The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Sterling, IL

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Sterling, IL

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146 Wedding Photographers in Sterling, IL

Photojournalistic
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Erik Anderson - Photography, LLC. 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Sterling, IL

I'm a 34-year-old husband to Samantha, our son Silas, our soon-to-be daughter Fiona, and our wiggler companion Moxie. I've been a wedding photographer for 11 years, having photographed over 300 weddings and countless other sessions! My hobby is also my job, and you bet my wife loves that, haha. I am also a stay-at-home dad, a philatelist, a Lego freak, and a craft beer nerd, and we have an orange fridge, haha.

Awarded Best of Zola
The quality of Erik's work as a photographer is unparalleled. He truly captured the "light, bright, airy" aesthetic that I loved when I first started researching different styles. He is highly detailed oriented which is a must for somebody like me who really notices all the little details. He went above and beyond by traveling to our engagement shooting location all the way in Madison, WI! When it came to shooting the big day, Erik orchestrated everything perfectly including calming me down during a stressful moment, making us all laugh, and capturing all the "good angles". From the first few photos I received, his work made me feel absolutely beautiful. When I shared with others, the first thing they commented was: "Wow, Your photographer KILLED it with the wedding photos!" Extremely high quality editing....Erik is worth every penny and I would highly recommend him to anyone!
Hannah S., 2 months ago
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Erin Henze Media 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $800
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Hi, I’m Erin! In my free time you might find me reading a good book, going for a quick run, planning a trip or spending time with my friends and family. And, most of all, I love using my camera to capture the beauty of people and the world that we live in. I am deeply devoted to documenting all of the memories, moments and feelings that you deserve to have stored forever. There is so much power in visual storytelling, and I would love for the opportunity to help you tell yours! Whatever the occasion- from wedding celebrations & family photos to senior portraits and birthday parties- I’m here to capture it all.

Awarded Best of Zola
This is the second time we booked Erin Henze Media to take family photos. Impressed that I received a pre-shoot survey so I could share the specific type and style of photos we were looking for. Erin took AMAZING photos of my family. No easy feat when you are dealing with a 6YO, 4YO, and 2YO. :P The photos she took will be treasured by family and are ones that will be hanging on the wall for a lifetime.
Jorden S., 6 months ago
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Chrissy Deming Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Sterling, IL

I'm Chrissy and I'm a documentary wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience who fully believes that your life deserves to be documented truthfully. My focus at your wedding isn't to steal you away from your family and friends for hours to make "art," but to empathically capture the moments and relationships present at your wedding. Your wedding photos are the single most important wedding investment you'll make. After the day is done and over, they will be what tethers you to your memories of your day. They will be the heirlooms you'll pass down to your grandchildren to hang on walls and sit on bedsides for generations to come.

We loved Chrissy! She was fun and easy to work with, and I loved that she provided color and black/white photos. She did everything on our list, and listened to our ideas as well. Nothing felt forced or over-posed, but she was great at guiding next moves when needed. Will definitely use again for future photos.
Eline O., 2 years ago
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Sound Originals Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Sound Originals 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
We are so happy that we went with Sound Originals! The process was extremely smooth and their online platform was so easy to use and update. Everyone on the team was transparent and helpful. We wanted to add another photographer a month before our wedding and Sound Originals made it happen. After my wedding I was able to change the editing to timeless from emerald after realizing I selected the wrong style. Our photographers were extremely professional and easy to work with and we cannot recommend this company enough!
Elizabeth S., 3 months ago
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Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,845
  • Serves Sterling, IL

More than a decade ago, two sisters - knew there had to be a better way to allow talented photographers and videographers to focus on what they do best -- create gorgeous art -- while providing couples with better support in the planning process. Together, they created an all-inclusive, stress-free environment where couples can choose from talented local photographers and videographers and work with a small team of planning experts equipped and eager to make everything a success. With the pressure gone, you can truly enjoy your big day. Relax and rest assured that all the emotional and moments will be documented with unmatched quality.

