Alexa & Brian

North Avenue Beach & Chicago Riverwalk Engagement

From school crush to engaged

Some love stories begin with a grand gesture. Others begin in an accounting classroom.

These two first met while studying accounting at Michigan State University. With only a small group of accounting students in their program, their paths crossed again and again. Every class, every project, and every familiar face brought them a little closer. What neither of them knew at the time was that they were both quietly crushing on each other. Sometimes the best love stories don’t start with bold moves, they simply grow from being in the right place, with the right person, over and over again.

  • Couple embracing along the Chicago Riverwalk during a timeless engagement session.
  • Couple walking by the river during a romantic Chicago Riverwalk engagement session in Chicago.
  • Couple holding each other during a downtown Chicago engagement session.
  • Romantic portrait near the Chicago Riverwalk with warm evening light.
  • Joyful engagement portrait of a couple laughing together outside the Wrigley Building.
  • Romantic embrace outside the Wrigley Building with timeless Chicago architecture.
  • Romantic portrait of an engaged couple outside the historic Wrigley Building.session in Chicago.
  • Romantic stroll through downtown Chicago near the Wrigley Building.
  • Engaged couple smiling together beside the Chicago River during their engagement session.
  • Romantic engagement portrait beside the Chicago River with city buildings softly blurred.
  • Romantic couple portrait overlooking the Chicago River during an engagement session.
  • Close-up of the couple holding hands, highlighting the engagement ring.
  • Couple walking hand in hand near the Wrigley Building during a Chicago engagement session.
  • Detail photo of the bride-to-be's heels resting on a downtown Chicago stone railing.
  • Timeless engagement portrait near the Chicago Riverwalk with soft natural light.
  • Black and white engagement portrait on the Chicago Riverwalk.
  • Couple walking together through downtown Chicago in soft evening light.
  • Couple walking together across the Chicago Riverwalk during a downtown engagement session.
  • Couple embracing in front of the Wrigley Building during a romantic Chicago engagement session.
  • Intimate forehead-to-forehead portrait during a downtown Chicago engagement session.
  • Soft and timeless engagement portrait with classic Chicago architecture.session in Chicago.
  • Couple holding hands outside the Wrigley Building during their downtown Chicago engagement session.
  • Wide portrait of an engaged couple in front of the Wrigley Building's historic entrance.
  • Romantic embrace outside the Wrigley Building during a downtown engagement session.
  • Couple embracing along the Chicago Riverwalk during a timeless engagement session.
  • Playful lift and kiss outside the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago.
  • Couple walking through downtown Chicago near the Riverwalk during their engagement photos.
  • Couple embracing along the Chicago Riverwalk with city architecture surrounding them.
  • Romantic close-up portrait of an engaged couple beside the Chicago River.
  • Scenic view of the Chicago Riverwalk featuring downtown bridges and riverfront architecture.
  • Bride-to-be hugging her fiancé during a romantic North Avenue Beach engagement session.
  • Engaged couple walking together along Lake Michigan during a romantic Chicago engagement session.
  • Couple embracing by Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline creating a timeless engagement portrait.
  • Romantic close-up of an engaged couple embracing during their North Avenue Beach engagement session.
  • Couple walking hand in hand along North Avenue Beach during a timeless Chicago engagement session.
  • Joyful engagement portrait with Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline softly blurred behind the couple.
  • Playful lift and embrace on North Avenue Beach with the Chicago skyline behind the couple.
  • Couple twirling together on the lakefront during a joyful North Avenue Beach engagement session.
  • Couple walking along North Avenue Beach during a romantic engagement session in Chicago.
  • Close-up engagement portrait with soft lakefront light at North Avenue Beach.
  • Wide portrait of an engaged couple on North Avenue Beach with the Chicago skyline behind them.
  • Couple holding hands at North Avenue Beach with the Chicago skyline in the background.

Walking along the Chicago Riverwalk

For their Chicago engagement session, we explored two of the city’s most iconic locations: North Avenue Beach and the Chicago Riverwalk near the historic Wrigley Building. We started along the shores of Lake Michigan, where the sweeping skyline created the perfect backdrop for romantic, timeless portraits. The breeze off the lake added so much movement, making every image feel natural, joyful, and effortlessly elegant.

As the evening continued, we headed downtown to the Chicago Riverwalk, where the city’s classic architecture and golden light gave their photos an entirely different feel. Between quiet moments together, plenty of laughter, and a few playful spins along the river, they were completely themselves—and that’s always where the magic happens.

One of my favorite parts of this engagement session was seeing how comfortable they are with one another. After years of their lives intertwining since college, it’s easy to see that what started as two secret crushes has grown into a relationship built on friendship, laughter, and genuine love.

TIMELESS ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Looking for an Engagement photographer?

f you’re dreaming of North Avenue Beach engagement photos, Chicago Riverwalk engagement pictures, or a romantic engagement session featuring the Chicago skyline, I’d love to help you create timeless images that feel authentic to your story. Whether you’re drawn to the lakefront, downtown architecture, or your own meaningful location, we’ll create a relaxed experience that captures your connection naturally.

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