The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

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405 Wedding Photographers in Des Plaines, IL

Photojournalistic
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Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

You're not just hiring a photographer—you're gaining a creative partner who’s with you from “yes” to “I do.” I’m Pedro, Creative Director of Albany Capture, and for over 12 years I’ve been documenting love stories through a style that blends photojournalism with fine art. Weddings are more than just events—they're a celebration of connection, and I’m passionate about preserving the real, fleeting moments that make your day unforgettable.

Awarded Best of Zola
Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios were a pleasure to work with on our wedding day. Their communication style was direct yet friendly and open, putting us at ease from the start. The quality of their work was truly professional and perceptive - they captured so many spontaneous, genuine moments that we'll treasure forever. Photographer Pedro was especially impressive, effortlessly getting our guests to relax and express themselves. He even took beautiful candid shots of friends who just stopped by briefly, which we really appreciated. Overall, Albany Capture exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them to any couple planning their wedding.
Aaron D., 3 months ago
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Alana Jordan Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,250
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hello there! My name is Alana. I am a wedding photographer based in the Chicagoland area who ranges from lovely backyard weddings in the suburbs, to swanky celebrations in the city, to flying off to stunning elopements around the world. Weddings with me include tons of laughter, lots of support in planning and organizing, and photos so vivid that your memories jump out of the frame. (It may also include us both happy crying together on the big day) I make the whole process as easy and fun as possible, and would be absolutely honored to take on the role of turning your memories into artwork!

Awarded Best of Zola
Alana was beyond wonderful as our wedding photographer. She paid incredible attention to detail, capturing our special moments in a way that felt both authentic and real. Alana made sure to get everyone on my list of people to capture, ensuring no one was missed. Her photos were nothing short of amazing, and I cannot express how many people commented on the wonderful work she did. Thanks to Alana, my three months of planning went smoothly, and I couldn't be more grateful. I highly recommend her work to anyone looking for a talented and dedicated photographer. Thank you, Alana, for making our day so memorable!
Jill Van W., a year ago
GemHidden gem
Red Barn Wedding Studio 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000

Red Barn Wedding Studio is a wedding photography and wedding cinematography company, based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to customer service and exceptional visual storytelling. All our lead wedding photographers and videographers have around 15 years experience in the wedding field, covering and experiencing all kinds of lighting scenarios and true life stories.

Red Barn Studios team was absolutely amazing! These guys are true artists and they are so passionate about what they do. They made me feel so comfortable and so beautiful. They know exactly the type of vision you want for your wedding day. Highly recommended for anyone getting married. You will not be disappointed! Thank you for all of your hard work and being a part of our special day!
Sandra A., 9 months ago
Gubert Photos 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500

Hey there! Why choose Gubert Photos? My photography isn't just about snapping pictures; it's about making every shoot comfortable and enjoyable, bringing out the most authentic and beautiful sides of my clients. As a wedding photographer for a few years now, I bring the assurance that comes from years of experience, ensuring that your moments are captured with expertise and attention to detail. I understand that every story is unique, and your photos should reflect that. Whether it's an intimate courthouse elopement or a destination, I'm here to make your vision come to life.

Awarded Best of Zola
The photographer was kind, communicative, creative and made it fun! Even though we spent extra time trying to find an open space and it was a bit cold, she made my family feel so comfortable. I loved the photos and can’t wait to book her again!
Martha, 2 years ago
GemHidden gem
Shelly Shimon Photography 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500

I'm a Chicago wedding and lifestyle photographer with a soft spot for cheap flights to foreign places. Living in Chicago, I've fallen in love with the art of contrast between industrial cityscapes and the elegance of a bride + groom. The aesthetic is both classic and transcenden

Shelly was the best wedding photographer any couple could ask for! She had such a calming presence with us both, while also ensuring all the photos we wanted were captured throughout the day. She was extremely professional during the entire process from initial meeting all the way to the final gallery. Her turn around time was incredibly fast, we had friends who were married months before us that still didn't have their photos by the time we did. My family and friends still talk about how good of a job she did every time they see us. Highly recommend for any and all couples, we will definitely be calling her again for future family photos :)
Tess R., 2 years ago
Kenny Kim Photography 

5.0

Des Plaines, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,995

Kenny Kim has always been fascinated by the visual arts, especially the connection between art and photography. Combined with his love of travel and culture, he has become one of the most respected and sought after destination wedding photographers of his industry. Since 2006, Kenny Kim Photography has quickly grown into a nationally recognized studio and Kenny’s work, which spans the globe in over 400 weddings and destination events, has been featured in the most respected photography periodicals.