Alex & Jeremy were the BEST. I cannot believe the number of compliments I received from friends and family who were at the wedding. They were the most professional and interacted with our guests all night long. During the day, we moved through our timeline so smoothly but never felt rushed in my special moments with my husband. We laughed, we cried, we danced- every moment was captured by them and we are so thankful! I was hoping that the weather would cooperate for some golden hour portraits- not only did Jeremy get the most BEAUTIFUL golden hour photos but he grabbed us just as the sun came peaking out of the clouds and got a few photos of us with my veil in the wind. I am OBSESSED with both sets of these portraits. I’ve already recommended OLAS to friends and family who are getting married. They were the best vendor I could have asked for to capture our special day!
Danielle H., 2 months ago
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Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

I'm Pedro, the Creative Director of Albany Capture. With over 12 years of experience, I specialize in capturing love stories through a blend of photojournalism and artistry. Weddings are not just events—they’re a celebration of connection, and I’m dedicated to preserving those moments for you to relive for years to come.

Awarded Best of Zola
Pedro 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., 5 months ago
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Heather Christine Photo + Film 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,950
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Hiii! I'm Heather Schoolcraft - owner & CEO! I'm a small town gal from WV who LOVES traveling and pops of color. I've designed my entire company around creating authentic + magical love stories. I have an associate team specifically trained to go and take on more couples! The only thing that's different on your wedding day is you see a different face! On your wedding day, our goal is to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and to focus on the raw + real moments on your day. Don't settle for less because you have to. Let ME help you get the photos + video that you've always dreamed of.

Awarded Best of Zola
You know when you meet someone and it feels like you've been friends forever? That's Heather for you! Heather is fun, kind, warm, and will be your ultimate hype girl! Aside from being an awesome human, Heather is a talented photographer. Don't know how to pose and feel super awkward in front of a camera like me? No worries, Heather's got you! She'll direct you on how to stand, how to put your hands, how your face should look, give you hot tips... all of it! She also has a sharp eye for beautiful landscapes. You're in good hands and will have cute photos, I promise. In addition to Heather, we were lucky enough to work with her videographer, Andrew, and another shooter from her team. The entire HCP team was so fun to work with you and will put you right at ease. I've gotten to do 3 shoots with Heather to date and am incredibly pleased with how our photos have come out. In fact, I haven't even gotten the final album for our wedding yet (just previews) and i'm STILL impressed! If you have the opportunity to work with this team, take it. I couldn't recommend them enough.
Phi B., 7 months ago
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JZ Studio Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,750
  • Serves Sterling, IL

JZ Studio Photography is a wedding and Portrait photography company based in Chicago, that services Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and anywhere our couples may take us within US and Canada. At JZ Studio Photography, the team will create an amazing photographic experience for you on your wedding day, by capturing all of the most intimate and romantic moments through their camera lenses from beginning to end and compile the story for you.

Awarded Best of Zola
We cant recommend Philip and JZ Studio enough!! From beginning to end, he was so helpful, accommodating, and responsive. He made us feel comfortable right away during our engagement shoot and we were laughing the whole time. We had open communication about what we liked and didnt like and how to pose etc and it helped so much for our wedding day. The day of was great and they helped with our timeline and shot list. We had 2 photographers and a videographer all day which we recommend as well. Not only did we love our wedding pictures, but our video turned out amazing. We will cherish the photos, videos, and wedding album forever! Philip was always quick to respond to emails and texts and it really eased my wedding planning process. He had been to our wedding venue before which really helped as well. I am so happy we decided to book with JZ Studio!
Nicole and K., 6 months ago
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Visil Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,950
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

Hey, I’m Victor Silas, the heart and soul behind Visil Photography. As the owner and lead photographer, I’m passionate about capturing genuine love stories and creating lasting memories. For me, it’s more than just snapping photos—it’s about preserving the unique, unforgettable moments that make your wedding day yours. I make sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera, letting your love shine through naturally. My style? Candid, photojournalistic, and effortlessly fun.

Awarded Best of Zola
Visil 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., 6 months ago
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Piero Pierrot Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

I'm Piero, I've been a wedding photographer for over 7 years, my approach combines a blend of candid and posed styles, ensuring that every smile, tear, and joyful dance is immortalized in stunning imagery, from the delicate details of your attire to the vibrant energy of the celebration, allowing you to relive the magic for years to come. I work closely with you to understand your vision and preferences, always helping you with your timeline, and assisting you with ideas to make sure vision comes true.

