ABOUT MAK PHOTOGRAPHY
My name is Melissa Smith and I am the owner of MAK Photography. I am thrilled to say that MAK Photography offers services such as, boudoir photography, wedding photography, engagement photography, portrait photography, photo booth services, and cinematography services.
When it comes to Boudoir Photography, my style is very dramatic. While I like to capture events as they happen naturally, with boudoir photography it can take a lot of time to position people to make them feel comfortable as well as set up dramatic lighting to capture a mood to go along with a photograph. Some of the words that are often used to describe my boudoir photographs are dramatic, fun, candid, artistic, genuine, modern, grungy, and nontraditional.
Boudoir photography is truly an art. To take the human body and turn it from just a partially naked woman standing in front of a camera takes a creative eye. When I am shooting boudoir sessions, I look at it from a art standpoint, thinking, if I were the client and I was going to use this photograph as a wall portrait, what is the best angle to capture this to turn it into something more.
With every boudoir shoot I get asked what is the best outfit for me to wear? My answer is always that confidence is the most important outfit you can wear to a boudoir shoot. Nothing can make your photos look more amazing, than you feeling comfortable with yourself and embracing that.
While my company is based out of Crystal Lake, Illinois I travel all over the suburbs of Northern Illinois area to cities including but not limited to, Chicago, Schaumburg, Lake In the Hills, Algonquin, Cary, Huntley, McHenry, South Barrington, and Woodstock. I specialize as a wedding photographer, but I also am an engagement photographer, a portrait photographer, a newborn photographer, and a maternity photographer.
My style of photography is photo journalistic. I like to capture events as they happen naturally. Some of the words that are often used to describe my photographs are fun, candid, artistic, genuine, modern, and nontraditional.
If I'm not shooting a wedding in the Chicago-Land area, you can find me in Indiana or Wisconsin. I grew up in Indiana so when a couple asks me to be their wedding photographer in Northwest Indiana, you can be sure I will be there! My favorite Northern Indiana cities to photograph at are Crown Point, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Munster, Schereville and South Bend. So if you are planning a wedding in Northwest Indiana I would love to be apart of your day!
I moved to Illinois in 2010 and I now find myself photographing more weddings in Wisconsin. Some of the most popular wedding locations in Wisconsin I travel to are Lake Geneva, Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, and Madison.
One of my favorite things to do when I have down time is to go on vacations. I have seen so many beautiful destinations for weddings and I would love to get to travel more for work! Some of the destinations that I would love to photograph at are Las Vegas Nevada, Maui Hawaii, Seattle Washington, Los Angeles California, Phoenix Arizona, Vail Colorado, Dallas Texas, and Miami Florida.
With so many photographers in Crystal Lake Illinois finding the right one for your portraits isn't always easy. I specialize in children portraits, family portraits, newborns portraits, and maternity portraits.
All of my portrait sessions are done on location, and if you aren't sure where is a good spot for your portraits I would be happy to help you pick the right location. Some of my most popular portrait locations in Crystal Lake are The Hollows Conservation Area, Veterans Acres, Sternes Woods and Fen Park, and Three Oaks. Other Northern Illinois portrait locations I like to photograph at are Glacial Park, Moraine Hills State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, McHenry Dam, Randall Oaks Park, Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Crabtree Nature Center and Lakewood Forest Preserve.
If you are looking for a great portrait photographer, I would love to create you a beautiful portrait that you will be thrilled to show off to your friends and family!
Yay! You are officially engaged! But now what? Not all photographers in Northern Illinois include engagement shoots in their wedding packages. So why do I? Wedding packages with engagement sessions is the standard at MAK Photography! But what is it and why do you need one?
Typically my engagement shoots are between 30-60 minutes. This is a great practice run for the day of the wedding. Having an engagement session helps me to get to know you and your fiancé, as well as you to get to know me and understand how I photograph brides and grooms together. Locations for engagement shoots can be picked by the couple or by me if you need help finding just the right location. Having an engagement shoot will help you to feel comfortable in front of a camera on your wedding day. The photos from your engagement shoot will make great save the dates or thank you cards for after the wedding.
So if you still aren't sure you want to have an engagement portraits done, just let me know. I would be happy to help you build a custom wedding package to fit the needs of your day.
MEET THE TEAM
MELISSA | OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER
My name is Melissa; I am the owner and photographer of MAK Photography. I have been taking pictures my whole life. When I first started taking photos, I wanted to capture the world and what I saw. Then I realized taking pictures isn’t just about seeing something, it’s about capturing a moment that can never be recreated.
While I do spend most of my days being a business owner and photographer, I am also a wife and a mom. My husband and I were married in Las Vegas and love to go back there every year for our anniversary. My son, Landon, is a hockey player, and my daughter, Liz, is a gymnast, so let’s just say I spend a lot of my time being their cheerleader! Whether I am at your wedding, my kids sporting event, or just at home on a holiday, one thing is for sure: I will always have a camera in my hand taking pictures of life’s most special moments.
AUBREY | PHOTOGRAPHER
For the past 15 years, I have been involved with photography in some way. It is something I am extremely passionate about. I love capturing life's most precious moments through photography as well as ensuring that these moments last a lifetime and continue to tell a story for generations to come.
In addition to photography, I enjoy traveling the country with my husband, where we typically explore our national parks via biking, hiking, or even road trips. We have been to nearly every state in the country and have seen some of the most breathtaking landscapes. On some of our excursions, our dog Gryffin, who is a Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles/Bichon Frise mix of dog) will accompany us. I also enjoy spending time with my sister Melissa (owner of MAK Photography), so it's nice that we are able to work together doing something that we both love. Whether the two of us are taking photos or just hanging out together, we click well, and in the end, that shows in our photography.
“These photos are perfect!! Thank you so much. You are AMAZING!!!"
"Best wedding gift ever! He loved them and is already wanting me to do another shoot!"
"It was amazing working with Melissa for my shoot! She has an amazing eye for creativity & captured beautiful photos!"
BEHIND THE SCENES
WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
I had my boudoir session done after I had my two kids. I am very insecure about my stomach and the stretch marks my body has now. Melissa was so understanding about these insecurities. She knew just how to pose me so my insecurities weren't exposed. I am so glad Melissa was able to capture these images for me! I could not have been happier with how beautiful she made me look and feel in these images.
Kimberly S.
When I did my boudoir session, I really wasn't sure what I was going to do with the images afterwards. However, once I saw the images, I knew they were more than just a basic portrait; these were ART. They are stunning! I am in LOVE with how gorgeous these photographs are. Thank You!!!
Marianna K.
Copyright © 2016 MAK Photography. All rights reserved.
Phone - 815.893.9868 Email - melissa@makpic.com