Kenny is amazing. He asked us for a list of the bridal party/family/VIPs ahead of time and memorized who everyone was so that he could easily ask people to do what he needed for photos. He is creative, professional, efficient, and timely. We are so in love with our photos.
Ariana K., 2 years ago
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Eivan's Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,149
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

We offer a personalized experience backed up by more than 33+ years in business delivering high quality, creative photography and video on time and within your wedding budget. We are experts in photojournalism, offering couples an unmatched level of value for their wedding photography and video services.

Awarded Best of Zola
We loved working with our photographer, Max. He worked very well with the bridal parties and really expressed what I wanted in photos. Communication was great throughout the whole process from booking until the wedding day. I highly recommend!
Haleigh K., 9 months ago
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George Street Photo and Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,295
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL
  • Offer

George Street Photo and Video has one story to tell: Yours. With over twenty years of experience, our award-winning team has been lucky to capture thousands of weddings for our couples across the United States. Specializing in both wedding photography and videography, we offer affordable and customizable packages starting at $1295 that are designed to suit your unique vision and budget. We even offer a fun style test to help us match you with a photographer that aligns with the vibe of your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
George street did an amazing job matching us with a perfect photographer! The process was easy, super user friendly and our photographer, Kyran, did an AMAZING job! He went above and beyond to make our wedding day, one of a kind.
Elizabeth T., 7 months ago
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Emma Mullins Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hi! I'm Emma, owner and lead photographer of Emma Mullins Photography. Our goal is simple: to capture your vibe, your people, and your love in a way that looks and feels true to life. We're wrapping up our 11th Chicago wedding season, and it's been a whirlwind of all things real and fabulous! We are super excited to offer FILM photography services to our awesome couples this year!!

Awarded Best of Zola
Emma and her talented team, including Trevor and Amy, delivered an exceptional experience that made our special day feel flawless and intimate. From the moment we met, Emma became an integral part of our family, ensuring that every detail was perfect. After being so impressed with her services for another family member's wedding, we couldn't wait to work with her again. Emma's unique style, especially her incorporation of film photography, truly captured the essence of our celebration, and we were over the moon about it! Her quick responses and willingness to answer all our questions made the planning process seamless and enjoyable. If you're looking for a wonderful company with a personal touch, Emma and her team are the ones to choose!
Sean M., 5 months ago
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The Still Life Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,450
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Jay & Nicole Vega decided to pursue a career together in the art of Photography. Met & married in Chicago in 2013, two people set out on a business venture of a lifetime. While Nicole is the main photographer of the company, we have also expanded and hired reliable, talented photographers to work along side with us, while still maintaining a small business feel.

Awarded Best of Zola
As a wedding planner, I have the privilege of working with many talented professionals—but The Still Life stands out as one of the most exceptional photographers I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. From the first email to the final image delivery, they were an absolute dream. Professional, calm under pressure, and incredibly attuned to the energy of the day, The Still Life brought a quiet confidence and refined artistic vision that made both the couple and the vendor team feel completely at ease. Their background gives their wedding work a distinctive edge—every frame feels intentional, intimate, and beautifully composed. They have an incredible ability to capture not just moments, but mood—the softness of a floral detail, the emotion in a glance, the quiet magic between all the big moments. Our couples & clients are always absolutely thrilled with the results, and the photos were nothing short of stunning. As a planner, I can also say they were a joy to work alongside: punctual, communicative, and incredibly respectful of the timeline and flow of the day. If you're a couple looking for timeless, artful imagery—or a fellow planner seeking a photographer who elevates every event they’re part of—I can’t recommend The Still Life highly enough. Truly one of the best. The Serendipity Collective Nikki M. Rodgers
Nikki R., 3 months ago
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TWA Photographic Artists 

4.7

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,799
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

The best part about what we do are the stories we get to tell. The happily-ever-afters, the love-at-first-sights…it’s the truth in a moment and a look that says it all. As Chicago area wedding photographers for over twenty years now, we’ve seen and captured just about every incarnation of true love imaginable. That’s why we approach your special day as a unique journey we take together. We walk you through every step, from proposal and engagement photos and perfectly capturing those forever wedding day moments with photography, videography, and content creation, to expertly crafting your very first family heirloom…your wedding album!

