Illinois Wedding Photographers

JOHNZICH

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Europe

Bio: John Zich and his wife, WPJA award-winner Anne Ryan, photograph news events for the world's leading publications. We also shoot a select few weddings a year. Working as a team, we use our story-telling approach to produce award-winning wedding pictures and spectacular wedding books.

ANNERYAN

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Europe

MEHERNOSHPMISTRY

Based Out Of: Lakewood, Illinois

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Asia

ANGELASWAN

Based Out Of: Lakewood, Illinois

Also Serving: Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: United States

JASONBROWN

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Michigan

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Caribbean, Europe and the United States

Bio: Jason is a Chicago area photojournalist, who's interest in photography began with family trips to the mountains of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. After receiving his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois in 2000, he is going on his eighth year as a staff photographer for a Chicago area newspaper. His work has been published in both the Pioneer Press and Chicago Sun-Times, and has been honored by both the Illinois Press Photographers Association and Illinois Press Association. Specializing in news photography, his talents and experience have grown to include public relations, corporate, advertising, studio, portrait, and of course, wedding photography. Starting his sixth wedding season with Hart & Brown Photography, Jason's passion for creating meaningful and compelling images continues to define his work.

PETERPAWINSKI

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Europe

RACHAELSILVERS

Based Out Of: Naperville, Illinois

Also Serving: Arizona, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin

Bio: Rachael received her Bachelor of Arts in Photojournalism from Columbia College Chicago in 1999. She had three internships in the newspaper industry with the Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune and Visual Edge 1998. Rachael began her photography business under the name Rachael Silvers Photography in 2001 and recently changed the business name to Metropolitan Imageworks to compliment her husband's video production company. Rachael is a top ten placement winner in two quarterly competitions through the WPJA.

BRETTCARLSON

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Michigan and Wisconsin

JAYCRIHFIELD

Based Out Of: Palatine, Illinois

Bio: My photography career began with a focus on sports action photography and photojournalism news coverage. I've been published in a variety of national publications including Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, The Sporting News, and USA Today. Despite having the privilege of constant travel, meeting and photographing interesting and dynamic figures, and a front-row seat at some of the biggest sporting events in the country, my work has now taken on a new path, applying that same passion and energy towards documenting the intimate beauty and connections of a wedding day.

STEVEWARMOWSKI

Based Out Of: Central Illinois

Also Serving: Iowa and Missouri

Bio: Steve Warmowski brings the experience of nearly 20 years as a photojournalist to his wedding photography. The Chicagoan started at the University of Illinois in physics but soon figured out making pictures was more fun. He photographed at the Daily Illini, had internships at newspapers in Saginaw and Muskegon, Michigan, and worked in LaSalle-Peru, Freeport and Decatur before becoming photo editor in Jacksonville. Steve has freelanced for national newspapers, his pictures have run in national magazines and his images have been exhibited in gallery shows. He has contributed to books, and served as a state coordinator for the America 24/7 book project.

Steve's talents have garnered awards at state, national and international levels. He's been recognized as one of the top ten photographers in Illinois and the Midwest through the Illinois Press Photographers Association's and National Press Photographers Association's monthly contests. He's won annual awards from the IPPA, Illinois Press Association and Illinois Associated Press Editors Association; been recognized in national NPPA contests; won for editing in the Pictures of the Year International contest; and even garnered a top state writing award for a feature on Haitian missionaries.

Steve is married to Tiffany, a designer and photographer who formerly worked at the Jacksonville newspaper and now is a Sign Language interpreter, fitness instructor and WeightWatchers leader. They live in Jacksonville (near Springfield) with their former stray dog, Kanon. They love to visit family in Chicago and to travel and stay with friends across the country and in Europe.

TAOZHANG

Based Out Of: Winnetka, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin and Northern California

Bio: 15 years ago, Tao fell in love with photography. While he enjoyed his full time positions as a video producer and later as a multimedia designer, he found himself completely immersed in the world of photographic arts. Eventually, his freelance endeavor turned into a full time love affair. Emulating from the works of many respected artists; Ruth Bernhard, Irving Penn and Henri Cartier-Breson, to name a few, Tao strives to create images that are uniquely candid and artistic.

Tao has an M.B.A. from the Loyola University Chicago and resides in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. He grew up in China and was formerly a news anchorman. In his spare time, Tao enjoys jogging and playing volleyball. He has recently been published in the North Shore magazine.

GLENDIMOCK

Based Out Of: Champaign, Illinois

Bio: Glen is equally passionate about photography and aviation, covering 15 weddings per year and working as an Aeronautical Engineer at a commercial flight simulator manufacturer. Glen's photography training began in high school with a darkroom in his parents' basement, which sparked a lasting interest in the black-and-white style. He was hooked on wedding photography after his first shoot and enjoys the challenge and excitement of each new event. Glen's engineering education brings a sense of objectivity and attention to detail that results in unique documentary photographs.

Glen grew up in Maryland and currently lives with his wife in Champaign, Illinois. He is available for weddings anywhere and also enjoys animal portrait photography.

