The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

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429 Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

Photojournalistic
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NovaΒ PhotosΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $895
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Nova Photos is a wedding photography, videography, and photo booth studio in Chicago, IL. We're a multicultural, multilingual, LGBTQ-friendly, photographer/employee-owned studio dedicated to documenting the most memorable moments of your wedding day! Collectively, we have captured over 10,000 weddings. At Nova Photos, we work with our clients every step of the way. The team provides comprehensive support with planning locations, setting up permits, and creating a timeline that works for them and their other vendors. Every couple deserves more than just memories; they deserve a timeless keepsake that captures the essence of their love story!

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œThank you Max for an incredible experience! You were amazing to work with. Our photos from our engagement and wedding came out so beautiful! Van, you were also amazing to work with. Your communication was clear and scheduling our sessions was super easy. I highly recommend Nova photos! Affordable, easy to work with, photos came out beautiful. Everything I dreamed of.”
Elaine V., a month ago
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Eivan's Photo &Β VideoΒ 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,149
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

We offer a personalized experience backed up by more than 33+ years in business delivering high quality, creative photography and video on time and within your wedding budget. We are experts in photojournalism, offering couples an unmatched level of value for their wedding photography and video services.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWe loved working with our photographer, Max. He worked very well with the bridal parties and really expressed what I wanted in photos. Communication was great throughout the whole process from booking until the wedding day. I highly recommend!”
Haleigh K., a year ago
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Roman LorekΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,200
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Bilingual (Polish, English) husband & wife wedding photography duo based in Chicago. We specialize in documenting real emotion with an artistic answer candid approach. We're inspired by music, travel, and real moments that make you feel alive.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œRoman Lorek Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very beginning, they were great communicators - open, honest, and responsive to all of our questions and requests. Their work is truly high quality, with an artistic and beautiful style that captured all the special moments of our day. They went above and beyond, making thoughtful suggestions and recommendations that helped make our wedding day even more perfect. Roman and Anastasia were friendly, professional, and made the entire photography experience easy and stress-free. They also did a "family" engagement shoot ahead of our wedding, which was the most fun I had ever had taking photos. Could not have been a better experience all-around! We would highly recommend Roman Lorek Photography to any couple looking for a talented and dedicated wedding photography team.”
Rea H., a year ago
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Original Weddings Photo &Β VideoΒ 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Original Weddings Photo & Video is a team of EMMY award winning storytellers. Our photography and videography packages are tailored to you, customizable and perfect for every wedding. We offer engagement photography, wedding photos, highlight films, wedding coverage and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œMy husband and I loved our experience with the Sound Originals team. We purchased the photographyvideography Rose package and thought it was a great deal. Kevin (our photographer) and Ben (our videographer) were amazing and so on top of making sure they got all the shots.Β  We absolutely LOVED the photos. Kevin was able to capture beautiful candid moments and was great at directing us for the couple and family photos. And wow, the video, I have not stopped replaying our wedding video since we received it a couple days ago. Ben did a phenomenal job capturing the essence of our wedding and vows. We are so grateful for the Sound Originals team and would highly recommend!”
Deanna H., a year ago
GemHidden gem
Red Barn WeddingΒ StudioΒ 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000

Red Barn Wedding Studio is a wedding photography and wedding cinematography company, based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to customer service and exceptional visual storytelling. All our lead wedding photographers and videographers have around 15 years experience in the wedding field, covering and experiencing all kinds of lighting scenarios and true life stories.

