As a wedding photographer, I have had the privilege of capturing some truly enchanting moments, and Cody and Ambrielle's fairytale wedding was extra special. Every aspect of this celebration was infused with love and magic, making it a joy and an honor to document.
&nbsp;
The ceremony took place at the idyllic Birdhaven Greenhouse in Joliet, a location as breathtaking as it was unique. Nestled amidst nature, the greenhouse was bursting with lush flowers and foliage, a spectacular testament to the life and growth that Cody and Ambrielle's union represented. Flowing waterfalls added a serene soundtrack, while soft sunlight poured in from above, casting an ethereal glow over the entire venue.
&nbsp;
One of the most touching parts of the day was, of course, the vows. Cody and Ambrielle's words to each other were filled with deep admiration, reflection, and heartfelt emotion. Many tears were shed, but they were tears of joy, of love, and of anticipation for the shared future they were stepping into.
&nbsp;
After the ceremony, the celebration moved to the cozy backyard of a family home. The patio was transformed into an enchanting space, lit with twinkling lights and warmed by the love and laughter of friends and family. As the evening drew in, guests danced under the stars in their warm cloaks and flower crowns. It was a night of jubilation and love, a perfect continuation of the day's magical theme.
&nbsp;
I am immensely grateful to Cody and Ambrielle for allowing me to be a part of their special day.From start to finish, it was a truly meaningful experience. To Lady Ambrielle and Lord Cody, thank you for letting me step into your fairytale, if only for a day. Your love story is one I will always remember, and I am honored to have been able to capture it in all its charming beauty.❤️

Cody and Ambrielle's Fairytale  Celebration

The weekend that just passed was nothing short of a whirlwind, a wild ride, a marathon of love and emotion. It all began when I made a decision that many would call crazy - I booked three weddings in a single weekend. From Friday to Sunday, my camera and I were constant companions, capturing the joy, tears, laughter, and most importantly, the love of three beautiful couples.
&nbsp;
I've often wondered how some photographers manage to do this on a regular basis, as by the end of the weekend, I was thoroughly wiped. But, let me tell you, it sure was fun! There's something exhilarating about walking in to a new life-changing event every day, capturing moments that will last a lifetime. The adrenaline, the excitement, the sheer joy of being a part of someone's most special day - it's indescribable.
&nbsp;
What made it even more rewarding was the fact that all my clients were just so incredibly kind. From our very first consultations we all immediatley had great connections, and their appreciation for my work made any temporary fatigue absolutley worth it. How can you say no to a wedding when they have basically become your best friends?
&nbsp;
Congratulations to all the newlyweds! Your weddings were unique, beautiful, and filled with so much love. I am honored to have been a part of them.
&nbsp;
For those of you who are yet to tie the knot, I'd like to remind you that 2024 is starting to fill up! If you're interested in booking your proposal, engagement pictures, or wedding, don't hesitate to reach out. You can head over to the "Book Me" tab put in an inquiry. I'm so looking forward to chatting about your big day!
&nbsp;
So, here's to the wild decisions, the exhausting weekends, and the beautiful weddings. As a wedding photographer, I wouldn't have it any other way. Whether it's in Chicago or at a destination, whether you're eloping or having a grand wedding, I'm here to capture your special moments. Because at the end of the day, it's all about love, isn't it?
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Three Weddings x One Weekend

This day was full of so much magic. The perfect combination of the sunlight trickling through the trees during golden hour, the incredible gradens full of the most vibrant and fragrant flowers, and the pure love emanating from this beautiful couple just left me in total awe. As soon as we we said our goodbyes I was wildly giddy to get home as fast as possible and start editing because I just knew we had gotten amazing shots.
&nbsp;
Morgan &amp; Mike made my job super easy by just being themselves. When a subject is truly comfortable in front of the camera, all the photographer has to do is snap away. The hard work comes when you sit in front of the computer and spend countless hours making sure every color, speckle of light, and deep shadow all work together as a visual symphony that not only creates beautiful artwork, but also shines the brightest spotlight on the story and emotion of the people photographed.
&nbsp;
I shared this info with the folks on Instagram recently, but when I deliver galleries to my clients, I am truly happy crying just as much as they are. The BEST part of this job is forming meaningful bonds with people during some of the most important moments of their lives. I get to watch endless love stories reach milestones every day, and each story is just as unique and vivid as the other. Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to watch them evolve as clients come back time &amp; time again as their families grow. I'm getting worked up just thinking about what an honor it is to have my work up on the walls inside homes serving as permanent memories to love forever. As someone who has a genuine love for humanity, it is so fulfilling to be invited into these personal moments and give people something so sentimental.

