Chicago Wedding Photographers

Chicago Wedding Photographers

Our Chicago photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Cook County, Chicagoland, Lake Michigan, Great Lakes, Cicero, Oak Park, Berwyn, Forest Park, Elmwood Park, River Forest, Lincolnwood, Lyons, Maywood, River Grove, Summit, Burbank, Evergreen Park, Norridge, Melrose Park

Chicago Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Chicago - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Chicago 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 casual, modern, boutique, or at-home wedding.

By planning a simple Chicago 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, Chicago documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

Chicago Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Chicago 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.

Illinois WPJA members are ready to document any minimony, quick, micro, 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.

11 Chicago Wedding Photographers...

Lifestyle portrait in BW of Chicago wedding photographer Madi Ellis

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)
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader

Sarah Nader, a documentary wedding photographer, brings her expertise from a successful career in photojournalism. When she's not immersing herself in capturing cherished memories, Sarah enjoys exploring new destinations and experimenting in the kitchen.

4400 (USD)
Chicago wedding and elopement photography by Milan Lazic of Illinois United States

Milan Lazic is a professional wedding photographer and the owner of WS photography. He developed a passionate interest for photography while in high school. With an analog camera, he shot his first wedding at age 18, igniting his love to explore and learn about lighting...

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)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

Aurora in Illinois, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3000 (USD)
Chicago, Chicagoland and IL Suburb wedding and elopement photography by Rue Pattison

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...

Rue Pattison

Mokena in Illinois, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3900 (USD)
Portrait of Jacob Poehls from JPP Studios - Documentary Wedding Photographer

Jacob Poehls owns JPP Studios and has been in the wedding industry since 2006. With an MFA and diverse photography roles, he's risen to capture hundreds of weddings professionally.

3800 (USD)
Wedding photography and elopements by Ray Iavasile of Michigan

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 Chicago weddings.
3000 (USD)
United States destination documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie

Taber Lacie is a traveling USA based wedding photographer, with a background as a former EMT and a self-proclaimed photography nerd. Her passion for photography began at a young age and she started in the wedding industry as an assistant photographer at the age of 16.

Taber Lacie

West Bend in Wisconsin, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3500 (USD)
Wedding photography of real moments by Leah Moyers

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 Chicago weddings.
450/hour (USD)
Studio portrait of Nemanja Zdravkovic, the main photographer at NZ WEDDING STUDIO

Nemanja Zdravkovic is a talented wedding photographer passionate about capturing love stories. With a background in visual storytelling and formal education in photography, he has been honing his craft since 2011 in Europe. His signature style combines fine art and...

Nemanja Zdravkovic

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
2400 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Chicago Couples

Chicago Wedding Elopement Photography - WedElope

View WedElope Image Galleries by Chicago Wedding Photographers from Small Events and Intimate Elopements.

Chicago Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

Below are some Chicago wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Chicago marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Chicago engagement portrait sessions with couples.

In the heart of Chicago's Cultural Center, an engaged couple shares a tender embrace. Under the majestic arches of the old-world building, they reflect on their shared future.
At the iconic Gaslight Club in Chicago, a couple enjoys a pre-wedding photo session. They stand symmetrically framed before a grand crystal chandelier, its golden tones casting a romantic glow.
 Newlyweds leave their Chicago wedding reception at New Leaf in a horse-drawn carriage, captured in a black and white action shot.
Amid the excitement of a Chicago wedding, the bride takes a brief break to check her phone before making her grand entrance into a stunning church ceremony
In Chicago, a couple poses for an urban-inspired portrait in a colorful alleyway adorned with eye-catching graffiti. The warm, low-lighting captures their loving embrace.
This photo captures the joyous moment as the newly married couple walks down the aisle in Chicago. The happiness and love radiating from their beaming faces is evident as everyone celebrates with raised arms after the civil ceremony.
This photo captures the energetic atmosphere of a Chicago wedding, with guests dancing and celebrating on the dance floor. The black and white effect adds a timeless and classic touch to the rowdy party scene.
During their engagement portrait session in Chicago, the man lovingly wrapped his arms around his soon-to-be bride, both beaming with warm smiles.
A timeless black and white photograph capturing a bride and groom under a beautiful arch in Chicago, highlighting the intricate architecture.
A joyful wedding party getting ready in a beautiful room at Firehouse Chicago, filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming ceremony.
A stunning first dance wedding photo captured at the iconic Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, showcasing the epitome of classic Chicago style in Illinois.
Modern, stylish, and contemporary, this award-winning wedding day portrait captures a couple in Chicago, surrounded by autumn leaves, about to share a loving kiss with joyous smiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Chicago 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 Chicago wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find top-ranked Chicago wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Chicago 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: Who are the best Chicago wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Chicago 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
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
jperlman elk cove inn ceremony
Everyone always says that your wedding day is all about you. But let’s face it; that’s not always actually the case. Many couples stress over guest lists, planning, expenses, and all the frills and traditions of your standard large wedding that they may or may not even be...Read more
Clean background in this photo of the bride walking into her mountain ceremony.
Some couples, as they begin planning for their weddings, might think that they are limited to the classic locations: churches, gardens, beaches, or even Las Vegas. But in doing so they’re missing out on a multitude of unique options that might suit their personalities much...Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Chicago WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Stoney Creek, La Crosse, Wisconsin Wedding Photo of couple toasing in the woods

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!

BW image of Bride and Groom Laughing at the Head Table at a Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Wedding Venue

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!!

Couple listens to a speech at their wedding reception at the Tinsmith in Madison, Wisconsin

Chelsea + Chris

Photo by Taber Lacie

Taber, Thank you so much for being such an integral part of our special day and leaving us with memories we'll hold on to forever. Your style and personality were such a perfect fit for us. We hope you were happy to be a part of it too. All the best to you and your family! With love, C+C