β€œFrom the moment we first contacted Red Barn Wedding Studio, we were impressed by their thorough and detailed communication style. They took the time to understand our vision and preferences, and provided helpful guidance throughout the planning process. On the day of our wedding, the photographers from Red Barn demonstrated true perseverance, seamlessly capturing all the special moments with skill and professionalism. They were a joy to work with, and their dedication resulted in stunning photographs that we will cherish forever. We highly recommend Red Barn Wedding Studio to any couple looking for a talented and reliable photography team to document their special day.”
Maddie m., a month ago
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GubertΒ PhotosΒ 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500

Hey there! Why choose Gubert Photos? My photography isn't just about snapping pictures; it's about making every shoot comfortable and enjoyable, bringing out the most authentic and beautiful sides of my clients. As a wedding photographer for a few years now, I bring the assurance that comes from years of experience, ensuring that your moments are captured with expertise and attention to detail. I understand that every story is unique, and your photos should reflect that. Whether it's an intimate courthouse elopement or a destination, I'm here to make your vision come to life.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œThe photographer was kind, communicative, creative and made it fun! Even though we spent extra time trying to find an open space and it was a bit cold, she made my family feel so comfortable. I loved the photos and can’t wait to book her again!”
Martha, 3 years ago
GemHidden gem
Shelly ShimonΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500

I'm a Chicago wedding and lifestyle photographer with a soft spot for cheap flights to foreign places. Living in Chicago, I've fallen in love with the art of contrast between industrial cityscapes and the elegance of a bride + groom. The aesthetic is both classic and transcenden

β€œShelly was the best wedding photographer any couple could ask for! She had such a calming presence with us both, while also ensuring all the photos we wanted were captured throughout the day. She was extremely professional during the entire process from initial meeting all the way to the final gallery. Her turn around time was incredibly fast, we had friends who were married months before us that still didn't have their photos by the time we did. My family and friends still talk about how good of a job she did every time they see us. Highly recommend for any and all couples, we will definitely be calling her again for future family photos :)”
Tess R., 3 years ago
GemHidden gem
Kenny KimΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,995

Kenny Kim has always been fascinated by the visual arts, especially the connection between art and photography. Combined with his love of travel and culture, he has become one of the most respected and sought after destination wedding photographers of his industry. Since 2006, Kenny Kim Photography has quickly grown into a nationally recognized studio and Kenny’s work, which spans the globe in over 400 weddings and destination events, has been featured in the most respected photography periodicals.

β€œKenny is amazing. He asked us for a list of the bridal party/family/VIPs ahead of time and memorized who everyone was so that he could easily ask people to do what he needed for photos. He is creative, professional, efficient, and timely. We are so in love with our photos.”
Ariana K., 2 years ago
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George Street Photo andΒ VideoΒ 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,295
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL
  • Offer

George Street Photo and Video has one story to tell: Yours. With over twenty years of experience, our award-winning team has been lucky to capture thousands of weddings for our couples across the United States. Specializing in both wedding photography and videography, we offer affordable and customizable packages starting at $1295 that are designed to suit your unique vision and budget. We even offer a fun style test to help us match you with a photographer that aligns with the vibe of your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWe had multiple people tell us when we got engaged spend the money on good photography and videography and they were right. The team did an amazing job capturing subtle details of my husband and I story, along with very fun footage we did not expect. Cami is amazing super fun and friendly I didn't feel awkward at all. The video team friendly and professional we LOVED our video highlight and full video. I am so glad we have so many great photos and video to share and have for a lifetime.”
Sarah B., a year ago
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Albany Capture Film & PhotographyΒ StudiosΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