JOSHJOHNSTON

Based Out Of: Peoria, Illinois

Also Serving: Iowa

KRISTENSCHMID

Based Out Of: Springfield, Illinois

Bio: As a freelance journalist, my work has appeared in publications ranging from the New York Times and the Washington Post to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Previously I was a staff photographer at The State Journal-Register. I have a Master's degree from the Missouri School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Art from Stanford University. I am a California native now at home in the Midwest with my husband, Ted, and our son, Sam.

DOUGMCGOLDRICK

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Europe

Bio: I was born in Princeton, New Jersey, but was mainly raised in Wayzata, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis made famous in the movie Purple Rain. I grew up an avid sailor, skier and thanks to my dad a photographer. I have an masters in fine arts from the UW - Madison. I teach part time at Columbia College Chicago, shoot weddings and make fine art photos which have been shown internationally. I'm currently based out of Chicago but have a wander lust for travel, which I do as often as I can.

BRIANRESAC

Based Out Of: Loves Park, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

DAVIDWITTIG

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Dubai, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South America, South Pacific

MIRIAMDOAN

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Michigan, Northern California, Southern California and Connecticut

Bio: Miriam has been shooting weddings for the indy-bride for five years. She typically shoots 12-15 weddings per year and dedicates to one event per weekend only. Originally studying psychology and comparative religion, she was recruited by a classmate to manage the studio of a local photographer. She found weddings provided a panoply of human dynamic and tradition; an unexpected but natural transition. Her work is influenced by fashion, photojournalism and subject study. Her personal work on public pools was recently published as a photo essay in Analemna magazine. She also works as a photography coordinator and photo editor for Rotary International, a humanitarian non-governmental organization.

RICHELLEBROWN

Based Out Of: Champaign, Illinois

STEVENROSENBERG

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

ROBHART

Based Out Of: Berwyn, Illinois

Also Serving: Michigan

Favorite Destination Wedding Locations: Caribbean, Europe and the United States

KENNYKIM

Based Out Of: Champaign, Illinois

Bio: Kenny Kim worked at his craft for over 10 years before friends and family finally encouraged him to pursue his love of photography professionally in 2005. He approaches each special event that he is entrusted with as if it were his own. It is this genuine heartfelt approach and comprehensive effort that makes Kenny special and in just two short years, he has helped create memories for over 70 weddings throughout the nation. Kenny was retained to cover the U of I Tennis Team and Men's Basketball Team along with celebrity events featuring David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, John Legend, Three Doors Down, Andy Roddick, and many others.

DEBORAHKATES

Based Out Of: North Aurora, Illinois

Also Serving: North Dakota

OLIVIALEIGH

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Tennessee

VINCENTJOHNSON

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Bio: In 1997 I started shooting weddings as an assistant while in college for photojournalism. I will honestly admit I never wanted to shoot weddings and stopped assisting in 2001. In 2004, I and three of my friends each got married. After going through the experience as a groom and shooting my friends weddings, I started looking at the wedding process differently. With a new appreciation for the joy that goes into those special days I started saying yes when people asked me to shoot their weddings, instead of passing their names along to other wedding photographers I knew & trusted.

My photographic background started early, but blossomed in high school where I shot for the school paper & yearbook. Psychology was actually my original major before rediscovering photography. After changing majors & colleges I graduated with a degree in photojournalism from Columbia College. Currently I am still a working photojournalist & commercial photographer, outside of shooting weddings. On average I shoot no more than 20 weddings a year to leave room for other clients. Most couples I work with tend to be easy going, as I am, and have ideas that differ from the norm.

BOBBUCCIARELLI

Based Out Of: Bartlett, Illinois

Bio: Trained in the communication arts, Bob uses his talent with a camera to create a visual story. Bob's typical clientèle are looking for modern, artistic imagery that tells the story of a wedding day. Through the use of storybook albums, brides and grooms share their day for generations, reliving the events as told through the images of their wedding day. Bob's background in computer technology and communications coupled with his degree in Arts has helped to create a solid foundation for digital imaging.

KARENBRIDGES

Based Out Of: Bloomington, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

NATHANBRIDGES

Based Out Of: Bloomington, Illinois

Also Serving: Wisconsin

JOSHUAMITCHELL

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Southern California, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Washington

DAYNASCHROEDER

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa

DAVIDBRACHO

Based Out Of: Chicago, Illinois

Also Serving: Indiana

KIMBERLEYBEDNARSKI

Based Out Of: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Also Serving: Illinois

Bio: Kimberley's love for photography started in high school when she was one of those geeks on the yearbook staff who always had a camera in hand. Her career in photography started after the birth of her first son in 1993. Shooting rolls and rolls of film of obviously the worlds most miraculous baby led her to a friendship with a photo lab manager where she was hired. She learned darkroom techniques and the technical aspect of photo printing. The lab also had a small portrait studio that employed a photographer and one day the photographer did not show up, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Portrait photography offered Kimberley the chance to hone her skills with clients and the technical side of photography and it also helped put her through the photo program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. But when she found wedding photography, her true love was found. Eschewing the faked posed moments, she instead found herself gravitating to the true moments and one day found this kind of photography had a name: Wedding Photojournalism. Photographing between 25-30 weddings per year keeps her sane and allows her to give her clients top notch service. Kimberley lives in Milwaukee with her two sons, two dogs and two cats. When she is not chasing the big white dress, she loves to travel wildly and with abandon.