Well, that was fast.

Spring has come and gone, and I spent most of it among wonderful artists and beautiful moments. Here's a sample of everything I saw: 

The Chicago Children's Choir singing their hearts out in grand spaces. Galas for Bella Voce and Music of the Baroque. A beautiful spring evening on stage at Millennium Park. A surprise proposal and engagement tomfoolery. The Chicago Philharmonic's Scott Speck puts on the conducting gloves. Lots of portraits of lovely and talented artists. And the best rooftop view a photographer could ask for. 

All photos © copyright 2018 by Elliot Mandel. All rights reserved.

Chicago Children’s Choir at Navy Pier.

Patrice Michaels and Kuang-Hao Huang for Cedille Records.

Bella Voce Gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Pianist Shannon McGinnis.

Scott Speck’s entrance before leading the Chicago Philharmonic’s season finale.

Chicago Children’s Choir in Millennium Park.

Composer/conductor/bassoonist Steve Ingle.

Audio/video engineer Aaron Gottl.

Nicole Cabell and Craig Terry for Harris Theater’s “Beyond the Aria.”

“Beyond the Aria” overlooking Millennium Park.

Jamie surprises Erica after a run with a ring.

She said yes.

Engagement session with Kristi and Greg in Lincoln Park.

Engagement silliness.

The Zukerman Trio at the Music Institute of Chicago.

Jane Glover toasts the crowd at Music of the Baroque’s gala.

Back for chamber music at St. James Cathedral for the International Music Foundation.

The view from the roof after a storm.

Cameras, birds, and photographers blowing in the wind

This camera of mine is taking me to some very cool places.  I had the recent privilege of doing a behind-the-scenes shoot with the Emmy-winning film crew of Bitter Jester Creative on a windswept bit of Chicago.  We dodged flying cameras and wildlife against the backdrop of post-industrialism and pretty sweet view of the skyline.