You're not just hiring a photographerβ€”you're gaining a creative partner who’s with you from β€œyes” to β€œI do.” I’m Pedro, Creative Director of Albany Capture, and for over 12 years I’ve been documenting love stories through a style that blends photojournalism with fine art. Weddings are more than just eventsβ€”they're a celebration of connection, and I’m passionate about preserving the real, fleeting moments that make your day unforgettable. To ensure we provide dedicated time and personalized recommendations for your wedding photography and videography needs, we now offer in-depth consultations for a nominal fee of $50.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œPedro was awesome! We were looking for a local (in Chicago) photographer, and found the perfect one. He was super easy to work with, and took amazing pictures. Our initial meeting was via Zoom, which made working it around our schedule super easy. He was extremely responsive to all of my emails, and even was workable with our budget and what we wanted to accomplish with photography. I love his ability to take un-staged, in the moment photos as well as great family photos. He went above and beyond for us, and we are grateful for so many amazing photos to choose from. I would definitely hire him again in a heartbeat.”
Stephanie D., a year ago
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The Still LifeΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,450
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Jay & Nicole Vega decided to pursue a career together in the art of Photography. Met & married in Chicago in 2013, two people set out on a business venture of a lifetime. While Nicole is the main photographer of the company, we have also expanded and hired reliable, talented photographers to work along side with us, while still maintaining a small business feel.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWorking with Isabel was great! She led us through photos in a calm, organized, and efficient manner while making it a lot of fun. She captured the natural style we were looking for and gave us wonderful sneak peek photos. We can't wait to see the rest of the photos in a couple months!”
Taylor B., 5 months ago
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Emma MullinsΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $7,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Digital + Film Wedding Photography Hi! I'm Emma, owner and lead photographer of Emma Mullins Photography. Our goal is simple: to capture your vibe, your people, and your love in a way that looks and feels true to life. We just wrapped our 13th Chicago wedding season, and it's been a whirlwind of all things real and fabulous! Emma Mullins Photography embraces diversity and inclusivity. We are a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community and happy to serve humans of every background, gender and identity.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œEmma and her associate, Sasha, were an absolute joy to work with. From the planning stages, to engagement photos, to our wedding day, Emma was communicative, professional, and uplifting. Our engagement session photos are beautiful and surpassed what we hoped for. For our wedding, we asked for photos both downtown and in Lincoln Park, and Emma knew all the best spots. We were pleasantly surprised by how many sneak peek photos Emma provided us just a few days after the wedding, and we can’t wait to see the entire wedding album in a few weeks! We also received many compliments from our guests about how great Emma was. Please book Emma for your own engagement/wedding, you won’t regret it. :)”
Vivienne F., 4 months ago
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TWA PhotographicΒ ArtistsΒ 

4.7

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,799
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

The best part about what we do are the stories we get to tell. The happily-ever-afters, the love-at-first-sights…it’s the truth in a moment and a look that says it all. As Chicago area wedding photographers for over twenty years now, we’ve seen and captured just about every incarnation of true love imaginable. That’s why we approach your special day as a unique journey we take together. We walk you through every step, from proposal and engagement photos and perfectly capturing those forever wedding day moments with photography, videography, and content creation, to expertly crafting your very first family heirloom…your wedding album!

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œI am so pleased with my photos. TWA was helpful and communicative throughout the whole planning process and after the wedding as well! I’d recommend them to anyone. We only did photography, not photobooth or videography, but I love looking at my pictures!!”
Megan O., a year ago
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Audrey SimperΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

GET TO KNOW ME: Empathetic, detail oriented, & interested in learning how I can best support you. Capturing your shine while encouraging a feeling of ease. Go to coffee order: Almond Milk Cafe Miel | Personality types: ENFJ, Leo, Enneagram 7, Big Nerd | Hobbies: Acroyoga, dance, pottery, board games, reading books on psychology, binge watching survivor, being obsessed with your dog, getting little treats, curating an at home apothecary | Family: I live with my tiny Chihuahua Theo in Chicago.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWhen looking for a wedding photographer, we were looking for several qualities… We wanted someone that has an upbeat and outgoing personality to help us and our wedding party get re-energized throughout a long day, listens and follows through with our preferences, creates high quality photos, guides us on what to do for poses, and gets creative with the different styles of photos - Audrey was exactly all of these, and so much more. We purchased the package that included engagement photos and she provided us with an extensive amount of both engagement and wedding photos. There are countless photos that take our breath away, which hasn’t made it easy to decide what photos we want to get to hang in our home. If these are the qualities you are looking for in a photographer, Audrey is your person! She also has a great team that shares similar qualities and is along her side on wedding day.”
Kyle & R., 24 days ago
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Piero PierrotΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hey! I'm Piero, Book now! Weddings of up to 150 people with 8hrs of coverage only for $1800! I've been a wedding photographer for over 7 years, and I love the blend of candid and posed images that I take in every wedding, and we'll definitely have fun! I'll make sure that every smile, tear, and joyful dance from everyone is captured, literally all, from the fun getting ready shots to the moment you dropped the shoes to keep dancin'. We'll meet thru video or in person, and talk about those details too. Chat soon!!