Awarded Best of Zola
We love working with TWA for our couple's big day! They are always very communicative and professional. The photos we receive from them and our clients are always stunning! This photography company knows what they are doing, and they do it well! We highly recommend TWA for all of our couple's photography needs.
Paramount Meyer B., 2 months ago
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Nova Photos 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $795
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Nova Photos is a wedding photography, videography, and photo booth studio in Chicago, IL. We're a multicultural, multilingual, LGBTQ-friendly, photographer/employee-owned studio dedicated to documenting the most memorable moments of your wedding day! Collectively, we have captured over 10,000 weddings. At Nova Photos, we work with our clients every step of the way. The team provides comprehensive support with planning locations, setting up permits, and creating a timeline that works for them and their other vendors. Every couple deserves more than just memories; they deserve a timeless keepsake that captures the essence of their love story!

Awarded Best of Zola
Nova Photos absolutely understood the assignment when capturing my maternity shoot. Super creative, friendly, and fun! I’ll definitely be using them again!
Jamie L., 8 months ago
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Audrey Simper Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

GET TO KNOW ME: Empathetic, detail oriented, & interested in learning how I can best support you. Capturing your shine while encouraging a feeling of ease. Go to coffee order: Almond Milk Cafe Miel | Personality types: ENFJ, Leo, Enneagram 7, Big Nerd | Hobbies: Acroyoga, dance, pottery, board games, reading books on psychology, binge watching survivor, being obsessed with your dog, getting little treats, curating an at home apothecary | Family: I live with my tiny Chihuahua Theo in Chicago.

Awarded Best of Zola
I absolutely loved working with Audrey for our wedding! I had to write her a review. I found her for her beautiful photos but I'm most happy with my choice in her, for all the rest of the little things. We met with her to discuss engagement shoot and wedding photos and she was so thoughtful. She asked questions I hadn't even thought of and it was from those questions that really helped me plan the rest of the wedding day of. She gave me a photo timeline that was absolutely essential. The rest of my vendors were given her timeline and they were so thankful at her level of detail too. I appreciated the thoughtful small touches. The way she asked about any complicated family dynamics, who our chosen family was, who she should highlight etc. I appreciate that she didn't come with assumptions and asked questions, so gently. I've found that's rare in the bridal world. I would 100% recommend Audrey to anyone we know and absolutely loved our experience with her. We went with a second shooter and we loved Olivia too! They both did fantastic work and were so thoughtful and professional. Thank you for all you did for Mike and I, Audrey! We will always remember you as a the one who kept us all together!
Salena P., 7 months ago
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Piero Pierrot Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,300
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I'm Piero, I've been a wedding photographer for over 7 years, my approach combines a blend of candid and posed styles, ensuring that every smile, tear, and joyful dance is immortalized in stunning imagery, from the delicate details of your attire to the vibrant energy of the celebration, allowing you to relive the magic for years to come. I work closely with you to understand your vision and preferences, always helping you with your timeline, and assisting you with ideas to make sure vision comes true.

Awarded Best of Zola
Piero was a pleasure to work with. He offers competitive pricing and the quality of his photos is unmatched. He was creative with poses and provided great direction. Highly recommend - and I’m picky!
Taylor B., 9 months ago
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Visil Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,950
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hey, I’m Victor Silas, the heart and soul behind Visil Photography. As the owner and lead photographer, I’m passionate about capturing genuine love stories and creating lasting memories. For me, it’s more than just snapping photos—it’s about preserving the unique, unforgettable moments that make your wedding day yours. I make sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera, letting your love shine through naturally. My style? Candid, photojournalistic, and effortlessly fun.

Awarded Best of Zola
Visil Photography provided amazing photography services for our wedding day. Victor was extremely respectful, informative, and positive in all of our communications leading up to the big event. On the wedding day itself, he was passionate about capturing all of those special moments we had envisioned. Victor has a gift for engaging with people and making them feel comfortable in front of the camera. He circulated seamlessly among our guests and captured countless touching interactions. My husband and I could not be happier with the beautiful, artistic photos Victor delivered. They will allow us to re-live our special day for years to come. I would highly recommend Visil Photography for any couple looking for a talented photographer who can beautifully document their wedding memories. Victor was a joy to work with!
Krystal Z., 10 months ago
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Lux Everlasting 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I've always been an artist, but my love for photography truly took hold when I photographed my first wedding in 2007. That day, I fell in love with everything about weddings— getting to work with all kinds of people and personalities, capturing every moment and each detail, and even getting to bust a move on the dance floor every now and then.

