Christy Tyler Photography »

Hi there!

I’m Christy, and I live in Chicago with my husband/business partner/2nd shooter, James, and our crazy puppy, Chloe! While I shoot most of my sessions in the Chicago-land area and Wisconsin, I am more than happy to travel anywhere in the world for sessions! (Seriously - you don’t have to twist my arm…)

My love for art in all forms took me from my childhood dreams of being a ballerina, to pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, and then finally landed me at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Inter-Arts & Technology. But I still had an itch that wouldn’t go away... So I moved to Chicago and finally embraced and pursued my lifelong love for photography at Harrington College of Design where I earned a degree in Commercial Photography in 2007.

After graduating, I originally focused on commercial and editorial photography for big companies, but as time went by I found myself leaning more toward the personal side: working with families, couples, and regular people, like myself. I found I liked sharing in real life moments with real people much more than fabricated scenarios in studios.

A couples years into transitioning to families and weddings, my husband James came on board and started to shoot with me as well. Shortly after that we took our business full-time and feel so blessed to be able to live out this dream together!

To this day I still cannot believe that this is what we get to do. Of all the things that happen in this world, we get to witness the good things… People falling in love... People promising their forever to each other... People welcoming their first child into the world… Families growing, laughing, and loving.

We feel so blessed to be a part of these amazing, real life moments. Most importantly, we feel blessed that people have chosen us to document their moments for them to remember always. Please know that we do not take this choice lightly. We are humbled and honored by it and will do our absolute best to show you as your true selves, and your love and joy as they are every day.

I do not consider photography my job, or even my career… it is simply my passion. I live and breathe it at all times. So if I screech because I found some fabulous light in a beautiful location during our session, please ignore me. If I shed tears when you walk down the aisle with your dad, know that they are happy tears. If I gasp as I’m capturing a photo of you, know that it’s because you look stunning.

This is my life… my joy… my art... and I cannot imagine doing anything else in the world.

October 4, 2012

Erin + Bret ~ Chicago North Side Engagement ~ Chicago Engagement Photography

A few weeks ago Erin was in Chicago on business, and managed to turn it into a fun personal trip when Bret flew out to spend a long weekend in the city as well! I was so excited we were able to make it work so we could hang out, get to know each other better, and shoot an engagement session before their April wedding in Chesapeake Bay (which I am SO excited for)!

I knew Erin was ‘good people’ given the mutual friend we have in common… Jess – my dear friend from photography school who is responsible for setting James and I up at her 25th birthday party! (We kind of owe her everything for that!) I’d met Erin before when she used to live in Chicago as well, but never got a chance to really talk/hang out. So when she contacted me about shooting her wedding in Maryland this spring – I was super excited because I knew we’d get along fabulously, and this was the perfect opportunity to get to know her even better!

And as expected, I had a great time hanging out with she and Bret for their engagement session! These two are so laid back and easy going about everything! Mosquitos biting you like crazy? No big deal. Venturing down a super steep hill and into the woods for the sake of a photo? They’re in! After this session – I am somehow even more excited for their wedding (and I wasn’t sure that was possible). And a side note – Erin has some of the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen!

But before you head down to see the photos I have to give a shout out to the lovely Debbie, who did Erin’s hair for the session! If any of you ladies are looking for someone to make you look extra fabulous for your engagement session or wedding – contact her!