While some people live for the hustle and bustle of a big wedding with extravagant décor and an impossibly long guest list, others find these kinds of weddings to be too much hoopla, preferring instead something simpler and quieter, allowing for more intimacy between them...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 small, mini, fast, 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 wedding photojournalist based in the USA, is dedicated to capturing love stories with genuine emotion, texture, and connection. Her background in acting helps her create honest and unique images that truly represent couples.
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)
Steve Koo is an award-winning wedding photographer known for his documentary approach and storytelling. With an unobtrusive style, he captures moments filled with emotions. His visual artistry skillfully portrays the unique love and joy of each wedding day.
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 wealth of expertise as a wedding photojournalist, Jason Kaczorowski has spent over 18 years honing his skills, documenting over 650 weddings. His ability to immortalize meaningful moments ensures cherished memories for years to come.
3900 (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)
Justin Edmonds, a highly experienced wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer, has established a stellar reputation with clients including Getty Images, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. With over 14 years in the industry, he has successfully...
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)
Taber Lacie, a self-proclaimed photography nerd and former EMT, is now a wedding photojournalist capturing authentic moments with her unique documentary style.
Taber Lacie
West Bend in Wisconsin, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.3000 (USD)
Leah Moyers, a traveling wedding and elopement photographer with a documentary approach, brings a Fine Arts background to her storytelling. Through her inclusive and authentic style, she captures the moments of love with her camera, producing visually stunning and unique...
Leah Moyers
Sevierville in Tennessee, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.450/hour (USD)
In the journalistic style, Bradley Hanson is an experienced wedding photojournalist who captures the candid moments of the wedding day. With 24 years of experience, he has covered celebrations of all sizes and his work has been featured in magazines and ad campaigns.
Bradley Hanson
St. Paul in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.5000 (USD)
Rosina DiBello is a destination wedding photographer who has been shooting weddings for over 20 years. With the help of mentors and her natural creativity, Rosina has developed a unique style of capturing reality with a sense of humor, making her a sought after photographer.
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)
With a documentary approach to her craft, Laura Alpizar intertwines storytelling and visual techniques to portray the essence of weddings. Having grown up in Costa Rica, she brings a distinct perspective to her work, ensuring captivating visuals that unfold meaningful...
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: How can couples find reviews of Illinois wedding photographers?
A: We call them Client Letters. At the WPJA, we decided more than 20 years ago to avoid incorporating those third-person testimonials and endorsements that are found all too often in advertisements. Instead, we elevated our listings with the use of Client Letters, which represent the actual words and feelings of the clients who booked those Illinois wedding photographers for their own wedding.
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: Who are the best Illinois wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Illinois documentary wedding photographers for elopements. Our members are able to submit WedElope Stories that take you step-by-step, via a 9 image picture story, through the unique and moving elopements that take place around the world.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural sunshine and that open, airy feeling and give your guests some room to breathe! LESS IS MORE Instead of hemming your...Read more
While some of us were fortunate enough to be born as extroverts, not everyone feels the same way. For a good chunk of the population, any number of the typical wedding day traditions can inspire anxiety and existential dread. This day is all about you, yes, but does that...Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Illinois WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Jessica & Christiaan
Photo by Steve Koo
You were absolutely wonderful! You were everything we were looking for in photgrapher- professional, creative, talented, hard worker etc. You really captured both the beautiful natural backdrop as well as everyones personalities so perfectly! Everyone I send the pictures to has the same response- WOW!!,
Katie and Joel
Photo by Justin Edmonds
Dear Justin, Thank you so much for all your hard work in August! We are so grateful for the photos that captured our wedding day perfectly and will help us remember it forever. Your advice and experience was so valuable and we can't thank you enough.
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!!
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.
