Viki: Sunset Street Style in Wicker Park

Viki Close-Up

When I saw Viki chatting with her friend Mary outside of Eskell on Milwaukee Ave, I couldn’t resist another go at playing with solar flare. Her striking features were highlighted by the beige slouchy sweater, which allows the focus to remain on her ring-encrusted hands and gorgeous figure. What I love most about this picture is how the fuzzy open knit weave of her top allows the sunlight to slice the most perfect outline around her body. As my photography skills evolve I’m becoming more obsessed with using light in prominent ways throughout my images, from rim lighting to solar flare.


*Thanks to my eagle-eyed friend, MidweStyle blogger Jeff Kieslich, Viki’s sweater has been identified as the Helmut Lang Scoop Neck Sweater.

On Refinery29: Sarah & Polka Dots

Sarah_R29_Amy
My editor over at Refinery29, Shani Silver, summed up Sarah’s outfit more succinctly than I ever could. We all know how I like to ramble. You should probably click on over and read what she wrote! It goes without saying that Stella McCartney has pushed polka dots to the forefront of fashion this season, and Sarah shows us how to apply it to our everyday wardrobes without going overboard.

Girl Playing in the Water Tower Fountain

Girl jumping
A few weekends ago I was walking down Michigan Avenue doing my “rounds” around the Gold Coast* when I happened upon this adorable girl. She was running back and forth between the steps of the historic Water Tower and the fountain in the center of the plaza. She radiated pure, unbridled joy. I think we can all connect to the spirit of this young child, whose enthusiasm and lightness is inspiring in its simplicity. Every one of us has memories that stretch way back to when something as elementary as doing somersaults down a hill created so much enjoyment. I’m sure that’s exactly what her parents thought as they sat on the steps, watching her play. They smiled at me while I took a few snapshots, and I’m sure they thought I was thinking the same thing. And they were right. 
*In my defense, I spent this past weekend and the weekend before shooting in Wicker Park. I’m so behind that I’m still playing catch up with old photos.