Codrean photography

Alissa + Nicole Sacramento, CA Portrait Session

2012-02-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines everyone! I would love to hear engagement stories if someone gets engaged today!

This blog post is bittersweet for me. I seriously raised these girls from when they were babies and now they're beautiful young ladies. I won't lie, it makes me feel old because sometimes I forget I'm not 16 anymore. I digress...

I was visiting family in Sacramento and my cousins wanted a photo session while I was in town. I was more than happy to dress them up and do this for them. They're such good girls who do well in school, listen to their parents and are actively involved in their church. That type of behavior deserves to be recognized and rewarded. I'm so very proud of you Alissa and Nicole! Remember I'm always here for you no matter what, all the way out in Chicago!

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.
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Claudia + Dave Glencoe Engagement Session

2012-02-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

To be completely honest, I photographed this engagement session last winter! It's not because I don't like how the photos turned out, quite the contrary, I love them. I was just so bad at blogging that I kept putting it off and never got around to it. Last night, I was looking through my DVDs and I knew it was a shame not to share this session with everyone.

This is my first session with my canon 7D and I was so in love when I saw these photos. It helps that Claudia and Dave are gorgeous and so comfortable with each other. This session was photographed at one of the first places Ruben took me to when I visited him. Glencoe beach is beautiful, romantic, private, and totally freezing cold in the winter. These two were troopers because the wind was so intense. I like to think it was well worth it since the photos turned out lovely.

All photographs by Chicago engagement photographer Lidia Codrean.

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Anca & Ovidiu Chicago White Eagle Wedding

2012-02-08T17:18:00.000-08:00

This was my last wedding of the 2011 year and it was a great end to an amazing year. My first real year as a professional wedding photographer and I couldn't have been more blessed.

Anca and Ovi are so easy going and funny. In many ways their relationship reminds me of my relationship to Ruben; best friends, totally honest and comfortable with each other. Truly a beautiful couple inside and out and a loving family.

Ceremony: Philadelphia Romanian Church

Reception: White Eagle Banquets

Photos: Downtown Chicago

All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.
Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Dianna + Claudiu Chicago Engagement Session

2012-01-31T20:31:00.000-08:00

I had a great time photographing this e-session on a cold windy day in downtown Chicago. I had so much fun that the cold honestly didn't bother me. These two are just effortless and easy to photograph; they're so natural I barely had to do anything except for joke around. I'm lucky enough to photograph their wedding this June and cannot wait. I photographed Claudiu's brother's wedding (which you can view here) and I'm sure it will be just as gorgeous.

For the record, this e-session reminds me why I love Chicago so much: pillars, nature, and cityscape all in walking distance. Yes, please!

Sharon and Phil Chicago Wedding Highlight Film

2012-01-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

We're very thankful Sharon and Phil gave us the opportunity to film their wedding. Ruben has had a life long passion for movies and videos and his goal has been to film weddings. I'm happy to finally include videography to the "Codrean Photography" label and I look forward to working together with my husband as a photography/videography team in the future.

Thanks again Sharon and Phil for trusting us and letting us be a part of your beautiful big day. And thank you to Raphael Popa for second shooting!

One frame.

2012-01-25T20:25:00.000-08:00

One frame. Preview of what's to come: a wedding and engagement session on the blog soon.

Ruben and I are working hard to catch up on editing. Stay tuned for a beautiful video he's putting together. Seriously, I'm so proud of him.

Happy Wednesday!

Cociuba family portraits

2012-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

I cannot say enough good things about this family. They are seriously the cutest, most darling family and I was truly honored to spend the day with them and photograph them. It is endearing seeing how much Raluca and Catalin are still in love; it is like they just started dating and are head over heels for each other. And then there's Aidan. I honestly fell in love with this little guy, he's so sweet and so lovable. When I tried taking a picture of him, he would run up to me and reach for my hand so I could go and play with him instead of take photos. What impresses me even more is that months later when I saw him again at church he remembered me and called out my name for most of the service. This is the cutest little photo session I've ever done.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Christine Portraits At Night

2012-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, doing more personal projects is my new years resolution. It's convenient that my best friend is absolutely gorgeous and willing to be my model. So you'll be seeing a lot of Christine in future posts, I'm sure there will be no objections.

Originally my plan was to take photos in the snow, but since it was a low of 9 degrees, the day turned into a practice in shooting with a flash. After trying to survive 10 minutes in the cold, we ran to Julius Meinl for some coffee to warm up. We decided it was too cold to take more photos and went back to my place.

I've never tried taking photos at my condo because it's basement level, small and not much natural light. If you've followed my work, you know that I almost always shoot outdoors with natural light. This was the perfect scenario to practice a little more with my flash. I'm really pleased with how the "studio style" portraits of her turned out.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Bianca + Michael Engagement Session

2012-01-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping almost all my resolutions so far. I honestly never make them, let alone keep them. My three main ones are: to blog more (check), to do more personal photography projects (check), and to lose weight (err in progress check).

This session I did in the fall and unfortunately never got around to blogging it. It's a good one though! We went to my favorite location and it was even more beautiful than usual because of all the gorgeous fall colors.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

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Beatrice + Ovidiu Michigan Wedding

2012-01-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to share this wedding because it's the first wedding I photographed in Michigan. I was so pumped up for a mini road trip since I haven't been on one since I got married. It was suppose to be the perfect time to talk, listen to new music, play road trip games, and take photographs of the beautiful scenery along the way. Reality was Ruben drove through rain while I was passed out in the passenger's seat, listening to three songs on repeat. Regardless, we had a lot of fun being in a different city and spending a little time together with no distractions.

