How we photographed the county’s historic first marriage of 2026
This week’s top photo comes from visual journalist Candace Dane Chambers.
What makes this photo important?
Happy New Year! We’re ringing it in with love.
The Cook County Clerk’s Office does an annual lottery to select one lucky couple to receive the first marriage license of the year. This year, Humboldt Park couple Melissa Nunez and Elizabeth Branske made history as the first lesbian couple to win the lottery. Following the tense news cycle at 2025’s year end, staring anew with a small spotlight on warmth and progress feels worth celebrating.
How I got this picture
The actual ceremony had ended a few minutes before, and this loving look between the newlyweds followed the signing of their marriage license. Seeing the license in front of them — an actual, material manifestation of their vows — seemed to spur a new well of emotion. There were many cameras in the room and the couple, though happy and at ease, seemed very aware of the heavy media presence throughout the ceremony. But in this moment their awe and joy seemed to take over and I was able to snap this exchange.
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with an RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens
Focal length: 135mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/250
ISO: 1600
Plus, 13 more powerful photos from Sun-Times photographers:
New Year’s Eve revelers celebrate during the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” on the Chicago Riverwalk.
Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
New Year’s Eve revelers celebrate during the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” on the Chicago Riverwalk.
Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Chance the Rapper and The Bucket Boys give a live teaser during “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on the Chicago Riverwalk.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Crowd members cheer on cue as Chance the Rapper gives a live introduction during “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on the Chicago Riverwalk.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
People skate at the ice rink at Millennium Park on Tuesday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A bicyclist travels on the Lakefront Trail near North Avenue Beach on Dec. 27.
Talia Sprague/For the Sun-Times
Brayan Plata and Ingrid Guanume hold their children in their Albany Park apartment in December. Plata was detained by ICE in November, leaving Guanume to care for their three small children alone while he was held in federal custody for weeks.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Ingrid Guanume holds her infant son in her Albany Park apartment.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Benet players celebrate as the Redwings close in on thier 52-43 victory over DePaul Prep to win the championship at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Wednesday.
Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times
Hamna Amin, daughter of Asif Amin Cheema, sobs as she speaks to reporters during a press conference at the kiss and ride parking lot outside the Rosemont Blue Line station on Thursday. Cheema, a Humboldt Park restaurant owner, is set to be deported after the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that his deportation order could proceed.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
An aerial view of a residential neighborhood in Calumet City.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Gentry Hunt, shown at his home in Garfield Park, was of the victims shot outside St. Sabina Church when an altercation broke out during a basketball tournament.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The Rev. Louis J. Cameli makes his way to the alter during Mass at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday.
Jim Vondruska/For the Sun-Times
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