Whenever possible, I love to include something of significance to a session, whether it is an item, a beloved pet, or location with meaning. When you add in these unique and sentimental details, it adds an extra layer of meaning to the photos – telling your story. For Maddie and Joe, they will often head to breweries together, this made heading a local brewery perfect for their engagement session. We spent the first half of their candid Chicago engagement session at Off Color Brewing, an establishment that they frequent. It was so much fun! The laughter and smiles came easily as they relaxed on a bench, enjoying one of their favorite drinks together.
![](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9628.jpg)
![Engagement session at Off Color Brewery](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9627.jpg)
![Chicago Engagement Session at Local Brewery](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9629.jpg)
![candid portraits from Chicago Engagement session at Local Brewery, Off Color Brewery](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9630.jpg)
![couple laugh during Chicago Engagement Session at Local Brewery](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9631.jpg)
Afterwards, we headed to Gold Coast and North Avenue Beach to finish out their session. Despite the unusually cold, June night in the city, they rocked their session and made the most of it. The Chicago skyline painted a beautiful backdrop as they walked along the beach. Their images have a timeless feel, which is exactly what we were aiming for. During their session, I got to know Maddie and Joe better and learn more about their love story.
![classic engagement portraits in Chicago](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9632.jpg)
![timeless engagement portraits in Gold Coast Chicago](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9633.jpg)
![couple walk together with arms around each other during Chicago Engagement Session](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9634.jpg)
![Timeless Chicago Engagement Portraits](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9638.jpg)
Maddie and Joe’s Love Story
While Maddie and Joe grew up just a few miles away from each other, their paths didn’t cross until years later when they both attended Indiana University. Even though they had several mutual friends in common and saw each other around campus, they didn’t officially connect until their first week of their senior year in college. During a fraternity and sorority party, they hit it off and continued to talk for the next few days until Joe ultimately asked Maddie out on a real date that Sunday night.
However, Maddie, who has always loved classic music like Frank Sinatra, had already bought a solo ticket to Tony Bennett, who was playing at the IU Auditorium that evening. When Maddie told Joe that she was going alone to the concert, he insisted that he come with her. The rest is history! The couple continued dating after college, when jobs moved them both back to Chicago. Joe proposed to Maddie this past August on a trip back to Bloomington in front of a very special place, the IU Auditorium, where it all started!
This Chicago engagement session was a lovely blend of fun, authentic, and romantic moments – perfect for a fun and loving couple like these two!
![Chicago skyline from engagement session](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9635.jpg)
![romantic engagement portraits in Chicago](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9636.jpg)
![couple walk down North Avenue Beach in Chicago](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9637.jpg)
![candid engagement portraits with the Chicago skyline in the background](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9639.jpg)
![couple kiss at North Avenue Beach](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9640.jpg)
![classic engagement portraits](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9641.jpg)
![engaged couple walk down North Avenue beach in Chicago holding hands](https://alexferreri.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Maddie-Joe-Engagement-Alex_9642.jpg)
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View more engagement sessions on the blog:
Montauk Hamptons Sunrise Engagement Session
Summer West Loop Engagement Session
Chicago Engagement Session with Styling by Lauren Field Design