Some recent views of Chi...

A fast moving thunderstorm crossed the city a couple days back and I captured these few images of it as it approached and just after it passed. The images below are at 800 pixels wide, the originals at a bit over 4000 pixels wide, do much more justice, but the idea is still conveyed. Enjoy.

Album design...

So I design a lot of the albums for Vrai Photography and I enjoy the all but sometimes I set a page and it just strikes me. That is one of the greatest thing about photography; just about everybody is going to have a different favorite. So for me, I think this is about the layout of the page; it's simple but strong and the photos are telling of the moment in time. This was a wonderful woman, and bride, that we had a few weeks back named Jewel. Enjoy.

Ayla Brianne Brouwer...

Tina is amazing beyond all words; that needs to be said first. And now...this is our daughter, Ayla Brianne Brouwer. She was born at 1:11am, weighing in at 8lbs 13ozs; fitting as her name means "strong as an oak." She is changing every second already; gaining the looks that she'll have for her life. These photos are from her first 5 minutes of life. Enjoy.

Tina's first moment with Ayla! She is not a minute old!

Stupid cat...

Cleo. She's cute and does dumb things.

Stephenie and Mark...

The other weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Stephenie and Mark with Kristina Carter and Vrai Photography. Below are a couple of choice shots that I got from the day. Good people, good times and good photos; that's why I love what I do. Enjoy.


Note: In this photo they are at the altar, kneeling during a Catholic ceremony. I was shooting through and open door beyond the altar and out of view of the guests. Absolutely classic.

A New Series...

This is the first in a new series of posts. I'm going to begin sharing photos from weddings that I have shot. I will try to keep up with them as the weddings occur. Below is a favorite of mine that occurred on Michigan Ave. The bride in the shot was standing in front of a sign for Chicago and the Art Institute. I was fortunate enough to see it, move into a good position and capture the shot. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This and more shots can be viewed in my portfolio on the Vrai website, check it out.

Totally Random...

So I was shooting a wedding a couple weeks back and the reception was at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and I was stopped by security and asked what I was doing. I stated that I was part of the wedding that was there on that day. The large gentleman that was behind the desk was fine with that answer, as he is just trying to get paid. The angry lady however, was not ok with it. She asked what I was doing for the wedding and I said I was the photographer. Mind you, and this is the key point, while I am being questioned probably 50-100 people walked in and were not asked a thing. So I have to get going and work, so I keep my mouth shut just so I can leave. I have to surrender my ID so they can type it all into a computer and I have to be photographed for a name badge! Whatev, I'll do it...sort of. I really had to put my foot down here for no real reason other than it was a complete joke...tons of people are walking right by me and I'm the only on that has to go through this (Kristina and Molly came later and also did not have to go through this.) So on the principle that it was ridiculous, I did my best not to be photographed. Below is the classic souvenir that I was left with. "Aaron Brouney Picture Man". Thank you completely and utterly incompetent security guards for at least allowing me many laughs in exchange for being hassled.