Mike M | Kansas City Photographer in Chicagoland

I love Mike Mockovak. Really, everyone does. Mike is completely and wonderfully unique. I swear, he is probably the most individual of individuals I've ever met in my lifetime. He's just one of those people you feel like you've known forever! Though I totally know where and when I met Mike-my first week at Lewis University back in 2006. Since then, it's been a beautiful friendship. I was honored when this Chicago Police Officer asked me to take his photographs during my trip in!

When Mike showed up with his completely tailored box of clothes from Trunk Love, I immediately knew this session was going to be super fun! It's not everyday I get to help style a guy for photographs. I think he looked absolutely fantastic in his denim shirt and faded jeans. This particular outfit really popped when we made it to the park by the Old Orland Library. The green and blues looked fantastic with Mike's handsome eyes.

By this time on the blog, you guys can probably tell that Orland Park is a railroad town, judging by all the train tracks. We took advantage of those tracks during Mike's session as well! His colorful checkered shirt looked fantastic agains the bronze track colors. Even the rock gravel from the tracks played a roll in the backdrop of Mike's session.

What I especially fell in love with during Mike's shoot was how laid back it was. Mike let me try tons of different things with my lighting and with posing. He was so trusting in everything I did with him that it was probably one of the most relaxed sessions I've ever had. It was just a pleasure to photograph this photogenic dude.

Here are a few photos that I thought would be great to show for his sneak peak! Feel free to listen and browse.

Week's Summary | Kansas City Photographer in Chicagoland

*ATTENTION: Slight Blog Post Adjustment. Check the updated day at the end of your paragraph to see when your blog and facebook sneak peak will be posted!*

I absolutely love coming to sweet home Chicago and seeing all my favorite people in the area. You guys have made this week an absolute blast! Thank you for letting me be a part of it! I'm so excited to get all my blog posts up next week that will describe the wonderful sessions I had here in detail, but for now, here is this past week's summary.

On Tuesday, I started shooting my little brother Cody's first full length music video. For those of you that don't know, he is 11, a singer and is absolutely fantastic at it. I worked on that all week long and finished it up yesterday in the wee hours of the morning. I will be posting that on here so check back for a sneak peak of Cody singing Viva La Vida by Coldplay.

Tuesday also was the day I got to meet with the beautiful and soon to be bride K.C. Hurley, her mom and her lucky grooom Scott, to talk about their May 2012 wedding. I was so excited to go over everything with them. The wedding is going to be gorgeous! <3 I can't wait to photograph it. 

Wednesday was so fun! I had the first photo session of the week with Katie Tacker for her senior portraits. She had the cutest dresses on during her shoot and the location of downtown old Orland Park and the various train stations really made them pop! I can't wait until I get all of her photos up for her sneak peak. Her blog post will be up on *Wednesday.

Thursday morning hosted Mike Mockovak's creative session. What a cutie! Every outfit accented his Chicago Policeyness. Seriously, what a tough but loving guy. We did some amazing things with light during his shoot, and I can't wait for you to see! His blog post will be up on *Thursday.

Also on Thursday I shot the Strid sister's fantastic picnic and nature session. The barn on 139th and Wolf Road served as a fantastic locale. Not only were the sister's beautiful, but they were fully prepared for a picturesque evening with props galore! Their blog post will be up on *Friday.

On Friday morning, the Cocokios siblings had their session with me as a gift for their parents 50th birthdays. What photogenic people! I loved shooting their session in the grotto and barn in unincorporated Orland Park. Their blog post will be up on *Sunday.

My last photo session of the week was Friday evening with Marilyn Lamana, one of my sister's beautiful friends (and Maddy too!) I was so excited when Marilyn brought her grandpa's vintage camera with for photos. She possesses such timeless beauty! Madalyn, of course, always knows how to strike a pose. Their photos will be posted on *Monday.

Again guys, YOU ROCK! I had a fantastic visit and I can't wait to come back and see all of you! 

Lots of Love,

h i l a r y  h o p e