Deonna Caruso Photography http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog Blog Sun, 12 May 2013 14:47:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Rana & David are Married!! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/rana-david-are-married/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/rana-david-are-married/#comments Sun, 12 May 2013 14:47:15 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4497 On April 27, 2013 Rana & David were married at the beautiful Hilton Hotel in Rosemont.  Rana & David had such a great wedding day and Rana turned out to be one of the happiest and most relaxed brides I’ve ever encountered.  That’s how it should be!  She truly enjoyed her day and it showed.  Rana & David met each other through e-harmony and had their first date on January 9, 2011 at the La Bella restaurant in Oak Park.  Rana loved David’s sense of humor the fact that when she asked him a question he gave very detailed, thoughtful answers.  David loved the fact that Rana enjoyed talking about the same topics he did and found out that even though they came from very different worlds they were very similar in many respects.  Rana was born and raised in Iran and David is a Chicago native.

David proposed to Rana on September 8, 2012 and this is what was written about their proposal day that I thought was beautiful!

Birds were chirping, the sky was blue

It was almost sun down; he said this is about me and you.

Driving through the woods, my heart was beating fast

Is he going to propose, I wanted this moment to last

The narrow road to St. Mary’s was so serene and peaceful

He was setting the stage, this was planned and thoughtful.

There was a narrow bridge, we stood and looked around

The beauty of the lake was breathtaking; wonders abound

Walking down the steps, we got to the lake

A dome on each side stood tall, nature was awake.

Orange, green and red, were painted on each tree

A picture so perfect for the moments that were about to be

We walked back into the woods, sat under a tree

He held my hand and said, oh how much he loved me.

I have waited so long he said, and finally found the one

You are the best thing for me, you are my number one

From now to eternity, I want you to be my wife

The mother of my children, a partner in my life.


Here are some of my favorite images that my second shooter (Bryon Landerman) and I  took at their beautiful wedding.  The day was filled with both Persian and Jewish influences .  As you can see it was a really fun day for everyone and a truly joyous occassion.  A special thanks to Rana & David for choosing me to be a part of your special day!  It was an honor!




Wedding Coordinator – Simply Azure Events (Farrah Singh) 708-404-9965

Videography – Windy City Production (Katie) – 708-663-0637

DJ Sultan (Ped) – 630-248-4247

Hilton Rosemont – 847-928-6176

Linens by Violet (Carmen) – 773-934-8371

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/rana-david-are-married/feed/ 0 Wendy & Frederick are Married!! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/wendy-frederick-are-married/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/wendy-frederick-are-married/#comments Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:09:44 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4421 On April 6, 2013 Wendy Howza & Frederick Wilkerson were married at the gorgeous Alice Millar Chapel!   They met all the way back in 1994 at Northwestern University and when I asked them to share their story I realized that they had dated on and off since since then!!  Their love withstood living in different states, different countries and the test of time.  They were both from Detroit, MI and that was something they had in common.  Throughout all these years they ended up finding themselves back in each other’s lives and it all resolved with a beautiful proposal at a nice restaurant with the surprise of Wendy & Fred’s family showing up on the scene to celebrate their new engagement.  Their story just goes to show that even time & distance cannot keep two people apart forever and they were meant to be with each other.  They are such great people and I am so happy for them!

They were married at the beautiful Alice Millar Chapel on Northwestern University campus.  The reception was held at the beautiful Renaissance North Shore and when I tell you it was hands down the most fun I’ve had at a reception it’s no lie!  They danced all night to the best music and everyone just had a blast!!  Matt from “A Posh Production” was their DJ and having worked with him before I new he was going to throw them a great dance party!

I want to thank Wendy & Fred for inviting me into their world and giving me the opportunity to capture their special day!  I was truly honored and had the best time.  What a fabulous wedding to start off the 2013 season with!!  I hope Wendy & Fred have many years of happiness & joy together!  They deserve it and are wonderful people!!

Enjoy the highlights of the day!




DJ:  A Posh Production

Florist: Evanston Flowers

Ceremony Location: Alice Millar Chapel

Reception Location: Renaissance North Shore

Make up: Fallon Fraction

Hair: Crystal Burns

Transportation: OML Worldwide Transportation

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/wendy-frederick-are-married/feed/ 0 Little Adam’s First Birthday Shoot! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/little-adam/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/little-adam/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:41:06 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4409 A few weeks ago I took the cutest shots of my nephews Adam & Lucas! We wanted to make some cute 1st birthday invitations and got adorable shots of both of them! Adam was a little squirm bug so I ended up with more of Luke…go figure!

