Mei Lin Barral Photography

03/10/2022

02/07/2022

The first Chicago venue I'd had the fortune of photographing just so happened to be the amazing Stan Mansion in Logan Square. Everything was spectacular from the architecture, the amazing team who run it, to the most gorgeous getting-ready suite I've ever seen.
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Vendors
Photography |
Venue |
Event Design + Planning |
Event Planning |
Cinematographer |
Officiant | Rose LifeCycle Ceremonies
Floral Design |
Stationery |
Hair & Makeup Artist |
Cake Designer + Baker |
Cake Designer + Event Planner |
Catering |
Catering |
Liquid Catering, Cocktails |
Wine, Craft Beer, & Spirits |
Table Design + Rentals |
Vintage Table Design + Rentals |
Bridal Gown Boutique |
Unique Jewelry |
DJ |
Music |
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| 4 photos
1 | Full-length white bridal gown with a large train on a mannequin in front of three windows with a pair of shoes next to it, alongside a table with a gold tablecloth and a bouquet of red roses atop it.
2 | Gold-framed mirror set atop a metal presentation stand. On the mirror is written "Welcome to Stan Mansion" in a modern calligraphy style. Above the writing is an illustrated version of the façade of Stan Mansion.
3 | Tablescape featuring a gold candelabra and full gold-themed place settings.
4 | Detail of an individual two-layer cake with pink and purple frosting that is complementary to the pink tablecloth and pink + floral place settings.

01/30/2022

Hello, hello!
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What have I been up to since I last posted? Well, my cat Q and I have moved half way across the country to Chicago!
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And even more exciting, I've partnered with to offer exclusive Mini Pet Portrait Sessions at their studio! Slide to the second image to read all about them. (Text is also available at the bottom of this caption).
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I've never offered studio portraits or mini sessions so if you're in Chicago and would like some lovable portraits of your four-legged family (and yourselves) contact Cynthia now. Sessions are *this* Saturday so you receive your photos by Valentine's Day.
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If you have any questions email me at [email protected] or send me a DM!
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(Photo of Danielle & rescue Chihuahua mix Milo was taken outside with natural light in a park. These mini portrait sessions will be inside in a studio).
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| 2 slides
1 | Photo of Danielle holding Milo the rescue Chihuahua mix, who is standing on his hind legs, leaning away from Danielle. She is sitting on some stone steps and looking towards Milo. His attention is off to his left, both ears perked up.
2 | Informational e-flyer of the Pocha Pets Boutique x Mei Lin Barral Photography Valentine's Day Mini Pet Portrait Sessions. Text reads: "[Pocha Pets Boutique round logo] presents [Mei Lin Barral Photography round logo].
Valentine's Day Mini Portrait Sessions!
Pocha Pets Boutique x Mei Lin Barral Photography
What: 15 minute sessions
When: Saturday, 2/5/22
Where: Pocha Pets Boutique in Pilsen
Who: Four-legged Family Members
Cost: $100
Availability: 19 Sessions
Photos: 3 High Resolution Images
Gallery Delivered On: Saturday 2/12
Contact Cynthia: [email protected]
Pocha Pets Boutique
1840 S Racine Ave
Chicago IL 60608"

