 pm Adore Amore - Love her smile..she also smiles with her eyes. Way to go capturing her so beautifully.

March 9, 2010 - 8:36 pm Cassie - Love it! She rocked the rainboots and the freezing cold weather!

March 9, 2010 - 8:47 pm Justin - Cool series - looks like the shoot was heaps of fun... Love your high key processing as well!

March 10, 2010 - 5:37 am Lauren - OH my, wasnt she freezing!! very cool though :)

March 10, 2010 - 9:43 am Tasha Schalk - These are really cute, getting ready shots are always some of my favorite, for some weird reason.... and the ones in the snow are so different and unique!

March 10, 2010 - 10:23 am Daniel Dunlap - Gorgeous photos. You really brought out the color in here eyes! Love them!

March 10, 2010 - 12:02 pm Kyle - She is so beautiful! I can't believe she went out into all that snow with her dress and no coverup! That's a BRAVE bride!

March 10, 2010 - 10:58 pm Amanda Basteen - Great job! She looks beautiful!

March 11, 2010 - 12:54 am Adam Cavanagh - Very cool stuff!

Engaged: Anne & Niels ~ Destination Wedding Photographer

I arrived into Aarhus, Denmark on a Sunday around noon and there was snow all around.  In the years that I lived in Denmark it snowed maybe twice, a condition I lamented at the time.  Now living in Chicago where we get our fair share, I’m content.

Although snow was likely not in their plans when they chose a late February wedding date, neither the cold nor the snow could dampen the excitement of these two.  After picking me up from the airport, we drove to the harbor for a refreshing walk (much needed after all those hours breathing airplane air) and a mini-engagement session.  Although not typically done in Denmark, these two were ready for any excuse that encouraged them to cuddle and kiss.  And I certainly didn’t discourage them, thrilled as I was to see my dear friend Anne so completely in-love with her Niels.

Exhibits A-N

They are like magnets, constantly drawn to each other.

When the brisk cold finally penetrated, we warmed up with some coziness at their new home.

Just days before they had lugged their new king-sized mattresses up 5 flights of stairs (twice, thanks to an Ikea error).  One of their favorite things to do in their comfy new bed was to cuddle up (of course) and watch movies on the computer.  I couldn’t resist capturing what I imagine will be the scene of many a lazy Saturday afternoon.

March 7, 2010 - 3:45 pm Az - They really do look madly in love with each other, great set of images.

March 7, 2010 - 3:56 pm Saskia - Very sweet. Those swing photos are such fun.

March 7, 2010 - 9:29 pm Molly W. - So cute. I love love. Congrats Anne and Niels!!

March 8, 2010 - 1:40 am Kyle - They look like such a fun couple!

March 8, 2010 - 6:38 am Marianne Taylor - Such lovely warm feeling to this set, despite the snow! Makes me kind homesick for Finland. :)

March 8, 2010 - 7:09 am ayesha - LOVE these images! your processing seems to bring out the warmth of their relationship - their smiles and physical contact say it all. it looks cold but i love your outdoor settings! wonderful set.

March 8, 2010 - 10:35 am jeff - toronto wedding photography - aw! what a cute couple!

March 8, 2010 - 5:24 pm Brad Ross Photography - Those swing shots are great. Very nice work.

March 8, 2010 - 5:48 pm kristi wright - austin wedding photographer - These are precious! I love how real they are together. She is a cutie! ps I just posted a wedding where the groom is from Denmark! They live in Copenhagen now.

March 8, 2010 - 7:39 pm Cliff - I really feel like you captured their shy personalities and also they're love for each other. These are great.

March 8, 2010 - 9:17 pm Lynette J - What a beautiful set. You really captured the love between them...they look so completely happy. I don't know them but I am so happy for them. :)

March 9, 2010 - 7:21 am Jamie M Swanson - These are beautiful photos! I love the clean images and the emotions that you captured of them. Great work! They are such a beautiful couple!

March 9, 2010 - 10:55 pm Lisa Novakowski - They just look so in love. Beautiful! Your photos say an incredible amount about this sweet couple!

