The Best Wedding Photographers in Makanda, IL

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?


363 Wedding Photographers in Makanda, IL

Boulder Creek Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $4,495
  • Serves Makanda, IL

This is such an exciting time for you. Planning your dream wedding is something every little girl dreams of! You deserve the best photographic experience and gorgeous images on your wedding day. Out of everything you have to plan and organize, your images that you have from your wedding day shouldn't be something you have to worry about. You deserve a photographer that cherishes you and your husband-to-be the way that you will cherish your own memories of your wedding day.

Awarded Best of Zola
The one thing you'll have forever after your wedding day is your pictures, so they should be AMAZING! Courtney captures all the BIG moments you'll want to remember forever and all the little details that you might have missed living out your fairytale day. She is beyond organized, perfect for a stress-free, worry-free day. Her fun energy and sweet self translate into every breathtaking photo she takes. For the most incredible wedding photos that will make you want to relive your gorgeous day over and over again, Boulder Creek Photography is the way to go!
Dragonfly Wedding Venue, 4 years ago
Alaina Kristine Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Alaina Kristine Photography was a dream turned reality to serve couples on their most special day! We serve couples that value purposeful connection and loving deeply. We serve a large area in the metro-east and ST. LOUIS region. We can't wait to connect with passionate couples!

Words will never be able to describe how much my husband and I loved working with Alaina. From the beginning, Alaina was easy to communicate with and she responded to all my questions in a timely manner. Alaina makes you feel so comfortable in front of the camera! One of our favorite parts of the wedding, was when we were able to see a sneak peek of our pictures during the reception! Even though our wedding was in prime wedding season, we got our entire gallery back in 6 weeks! Our pictures are so beautiful and I’m never going to be able to choose my favorites. If you’re looking for a professional, efficient, and incredibly kind photographer for your day, Alaina is your girl!
Avery + B., 5 years ago
Quick responder
Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 
Rating: 5.0 (110 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

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. To ensure we provide dedicated time and personalized recommendations for your wedding photography and videography needs, we now offer in-depth consultations for a nominal fee of $50.

Awarded Best of Zola
Pedro with Albany Capture offered an engagement shoot we will never forget! He promoted and guided us so easily with his familiarity of the location and made all of our poses easy to do considering we are awkward when it comes to posing. Pedro is kind, hard working and loves capturing love! Thank you Pedro!!!
Emily, 5 months ago
Quick responder
Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. 
Rating: 4.9 (94 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,845
  • Serves Makanda, IL

More than a decade ago, two sisters - knew there had to be a better way to allow talented photographers and videographers to focus on what they do best -- create gorgeous art -- while providing couples with better support in the planning process. Together, they created an all-inclusive, stress-free environment where couples can choose from talented local photographers and videographers and work with a small team of planning experts equipped and eager to make everything a success. With the pressure gone, you can truly enjoy your big day. Relax and rest assured that all the emotional and moments will be documented with unmatched quality.

Awarded Best of Zola
Erin and the entire OLAS team were an absolute dream from start to finish. From our very first phone call to receiving the final gallery, everyone was kind, professional, and so helpful. Erin was a calming, joyful presence all day long – giving gentle direction exactly when we needed it and somehow making us feel like total naturals in front of the camera. Every single photo is breathtaking. She captured the giggles, the happy tears, the little glances – every moment that made the day feel like pure magic. Steve and I keep saying we’ve never smiled so much in our lives, and now we get to relive it forever because Erin caught our love so perfectly. If you’re getting married: book OLAS. 10/10. Marry your best friend and let OLAS capture it. We’re obsessed and will recommend them to everyone we know! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making our wedding day even more unforgettable.
Sydney W., 8 months ago
Quick responder
The Talented Photographer - Award Winning Photography. 
Rating: 5.0 (80 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

Hello! We are Christian and Ana. We have put together the best wedding photo & video team in America. Whether you are camera shy or not, you will get beautiful photos with us. That's why couples are raving about us: we get beautiful photos out of EVERY SINGLE WEDDING!

Awarded Best of Zola
The Talented Photographer was an absolute dream to work with for our wedding. From the very first interaction, Alec's communication style was fun, professional, and incredibly personable. He had a true passion for his craft that shone through in every interaction. The quality of Alec's work was absolutely stunning - we got a wonderful variety of candids, formal shots, and editorial-style pictures that captured all the special moments of our day. Alec has an incredible eye for the right shots, and the final photos are absolutely gorgeous. Despite a complicated location schedule that I was worried about, Alec made the whole day seamless, traveling to over 4 different spots to ensure we got all the groupings and special shots we wanted. Alec truly went above and beyond, and we had such a great time working with him. I'm obsessed with the pictures and would give him an 11/10 rating!
Michelle M., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Portraits By Sean 
Rating: 5.0 (47 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Makanda, IL



