7 Best Photographers in Chicago Illinois

Looking for a top Chicago wedding photographer who specializes in authentic wedding photos and artistic wedding photography? Our experienced team offers creative wedding portraits and expert documentary wedding photography, capturing every precious moment with a candid, photojournalistic approach. Whether you need a professional Chicago engagement photographer or are searching for the best wedding photographer near you, we pride ourselves on delivering timeless images that reflect your unique love story and the emotions of your special day.

1. WS Photography – Chicago Wedding Photographer

7 Best Photographers in Chicago Illinois

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Headshots and portraits

Couples photography

About

WS Photography, a premier Chicago wedding photographer, was originally founded in Europe in 2009 by Milan Lazic. The team relocated to Chicago in 2016, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a passion for creative wedding photography. Specializing in a unique artistic-documentary style, the photographers at WS Photography skillfully capture authentic moments as they unfold, blending artistic elements with natural storytelling. From intimate ceremonies to large-scale weddings with up to 500 guests, the team adapts effortlessly to any environment, ensuring every memorable moment is expertly documented. Their dedication to creating timeless wedding portraits and documentary-style photos sets them apart as one of the best wedding photographers in Chicago.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

When we were researching wedding photographers, WS Photography immediately stood out to us as being a cut above the rest, and they far exceeded our expectations. The team was amazing to work with, from the initial booking to our engagement shoot to the wedding day to the final product. Milan, Tomic and Luke captured everything we wanted to capture and then some. All of our pictures are gorgeous, and our video is perfect. We had preview shots in just a few days, and our full gallery and video were done less than two months after our wedding. We could not happier with WS Photography, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Amanda J

Google Review

We truly cannot say enough amazing things about WS Photography. Having great photos and videos to remember our day was something extremely important to us and they more than delivered. The final products are better than we could have imagined, which makes sense because we have never seen photographers or videographers do what ours did. They didn’t stop moving, they got the best angles and the most special moments were captured. We would recommend WS Photography to everyone. They were so professional, so easy to work with, and just really wonderful people overall!

Sarah&Matt Knight

2. Jason Kaczorowski Photography

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Headshots and portraits

Couples photography

About

As one of the top wedding photographers in Chicago, Jason Kaczorowski specializes in creating wedding photos that go beyond ordinary. With an innate talent for crafting cinematic, authentic wedding portraits, Jason captures the true essence of each couple’s love story. His expertise in dynamic lighting allows him to produce stunning, soulful photojournalism and creative wedding photography that showcases genuine emotion. Whether it’s a wedding, engagement, or proposal, Jason’s work has a remarkable ability to evoke the magic of the moment, leaving couples with a gallery of unforgettable images. Explore Jason’s portfolio of over twelve thousand wedding photos, where each image tells a unique, compelling story.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

Jason’s team did a fantastic job with our photos from start to finish! We had an unexpected weather occurrence come up before we were supposed to take photos, and the team helped accommodate and made the process so seamless! I loved taking our engagement pictures and am so happy with how they came out! In addition to this positive photography experience, Jason and his team were extremely kind and professional.

Amanda J

Google Review

Jason and Alex were absolutely phenomenal for our engagement photoshoot! From the moment we met them, they made us feel comfortable and excited about the session. They have an incredible eye for capturing natural, candid moments and knew just how to guide us to bring out our personalities in every shot. The final photos were beyond what we imagined—stunning, vibrant, and full of love. Their professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail made the entire experience unforgettable. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend them to anyone looking for top-notch photography!

Seth Wilder

3. Emma Mullins Photography

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Headshots and portraits

Couples photography

About

Emma Mullins is a Chicago-based wedding photographer who captures love stories through both digital and film. Known for her authentic approach to wedding photography, Emma specializes in making couples feel at ease while documenting every precious moment. Her dedication to preserving family history through photography is clear in her work, as she seamlessly combines a photojournalistic style with beautiful, candid wedding portraits. Whether you’re camera-shy or a natural in front of the lens, Emma guarantees that your wedding day will be documented with warmth and authenticity. Since 2014, she has been a trusted photographer, helping couples relive their memories for years to come.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

Emma and her team were one of the best vendors we had! She was incredibly kind, helpful, and attentive. She met with us a few times prior to the wedding to get to know us, learn about what we were looking for, give very helpful suggestions, and worked with our coordinator to craft a timeline that allowed us to eat, dance, and utilize the natural light to get beautiful photos! She was able to help gather family, give directions, and get the family photos done efficiently so we didn’t have to worry about wrangling our families. She could almost read our minds at certain points, making sure that we had the time to actually enjoy our wedding, while she gave the wedding party directions so we didn’t have to. We highly recommend working with Emma for your wedding and engagement photos!