12/22/2021

New on the blog -- esposa Julie y esposo Marvin's Christmas themed Red Lion Inn Wedding!
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Check out the link in my profile, in my stories, or visit the link directly here: www.MeiLinBarralPhoto.com/blog/guatemalan-irish-american-multicultural-christmas-wedding/
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It was *such* an honor and pleasure to help a fellow wedding vendor remember his day. It was so evident how much Marvin and Julie truly enjoyed their day and how much they are absolutely smitten with one another. Do yourself a favor and hire Marvin for your wedding cinematography needs!
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Congratulations again to the couple! (aka Ozzie's parents)
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Julie & Marvin's Vendor Team!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Best Doggo | (on Instagram)
Venue + Caterer | The Red Lion Inn
Wedding Planner | Jennifer Crook from The Red Lion Inn
Cinematographer | (on Instagram)
Officiant | Bride's Dad + Krista, Marvin's Cousin
Floral Design | Bittersweet Gardens
Cake Baker | Montilio's Baking Company
Cake Designer | Dulce marielos
Table Design | Julie, the bride herself!
Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist | Refeyeance - Makeup & Hair
Dog Caretaker | Tail Waggerz Pet Care
Engagement Ring + Wedding Bands | Harts Jewelers of Weymouth
Bridal Gown Designer | By Watters
Bridal Gown Shop | Vows Bridal
Bridal Shoes | Ellie Wren Wedding Shoes
Groom's + Groomens' Attire | formal_men_fashion_
Invitations | Abby Caparrotta (Bride's sister)
DJ | Mass Rhythm Entertainment
Best Men Watches | MVMT
Transportation | Coastal Livery Transportation Services
Mariachi Band |
Proposal Venue | Capitol Theatre & Creamery
Couple's Birthday Restaurant | Capo Restaurant
Family Heirlooms | Julie's Nana's Rosary Beads
Groom | Media By Marvin
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| 10 photos from Julie (she/her) & Marvin (he/him)‘s Christmas-themed Guatemalan Irish American Multicultural Wedding. He is wearing a red velvet blazer and black trousers and she is in a white dress with a long-sleeved lace top with a slight collar and a large poufy tulle skirt.
1 | Detail photo of Julie & Marvin's wedding bands and Julie's engagemenet ring set atop part of their invitation suite.
2 | Julie & Marvin's standing side-by-side in their ceremony venue with their best doggo Ozzie the Australian Sheppard who is wearing a red bow around his neck.
3 | Julie's white dress hung on a doorframe.
4 | Marvin and one of his groomsmen with arms around one another with big smiles and pure joy.
5 | Detail of Julie's custom red wedding shoes set on Julie's dress' train.
6 | Detail of Marvin's Spider Man cufflink and his gold watch.
7 | Julie & Abby, her maid of honor and twin sister in their coordinating plaid pyjamas and robes in their getting ready suite.
8 | Tablescape of table 14, "O' Christmas Tree" featuring greenery and candles.
9 | Detail of Julie's bouquet set atop a stone wall with the Red Lion Inn in the background.
10 | "Slainte and salud ~ Julie found her groom! " sign behind place cards in the reception venue.

12/20/2021

Nothing beats the look of admiration and awe from one partner to another.

| Julie (she/her) & Marvin (he/him)‘s Christmas-themed Guatemalan Irish American Multicultural Wedding. Focus on Marvin, wearing a red velvet blazer, black trousers, a black bowtie, and a boutonniere. He is looking at his soon-to-be wife. Julie is in the foreground while he is in the background. She is holding an umbrella and is wearing a white shawl with her hair up and a botanical crown.