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWe had a wonderful experience with Pierro, he was so easy to work with and kept the experience fun and relaxed. Loved his ideas for memorable photos and his ability to capture the best moments! His guidance was super helpful and we were able to get all the shots we wanted plus a lot of amazing candid shots! He worked with us every step and made sure we had fun with it. He was also very understanding about our limited budget and worked resourcefully and creatively. We were originally supposed to have an outdoor wedding but it rained so we had to move it indoors. We were disappointed because we loved the outdoor space at the venue, but Pierro found ways to get beautiful shots inside. He also managed to get some incredible shots outside despite the weather! Overall, it was an amazing time and we are so happy that we went with Pierro. Would definitely recommend his services!”
Brianna R., 2 years ago
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LuxΒ EverlastingΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

You may not know it, but you're actually not looking for a wedding photographer. After all, that is just one aspect of what we do! And I'm not a normal wedding vendor... I'm a commissionable artist and consultant to the aesthetics and atmosphere of your day with nearly 20 years of industry experience (including planning my husband and I's wedding).

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œLux Everlasting was the perfect choice for our wedding photographer. From the moment we first spoke with Clayton, we were impressed by his kind, professional, and truly relatable personality. The quality of his work is truly stellar- it genuinely was worth every single penny for us. The photos and video footage he captured were absolutely beautiful; literally had me gasping at how perfectly our day was documented. My family loved working with Clayton too, they all complimented how much fun he was and how beautiful our photos were, and that they would find an excuse to hire him for something lol. Clayton also eased a lot of my anxiety with his calm presence, he even talked me through a difficult moment which was unexpected and greatly appreciated. We highly recommend Lux Everlasting for any couple looking for an exceptional wedding photography experience. My husband and I absolutely adore Clayton as a professional, and also as the awesome human being that he is, and hope to be able to work with him again in the future. 10/10 experience all around. I wish I could add more than 6 photos!! I picked these to show the range of his work; candid, editing, posed, group shots, ect.”
Claudia C., 2 months ago
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Zach CaddyΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

A cinematic eye. --- A bleeding heart. --- An inclusive spirit. --- I've picked up a camera just about every day since I fell in love with photography in 2013. Though every shoot holds something unique, it takes a lot to catch me off guard after a decade in business. I pride myself on my ability to quickly connect with my clients, making them feel comfortable, cared for, and confident that they look great. Being a helpful and calming presence in the midst of your wedding is second nature to me. Basically, I try to treat people how I want to be treated: with fairness and understanding!

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWe couldn't be more grateful for Zach and his work! I had a million things running through my mind on our wedding day, and making sure we captured every moment was a priority. Zach assured us to not even think about photos, that was his job! His energy was calming and grounding! We got to live in our day and see it beautifully captured after. He was communicative, kind, and delivered exactly what we wanted. I highly recommend him and hope to hire him again for more of life's moments.”
Toni D., 5 months ago
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Visil Photography &Β VideoΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,250
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I’m Victor, the photographer and videographer behind Visil Photography & Video. I document weddings in a candid, documentary style, focusing on genuine emotion, meaningful moments, and the day's natural flow. My approach is quiet and intentional, allowing couples to stay present while their story unfolds naturally.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œVisil Photography provided amazing photography services for our wedding day. Victor was extremely respectful, informative, and positive in all of our communications leading up to the big event. On the wedding day itself, he was passionate about capturing all of those special moments we had envisioned. Victor has a gift for engaging with people and making them feel comfortable in front of the camera. He circulated seamlessly among our guests and captured countless touching interactions. My husband and I could not be happier with the beautiful, artistic photos Victor delivered. They will allow us to re-live our special day for years to come. I would highly recommend Visil Photography for any couple looking for a talented photographer who can beautifully document their wedding memories. Victor was a joy to work with!”
Krystal Z., a year ago
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Wendy SchreierΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL
  • Offer