Awarded Best of Zola
Piero was our wedding photographer and I was blown away by the photos he sent us of our wedding the very next morning. From the beginning he was super easy to work with and made sure to respond to messages and questions promptly. He was punctual, kind, professional, and kept our wedding party on task the day of our wedding. His vision for our photos were awesome and turned out stunning. He scaled all the photos perfectly and made sure not only the background of the photos looked good but also the poses of us and our wedding party photographed well. I love the candid shots he got too. They were beautiful! Everyone was saying how amazing the photos turned out! I am so, so thrilled with them and my husband and I will cherish our wedding photos in the years to come. Thank you for everything, Piero! You have a gift and thank you for sharing it with us! -Brydie & Doug
Brydie & D., 6 months ago
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Four Cubs Photo + Video 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

I’m Barry Daley, a photographer and videographer dedicated to capturing the magic of your most unforgettable moments. With over a decade of experience, I specialize in creating timeless, heartfelt visuals that celebrate your unique love story. Your wedding isn’t just another event to me—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and I’m here to preserve every genuine smile, happy tear, and joyous laugh. My relaxed and personal approach ensures you feel comfortable, so the moments I capture are as authentic as your love. Let’s create stunning photos and films that you’ll cherish for a lifetime, reliving every beautiful detail of your special day.

Awarded Best of Zola
Barry is one of best photographers I know. The level of professionalism is top notch. He’s on time, creative and very dependable. I highly recommend him.
Shelby , a year ago
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Timeless Imagery & Media 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Lover of all things photography. I have been a photographer for over 10 years and love what we do. I have an amazing team that helps me out. My husband also second shoots with me. I like to say you get two professionals for the price of one. I try to offer quality at a reasonable cost. I know photography can be daunting for some people and my goal is always to put people at ease.

Awarded Best of Zola
Timeless Imagery & Media were such a pleasure to work with for our wedding. They were so open and easy to communicate with throughout the entire process, which put us at ease. The quality of their work was truly professional, and they had a wonderful family-oriented approach that made us feel comfortable. They were detailed, attentive, and incredibly flexible, contributing to our special day in so many positive ways. Beyond their exceptional service, they felt like family and were so accommodating - we couldn't be happier with the beautiful pictures they captured that will allow us to cherish our wedding memories forever.
Amber S., 20 days ago
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Caz Isaiah - Cinemotion 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

I'm Caz Isaiah, a New York City based wedding photographer, but you can find me in a different city and country every week of the year capturing unforgettable moments in time. I shoot in a cinematic and timeless style making sure to capture raw and candid moments that will make your day look feel a movie. I have over 200,000 followers on social media as well as 10 of millions of image/video views so you can be assured who you’re working with. Let’s create something captivating! Caz Isaiah - Cinemotion Photo

Awarded Best of Zola
After our first photographer fell through, we found Caz and luckily he happened to be available on our wedding date. From the very first contact, he was incredibly responsive (super important to us), friendly and professional. His work looked great so we were excited - then we found out he was featured in Vogue! We were stoked. He was amazing to work with on the wedding day - punctual, friendly, got all the requested shots, and the whole bridal party loved him. We got our pictures back today - and they’re so much better than we could have dreamed of. It’s no wonder he was featured in Vogue - his work is artistic, candid, and beautiful. Thank you Caz for giving us such beautiful memories so we can relive the best day of our lives.
Jackie M., 25 days ago
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Mae Krell Photo 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,250
  • Serves Sterling, IL
  • Offer

Hi! My name is Mae, and I live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend, our two dogs Apollo and Bia, her cat Gigi and my lizard, Basil! I’ve always been passionate about capturing moments as authentically and magically as possible, and as i’ve settled more into this career path, I love that i’ve landed in a place where I have the privilege to capture and preserve people’s love stories. Weddings and elopements are so distinctly and uniquely human, and it’s truly the biggest honor to be trusted to document them.