The day of the wedding went great. The weather was perfect and the wedding was as sweet and beautiful as the couple. The best food I've had to date at a banquet hall and my mouth waters when I look at the photos of their delicious cakes and pastries.

Michigan was good to me and I look forward to more weddings there. I just have one complaint: no u-turns. Seriously?

The ceremony took place at Bethesda Romanian Church and the reception immediately followed at Barrister Gardens.

All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.
Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Sara Portraits

2012-01-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

Sara is the type of person that just gives; she loves to help others and encourage. She does it all selflessly and doesn't expect anything in return. I wanted to give her a gift on her birthday to make up for everything she did for me when I moved to Chicago. I offered her a photo session so I could bring out the beauty I saw, inside and out.

One of my new years resolutions is to blog more and do more personal projects. I want to get out of my comfort zone and do photoshoots that I normally wouldn't do. Photographs that evoke emotions and are different. I look forward to 2012 and I thank each and every person who look at all of my blog posts and always give me positive feedback. I really love you guys.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Maria + Florin backyard Chicago wedding

2012-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

A sweet outdoor wedding with just close friends and family. This wedding was personal and beautiful. Every moment special, every detail gorgeous.

All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.

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A few weeks after the wedding we went to downtown Chicago for some more photos!

Christina Portraits

2011-12-30T22:35:00.000-08:00

Christina is my best friend in Chicago. It's not only because she's absolutely stunning but she's very sweet and easy going. I'll never forget the first time I met her, I was visiting Ruben in Chicago and I didn't have any girlfriends there. I was at church and Christina spots me in the hallway, runs over to me, gives me a hug and then quickly says, "You're so cute!" and runs away. We had never met, but she knew Ruben and she knew I was new to the city so she wanted to make me feel at home. Now I get to work with her at flattop and it's never a dull moment.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Leilani + Daniel Chicago Engagement Session

2011-12-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite E-sessions to date. It reminded me how much I love doing them; it's just me and the couple, plenty of time and no stress that wedding days can cause. The day was beautiful, and the location even more so.

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Oana Maternity

2011-11-28T17:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite photo sessions to date. The weather, the location and the gorgeous light was perfect. Oana gave birth to her beautiful baby girl, Alice Estera Merca on 09.11.11, congratulations to you both!

All photographs by Chicago portrait photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

Daniela + Adi Ardelean Class of 2011

2011-11-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

Daniela and Adi are two sweet and talented sisters that go to my church. When I moved to Chicago and started going to a new church these girls were one of the first to approach me and welcome me.

This is my first senior session and I loved it! Daniela graduated a few years ago but never had her senior portraits taken and Adi graduated last summer, so they decided to take their senior portraits together. We went to downtown Chicago on Michigan Ave on a beautiful day.

All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.

Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

xoxo,

Lidia

Jessica + Peter Chicago Fountain Blue Wedding

2011-11-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

I was on a real photo frenzy at this wedding; everything inspired me, from the gorgeous wedding details to the fun bridal party. This wedding reminded me why I love weddings so much! The ceremony was held at Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church, reception immediately followed at Fountain Blue Banquets, and photos were taken in downtown Chicago along Michigan Ave. One of the best and most unique part of this wedding? We ended the day with my most favorite sandwich shop: potbelly. The sandwich never tasted better.
All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.
Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

I promise I did not put them up to this. This is real young love.

xoxo

Diana + Marcel Chicago Avalon Banquets Wedding

2011-10-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Psalm 112:4

With all the wrong in this modern day, it's hard to find genuine people with a pure heart. When I think of Diana and Marcel I think "a light." As soon as I walked through the door to their beautiful home, I was welcomed with gracious smiles and a hospitality that is often under-appreciated. It wasn't work for me photographing their special day, it was as if I was a part of their big day. You can see how blessed this family is and it's very much deserved.

The ceremony was held at Elim Romanian Pentecoastal Church in Chicago, the reception followed at Avalon Banquets in Elk Grove and the pictures were taken after in the backyard of the parents of the bride in Barrington Hills, IL. (you know your bride is golden when she has acres of land with gorgeous willows, and of course chickens!)

All photographs by Chicago wedding photographer Lidia Codrean.
Please ask for permission to repost any images and link back to this page.

xoxo,

Lidia.

Adeline + Mike Chicago Holiday Inn Wedding

2011-09-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I know I always say how awesome my couples are and how blessed I am to work with them, but it's really the honest truth. It couldn't have been more true with Mike and Adeline. They are plain and simply, awesome. It was great to work with you two, thank you for doing everything I asked with no questions and trusting me!

The wedding service was at Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and the reception was followed at the Holiday Inn. The photos were taken in downtown Chicago.

Eliza + Ben Chicago White Eagle Wedding

2011-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

The first ten minutes I spent with Eliza at Starbucks, I instantly knew I would love her. We talked for a good two hours about literally everything. I felt like she was a long lost sister because she we had so much in common. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I met her ten sisters who were all as equally sweet. Their sisterly bond was endearing and I felt so comfortable being around them.

The wedding was in the middle of may and unfortunately it was really cold and raining. Everyone that lives in Chicago knows how wacko the weather has been all year; a long winter, crazy thunderstorms and lots of rain. The wedding happened to fall on one of those unlucky cold rainy days. Eliza and Ben went straight to Elim Church and straight to the reception at White Eagle right after. After the reception, we squeezed a few bride/groom portraits at White Eagle. No weather could ruin the beautiful day that Eliza and Ben became man and wife. I wish you two a blessed marriage, it was a pleasure to share in your big day!