12/19/2021

¡ Felicidades señora y señor Sandoval !
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Julie & Marvin planned the richest and warmest Christmas-themed Guatemalan Irish American multicultural wedding.
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From a surprise mariachi band during cocktail hour, handmade tablescape designs by Julie herself, to enjoying their first look in a wine cellar, everything was stunningly planned.
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More to come from Julie & Marvin’s beautiful day. In the meantime, a huge thank you to all of Julie & Marvin's vendors for creating such a gorgeous day!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Best Doggo | (on Instagram)
Venue + Caterer | The Red Lion Inn
Wedding Planner | Jennifer Crook from The Red Lion Inn
Cinematographer | (on Instagram)
Officiant | Bride's Dad + Krista, Marvin's Cousin
Floral Design | Bittersweet Gardens
Cake Baker | Montilio's Baking Company
Cake Designer | Dulce marielos
Table Design | Julie, the bride herself!
Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist | Refeyeance - Makeup & Hair
Dog Caretaker | Tail Waggerz Pet Care
Engagement Ring + Wedding Bands | Harts Jewelers of Weymouth
Bridal Gown Designer | By Watters
Bridal Gown Shop | Vows Bridal
Bridal Shoes | Ellie Wren Wedding Shoes
Groom's + Groomens' Attire | formal_men_fashion_
Invitations | Abby Caparrotta (Bride's sister)
DJ | Mass Rhythm Entertainment
Best Men Watches | MVMT
Transportation | Coastal Livery Transportation Services
Mariachi Band |
Proposal Venue | Capitol Theatre & Creamery
Couple's Birthday Restaurant | Capo Restaurant
Family Heirlooms | Julie's Nana's Rosary Beads
Groom | Media By Marvin
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| 9 photos from Julie (she/her) & Marvin (he/him)‘s Christmas-themed Guatemalan Irish American Multicultural Wedding. He is wearing a red velvet blazer and black trousers and she is in a white dress with a long-sleeved lace top with a slight collar and a large poufy tulle skirt.
1 | Portrait of soon-to-be spouses outside under an umbrella. They are standing facing each other in the middle of a walkway in an outside garden.
2 | Julie & Marvin's first look in a wine cellar. They are standing facing each other and her right hand is in his left hand. She is smiling looking in front of her while he is smiling while holding his hand up to his face in an emotional manner.
3 | The newlyweds' first dance as spouses! They are dancing facing each other, her right hand is in his left hand. Family and friends surround them and they are dancing below a chandelier and string lights in a barn.
4 | Mariachi Internacional Boston performing during cocktail hour. They are each playing a different instrument.
5 | Detail of Julie hugging Marvin from behind and to the side slighty. His right hand is set atop her right hand while his left holds an umbrella.
6 | Portrait of soon-to-be spouses outside under an umbrella. They are walking while looking at one other in the middle of a walkway in an outside garden.
7 | Detail of one centerpiece wooden sign that reads "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" with a "1" in a circle and dots flanking it to resemble snow. There is a small bell in front and greenery, florals, and candles behind.
8 | Soon-to-be spouses walking outside, she is under an umbrella. He is carrying her train while walking to their ceremony location in an outside courtyard. The Red Lion Inn is in the background.
9 | Post cake cutting, bride & groom standing facing the camera with pure joy on their faces. They are both open-mouth smiling; he is doing a peace sign with his left hand and she has both of her arms out in a fun/joyful/carefree gesture. Their gorgeously simple and elegant cake is on a table in front of them. It is all white with a gold top on each of the two tiers which drips on the sides.

12/07/2021

Thank you so much to everyone for making my new website + brand design launch so incredibly fun and exciting. I appreciate all of your support!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you haven't seen it, there's a new blogpost that details all the new changes and introduces you a bit to my designer KP from .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://MeiLinBarralPhoto.com/blog/mei-lin-barral-photography-inkpot-creative/

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| Torso portrait of wife + husband holding hands in a slow dance. The focus is on their hands, featuring his new wedding band. She is wearing a wide-neck dress with lace sleeves and her hair is up. He is wearing a dark grey suit with a boutonniere. Snow is visible in the background.

12/02/2021

Thank you so much to KP from Inkpot Creative for the best website I could have ever dreamed of!

11/22/2021

Exciting news for my current and past clients!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Starting this Friday (11/26) through Monday (11/29) there’s going to be a special sale for prints!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Be sure to log in to your gallery before this Friday to let me know if you have any technological issues and/or questions so you’re prepared to take advantage of the sale.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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| David watching his spouse remove bobby pins from her updo while they’re both sitting on a bench (just out of frame). Sarah is looking down and smiling while both her arms are above her head, grasping st the bobby pins.

