The Chicago Wedding Photographer’s Guide: How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Spending all your time adding wedding photos to your Pinterest wedding inspo board to curate a vibe for your dream wedding photographer?? Yeah, I see you. And I get you. You want something different. Something that’s a little editorial but not overly posed. Something that feels like who you actually are. Maybe even something a little funky that fits your rad soul more than traditional wedding photos do. And with a ton of wedding photographers out there with a ton of different photography styles… How are you ever supposed to choose? Don’t fret, though, babe. I’m a Chicago wedding photographer who’s here to help you figure out how to find your photographer soulmate. 

How to Find the Best Chicago Wedding Photographers

You already know that wedding planning is a lot of hours spent searching on Google, scrolling on Pinterest, and making lists of potential vendors. You’re probably seeing wedding photos literally everywhere and getting overwhelmed between alllll the different photography styles. And I get it. They’re probably all so gorg. 

My top recommendation is to make a list of all the photographers that catch your eye (whether it’s from Pinterest, Google, or Instagram), then read as many of their wedding blog posts as you can. Because the blogs? That’s where you’ll get insight into how they approach wedding days. You’ll see everything from how their photos look in every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, and how they communicate, which is your first impression of their personality. 

Signs that a Chicago Wedding Photographer is Right for You

Once you’ve narrowed down your list a little, there are some signs that a photographer is the right one for you. As a Chicago wedding photographer, my couples just know when they know that we’re a soul match, and I’m obsessed with it. 

You Feel Something When You Look at Their Photos

Because you shouldn’t feel casual when you’re looking at wedding photos. 

You should be able to feel the emotion in every picture. Everything from the groom’s tears watching the bride walk down the aisle (okay, love) to the happy, carefree energy of the bride dancing with her besties at the reception hours later.  Because those feelings you get from your gallery? They’re the ones that will last and let you relive your day over and over and over. 

If you wanna see some of my wedding days in action, don’t miss Jess and David’s day or Simone and Nick’s. 

You Actually Vibe With Them as a Human 

Your Chicago wedding photographer? They’re gonna be with you all day. During vulnerable times, during happy times, during emotional times. So you want to make sure that your personalities vibe well together. Because when someone is capturing some of the most important moments in your entire life… You wanna be comfortable around them, babe. 

They Guide You (Gently, Though)

Feeling awkward and not knowing how to pose? It’s not the move. Your Chicago wedding photographer should be guiding you. That’s why my approach is prompts that encourage natural movement, editorial posing that feels full of life, and never letting you wonder WTF you’re supposed to do with your hands. 

They’re Calm Chaos Managers

Let’s be real… There may be a little bit of stress or a few hiccups on your wedding day. The secret you need to know, though, is that that’s all on your vendors to handle. Your vendor team fully determines your experience of your day, so choosing professionals whom you can trust to handle the chaos makes a huge difference. 

They Care About Your Experience, Not Just the Photos

Yeah, the photos will turn out good, obviously, but getting good photos should never pull you out of your day. Because honestly, the best, most artful photos happen in the in-between moments. My approach as a Chicago wedding photographer? I step back and let the day unfold naturally. I know when to step in to gently guide you and when to sit back and capture the things that you might not even realize are happening. And those might just turn out to be your fave pictures from the whole day. 

Their Work Feels Intentional, Not Cookie-Cutter

Your wedding photos deserve to feel totally unique to you, not like you could just see the same exact one while you’re scrolling on social media. Because of your wedding? It’s gonna be different. It’s gonna feel more like your fave Fleetwood Mac song, a wedding dress that feels like you, and intentional details than just following traditions for the sake of it. And your photos deserve to show that. 

They Notice the Little Things

As I said before, the best photos come from the moments you don’t even know are happening. Like the way your mom is looking at you when you put your wedding dress on. Your guests crying while watching your ceremony. Two of your best friends doing the Hot to Go dance. Those are the moments that hold meaning, and they’ll be the most iconic pics of all. 

You Trust Them Enough to Let Go 

Last but not least, if you’re one of my type A babes, I get it. Your wedding day deserves your full presence and full attention, though, not you stressing out about where the napkins go or when the florist is supposed to arrive. Your vendor team has got you, and as a Chicago wedding photographer, I know that we’re always around to take care of the little things. 

My Approach to Capturing Your Day as a Chicago Wedding Photographer

I’m a simple girl… I just want your wedding photos to feel bold, nostalgic, and totally true to who you are. And as your Chicago wedding photographer, I get those photos through effortlessly and authentically capturing your day as it unfolds. I’m forever anti-awkward posing and pro-real moments, and maybe occasionally throwing you into a pose or two that makes you think, “okay… We look good.” 

My first step, always? I take the time to get to know you. And that’s what makes all the difference. I learn what makes the two of you laugh, how you feel the most comfortable interacting with each other, and the things that make you guys feel fully yourselves. And every single time, we end up feeling like old friends with kindred (and super groovy) spirits. 

Book me as Your Chicago Wedding Photographer

If that sounds like your way of doing things, let’s chat, babes! Inquire about booking me as your Chicago wedding photographer here.