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/little-adam/feed/ 0 Deonna Caruso Photography makes Downbeat Magazine!! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/downbeat-magazine/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/downbeat-magazine/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:19:11 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4402 There are many highlights in my profession but seeing your image in a well known national publication is very high up there on the list! Downbeat Magazine decided to use my image of Maria Schneider for their article in the May addition and I finally got to see if yesterday!  Last month I had the pleasure of capturing the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival and Maria Schneider was the main act that night.  I was approached by Downbeat Magazine to submit a photo of her conducting for the May issue and here it is.  Pretty exciting stuff!

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/downbeat-magazine/feed/ 0 One Man’s Trash is another Man’s Treasure! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/one-mans-trash-is-another-mans-treasure/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/one-mans-trash-is-another-mans-treasure/#comments Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:43:44 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4393 Today my husband Pete found this old book of poems by the famous Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It’s dated back to the 1800’s and for a special bonus there was an old handwritten poem inside the book itself….probably from the owner of the book. Looks like his name was Willie Davis. We looked it up and these are going for about $1,000 – $1,500 for book collectors. Very cool find!  I love watching the show Pawn Stars and thought it would be so fun to go in there with something old and see how much you could get for it.  Too bad we don’t live in Las Vegas!


]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/one-mans-trash-is-another-mans-treasure/feed/ 0 Maeve’s 1st Birthday!! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/maeves-1st-birthday/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/maeves-1st-birthday/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:22:24 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4347 Over the weekend on Saturday, March 9th I had the pleasure of seeing my past bride & groom, Dana & Michael Minger and I also got to meet their beautiful baby girl, Maeve.  I came to the house to take some photos for her 1st birthday!  It was great photographing Maeve in her cute outfits and she enjoyed eating her cake and getting real messy as you can plainly see.  It got all over her which is great!  I love capturing these moments!  They are so precious and these little ones grow up way too fast!  Thank you Dana & Michael for having me over to capture her 1 year mark!  I had a blast and I loved her cute outfits and all the thoughtful touches you added to the portrait session.  Here were some of my favorites!




]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/maeves-1st-birthday/feed/ 0 Elmhurst Jazz Festival! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/elmhurst-jazz-festival/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/elmhurst-jazz-festival/#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:46:41 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4331 I have a love for music!  I always have.  My dad is an amazing jazz pianist so I’ve grown up around music, musicians and performers my whole life.  I love to mix it up a bit and photograph concerts every now and then.  I love capturing the excitement & thrill of performance art.  Doug Beech has been hosting the Annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival for a long time now and he asked me this year to come and take some images of the event.  He is a friend of my father and they have worked together at Elmhurst College teaching jazz to some amazing students.  I would love to photograph this event every year!  The music was truly amazing!  These students are so unbelievably talented!  I encourage anyone to attend this annual festival!


]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/elmhurst-jazz-festival/feed/ 0 What does “Success” look like? http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/what-does-success-look-like/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/what-does-success-look-like/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:23:16 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4320 Today I came across this image and thought this pretty much nails it on the head.  When you own your own business the road to success is not a clear, straight and easy path.  It is quite the opposite.  When I started my business 7 years ago I had no idea what was in store for me but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  All the ups and the downs are what makes this ride so worth it.  Do I have days where I just want to throw in the towel and say “screw it”?  Of course but the key to success is to NEVER quit and to NEVER give up on yourself or your dreams!  It’s not for the faint of heart but nothing worth while ever is.   I have met so many wonderful people on this journey and can’t wait to continue on it for years to come!  Here’s to “success” in whatever form you desire it!  Happy Friday everyone!

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/what-does-success-look-like/feed/ 0 My Little Einstein! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/my-little-einstein/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/my-little-einstein/#comments Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:21:04 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4313 Okay I have to brag a little bit…..sorry!  I just found out that my nephew Lucas placed in the top 1% of  gifted children in his age group.  The TOP 1%!!!  The school psychologist said that usually gifted children have IQ test scores that go up to about 145.  Lucas’s score was 148!  The psychologist also said that it is usual for young children to excel in just one or two different categories but Lucas excelled in all the categories and the more abstract the problem the faster he was able to get to the answer it.  All in all I think we have a little Einstein on our hands.  Lucas is one of those kids that just makes your heart smile.  He is funny, kind and so smart!  He’s my little joy bomb and a dose of sunshine!  I’m such a proud auntie!

]]> http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/my-little-einstein/feed/ 0 Happy Valentine’s Day from Deonna Caruso Photography!! http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/happy-valentines-day-from-deonna-caruso-photography/ http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/happy-valentines-day-from-deonna-caruso-photography/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:00:47 +0000 admin http://www.deonnacarusophotography.com/blog/?p=4309 Sometimes you find LOVE in the most unusual places!  This is Mia, my sister’s adorable pug!  If you look real close you will see the heart on her wrinkly forehead!  This made me smile so I wanted to share with all of you!  Couldn’t have seen it on a better day too……Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!!

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