Awarded Best of Zola
Clayton was the photographer for my wedding reception (we didn’t have a ceremony) and he was amazing to work with!! He captured every moment and made us feel really comfortable being in front of the camera. He fit right in and did a great job getting pics of my pup. Multiple guests/family members commented on what a great and fun photographer we had! We did not wait long at all to get out pics back and I absolutely loved them! I cannot recommend Clayton enough and would def rehire for any future weddings (jk)!
Nicole, 2 years ago
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Zach Caddy Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

A cinematic eye. --- A bleeding heart. --- An inclusive spirit. --- I've picked up a camera just about every day since I fell in love with photography in 2013. Though every shoot holds something unique, it takes a lot to catch me off guard after a decade in business. I pride myself on my ability to quickly connect with my clients, making them feel comfortable, cared for, and confident that they look great. Being a helpful and calming presence in the midst of your wedding is second nature to me. Basically, I try to treat people how I want to be treated: with fairness and understanding!

Awarded Best of Zola
Zach is a talented and creative photographer, with the most calming but also can do attitude. I appreciated that Zach communicated openly about his approach and also took the time to understand our vision. My only regret is not booking him for even more hours! Zach also did our engagement shoot a few weeks before the wedding and kindly turned around our photos in a matter of days so I could post before our big day. (What a doll!) We are still receiving compliments everyday from friends and family and coworkers regarding the wedding photos. We are beyond grateful for this beautiful capture of our memories and we owe it all to Zach.
Melissa A., 6 months ago
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Wendy Schreier Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL
  • Offer

Hello! I am Wendy, an award winning Chicago wedding photographer. I personally, will be the photographer on your wedding day, I am a one woman small business. My photo journey started 12 years ago shooting concerts, most recently Depeche Mode! I fell in love with the art of photography and started capturing weddings! I love seeing all the details you so lovingly design into your wedding day and capturing the big picture of how awesome you, your wedding and guests are.

Awarded Best of Zola
Wendy was the sweetest photographer ever!! She was so kind right from the beginning. We had an engagement session with her and my husband and I were awkward and she helped us feel comfortable in front of the camera. As for the wedding she met all our expectations she made sure we covered all my ideas I sent her. The pictures came out so beautiful and made me cry all over again. I would book her again and again. Thank you Wendy truly.
Jasmine Q., 9 months ago
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Sarah Nader Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,400
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I'm an award winning wedding photojournalist from Chicago, Illinois. I was raised in the Chicago suburbs but now call Lincoln Square home with my husband and our two Golden Retrievers, Missy and Felony. When the dogs aren't keeping me busy I love traveling all over the world, cooking amazing meals, jumping on my Peloton and eating Thai food while binging Netflix.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we first contacted Sarah Nader Photography, we were impressed by her open, easy, and quick communication style. Sarah has an incredible attention to detail, which was evident in the beautiful photos she captured of our special day. Sarah even went the extra mile by coming to our home to take photos, making us feel comfortable and at ease. We'll forever cherish the stunning images she took, especially the emotional and meaningful photos she captured of me breastfeeding my two young children during a surprising and bittersweet moment. Sarah's work is truly exceptional, and we highly recommend her services to any couple looking for a talented wedding or family photographer.
Clare L., 2 months ago
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Andrew Merz 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I like to take a journalistic approach to my wedding photography, letting the day flow naturally, all while capturing every wonderful moment for the couple as non-obtrusive as possible. My goal is to make your big day as stress free & fun as possible while capturing memories to last a life time!

Awarded Best of Zola
I would highly recommend Merz for any personal or professional event that you are in need of a photographer for. He has done both for me and all of them turned out amazingly. My proposal photos were so great and there were so many moving parts in the plan for the proposal that I was shocked everything worked out so perfectly.
Morgan L., 2 years ago
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Megan Saul Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. What started as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong pursuit of storytelling through images. I’m based in both Union, Illinois, and Florida, which allows me to capture weddings in a variety of beautiful settings. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m gardening, traveling, or spending time with my partner, Kenny, and our three pets. My work has been featured in many publications, but what truly drives me is creating honest, meaningful imagery for my couples—photos that will live on as part of their legacy.

