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
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 happiness and closeness of your non-traditional, unique, romantic, or at-home wedding.
By planning a simple Illinois elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. With many couples feeling more comfortable and relaxed in intimate settings, it is not surprising that some of the most sincere and touching wedding photos are captured at smaller celebrations.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Illinois documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings 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, minimony, town hall, or any other type of 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
15 Illinois Wedding Photographers...
US traveling wedding photographer, Madi Ellis, deeply passionate about documenting love stories with authentic emotion, texture, and connection. Former actor turned storyteller, she creates honest and original work, fully representing couples in every way possible.
5950 (USD)
With a background in photojournalism and a passion for capturing life's most precious moments, Sarah Nader shines as an acclaimed wedding photojournalist. Alongside her husband and cherished Golden Retrievers, she revels in traveling, cooking, and Peloton.
4400 (USD)
In the journalistic-style approach, Milan Lazic, a visual storyteller and owner of WS Photography, discovered his passion for images while in high school. A momentous occasion at age 18, capturing his first wedding with an analog camera, sparked his desire to delve into the...
3500 (USD)
Peter Pawinski is an experienced wedding photojournalist whose passion lies in capturing the intimate and candid moments of his client's wedding day. With a background in photojournalism and a portfolio that includes publications like The New York Times and Business...
2500 (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)
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)
Justin Edmonds, with 14 years of experience as a photojournalist, has worked for notable clients such as Getty Images, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. Having shot over 130 weddings and elopements, his expertise and skill make him a sought-after wedding and...
Justin Edmonds
Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.6500 (USD)
Ray Anthony Iavasile is a Michigan based wedding photographer renowned for his documentary style and passion to capture the "decisive moment". He has ranked in the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide and is the premier wedding photojournalist for 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)
Bradley Hanson is a professional wedding photographer with 24 years of experience, covering celebrations as small as 6 guests. His acclaimed work has earned him work in ad campaigns for Amazon and Sony Ericsson, as well as been featured in multiple magazines.
Bradley Hanson
St. Paul in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.5000 (USD)
Ferdy Martinus is an experienced wedding photographer with 25 years of storytelling through pictures and videos. He received formal photography training from the New York Institute of Photography and has shot around 400 weddings in the US Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin...
Ferdy Martinus
Minneapolis in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.1750 (USD)
Skilled wedding photographer, Nemanja Zdravkovic, captures love stories worldwide with a background in visual storytelling and education in photography. He combines fine art and documentary styles for a captivating visual narrative, showcasing the beauty and depth of human...
Nemanja Zdravkovic
Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.2400 (USD)
Jaimie Krause is a wedding photographer with a background in fine art and photojournalism. Influenced by legendary photographers like Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, and Gordon Parks, she captures real, unfiltered moments in a raw and intimate style.
Jaimie Krause
Saint Peters in Missouri, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.4250 (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 Illinois photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Illinois wedding photographers to showcase their best engagement photography work. These awards are given to photographers who prove that they have an ability to be creative, artistic, and intuitive while working on-location with couples who are newly engaged.
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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
Sienna and Jacob
Photo by Justin Edmonds
WE ARE CRYING. THEY ARE SO GOOD. Gotta go, we're going to go look at them all over again. I have never seen better wedding photos in my life and I will flex on everyone soon.
Chelsea + Robert
Photo by Taber Lacie
I cannot thank you enough for capturing our wedding! The pictures are gorgeous - it's going to be SO difficult narrowing down which ones to print! (limited wall space, you know) You are amazing - keep it up!
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.