Hello! I am Wendy, an award winning Chicago wedding photographer. I personally, will be the photographer on your wedding day, I am a one woman small business. My photo journey started 15 years ago shooting concerts, most recently Depeche Mode! I fell in love with the art of photography and started capturing weddings! I love seeing all the details you so lovingly design into your wedding day and capturing the big picture of how awesome you, your wedding and guests are.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œWendy is absolutely incredible and very very talented! We loved every single picture that she did for us. That includes engagement and wedding photos! She captured every little detail in moment just perfectly. We recommend her 10 out of 10! If you don’t use her, you will definitely be missing out!”
Larry & M., 5 months ago
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Sarah NaderΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I'm an award winning wedding photojournalist from Chicago, Illinois. I was raised in the Chicago suburbs but now call Lincoln Square home with my husband and our two Golden Retrievers, Missy and Felony. When the dogs aren't keeping me busy I love traveling all over the world, cooking amazing meals, jumping on my Peloton and eating Thai food while binging Netflix.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œFrom the moment we first contacted Sarah Nader Photography, we were impressed by her open, easy, and quick communication style. Sarah has an incredible attention to detail, which was evident in the beautiful photos she captured of our special day. Sarah even went the extra mile by coming to our home to take photos, making us feel comfortable and at ease. We'll forever cherish the stunning images she took, especially the emotional and meaningful photos she captured of me breastfeeding my two young children during a surprising and bittersweet moment. Sarah's work is truly exceptional, and we highly recommend her services to any couple looking for a talented wedding or family photographer.”
Clare L., 9 months ago
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Nikki KateΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hello, my name is Nikki, and I am a wedding and family photographer for the sentimental and nostalgic. I have been lucky enough to call this my career for over 12 years. I am driven by a passion for storytelling and documenting your life for you to keep forever. Rooted in the heart of Chicago, IL, I am always ready to pack my bags and travel wherever your story unfolds (frequently travel to CO and WI). Whether it's the heartfelt promises exchanged on your wedding day or the joyful pitter-patter of little feet during an intimate family session at home, I treasure the opportunity to document every chapter of your life.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œNikki is absolutely amazing and we are so happy we chose her to be our wedding photographer. She is wonderful to work with! She is kind, organized, and truly goes above and beyond! We are so in love with all of our photos and have received so many compliments on them! We truly cannot recommend Nikki enough!!”
Taylor D., 14 days ago
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Ryan MooreΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,200
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I've been documenting weddings for 15 years! Your wedding will have so man quick and candid moments, and that's what I'm there for. The spontaneity. The honesty. The "beautiful" vs the "pretty". Hearing things like "Wow, we didn't even know that happened!" or "This is the best picture of my Grandpa I've ever seen," is what keeps me fired up year after year! I believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, honored, and free to express their love for each other. I proudly support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community along with all cultural backgrounds and traditions!

β€œChoosing a wedding photographer can be a daunting task, but luckily Ryan makes the process easy! Ryan has a unique eye and documentarian yet editorial style that truly captures not only the beauty of the day, but the feel! From initial consultation through the very last moments of the party, Ryan was warm, friendly and professional. He expertly directed our large combined family, who can be a bit a wayward, through a brilliant series of portraits in a remarkably short period of time. He was so patient when plans changed and even had some spontaneous ideas for some amazing shots that we had not even planned for. He also payed great attention the details that captured our style choices. Both my husband and I can be a bit self conscious about photos but we felt at ease the entire time and we love how we and all of our guests look in the pictures! The photos were so vibrant, well composed and really conveyed the emotion and joy of the event. Don't hesitate, Ryan Moore is THE GUY! We will definitely call upon Ryan for future photographic needs. Additionally, as an event industry professional, I have added him to my preferred vendor list and highly recommend him to my clients!”
Crystal W., 3 months ago
GemHidden gem
Madi EllisΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,550
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

