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
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 mini, justice of the peace, 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 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)
Rue Pattison is a professional Chicago wedding photographer with years of experience behind the camera. She specializes in capturing the connection and love between couples, while her tech-savvy husband Bryan takes care of off-camera lighting, computer editing, and all...
3900 (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)
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 Michigan-based wedding photographer, is highly regarded for his journalistic style, capturing the essence of moments. Ranked as one of the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide, he 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 and elopement photographer Leah Moyers has a journalistic style, utilizing her Fine Arts background to capture her clients authentically. Her unobtrusive and candid approach allows her to document the moments of love in beautiful and unique ways.
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)
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 is an experienced wedding photographer with over 9 years of experience. She draws her inspiration from her father's work in photojournalism and was born and raised in Costa Rica.
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: 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.
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.
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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
We all know that the economy can go through some hard times, and be somewhat reminiscent of past recessions. However, as people cut back on non-essential little luxuries here and there, one constant remains: weddings. People don’t tend to just stop getting married due to a...Read more
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
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Illinois WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Heather and Matt
Photo by Justin Edmonds
Holy smokes, you are ridiculously talented. Which I already knew, but, DAMN these photos are incredible! Thank you for sharing and posting about our day! We’re so grateful we trusted you with capturing it.
Holly and Hayden
Photo by Justin Edmonds
I absolutely ADORE these photos!! You did an amazing job and I just want to show you one simple shot that just gave goosebumps because it was basically a recreation of my best friend and I's favorite picture from graduating high school. I just feel the love and growth and maturity we've got through together in your picture. I wanted to let you know and let you know you're doing such a great job with your work even in these small moments-- whether you know it or not!
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.
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.
