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 joy and intimacy of your wedding day.

By planning a simple Chicago 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, Chicago documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements 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 civil ceremony, DIY - do it yourself, mini, 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.

15 Chicago Wedding Photographers...

Mid-west wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Madi Ellis

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)
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader

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

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)

With a documentary approach, Jason Brown, a wedding photographer based in Chicago IL, aims to tell captivating stories through his visual storytelling. Jason's expertise in this field stems from his background as a news photographer, ensuring that his photographs tell...

4750 (USD)

Noelle Adams is an experienced wedding photographer, driven to capture raw emotion that makes up a couple's special day. Through visual storytelling, Noelle strives to document their unique love story and create images that truly capture the relationship between two...

4500 (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 is a professional wedding photographer with a photojournalism background. With over 13 years of experience shooting weddings and publications such as The New York Times, Business Week and the Chicago Tribune, he strives to truly capture the memories of his...

2500 (USD)
Chicago, Chicagoland and IL Suburb wedding and elopement photography by Rue Pattison

Rue and Bryan Pattison, a dynamic duo in the world of wedding photography, are known for their documentary-style approach. As skilled photographers and storytellers, they skillfully capture the raw emotions and candid moments.

Rue Pattison

Mokena in Illinois, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3900 (USD)
Jason Kaczorowski, Destination Wedding Photography - USA

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)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

Aurora in Illinois, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3000 (USD)
Wedding photography and elopements by Ray Iavasile of Michigan

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 Chicago weddings.
3000 (USD)
Documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie

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 Chicago weddings.
3000 (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)
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Rosina DiBello

Rosina DiBello is a destination wedding photographer who has been shooting weddings for over 20 years. With the help of mentors and her natural creativity, Rosina has developed a unique style of capturing reality with a sense of humor, making her a sought after photographer.

Rosina DiBello

Deerfield Beach in Florida, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
3500 (USD)
Laura Alpizar - Wedding Photographer

With a documentary approach to her craft, Laura Alpizar intertwines storytelling and visual techniques to portray the essence of weddings. Having grown up in Costa Rica, she brings a distinct perspective to her work, ensuring captivating visuals that unfold meaningful...

Laura Alpizar

Richfield in Minnesota, US *Now booking Chicago weddings.
4500 (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.

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.
Chicago, Illinois-based wedding photographer captures a stunning and modern image during a bride's preparation at home. The photograph showcases the bride's dress hanging in the background, creating a stylistic composition with dual mirror reflections.
An artistic wedding photographer captures the intricate details of wedding rings against the rustic backdrop of a roaring fireplace at a cozy Chicago winery, embracing the romantic ambiance with warm bokeh circles.
In this award-winning wedding image at Union Station in Chicago, IL, a couple basks in their love, framed by vibrant tall columns.
An award-winning wedding photographer captures the scene as the bride, flanked by her parents, gracefully walks down the aisle at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. The golden sun casts long shadows, creating an enchanting ambiance.
A professional documentary wedding photographer based in Chicago captures the joyous celebration of a bride and groom after their wedding at the Bottom Lounge. This image has been recognized with a prestigious award from WPJA.
A playful couple shares a kiss at Winnemac Park in Chicago, IL, in a creative pre-wedding engagement portrait. The soft purple translucent screen adds a unique element to the composition.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Guthries Tavern in Chicago, IL. Shot from outside looking through the window, the couple is captured enjoying a drink.
At the Riverwalk in Chicago, IL, a soon-to-be-wed couple enjoyed their engagement portrait session, sitting together and laughing joyfully while holding cotton candy - he with a blue treat and she with a pink one.
In a joyful Chicago wedding reception, an excited tattooed bride reacts to a heartfelt speech from her maid of honor. This image has been recognized and awarded by the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find reviews of Chicago 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 Chicago wedding photographers for their own wedding.
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: How can couples find Chicago photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Chicago 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.
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
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
So your wedding is just around the corner and you’ve decided to elope , either because you want to do this on a budget , avoid a large wedding party, or simply to enjoy the day together with minimal distractions and as little stress as possible . They say 'all you need is...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!!

Alexis & Pat

Photo by Steve Koo

You were the best wedding vendor decision we made! You were always prompt, responsive to my suggestions and questions, and I never worried that he would fail to catch a critical moment. I have received countless compliments on our wedding and engagement photos. I wouldn't hesitate to use you in the future or recommend you to anyone in need of a photographer.,