11/16/2021

Been thinking a lot about this amazing anniversary session at the summit of Mount Mansfield. (And how cute Marigold is).
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Fun fact: Marigold is about 50% cattle dog (she's a rescue), and for Halloween this year she was dressed at a cow! I mean, how adorable is that??
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| 9 photos
1 | Bust portrait of Marigold the rescue dog looking up and in front of her, seen via her left profile wearing a floral collar and grey harness.
2 | Far away portrait of Missy, Tom, & Marigold walking along the summit of Mount Mansfield with the scenery around them.
3 | Close up bust portrait of Marigold looking straight into the camera with both of her ears up. (She's extremely cute).
4 | Missy leaning her head against her husband Tom with her left arm around his midsection. He is smiling and relaxed.
5 | Full body portrait of Marigold looking up and to the left of the camera. She is sitting on the rocks at the summit.
6 | Family portrait of Missy, Tom, & Marigold viewing the vista at the summit of Mount Mansfield. Missy & Tom have their arms around one another.
7 | Close up family portrait of Missy, Tom, & Marigold. Tom is holding Marigold and is kissing her right cheek while Missy is looking at her husband & four-legged family member with love.
8 | Missy & Tom descending the summit. Missy has Marigold's leash in her left hand and both arms are outstretched to balance. Tom is walking in front of Missy while Marigold is right behind her.
9 | Black and white portrait of Tom & Missy descending the summit surrounded by evergreens. Their backs are to the camera.

11/12/2021

So excited to finally reveal what this big secret project is and introduce you all to my designer!
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If you've watched some of my recent stories on Instagram you may have noticed I've shared the cover slide of multiple presentations featuring a pug photo. Well, all of those presentations have been created by my absolutely phenomenal designer KP (she/her) from Inkpot Creative for my new custom brand + website!
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That's right -- MBP is getting a fresh new look that will perfectly encapsulate & represent my brand + business values.
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My very cute and very comfortable "LOVE WINS" bucket hat was kindly gifted to me by KP! Swipe to virtually meet KP who is also wearing the same bucket hat (that she designed!). Thank you KP for virtually saying hi to my little but grand community and thank you to Jas K Productions, KP's photographer.
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KP is the web designer + entrepreneur behind Inkpot Creative, a q***r design studio + small business serving the LGBTQIA+ community and allies who "want to stick out from the crowd in all the right ways". I urge you to contact her if you or someone you know is in need of new web design! She offers several services (including website templates) so you can find one at your budget if the all-out design experience isn't for you at this time. Please go visit her and say hi -- she's truly such a joy to work with and I cannot wait to share with you everything she's designed. Overjoyed doesn't begin to describe how I feel about her work. She's tailored the experience to me and my business (hence the pug photos) and was able to translate my jumbled random thoughts into beautiful and meaningful design. She can only take on one more custom web design client for this year so contact her now!
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You can find her via her website:
www.InkpotCreative.com
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And lastly, view the third slide to see an exclusive sneak preview of KP's stunning work! Also, the last slide showcases one of my new Instagram Highlight Icons. The first ones featured on my Instagram profile (aka the new ones) were designed by KP as well.
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| 4 slides
1 | Mei Lin smiling, looking at the camera, standing in front of a wooden + metal railing with orange-leaved trees in the background. She is wearing a black tailored blazer and a white bucket hat with the words "LOVE WINS" embroidered on it in rainbow-colors (each letter in a different color, following ROYGBIV).
2 | Portrait of KP, the web designer + entrepreneur behind Inkpot Creative wearing the same "LOVE WINS" bucket hat. She is wearing big reflective round sunglasses and a red tie-dye t-shirt with a blue and tan illustration. She is standing in front of a white brick wall and has her right hand grasping the edge of the bucket hat. She is smiling, looking straight ahead, body tilted at an angle from the camera. Photo by Jas K Productions.
3 | Sneak preview of the brand design by KP from Inkpot Creative. It featured a pug illustration within a circle with two plant illustrations below it, flanking it and "lifting it up". It is in one of the new MBP brand colors which is a dark reddish brown called “espresso”.
4 | One of the new instagram highlight illustrations designed by KP from Inkpot Creative. Featured is a banner held up by two poles with the word “PRIDE” written on it. It is in MBP’s new brand colors, a dark blue called “enchanted forest” and a light greenish that is called “avocado”.