Neha R

Google Review

Emma and her team were such a great choice for our wedding photography! She was very helpful in our initial meetings and very communicative throughout the entire process which made us feel really comfortable with asking all of our many questions. We had her associate photographer, Alexis, do our engagement shoot and wedding day and couldn’t be happier. Alexis was professional and accommodating with our large wedding party in less than ideal weather conditions at times. Also, Emma returned our gallery to us so quickly and the pictures are beautiful! There are also SO many to choose from. Would definitely recommend Emma and her team!

Morgan Hytho n

4. Fox + Ivory Photo & Film

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Bridal Portraits

Couples photography

About

Fox + Ivory Photo & Film is more than just a wedding photography studio in Chicago—they are a team of passionate photographers and storytellers who deeply value the connections they form with couples. Their approach to wedding photography is centered around capturing authentic moments and creating an experience that is filled with warmth, care, and attention to detail. Specializing in both candid photojournalism and artistic portraits, Fox + Ivory works with each couple to highlight the unique bond they share, ensuring every emotion and special moment is beautifully captured. Their reputation for excellence makes them a top choice for couples looking for high-quality wedding photos in Chicago.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	4.9	4.9

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

I can’t speak highly enough of our photographers – special shout out to Kelsy and Kirsten for being the absolute best on our wedding day! All of our wedding party complimented on how fun they were to work with! Our photos, both the engagement shoot and the wedding, all turned out amazing and we will cherish them for a lifetime. The photos were stunning, crisp, and truly captured our day exactly how we envisioned it. How we’re going to pick our favorites is going to be an impossible task! The entire process was seamless and we highly recommend working with Fox + Ivory if you’re looking for an A+ team of vendors!

Ashley S

Google Review

We absolutely loved our experience with Fox and Ivory! Jay was so organized and helpful in the planning process which made the experience effortless from the start. Nisa and Jen were incredible on our wedding day and were so receptive of our vision and expectations for our wedding. Our pictures turned out absolutely beautiful and we loved how they were able to truly depict the essence of our wedding celebration. You can feel the emotion, excitement, and energy in all of our pictures and for that, we are forever grateful. We highly recommend Fox and Ivory as they were able to deliver on everything we were looking for and more!

Jill Roth

5. Thara Photo

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Headshots and portraits

Family and group

About

Thara Photo stands out among Chicago wedding photographers for its relaxed, stress-free approach to wedding photography. Tim, the lead photographer, focuses on capturing authentic, natural moments that truly reflect the couple’s personality. Whether you’re camera-shy or confident in front of the lens, Tim ensures that your wedding photos will feel natural and effortless. Specializing in candid wedding photojournalism, Thara Photo takes the time to understand each couple, resulting in a gallery of genuine, emotional wedding portraits that you’ll treasure forever. If you’re seeking a wedding photographer who can bring out the best in you while keeping things relaxed, Thara Photo is the ideal choice.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

You can stop looking now, you’ve found the perfect wedding photographer. Working with Tim was an absolute dream — our getting-organized calls were thorough, efficient, and a perfect balance of Tim’s experience and best practices with our wish list and questions. Tim was so organized in our prep calls that we were almost unprepared for how kind and encouraging he was on the day! He was wonderful with our big families, really captured our personalities, and was totally down for some of the more whimsical photos we wanted. I can’t say enough good things about him, and his work really speaks for itself — he’s a technical genius and a great person. Book him!

Cici C

Google Review

There are too many amazing things to say about Tim and his importance on our wedding day. We were first drawn to Tim through his work on Instagram. We loved the vivid, realistic, and candid quality of his work. Meeting him in person for our engagement photos was great to get to know him and get photos before the big day. Tim was detailed, organized, and brought a calming and confident presence throughout wedding planning and the day-of. He captured so many candid moments and encapsulated the day perfectly through his photos. It is so special to be able to relive the day through his photos. We cannot wait to work with him again in the future.