Celebrated with sparklers

Perhaps it’s having been born on the fourth of July, but I sure do love sparklers for just about any occasion.  So festive!

March 4, 2010 - 9:44 pm Teresa K - I LOVE the brides dress...and the sparklers are a great alternative to bubbles or the infamous bird killer named "rice".

March 4, 2010 - 10:15 pm Lisa Redfern - I LOVE that first shot -- both are wonderful captures with amazing colours. I hope you post more soon!

March 4, 2010 - 10:51 pm jeff - toronto wedding photography - sweet shots! the facial expressions of the bridal party is just priceless!

March 4, 2010 - 10:52 pm Adore Amore - Well-captured! Love the purple dresses, too.

March 5, 2010 - 12:11 am Saskia - That dress is to die for! I love the colors in your processing.

March 5, 2010 - 1:44 am matt s. - That first shot is so cool. Sparklers + the colors = win.

March 5, 2010 - 3:35 am Az - The images are great without the sparklers, but really add add more life to them.

March 5, 2010 - 11:16 am Tasha Schalk - I agree, sparklers always are fun - have you ever seen a sad person playing with a sparkler? I think not! I adore that first shot!

March 5, 2010 - 12:09 pm Molly W. - Oh so beautiful. Love your processing here, friend. Great shots.

March 5, 2010 - 1:27 pm kristi wright - austin wedding photographer - Those flowers are so beautiful. Love the combo of these shots together.

March 5, 2010 - 4:23 pm Kat Braman - fun! her dress is gorgeous

March 6, 2010 - 10:00 am Paul Von Rieter - Newport Beach Wedding Photographer - I love sparklers!! They are so much fun! Great shots!

March 6, 2010 - 10:07 am Timothy E Kaldas - Really cute shots. The look on the bride's face in the second one is priceless. Nice capture.

March 7, 2010 - 8:33 pm Milena Dekic - Great photos and a really great idea. Love the look of the sparklers.

March 11, 2010 - 2:45 pm debbie - Love it!! such great shots ;)

Love: Jasmine & Rob ~ Chicago Wedding Photographer

I’m back from my brief jaunt abroad with plenty to share in the coming weeks.  While I unpack, conquer jet lag and re-adjust to life not-on-vacation, here’s a little sweetness from Jasmine & Rob, a wedding I recently shot with Steve Koo.

March 1, 2010 - 8:39 am gabe aceves - Great moment captured. The whole photo has a very 50's classic vibe too. Love the shot.

March 1, 2010 - 9:07 am Marianne Taylor - Such a beautiful moment. <3

March 1, 2010 - 9:58 am Ryan Brenizer - Great moment, and well-captured.

March 1, 2010 - 10:53 am Adore Amore - wonderful job capturing such an awesome moment.

March 1, 2010 - 12:29 pm Daniel Dunlap - I love how you can just see a hint of the people in the background watching their every move. Wonderful shot!

March 1, 2010 - 7:51 pm Lauren - Lovely! I love that you can still see the smiles :)

March 2, 2010 - 2:43 am Az - A very difficult shot to get right, but you've done it here. They will love this image.

March 3, 2010 - 4:48 pm Robb Duncan - A beautiful moment !!

March 3, 2010 - 5:47 pm Vida Carson - Oh my gosh I bet this wedding is going to be so lovely! I love that image.. so much emotion.

March 7, 2010 - 12:49 pm Manchester wedding photography - Wonderful moment captured

March 11, 2010 - 12:56 am Adam Cavanagh - Beautiful capture!

Personal: Scandinavia Bound

I’m leavin’ on a jet plane bound for my second homeland, Denmark, to attend and photograph the wedding of my dear, dear friend Anne. I will check email periodically but if you don’t hear from me for a few days, it will be because I’m immobile from overdosing on all of the Danish foods I miss.

February 22, 2010 - 12:52 am Molly W. - Jealous! Have a great time, friend!

February 22, 2010 - 3:22 pm Brandi Morris - SO wish we were there too.