I must have gone through three dozen portfolios looking for a wedding photographer. We didn’t want your typical run of the mill cheesy pics but rather ones that really tapped in to us a couple. The pictures Megan took had depth and really captured our feelings in that moment. Highly recommend.
Stephanie + Z., 5 years ago
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Layne Dixon Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hi! I'm so glad you're here. I'm a Chicago-based wedding photographer here to help you tell your love story. Through humor, support and documentary storytelling I'm there to capture your day in an authentic way that reflects who you both are, how you love, and how your community shows up for you. Stylistically, I consider myself a docu-storyteller with a flair for art-forward portraits. With a background in film and digital, I like to incorporate the classic, the dramatic and the real.

Awarded Best of Zola
We LOVED working with Layne. She is such a positive energy and you can tell that she is so passionate about capturing the vibe and emotions of your wedding. When we look back at our photos we can see how it felt on that day. We were also unfortunate enough to experience a Covid wedding cancellation 2 months before our wedding was supposed to take place. Layne was very supportive and was willing to work with us to photograph our later elopement instead. Very communicative and a pleasure all around! We always recommend her when our friends are getting married as well.
Carolyn, a year ago
Madi Ellis Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,550
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

*****The best way to reach me is to fill out the inquiry form on my website!***** As a documentary-style photographer, I love to emphasize connection, texture, and authentic emotion. Being a former actor who found a deep love and passion for wedding photography, I'm most drawn to the art of storytelling while creating honest and original work. I strive to make my images fully represent my couples in every way possible. I'm goofy, fun, and always create a deep connection with my couples to ensure their big day is captured with passion + care.

We are so happy we chose to work with Madi for our wedding photos and was one of best decisions we made. We immediately liked her on the first call as she was just easy to talk to and really took an interest in learning about our story. We could tell she had amazing organization skills, and her photography was exactly what we were looking for when it came to our wedding. She was friendly and personable and provided easy communication. She was very flexible, tolerated our need to bring our dogs into both the wedding and the engagement photos, and made us comfortable during the photography process. At our wedding, she was on time, and SO on top of things that I really didn't need to worry about anything getting done. She was on it and coordinated everything so seamlessly. She not only is excellent in her photography skills, but helped so much in establishing our timeline and sorting out what was actually feasible for the day. We really appreciated her expertise. I fully trusted her in the process and knowing that definitely took stress off of us. The best part, is she is just an awesome human!! I highly recommend Madi for your wedding!!
Jackie G., a year ago
Nikki Kate Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hello, my name is Nikki, and I am a wedding and family photographer for the sentimental and nostalgic. I have been lucky enough to call this my career for over 12 years. I am driven by a passion for storytelling and documenting your life for you to keep forever. Rooted in the heart of Chicago, IL, I am always ready to pack my bags and travel wherever your story unfolds (frequently travel to CO and WI). Whether it's the heartfelt promises exchanged on your wedding day or the joyful pitter-patter of little feet during an intimate family session at home, I treasure the opportunity to document every chapter of your life.

Awarded Best of Zola
BOOK THIS PHOTOGRAPHER. From start to finish, Nikki was not only our favorite wedding vendor, but also someone we could rely on for everything from timeline help to outfit choices, from teaching us how to pose for a photo to helping choose our bridesmaid colors. She brought so much excitement to our engagement and wedding that made the time leading up to and the big day so much more special. We loved her photography style so much that we adapted our initial vision to match her style and it was the best decision we made. Our photos are timeless, warm, so reflective of the overwhelming love we experienced that day, and already so very cherished. She captured every moment, every emotion, and every person exactly right. Her apprentices also did a fantastic job. Every single person who has seen the photos has specifically pointed out how good our photographer was. Aside from her incredible work as a photographer, she is all around a delightful person, easy to work with, kind, and fun! She was reliable beyond belief, and I never had to worry about anything with Nikki. I cannot recommend Nikki enough, and plan to hire her for all our special events in the future.
Danielle E., 7 months ago
GemHidden gem
Sam Schultz Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hey there! I’m a weddings and couples photographer based in Chicago, IL with my partner Emily and my rescue dog Daxter. I’m here to document joy and celebrate all the meaningful moments with the kickass people that find me.

