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 joy and intimacy of your wedding day.
By planning a simple Illinois 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, Illinois documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements 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 themed, justice of the peace, pop-up, 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.
View Award-Winning Pictures from Illinois Wedding Venues
16 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.
4450 (USD)
Sarah Nader is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism. She has a husband and two Golden Retrievers, and loves traveling, cooking, and Peloton.
4400 (USD)
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)
Steve Koo is an award-winning wedding photographer based in Chicago, IL. With an artist's eye, Steve pursues wedding photojournalism with a passion that is strongly influenced from his background of fine art photography. He skillfully captures unforgettable memories...
3900 (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)
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.
3900 (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)
Justin Edmonds has worked as a photojournalist for the past 14 years, having built his reputation with major clients like Getty Images, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Major League Baseball, Upper Deck, NASCAR and The Denver Post. His experience and skill have...
Justin Edmonds
Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.4800 (USD)
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 Illinois 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 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)
As a documentary wedding photographer with more than 20 years of experience, Rosina DiBello is a master at capturing the raw emotions and beautiful moments of weddings.
Rosina DiBello
Deerfield Beach in Florida, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.3500 (USD)
Ferdy Martinus is a wedding photojournalist with 25 years of experience, specializing in capturing stories through pictures and videos. Trained at the New York Institute of Photography, he has photographed over 400 weddings in the US Midwest, focusing on areas like...
Ferdy Martinus
Minneapolis in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.1750 (USD)
Laura Alpizar, a visual storyteller in the field of wedding photography, channels her inspiration from her father's photojournalistic style. With over 9 years of experience, she captures meaningful moments with finesse.
Laura Alpizar
Richfield in Minnesota, US *Now booking Illinois weddings.4500 (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 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: How can couples find top-ranked Illinois wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Illinois 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: 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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
Oftentimes when people are considering a venue for their weddings, they search for a location away from home, whether that be ten minutes or ten hours, all just to find what they already have: a place that holds meaning for them, that feels comfortable, or that they find...Read more
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
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.
Shabnam and Joseph
Photo by Justin Edmonds
Choosing you was the easiest part of the shit show that was wedding planning. Working with you is something I would choose over a hundred times, you get how silly and impulsive we are . And You’re so damn tall, but you move like a ghost to get a shot that is as if it was taken from right in front of me. I remember dancing with you for like two seconds, and otherwise, don’t remember seeing you. It’s unbelievable. Thank you for capturing our wedding so perfectly. I would love to buy you a drink whenever you’re in town and are free.
Melissa and Jordan
Photo by Justin Edmonds
They are amazing! Thank you so very much for everything, it was a pleasure having you be a part of our journey, from engagement to marriage. The pictures really show our happiness and love, they’re perfect. Thank you!
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.