*****The best way to reach me is to fill out the inquiry form on my website!***** As a documentary-style photographer, I love to emphasize connection, texture, and authentic emotion. Being a former actor who found a deep love and passion for wedding photography, I'm most drawn to the art of storytelling while creating honest and original work. I strive to make my images fully represent my couples in every way possible. I'm goofy, fun, and always create a deep connection with my couples to ensure their big day is captured with passion + care.

β€œThe best decision we made for our wedding was having Madi as our photographer! From our very first meeting with her to go over what we envisioned, we felt so at ease because Madi was decisive, confident, experienced, and so enthusiastic. She remained this way for our engagement photoshoot, Zoom meetings, random text conversations about the stresses of wedding planning, and everything in between. Our wedding day was everything we dreamed it would be, and that was in part because of Madi and her second shooter, Aaron. They helped to keep the mood high even when there were pauses during the day. They were able to corral our giant wedding party of 20 for candid and heartfelt group shots. They helped us stick to our timeline without any hiccups to the point where the whole day felt like a whirlwind in the best way. They listened to what was important for us to capture, and now we have photos of family and loved ones that we will cherish forever. When we got our entire gallery back (earlier than originally promised, which is amazing especially before the holidays), we teared up reliving the day again through Madi's lens. She has a unique touch and skill for finding the most special moments, and she just loves love, which is so evident through all of her work. We cannot recommend Madi enough, and we would choose her over and over again if we could!”
Carly R., 2 months ago
GemHidden gem
TetheredΒ StoriesΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Specializing in weddings, elopements, creative portraits, boudoir, and branding photography, I capture moments that resonate authentically with you and your loved ones. Each gallery is a reflection of your individuality, ensuring that your emotions and memories are preserved in every frame. Whether you're saying 'I do,' expressing yourself creatively, or showcasing your brand identity, let me document your story in a way that's true to you."

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œKriztelle is an amazing photographer! She made both me and my husband feel so comfortable during our elopement shoot. She guided us through the entire process with patience and ease, especially when we had no idea how to pose (lol). Her ability to capture genuine moments is incredible. The photos we received are absolutely beautiful, memories we’ll truly cherish forever. So grateful we had her as part of our special day!”
Ria & Y., 6 months ago
GemHidden gem
Sam SchultzΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hey there! I’m a weddings and couples photographer based in Chicago, IL with my partner Emily and my rescue dog Daxter. I’m here to document joy and celebrate all the meaningful moments with the kickass people that find me.

β€œWhere to begin with how awesome Sam is??? He took our engagement photos back in 2023 and from the moment our session started we knew he was our guy. Sam goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and at ease, most importantly has a knack for drawing out authentic happiness that shows up in his photos. He so kindly took photos with us and our rescue dog, Bubbles, and made sure every step along the way she was comfortable - he even brought treats for her. Sam and his associate Chris photographed our October wedding and though we only have our previews back (literally 200 photos) we are in AWE of how he captured the magic of our day. Cannot recommend him enough.”
Taylor K., 2 months ago
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Kate ScottΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

My name is Kate Scott Daly, and I can't wait to meet you! I'm a Chicago native and have been a professional photographer for nearly a decade. I am obsessed with capturing the perfect moment that will make you gasp and say "Oh my god, this is amazing!" Being a queer woman, it is so important to me that you feel safe, loved, and beautiful every step of the way. If you're looking for someone you can relax with and just be yourself, you've found me! Let's face it: it can be awkward being in front of a camera. Even I feel nervous sometimes! I understand that anxiety and will do everything I can to make you feel fabulous!

