Erik and Josephine Engagement Session | Chicagoland Engagement Wedding Photographer

We  met Erik and Josephine for their engagement session this am. And let me tell you that not only has Chicago weather been incredibly unpredictable it has been impressively labile.  Humid one hour freezing the next. In the middle of June I find myself wearing my North Face Down Jacket and uggs to sessions.  Insanity for sure!  But nonetheless we love Chicago despite its crazy weather.  Here are just a few shots, the rest of the session will be posted soon!!!

The "W" Family | Chicagoland Family Photographer | Briick Bernier Photography

These kiddos kept us hoppin! What a sweet and fun family!  Meet the "W" family!

Meet Kelly, and Join Us for the Fight of Her life!

Meet Kelly! From the first day I met this girl I fell in love with her. She is absolutely stunning and the sweetest and most down to earth person you would ever meet! She is an oncology nurse that worked in the bone marrow transplant unit at Loyola where I work. She has dedicated so much to her patients that were dealing with cancer. At the age of 27, still a newlywed, in April 2012 Kelly was diagnosed with an aggressive form of berate cancer. She learned that she was BRCA positive. She carried a genetic mutation that greatly increases a woman's risk of developing other forms of cancer. She immediately began 6 months of intense chemotherapy and suffered many complications.

Kelly had a double mastectomy with reconstruction. She suffered many complications and as a result had many surgeries to follow. Finally she received the best news that she was cancer free. This was very short-lived. Three months later she had found out that the cancer had spread to her liver and that she had a "spot" on one of her lungs. She then later found that her one "spot" has now become seven spots.

This Thursday June 6th there will be a benefit at Venuti's Ristorante to help Kelly. Julian Jumpin Perez, a family friend will be there as well to dj the event. There is no way to express how important this event is and how vital help will be. Kelly is worthy of all this energy. She has dedicated her life as a nurse to help others and now we have an opportunity to give  back and support Kelly in her time of need.

The fundraiser is an auction and raffle to generate vitally important funds to defray Kelly's medical expenses that will continue to be a heavy burden on Kelly and her loving and supportive husband Stefan. He recently lost his job and therefore their health insurance and is forced to pay the high price of cobra. She is a very strong woman but cannot endure this on her own. Please join us to help her in the fight of her life!

If you are local or a Loyola employee please come and support your fellow co-worker. If you are unable to make it or not local you can still help by donating on her benefit page at: www. caringforkelly.eventbrite.com. Any donation is well appreciated.

The event is this Thursday June 6th at Venuti's Ristorante in Addison. Only a 20 minute drive from Loyola. 2251 W. Lake St. It begins at 6pm-12am. Julian Jumpin Perez will be there from 9-12. It's a cash bar. $50 entry fee and children are free. All fees will go directly to Kelly.

Briick I Bernier Photography was honored to have a "Capturing Hope" photo session with Kelly, Stefan and her three sweet dogs, Lucy, Tucker and Sam. Her babies were so sweet and Kelly…well only she could look amazing bald or with her new pixie cut that she's rocking these days. I had a great time catching up with a friend.  Her session and digital images are completely complimentary. I would like for her to order whatever prints/canvas she would to hang up in her home all on my wallet. If you would like to help me with that as well please send me a message and I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all as she is a very important person to me and all I can say is that I am thankful I had the pleasure to know her. Her fighting efforts are truly heroic and I wish nothing but the best for her!  -Sherry