Photographing My Sister’s Wedding in Chicago.

After 20 years behind the camera, you’d think not much could surprise me anymore.

And after having a 6-foot-tall sister who modeled for most of those years, I’ve truly seen it all—outfits, chaos, yelling across rooms, hairspray in the eyes, runway walks through the house, and more “quick lighting tests” than I can count from my early days learning photography in the ’90s… costing me thousands in wasted film (yes, actual film back then).

There were gold glitter skirts, hopping out of cars mid-shoot, and me yelling for her to jump into dingy alleyways because I had to get the shot.

But nothing—nothing—could have prepared me for what it felt like to photograph her on her wedding day.

This wasn’t just another beautiful bride. This was my sister. A woman who raised her daughter on her own. Who built businesses, closed them, rebuilt again. Who kept going, kept evolving, and finally stepped into a life that is fully hers. And somehow, you could feel every bit of that strength and softness at the exact same time.

The entire day felt cinematic. Chicago buzzing around us, people stopping to stare, and her absolutely gliding through the streets in the most unreal Tom Ford dress I’ve ever photographed. The fabric moved like a jellyfish floating through the ocean—soft, weightless, almost unreal. Every turn, every step, every breeze felt like part of the story. And him beside her—steady, proud, completely in awe. I now have a brother-in-law that I know will stand next to my sister's side steadfast and unfaltering. And that brings me so much joy as a sister.

There’s something different about photographing someone you’ve loved your entire life. You don’t just see the moment happening in front of you—you see every version of them at once.

As photographers, we spend so much time documenting everyone else’s milestones that sometimes we forget to stop and feel them ourselves. But this one hit different Because while so many people quietly settle into routine, my sister keeps choosing growth. Joy. Adventure. Reinvention. She’s not slowing down. She’s lighting the whole damn world on fire. And getting to document this chapter for her will forever be one of the greatest honors of my life.