Our proposals would be nothing without a proposal photographer! When a hopeful groom-to-be drops to one knee, it’s the photographer’s job to capture that beautiful moment forever.

We love working with Chicago-area vendors, especially photographers. One of our favorites is M Lindsay Photography! When we need a proposal photographer, we can always count on Meagan for stunning, one-of-a-kind photos.

Founder and lead photographer Meagan Shuptar has been photographing weddings, engagement, and lifestyle portraits professionally for over nine years. Her portfolio is incredibly diverse, from newborn portraits to concert photography and everything in between. With a background in photojournalism, she brings in a documentary lens, letting her subjects drive the emotion of the photo. Her photography is crisp and clean, yet have an element of artistic je ne sis quoi that makes her work so unique.

We feel so fortunate to have worked with M Lindsay Photography on two recent proposals, a simply romantic springtime proposal and an exquisite Cinderella-inspired proposal. Meagan is one of our favorite proposal photographers to work with — her fun and eclectic energy is infectious!

We were able to talk to Meagan about her life, work, and the inspiration behind her wonderful photography. Here’s what she had to say!

Visions: We love working with you on our proposals! You manage to capture the amazing moment when these women realize what’s happening. What’s it like photographing an unsuspecting girlfriend who has no idea she’s about to be proposed to?

Meagan: It’s really fun to see the change in their faces when they realize what’s going on. It’s such a special thing to be present for moments like that.

Visions: We are obsessed with your Instagram! It seems like you’re always snapping photos of your three little ones… do they like being photographed or do they push away the camera? How do they inspire you for your other portraits?

Meagan: My kids are so used to being photographed, and sometimes they even ask me to take a picture! Most of the time I am using my iPhone to capture those every day moments with them. There are times when they don’t want to cooperate, and I am totally okay with it. I don’t usually force them to do anything that they don’t want to do, but every once in awhile a candy bribe happens if there’s an image I really want to get. Photographing them keeps me in the practice of creating images that are honest and true to life. Kids are so emotional and unpredictable at times, and most of the time the only direction I give them is to stand in a certain spot–and then they behave like themselves. I just manage to snap the shutter at the right time. It definitely inspires me during weddings and portraits to wait for those moments and to capture images that speak to the personality and uniqueness of the couple or person.

Visions: You are definitely one of the most fun people to work with! There’s something so perfectly unique yet classic about your work. How would you describe your style of photography?

Meagan: It comes down to a documentary style with an editorial eye. I am constantly looking for interactions between people, documenting things the way they are/the way they happen, but paying close attention to the composition of the image. I want to tell a story in a beautiful way, and my photographs are intentional in that aspect. My goal is to produce timeless images that will appeal to the viewer 50 years from now, and evoke a sense of how it felt to be there at the time.

Visions: We are gushing over that beautiful blue floral tapestry in your office. What was the inspiration for your new space, and how did you go about bringing in your unique style?

Meagan: I must say, I am so excited to be in this space! I share it with three amazing ladies (an artist, a florist, and another photographer). They can take the credit for the way the space looks because they have been there for about a year now. I am lucky enough to move in! We do each have our own desk/office area, and I have decorated it with a clean, minimalistic look, infused with some fun pops of decor like vintage desk accessories, a shelf made by a friend of mine out of reclaimed wood and leather straps, and that blue floral wall hanging from Society6. I have always been a little bit eclectic when it comes to personal style. The studio is about 1600 sq. feet and also has work areas for each of us, as well as a “Pow Wow” room (i.e. conference room for client meetings), a kitchenette, and a bathroom.

Visions: You were in Mexico recently for a wedding. If you could do a photoshoot anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Meagan: That is such a hard question to answer! There are so many places I’d love to explore, so many places I’d love to shoot. My list is long, and includes (but is not limited to) Morocco, Iceland, Ireland, Greece, and somewhere in the desert. Those places would all be so inspiring for different reasons. One place I have wanted to visit for a long time is India. The richness of colors and culture against the backdrop of some of the poverty there is just beautiful to me. I have done many Indian weddings here in the states, but if you know of anyone getting married in India, please sign me up!

Visions: What is one piece of wisdom you have for couples looking to make their wedding portraits stunning and one-of-a-kind?

Meagan: Hire a photographer who’s images you love, and who is someone you can trust. Don’t settle for someone you think is okay just because they are more affordable. Weddings themselves are a luxury, and the only way you will come away with stunning portraits is to hire someone who has enough experience to work under pressure, deliver beautiful images, and connect with you on a deeper level than just the “business” of things. It’s much better to save up or budget for the photographer you absolutely love than to be disappointed with a photographer you hired based on the money alone. My best images are made with couples who can relax with me and be in the moment.

See more of M Lindsay Photography here!