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 intimate, symbolic, 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 minimony, city hall, civil union, 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

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

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's documentary approach to wedding photography allows him to capture the essence and emotions of each moment. With a focus on visual storytelling, Peter strives to create a narrative that truly reflects the unique love story of each couple.

2500 (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)
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)
United States destination 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.
3500 (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)
Wedding photography of real moments by Leah Moyers

Traveling wedding & elopement photographer Leah Moyers; Fine Arts background; capturing clients authentically; unobtrusive, candid & inclusive style; beautiful, unique work.

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 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

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: 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.
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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
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 Chicago WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Picture from the end of an outdoor ceremony in Madison, by a Wisconsin wedding photographer

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!

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!!