Morgan & Mike

This is the story of a couple that truly will never go out of style. Their special day was an absolute feast for the eyes, and as a visal artist, I found myself in heaven!
&nbsp;
From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by a sea of color. The retro color scheme was beautifully reflected in the incredible floral arrangements that adorned the venue, in the custom made signage and stationary in every nook &amp; cranny, and especially in the cherry red convertible the bride and groom drove around the city of Chicago in. Each element added such a unique touch of charm and personality to the event.
&nbsp;
Did I mention the outrageously cool bourbon bar where the bartender would smoke your glass in a golden pyramid? HUGE hit with the partygoers and a spectacle that was as fascinating to photograph as it was to experience.
&nbsp;
Perhaps the most heartwarming detail was the cookies at the dessert table. These weren't just any cookies; they were imprinted with images of the couple's dogs. It was clear that no detail was overlooked, and every aspect of the celebration was carefully thought out and personalized.
&nbsp;
Choosing a handful of photos to encapsulate this exuberant event was no easy task. Each image captured a unique moment, a unique detail, a unique expression of love and joy. It was truly a celebration that was as detailed as it was heartfelt.
&nbsp;
So, to all the soon-to-be-weds out there, what neat details are you including in your wedding? What kind of inspiration are you looking for? The possibilities are endless, and as this couple has shown, a little creativity can go a long way in making your special day truly unforgettable.
&nbsp;

A Couple with a Vision

Six years ago, I moved away from home for the very first time to go work at Walt Disney World! It was a year full of immeasurable amounts of fun, and it brought so many wonderful people into my orbit. Ariel is one of those people. I had the honor of sharing an apartment with this beautiful, funny and wildly intelligent woman during one of the most memorable periods of my life. From frolicking around the parks on our days off, to having incredible meals together at the resort restaurants, to dousing each other in aloe vera when we inevitably got the worst sunburns of our lives, memories with her and our other roomates always bring a smile to my face.
&nbsp;
Fast forward to this year, I get a text from Ariel all the way in Nebraska asking if I'd like to fly back down to Florida to take her engagement pictures. She could have asked any photographer in the country, but she was sweet enough to personally ship me in from Chicago. How could I possibly say no?! So off I was to the place that holds such a special spot in my heart. Even better, we spent the entire evening at one of our favorite locations on property, the Boardwalk.
&nbsp;
As soon as we arrived, I was overwhelmed with flashbacks of ice cream, dancing, taking picutres, and watching fireworks. I had to pause for a moment before the happy tears started flowing. From start to finish, Ariel &amp; Gared absolutley crushed this engagement session. They were so natural and let their love for each other drive each shot we took. You can tell they were having tons of fun (despite it being one of the hottest Orlando days we've collectivley ever expericed and we were all essentially evaporating). To give the wonderful couple a nice AC break, we stopped by the Abracadabar. This place is SO COOL, and it was nice to pause the session to catch up.
&nbsp;
Once everyone was feeling refreshed, we were back in business and countinued our lap around the lake. The sun was setting gorgeously in the very spot their love story began. We spent some time enjoying golden hour at the stunning gazebo at SeaBreeze Point. I got to listen to them recount their memories and connect the dots all the way up to this moment. Once the sun was past the horizon, we strolled over to the Beach Club where Ariel's family has been staying since she was a young girl. She then told me how her dad has a tradition where he always brings her downstairs from their room to the bridge that overlooks EPCOT, and they would watch the fireworks together at night. I knew I had to get one last picture of her and Gared sharing this final moment of the evening. Thank goodness I pulled my camera back out, because it is one of their favorite photos that we got.
&nbsp;
I will always be grateful for her friendship, and for being kind enough for asking me to come back to capture this memory for her. I love you, dear. Thank you for everything, and I am so thrilled to continue watching your love story grow!

Ariel & Gared

Better late than never but we decided to finally do an official engagement photo session 3 weeks before the wedding and I couldn’t be happier with photos! I had a hard time picking out just a few because I love them all! Thank you SO much for these stunning photos Alana Jordan Photography! I keep looking through them and am blown away how they turned out! Working with Alana felt so easy and natural and we just kept being ourselves and laughing the whole time.