β€œWe cannot recommend Kate enough! From the moment we met her, she made us feel completely comfortable and celebrated our love with so much enthusiasm. As a queer couple, it was important for us to work with someone who not only respected but truly celebrated queer weddings, and Kate went above and beyond. She took the time to help us clarify our vision for our wedding photos, which was especially helpful since we only had 6 weeks to plan our wedding and felt a little overwhelmed by the process. She was a great guide and we immediately knew we were in good hands! Kate’s associate Ryan shot the photos on our wedding day and they captured every special momentβ€”from the big emotional vows to the smallest, most intimate glancesβ€”with such artistry and care. The photos are breathtaking, full of life, and truly reflect the joy of our day. Right when Ryan arrived, they jumped in with capturing photos of small details and worked to capture everything we wanted for our special day. Kate and Ryan were both an absolute delight to work withβ€”professional, fun, and incredibly talented. If you're looking for a photographer who will make you feel seen, respected, and celebrated while delivering stunning photos, look no further. We are beyond grateful for Kate and Ryan and will cherish these photos forever! Thank you for making our wedding memories so magical!”
Darcy & R., a year ago
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AndrewΒ MerzΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I like to take a journalistic approach to my wedding photography, letting the day flow naturally, all while capturing every wonderful moment for the couple as non-obtrusive as possible. My goal is to make your big day as stress free & fun as possible while capturing memories to last a life time!

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œI would highly recommend Merz for any personal or professional event that you are in need of a photographer for. He has done both for me and all of them turned out amazingly. My proposal photos were so great and there were so many moving parts in the plan for the proposal that I was shocked everything worked out so perfectly.”
Morgan L., 3 years ago
GemHidden gem
UnabridgedΒ PhotographyΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

From my first moment as a wedding photographer, I knew I wanted to kick tradition to the curb. I was tried of seeing wedding photography that excluded the communities that I hold closest. I work hard to form a real connection with each of my clients to craft an experience that captures their unique spirit.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œAshley is so perceptive and talented! I told her a little bit about us and our style and she created the right balance between moodiness and fun that we wanted. She always got back to us just under 24 hours and answered every question that we had. She is dedicated to her clients and their needs. I enjoyed being in her company because she made us feel comfortable. She understood our needs and never pressured us to do anything out of our comfort zone. We are a more laid back, care-free couple, so we gave Ashley lots of space to experiment and it definitely paid off. If nothing else has convinced you, we have already booked our 1 year anniversary photos with her and I will continue to go back to her for any event that should be photographed.”
Daniela, a year ago
Quick responder
White QuillΒ CreativeΒ 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Spoiler alert: I didn't grow up daydreaming about weddings. Instead, I grew up on shaky home videos and weathered family albumsβ€”so I know how important it is to keep memories alive. The problem? The internet is overflowing with photos that focus on trends over authenticity. That's why, in a world filled with filters + fads, I'm here to capture every real moment of your wedding day.

Awarded Best of Zola
β€œChelsea was a dream to work with! From our first meeting, it was clear we were in good hands. She strikes the perfect balance of creative eye and meticulous planner, making sure we had a clear plan going into the day while staying flexible should things go awry. Case in point: when we met for our engagement shoot, it stormed, but we were able to tuck away in a cafe to chat and still capture beautiful photos once the rain passed! As two very camera-shy people, it was really important to find a photographer who made us feel comfortable, and Chelsea was exactly that. You spend as much (if not more) time with your photographer on wedding day as anyone else, and we could not have picked a more perfect person to invite into ours. On the actual day, she made everything feel effortless. Our motto for the day was β€œIn Chelsea we trust,” and we couldn’t have put our faith in a better person. She made a big day feel relaxed and fun -- even when taking photos in the middle of downtown traffic! Throughout the day, she took the extra time to arrange things just so, and the love and care shine through in our photos. If you're thinking about hiring Chelsea: do it. We couldn't recommend her more!”
Analia D., 2 months ago

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