Downtown Engagement: Starbucks Chicago Roastery

Written and Photography by Photography & Design by Grace

This session was a love letter to one of the subjects, my sister, Nicole. Starbucks has played a big role in her life, as well as my own and out other sister's life. All three of us are Starbucks partners, having combined working experience of over 20 years. Additionally, Nicole just earned and the other two sisters are about to earn their bachelor's degrees thanks to Arizona State University and Starbucks' College Achievement Program. Needless to say, Starbucks is a big part of our lives.

Living in Chicago, we are also lucky to have access to the world's largest Starbucks, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. Nicole and I had also had the opportunity to visit it prior to its initial opening, and Nicole and Ryan had visited on multiple while they were dating. While the connection Nicole feels to Starbucks makes it sweeter, the Roastery first drew our interest due to its rich beauty. As Nicole's built in photographer, sister, and fellow Starbucks partner, I reached out to Starbucks media team, who helped me get in touch with the right person to arrange permission to shoot inside the Roastery. Although it had not been done before, they accommodated my request and arranged someone to greet us and welcome when we arrived.

Since then, the Roastery has posted on social media about offering sessions inside and on the Roastery's rooftop, which offers views of Michigan Avenue. This shoot is one of my favorites because of the dramatic, rich lighting and background and reminiscing on the excitement and novelty of gaining access to the Roastery as a location. Just prior to working in the Roastery, we took some pictures at First Presbyterian Church, located just a few blocks north of the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery. After a nice Italian dinner, we stopped off at the Chicago theatre to capture a few pictures of Nicole and Ryan near its iconic sign.

To add more richness to the tale, Nicole, who owns a vintage clothing shop, sourced her vintage gown, who plans to upcycle the dress to a new owner, to give it another life. The florals were provided by Proclamation Flowers, an organic flower farm in Wilmington, IL. This same florist will be providing flowers at Nicole's wedding this September.