Agnes & Brandon

I have to say, working with Alana was an absolute pleasure. Not only is she a talented photographer with an eye for capturing candid moments and bringing out the personalities of my loved ones in the photographs, but she is also one of the kindest and most professional people I have had the pleasure of working with. Alana was incredibly flexible with the time and location of the shoot, which made it much easier to schedule around our busy lives.

Emilio & Family

"Detail oriented, welcoming, and incredibly talented, Alana made my engagement photos flawless. She made sure we were comfortable, explained everything in detail, got the photos we wanted, and had SUCH a quick turnover for our photos! I'd recommend her for any special event, and I can't wait to work with her in the future."

Migdalia & Zach

Default

The Micro Wedding Collection is perfect for those of you who are having a simple and intimate wedding with just a handful of your dearest family and friends. This includes elopements, brunch or evening weddings, celebrations that are solely a ceremony or reception, or just a lovely vow exchange in the garden at home. When you book, we will start the process of discussing all the important details of the wedding, and planning a thorough timeline. If you'd like to schedule a consultation and get to know each other a bit more before booking, feel free to contact me below and I'd be more than happy to hop on a call!

Micro Wedding Collection

The Half Day Collection is great for those of you who are hosting a relaxed celebration that maybe starts later in the day or just doesn't need all the bells and whistles that a full day would offer. You may not necessarily need getting ready photos, or maybe you can live without hours of dance floor photos so this one is for you! When you officially book, we will start the process of discussing all the important details of the wedding, and planning a thorough timeline. If you'd like to schedule a consultation and get to know each other a bit more before booking, feel free to contact me below and I'd be more than happy to hop on a call! Some Helpful Tips: When thinking of how long you'd like me to be at your wedding, be sure to consider if you'd like "Getting Ready" photos taken of you and/or your partner before the ceremony, and if you have a grand exit, private dance, or other special moment planned for the end of the night that you'd like captured. When planning your day, it helps to include travel time from one location to the next in the schedule, and don't forget to add some wiggle room between events. Together, you and I will create an elaborate schedule for myself that you will also have access to, and I can share it with your other vendors to make sure everyone is on the same page. I have a sample schedule available if you'd like to see what your day could look like, and how I organize myself. If you'd like a copy, feel free to ask for it in your request form! A second photographer is available upon request. If you are planning a large wedding or just would like multiple perspectives of the day, let me know in your request form.

Half Day Wedding Collection

The Standard Collection is the happy medium! It was made for those of you who would like some getting ready pictures before the ceremony, the main part of your day including the ceremony and reception, as well as a good selection of dancing pictures towards the end of the night. Most weddings I book are 8 hours and have just about everything. When you book, we will start the process of discussing all the important details of the wedding, and planning a thorough timeline. If you'd like to schedule a consultation and get to know each other a bit more before booking, feel free to contact me below and I'd be more than happy to hop on a call! A second photographer is available upon request. If you are planning a large wedding or just would like multiple perspectives of the day, let me know in your request form.

Standard Wedding Collection

Perfect for those of you who want coverage from start to finish! We will have plenty of time throughout the whole day to capture the all the wonderful anticipation and emotions, as well as allow a bunch of wiggle room from one event to the other so no one is feeling rushed. 10 hours should be more than enough time to be able to capture lovely candid pictures of both you and your partner's getting ready process in the morning or early afternoon, all the way up until you and your loved ones dancing the night away together just before your special day is over.

Full Day Wedding Collection

Whether you just got engaged or simply would like to spend some time in one of your favorite places taking pictures with the love of your life, this collection is for you! My goal is always to capture the raw emotion and meaningful moments you share together, and give you imagery that will forever warm your heart &amp; bring you back to your fondest memories. For my lighthearted silly jokesters, I'll also take good care of you and make sure to get every single laugh &amp; goofy face.

Engagement and Couples Collection

How exciting! Your family is continually growing and you've decided to capture the memory of this special moment in your story. I'd be honored to meet you all and have a great time taking pictures together. From snuggles to tickles to games of tag, you and your family get to spend this session like any normal day together (maybe just in fancier outfits than usual). We will be sure to get some great photos of everyone smiling at the camera, but the real magic happens with candids of you all just being yourselves and having fun.

Family Collection

The Focal Essentials All You Need Plan lets you create a beautiful business website with the power of AI. Create Packages, Pricing pages and Blogs. Make booking easy for your client with Focal's Booking System. 5TB of Gallery Storage.

Morgan & Mike

July 30th, 2023

Click on what you'd like to learn more about.

Cody and Ambrielle's Fairytale Celebration

Three Weddings x One Weekend

A Couple with a Vision