Traditionally speaking, often times it is the couple’s families who help pay for their wedding. However, unfortunately that’s just not possible for everyone, especially these days when the cost of weddings can quickly and easily get out of control. Some couples find...Read more
Illinois Wedding Photographers
Illinois Wedding Photographers
Our Illinois photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Aurora, Joliet, Rockford, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago
Illinois Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements
Intimate Wedding Photography in Illinois - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Illinois photographers specializing in intimate marriages. Couples are embracing the trend of smaller, more meaningful celebrations. Let our talented photographers capture the joy and intimacy of your wedding day.
By planning a simple Illinois elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. Given the fact that many couples feel more natural and at ease in intimate settings, it's no surprise that some of the most breathtaking wedding images come from elopements.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Illinois documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Illinois Photographers for Large or Small Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small Illinois wedding event is a wedding photojournalist’s dream: a fairly open schedule with lots of breathing space for creativity – it’s just the photographer, the couple, the officiant, and perhaps a few select companions.
United States WPJA members are ready to document any quick, courthouse, pop-up, or elopement wedding, even if it is a Monday-Thursday ceremony. Search for the “Can Shoot Weddings on Short Notice!” message on the listings below.
View Award-Winning Pictures from Illinois Wedding Venues
16 Illinois Wedding Photographers...
Madi Ellis, a documentary wedding photographer from the USA, has a strong passion for capturing love stories in a raw and authentic way. With a background in acting, she skillfully tells couples' stories through her honest and original work.
4450 (USD)
Sarah Nader is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism. She has a husband and two Golden Retrievers, and loves traveling, cooking, and Peloton.
4400 (USD)
Taking a documentary approach, Milan Lazic, a visual storyteller and owner of WS Photography, cultivated his love for photography during his high school years. Immersed in the world of analog cameras, his first wedding shoot at the age of 18 ignited a deep curiosity for...
3500 (USD)
A Chicago-based wedding photojournalist, Steve Koo brings a fine art background and an urban style to capture the meaningful, emotional moments of each wedding day. His vibrant, timeless images express the unique love and joy of every couple.
3900 (USD)
Peter Pawinski's documentary approach to wedding photography allows him to capture the essence and emotions of each moment. With a focus on visual storytelling, Peter strives to create a narrative that truly reflects the unique love story of each couple.
2500 (USD)
With a passion for weddings, Rue and Bryan Pattison are Chicago's premier wedding photojournalists. Their years of experience and expertise allow them to beautifully capture the intimate moments between couples, telling their unique love stories.
3900 (USD)
Jason Kaczorowski is an experienced destination wedding photographer with over 18 years in the field and over 650 weddings captured. He specializes in capturing powerful relationship moments and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
3900 (USD)
Justin Edmonds has worked as a photojournalist for the past 14 years, having built his reputation with major clients like Getty Images, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Major League Baseball, Upper Deck, NASCAR and The Denver Post. His experience and skill have...
Justin Edmonds
Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.4800 (USD)
Ray Anthony Iavasile, a wedding photojournalist based in Michigan, is celebrated for his journalistic style and ability to capture authentic moments. He is recognized as one of the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide and is the go-to choice for couples in Michigan.
Ray Iavasile
Birmingham in Michigan, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.3000 (USD)
With a background as a former EMT and a passion for photography since a young age, Taber Lacie is now a documentary wedding photographer, preserving the genuine essence of love and emotions on the wedding day.
Taber Lacie
West Bend in Wisconsin, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.3000 (USD)
Traveling wedding & elopement photographer Leah Moyers; Fine Arts background; capturing clients authentically; unobtrusive, candid & inclusive style; beautiful, unique work.
Leah Moyers
Sevierville in Tennessee, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.450/hour (USD)
With a background in documentary technique, Bradley Hanson brings a unique storytelling perspective to his photography. Through his keen eye for detail and artistic vision, he captures the essence of each wedding he documents. His work has been featured in magazines and has...
Bradley Hanson
St. Paul in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.5000 (USD)
As a documentary wedding photographer with more than 20 years of experience, Rosina DiBello is a master at capturing the raw emotions and beautiful moments of weddings.
Rosina DiBello
Deerfield Beach in Florida, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.3500 (USD)
Ferdy Martinus is a wedding photographer with 25 years of experience in storytelling through pictures and videos. Trained at the New York Institute of Photography, he has shot over 400 weddings in the US Midwest, focusing on Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Ferdy Martinus
Minneapolis in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.1750 (USD)
Laura Alpizar, a visual storyteller in the field of wedding photography, channels her inspiration from her father's photojournalistic style. With over 9 years of experience, she captures meaningful moments with finesse.
Laura Alpizar
Richfield in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.4500 (USD)
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Illinois Couples
Wedding Venue Pictures by Illinois Wedding Photographers
Please select a venue below to view all associated contest-winning Illinois wedding photos.
Illinois Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers
Below are some Illinois wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Illinois marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Illinois engagement portrait sessions with couples.
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Searches Related to Illinois Wedding Photography Vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small Illinois wedding?
A: There are many WPJA photographers who are able to help you out at a moment's notice. We understand that sometimes love happens and there's simply no time to lose. We can ensure that you can get married as quickly as possible — and have incredible photographs to remember your Illinois wedding day by.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Illinois wedding day?
A: While wedding photojournalists strive to capture candid moments on the wedding day, our photographers also are skilled artists who can compose powerful portraits. If you have a specific vision of what types of images you want from your wedding day, look at the top-ranked Illinois wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find top-ranked Illinois wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Illinois photographers you see at the top of your search results page have recently won the most — and the most recent — contest awards. Our contests judge photographers based on their creativity, style, composure, and ability to capture the heart of any couple's story on their wedding day.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO ELOPE? If you look up the definition of “elope” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary , you’ll find a plethora of meanings making it quite clear how polarizing the word has become, and how it has transformed and evolved with the passage of time and...Read more
Oftentimes when people are considering a venue for their weddings, they search for a location away from home, whether that be ten minutes or ten hours, all just to find what they already have: a place that holds meaning for them, that feels comfortable, or that they find...Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Illinois WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Shabnam and Joseph
Photo by Justin Edmonds
Choosing you was the easiest part of the shit show that was wedding planning. Working with you is something I would choose over a hundred times, you get how silly and impulsive we are . And You’re so damn tall, but you move like a ghost to get a shot that is as if it was taken from right in front of me. I remember dancing with you for like two seconds, and otherwise, don’t remember seeing you. It’s unbelievable. Thank you for capturing our wedding so perfectly. I would love to buy you a drink whenever you’re in town and are free.
Jerrica + Tim
Photo by Taber Lacie
We cannot thank you enough for the photos that were captured. Though it was crazy and I had almost no timeline for the day, every picture showed so much love and laughter that Tim and I both could not stop laughing and smiling over all of them. Every photo has a moment that he and I remember and that is all we could ask for. You captured so much and I didn’t even know you took my dress to the garden for pics while I was getting ready! These pics are amazing!!! I can’t wait to get these printed on canvas!!
Angela + Ian
Photo by Taber Lacie
Taber! Wow! The photos are incredible!!!!! I’m crying looking at them! You captured so many precious moments, and I have no idea how you were everywhere at the same time! You are a ninja! I love them all so much! I can’t thank you enough for your gorgeous images and making our day one we will never forget! Thank you for saying I’d regret not getting photos because you’re absolutely right, especially after seeing these!!!! I will recommend you to everyone I know and would love to use you in the future! You’re wonderful to work with, super fun, you wear Rothy’s, and are a real artist! Thank you for everything!
WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.