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a great experience with Mae! She made us feel so comfortable throughout the whole shoot and made sure we got a bunch of great photos in some gorgeous locations. Post-shoot she put in so much effort editing our photos to make sure they were perfect once they were turned around to us which didn't take long at all. Highly highly recommend Mae for any photoshoot needs you might have!
Claire F., 3 months ago
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Jana Blue Photography (Photo + Film) 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,900
  • Serves Sterling, IL

My name is Jana Blue and I've been photographing weddings for 12 years. I'm consistent not in a trend of photos or style, but emotions. Each wedding and couples are so unique and my work follows that. In my career I've photographed both big production weddings and also intimate DIY ones. I've photographed informal engagements and elopements/weddings in a desert in Chile, in the mountains of Zion, in a beach in Croatia, in an ancient church in Greece and in forests in Brazil. I work with all different budgets and needs from my brides. I'm a preferred vendor of Chicago First Lady Boat, so I do weddings on the boat during the summer.

Awarded Best of Zola
I first met Jana when she invited me to create florals for a styled shoot she was creating. When the pictures came back, I was absolutely floored. Never have I seen my work captured in such a sensitive, artful way. The attention to lighting, composition, & detail was exquisite. As I floral designer, I don't think ever felt so respected, or had my work so elevated as it was thru Jana's lens. Since that shoot, as I've gotten to know her more, I have also come to know the deep love Jana brings to her work and her clients. She captures the spirit of the moments she photographs, not just the static images. Any couple who has the honor of being photographed by Jana on their special day is blessed indeed.
Lisa, 4 years ago
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Angela Mallett Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Angela is a Destination wedding photographer capturing timeless memories. She loves providing couples with candid images that they can look back on for a lifetime. Her passion is to connect and tell couples’ love stories through the beauty and emotion of the moments captured.

Awarded Best of Zola
I can't say enough wonderful things about Angela! She was absolutely amazing capturing every special moment with such grace and creativity. Her attention to detail and ability to make everyone feel comfortable was truly impressive. The photos turned out stunning and they perfectly reflect the joy of our special day. I highly recommend her to any bride looking for a talented and passionate photographer. Thank you for making our memories so beautiful!!
Mia B., 4 months ago
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Melissa Cervantes Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,200
  • Serves Sterling, IL

I have 12 years of photography experience, 6 years in the industry and have shot more than 180 weddings. Safe to say, this IS my passion. Couples and wedding photography can be SO stressful--the pressure to look and be a certain way or follow trends is INTENSE. Wedding stress is real and I am anti it all the way. For my couples, they're job is just to show up and have fun. I will do ALL the rest!

Awarded Best of Zola
Melissa Cervantes Photography was a joy to work with! Melissa is an excellent communicator and a true professional. She delivered high quality, moody and authentic photos that perfectly captured the special moments from our wedding day. She helped guide us through the day, keeping us on schedule while also making the photo sessions relaxed and fun. Melissa is so creative and talented with a camera - she was able to compose beautiful shots that felt natural and unposed. Her flexibility was also greatly appreciated. We highly recommend Melissa for wedding photography. She brings energy, passion and artistry to her work, while also putting couples at ease. We will treasure the gorgeous photos Melissa took on our special day.
Brooke P., 5 months ago
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HEARTS in FOCUS 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Hi, I’m Heather! (that's me on the left) I'm a wedding photographer with a deep passion for capturing the genuine moments and raw emotions that make each wedding day so special. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through photography, and over the years, I’ve developed a style that combines artistry with authenticity. My goal is to not just take pictures, but to tell the unique love story of each couple I work with, from the grand moments to the quiet, intimate details. My husband is a wedding videographer. So, if you are also looking for video, look no further!