Logan Ebeling

6. Maddie Blecha Photography

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Couples photography

Family and group

About

Maddie Blecha Photography is known for capturing weddings with a personal touch that reflects the warmth and creativity of each couple. Based in Chicago, Maddie’s photography is rooted in authenticity, with a strong emphasis on natural moments and storytelling. Whether it’s a quiet, intimate moment or a grand celebration, Maddie excels at documenting every part of the day with care and attention. She takes pride in creating a relaxed environment for her clients, helping them feel at ease throughout the wedding day. Maddie’s ability to balance creativity with genuine emotion makes her one of the top wedding photographers in Chicago for couples seeking artistic and heartfelt wedding portraits.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

We could not be happier choosing Maddie as our wedding photographer! She is extremely talented, kind, professional and punctual. Not only do we have priceless photographs from our entire wedding day, but her skills allow you to completely relive the day through her lens. Everyone who sees our wedding photos comment on how great they look! If you are considering choosing Maddie, don’t hesitate! She is fantastic and we highly recommend 10/10

Erik S

Google Review

Maddie made our wedding day as perfect as we could have asked for. She was a calming presence and captured our style and personalities perfectly. Honestly, we forgot she was there for a while because she fit in so well with our group!! Just an incredible experience all around and we’re so thankful that she was the photographer we chose!

Catie Kuhlman

7. Colin Lyons Photography

Services

Weddings

Engagements

Couples photography

Bridal photography

About

Colin Lyons is a skilled Chicago wedding photographer with over a decade of experience capturing love stories through both traditional and modern photography styles. With a passion for both photography and film, Colin’s work stands out for its emotional depth and unique perspective. Specializing in candid wedding photojournalism, Colin captures raw, genuine moments, especially those that happen naturally after the ceremony when couples are officially married. His ability to adapt to each couple’s needs ensures that every photo is a perfect reflection of the love and joy of their day. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who can create timeless, heartfelt wedding portraits, Colin Lyons is a great choice.

Ratings

Google Rating	Theknot Rating	Our Rating
5.0	5.0	5.0

Instagram

See Galle ry

TheKnot Review

Our wedding photographer truly exceeded all expectations. Not only did they fly out from Chicago to San Francisco for our engagement shoot, but their energy throughout the process was simply infectious. Their passion for photography was evident, and it made the entire experience enjoyable. The photos turned out stunning, capturing the essence of our special day perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer to create lasting memories. Highly recommended!

Neil D

Google Review

Working with Colin and his team was a highlight of our wedding process. Colin is extremely responsive via text and email and will hop on the phone in a moments notice. He made himself available early and often for our wedding and helped in our planning process. Colin volunteered to check out our venue together and help brainstorm fun locations to shoot. We were very happy working with Colin, Clay, and team and would recommend to all

Daniel Kogan

Why Choose a Professional Chicago Wedding Photographer for Your Big Day?

When searching for the best wedding photographer in Chicago, it’s essential to find a team that not only captures authentic wedding photos but also has the expertise to document your day through artistic wedding photography. Experienced wedding photographers understand the importance of blending candid wedding photos with creative wedding portraits, making sure every moment is preserved in its natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for a Chicago engagement photographer to start your journey or need a skilled photographer to capture every detail of your event, a professional team specializing in wedding photojournalism can help tell the full story of your day, from intimate moments to grand celebrations. With such a variety of photography styles and approaches, it’s crucial to choose a photographer who can provide personalized, meaningful images that reflect your unique love story.

The Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Chicago Wedding Photographer

Hiring an experienced wedding photographer in Chicago offers significant advantages when it comes to capturing the most important moments of your wedding day. Skilled in both wedding photography and event photography, a seasoned photographer brings both technical expertise and creative vision. They can create stunning, artistic wedding photos while also capturing the candid, emotional moments that make your wedding unforgettable. From documentary wedding photography that tells the complete story to stunning portraits that highlight your connection, professional photographers in Chicago have the skills to transform your memories into timeless works of art. Whether you’re planning a small intimate gathering or a grand celebration, an experienced photographer will adapt to your needs, ensuring that every moment is captured beautifully.