It’s no secret that these are strange times we’re going through right now, and there are many couples out there with weddings set in the near future who are left feeling uncertain and concerned about their futures. While that’s understandable, it’s also important to...Read more
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, non-traditional, unique, 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 town hall, quick, small, 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 Chicago Wedding Venues
11 Chicago 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.
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)
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.
Rue Pattison
Mokena in Illinois, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.3900 (USD)
Jacob Poehls, a Chicago-based photographer, founded JPP Studios in 2010. With an MFA and experience across industry roles, he has photographed nearly 1,000 weddings and been widely published.
3800 (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 Chicago 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 Chicago weddings.3500 (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 Chicago weddings.450/hour (USD)
Nemanja Zdravkovic is a highly skilled wedding photographer who has been capturing love stories for over a decade. With a background in visual storytelling and formal education in photography, he has been perfecting his craft since 2011 in Europe. Specializing in a unique...
Nemanja Zdravkovic
Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.2400 (USD)
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Chicago Couples
Wedding Venue Pictures by Chicago Wedding Photographers
Please select a venue below to view all associated contest-winning Chicago wedding photos.
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.
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Searches Related to Chicago Wedding Photography Vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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
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 Chicago WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Erika + Brandon
Photo by Taber Lacie
Taber, Thank you so much for taking the beautiful photographs and for traveling with us to Colorado! You captured the day perfectly and it was a pleasure to have you there as a part of it! We're so pleased with the results and look forward to reminiscing on these pictures for years to come!
Angela + Ian
Photo by Taber Lacie
Taber! Wow! The photos are incredible!!!!! I’m crying looking at them! You captured so many precious moments, and I have no idea how you were everywhere at the same time! You are a ninja! I love them all so much! I can’t thank you enough for your gorgeous images and making our day one we will never forget! Thank you for saying I’d regret not getting photos because you’re absolutely right, especially after seeing these!!!! I will recommend you to everyone I know and would love to use you in the future! You’re wonderful to work with, super fun, you wear Rothy’s, and are a real artist! Thank you for everything!
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
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.