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we first contacted HEARTS in FOCUS, their communication was stellar. They responded to our initial inquiry within a day and were very attentive throughout the planning process, answering all of our questions quickly. On the day of the wedding, the photographers were professional, discreet, and captured every moment beautifully. The final photos were delivered just a few weeks later and the quality is truly outstanding - we're thrilled with how they turned out. HEARTS in FOCUS provided exceptional value and we highly recommend them to any couple looking for talented, reliable wedding photographers.
Melinda, 3 months ago
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Forever Frozen Photography 

4.8

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Sterling, IL

Hello! My name is Brook! I am the owner and lead photographer of Forever Frozen Photography. Thank you for checking out my page! Let's jump right in! I have an amazing 4 year old son and my husband and I are newly married as of November 2022! I've been a professional photographer for about 8 years now enjoying every minute of it! My true passion when getting behind the lens is wedding photography. I pride myself in noticing the little details of special moments that happen during your wedding day, things that in maybe 30 years from now you may not remember of the day.

Awarded Best of Zola
It’s easy to tell that brook captures some of the most stunning photos you have ever seen just by glancing at her website, but it wasn’t until we experienced what it was like having her photograph our own wedding day that I realized how truly special she is! As a person, she made us feel comfortable, relaxed, and like we could finally just let loose and didn’t have to continue to worry about every last problem! As a photographer, she captured some of the most beautiful, intimate details in a way that brought us back to our wedding day the moment we saw them! I don’t know how she does it, but she is just simply amazing all around! Friendly, passionate, professional, and an all-around amazing photographer! I would recommend Forever Frozen Photography 1000 times over!!! Thanks so much for being such an integral part of our big day!
Carey G., 2 years ago
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Alivia Gray Studios 

4.8

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves Sterling, IL

I captured my first wedding in August of 2018, it was the day I fell head over heels in love with wedding photography. It's all about capturing the love story for me..the feels from beginning to end. When you book with AGS, you're signing on for an adventure. Your engagement session is a celebration full of us getting to know one another, lots of laughter, and having fun! As your wedding nears closer AGS will help with your timeline, connect with your vendors ( or introduce you to some of the best) and help plan out the perfect photo locations, along with any other needs to create the perfect day.

Arleigh and her team are beyond amazing! It’s as if your best friend is behind the camera and helping you every moment. Arleigh and Jordan went so far and above what I could have ever imagined. They jumped in with whatever last minute things needed assistance and made my family feel so at ease. Their love for what they do and ease with everyone comes through without a doubt. I didn’t expect to find such an amazing person to capture all the little moments in our lives, but I not only found that, but someone I plan to keep as friend as well!
Lexi, 2 years ago
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Ozan Ulucan Photography 

4.5

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Sterling, IL

I am a professional wedding photographer, dedicated to capturing the beauty and emotion of your special day. I offer a variety of packages to fit any budget, and work closely with couples to understand their unique vision. I use a blend of film and digital photography for a timeless and romantic look. I understand that every wedding is unique and that each couple has their own personal style. That's why I take the time to get to know you and your partner. I am passionate about my work and committed to providing the highest level of service. Contact me for a consultation and let's create beautiful memories together.

Ozan was our wedding photographer. He was amazing and had a great team. He really helped us throughout the wedding and explained to us the whole process. Thank you so much Ozan!
Marco S., 3 months ago

Location flexible? Discover photographers near Sterling, IL

About wedding photographers in Sterling, IL

How much does a wedding photographer typically cost in Sterling, IL?

A Sterling, IL wedding photographer ranges from $320 to $7,500 and averages at $2,500. The cost reflects the number of hours included, if there is a second photographer, any prints or albums, and, most importantly, the experience of the photographer. But every snapshot they take is a priceless memory of your big day — way better than your bestie's blurry smartphone pics, right?

Do most photographers include a second photographer?

95% of photographers in Sterling, IL offer a second photographer, although it typically depends on the package you book! Second photographers are helpful because one person can’t be everywhere at once, and the second photographer ensures all the details are covered.

Which are the most popular photographers in Sterling, IL?

Some of the most popular photographers in this area include JZ Studio Photography, Imagesxpert Media and Ashley Cynthia Photography.

What else should I keep in mind when booking a wedding photographer?

Are you interested in an engagement shoot as a test run? Drone photography? Wedding albums? All helpful things to ask about when you’re considering which wedding photographer to book!

What types of photographers are in Sterling, IL?

What other Sterling vendors will I need?

What other photographers are nearby?

What other wedding services are nearby?