I cannot say enough good things about Sam, truly. We hired him shortly after getting engaged and were fortunate enough to have engagement photos and our wedding with him. My husband and I are both creatives and have worked in media so photo was extremely important to us. If you want true to color and documentary style photos then look no further. Not only does he stylistically do a remarkable job but it felt like we were just hanging out with a bestie all day. Let this be your sign to hire Sam. It’ll be one of the best decisions you make for your wedding day.
Courtney R., 3 months ago
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Ryan Moore Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,200
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

I've been documenting weddings for 15 years! Your wedding will have so man quick and candid moments, and that's what I'm there for. The spontaneity. The honesty. The "beautiful" vs the "pretty". Hearing things like "Wow, we didn't even know that happened!" or "This is the best picture of my Grandpa I've ever seen," is what keeps me fired up year after year! I believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, honored, and free to express their love for each other. I proudly support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community along with all cultural backgrounds and traditions!

As a same-sex couple, we weren't sure how different vendors would feel about working on our wedding. From the first interaction, Ryan was welcoming and inclusive - how amazing! We had an intricate wedding day with high church, a theater performance, and the traditional dinner/dancing/toasts. Ryan rolled with all the details, capturing each one. Even better? He and his assistant faded into the background ... our guests commented that they never even noticed a photographer being there, never felt blocked or intruded upon. When we got the results, our hundreds-of-photos were chock full of "how did they get THAT shot?" kinds of reactions. Amazing. Ryan's pictures are so fantastic, we would consider getting married a second time, just so we could hire him again.
JD, 5 months ago
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Essi Photography 

5.0

  • Starts at $5,600
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Chicago-based wedding and elopement photographer. I like to make my clients take off their shoes or at least get bare and honest about their love in front of my camera. I love to explore the urban environment with you and make your wedding portraits feel real and true to your life in the city. But I also take any chance I get to drag you to the woods or the beach for some barefoot wedding portraits. Aren’t we so lucky to have those right here in the city!

Awarded Best of Zola
Essi Photography was an absolute joy to work with on our wedding day. From our first interaction, her communication was intimate, responsive, and understanding of our vision. The quality of her work was creative in the way she could capture small moments throughout the day. Our photos are everything we wanted them to be, documenting all the special moments and candid photos of our loved ones that we will cherish forever. Essi played a huge role in making our wedding day so special, and we cannot recommend her highly enough.
Charlotte P., 8 months ago
GemHidden gem
Tethered Stories 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Specializing in weddings, elopements, creative portraits, boudoir, and branding photography, I capture moments that resonate authentically with you and your loved ones. Each gallery is a reflection of your individuality, ensuring that your emotions and memories are preserved in every frame. Whether you're saying 'I do,' expressing yourself creatively, or showcasing your brand identity, let me document your story in a way that's true to you."

Awarded Best of Zola
Kriztelle is an amazing photographer with eye for detail, and above all, an amazing person. She is reliable, trustworthy and loves to help you sort through the details of your wedding. Our marriage was held at Starved Rock State Park on February 2nd, and we were hit by a blizzard. While some of the (few) attendees cancelled because of the hazardous road conditions, Kriztelle didn't hesitate and got in her car! The result: Amazing pictures and great times! Aside from her talent for photography, she is a delightful person too. We had great fun talking to Kriztelle, and learning about her other endeavors and some of her personal life over the trajectory of planning our marriage. Kriztelle really takes te time to get to know her clients. She spend hours talking to us, sending us links, and meeting us in person. When we received the photos, both of us were overjoyed about the pictures and their quality. They really are the perfect compliment to an already perfect day. Do yourself a favor, and hire Kriztelle – she is a great photographer, with amazing vision, ideas, and overall a great person to work with and talk to. Thank you so much Kriztelle, for all you have done for us: the amazing pictures, the hours spend talking and laughing, the trips, the attention for detail, and the lovely stories about you and your husband.
Corrina & K., 3 years ago
GemHidden gem
Joined Purposefully Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Des Plaines, IL

Hi guys! My name is Allie!!! I am a traveling wedding photographer based out of chicago & texas. My heart literally beats for wedding days and redemptive stories. I love celebration + commitment + dance parties + traveling!!! It is my honor to capture the sweetest stories. My couples become verrrry dear to my heart, and it gives me the deepest joy to be part of engagement season + wedding days.

Awarded Best of Zola
Allie did our engagement photos, rehearsal dinner, and wedding day and I cannot thank her enough for capturing it all so perfectly! On top of being incredibly talented she is so kind and down to earth. She makes you feel so comfortable and is so great at capturing all the little special moments. Was so grateful that she delivered so many sneak peak photos with pictures throughout the entire wedding day to enjoy and share with family while we were on our honeymoon. If you are thinking of booking Allie, do it!!
Jessica W., a year ago

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