I present fun, elegant, and exciting Wedding Photography for my clients. My style is photojournalistic; I feel it's the most effective way to tell a story. After all, there is so much happening on a wedding day. Between the ceremony, dancing, and endless extravaganzas, the most memorable moments will naturally occur.  My goal is to capture the emotions and memories of your day through my lens. These recollections are your forever keepsakes, a chapter of your life's story. Every image accounts for those who were by your side, delighted for you, and the next step in your journey. I appreciate you for giving me a few moments of your time.t

Awarded Best of Zola
Portraits By Sean was an exceptional choice for our wedding photography. They had great communication from start to finish, which made the planning process smooth and stress-free. They were extremely helpful in getting all the photos we wanted and more - Sean was very thorough, very prompt and very patient in capturing every moment. He arrived early and was extremely patient in making sure we got everything done that we wanted. We couldn't be happier with the quality of their work and the value they provided on our special day.
Corinne Z., 2 years ago
Quick responder
PictureMeThisByLacie 
Rating: 5.0 (45 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

My husband and I come as a photo team! We feel your day should be captured your way! So we tailor our style and editing to each unique couple! It’s not about us, it’s about you. We will help you document what is most important to you, the way you envision! Just like you, we have felt awkward in front of the camera. We’ve had photos taken of us that we didn’t like. We will make sure you not only feel comfortable, but that you look good! We give you prompts to keep you moving so you look and feel natural and comfortable.

Awarded Best of Zola
Wedding planning is sooooo stressful, and Lacie and her team made the photography part such a breeze!!! I told my fiance that I was nervous about choosing a photographer because our pictures would last forever, but with Lacie all of that anxiety was gone!! I love how she doesn’t have just one specific style, but she takes the kind of pictures that YOU want. She was great at helping my husband and I with poses and she was even more amazing helping us at our wedding!! If I had to do it all over again I would still pick her to shoot our wedding. She did amazing!!!
Dory R., 4 months ago
Quick responder
Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 
Rating: 5.0 (43 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Makanda, IL

The company has done over 400 weddings for the last 5 years, so we use these experiences to provide quality services. We also provide discount for Military/Veterans and teachers. We have serviced 42 states so far. We offer both photo and video services. Quicker turnaround time compare to most companies. Our shooting style of is photojournalistic, natural & CINEMATIC. Our editing style is very easygoing & flexible. Our biggest markets are the following: FL, New England area, PA, IL, DMV area, Tri-State area, Southern CA, MI, OH, CO.

Awarded Best of Zola
Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film was an excellent choice for our wedding photography. Their communication throughout the process was thorough, quick, and easy, which put us at ease leading up to the big day. The quality of their work was truly outstanding - their youthful and creative style captured all the special moments of our wedding day in a beautiful and unique way. We are thrilled with the final photos and can't recommend Ledd Lens enough to any couple looking for talented, professional photographers who will deliver exceptional results.
Alexis C., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Anchor Studios Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (42 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

I’m Edgar, an HTX-raised native with Salvadorian roots. I am the owner, creative director, and lead photographer at Anchor Studios Photography. I'm a wedding and elopement photographer based out of Pittsburgh, PA! However, the stories I capture don't start and end there. I love to travel to capture stories all around the world.

Awarded Best of Zola
We were so impressed with Anchor Studios Photography from start to finish. Edgar communicated with us perfectly throughout the planning process and made everything easy to understand. He positioned us naturally so our photos felt authentic and candid rather than stiff or forced. He captured exactly what we had envisioned, and his professionalism put us at ease the entire time. Beyond just taking pictures, Edgar gave us a fun day together and created one of our favorite memories from the whole wedding planning journey. We made a great choice with him and would recommend Anchor Studios to any couple looking for a photographer.
rae, a month ago
Quick responder
Latek Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (41 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $4,100
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Hi, I’m Connie—congratulations on your engagement. Thank you for being here and for considering me as your photographer. I take a thoughtful, hands-on approach and believe the experience matters just as much as the final images. I’m involved well before the wedding day—collaborating on vision, timelines, and details to ensure everything feels intentional and effortless. I love curated Pinterest boards, open communication, and creating imagery that feels elevated, timeless, and personal. This is your day, and it should reflect you. Let’s talk!

Awarded Best of Zola
I had an incredible experience working with Connie from Latek Photography for my wedding! Her communication style was quick, friendly, and understanding throughout the entire process. The quality of her work was truly astonishing - the photos she captured were breathtaking and exceeded all of our expectations. She very clearly understood the architectural vision for our photos and knew exactly where to take us to get the most stunning shots. She was also so easy to work with and never pressured us into anything we weren't comfortable with. I would highly recommend Latek Photography to any couple looking for a professional, easy-going and truly remarkable wedding photography experience.
Kirstie L., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Timeless Imagery & Media 
Rating: 4.9 (38 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

Lover of all things photography. I have been a photographer for over 10 years and love what we do. I have an amazing team that helps me out. My husband also second shoots with me. I like to say you get two professionals for the price of one. I try to offer quality at a reasonable cost. I know photography can be daunting for some people and my goal is always to put people at ease.

Awarded Best of Zola
Timeless Imagery & Media were the perfect photographers for our wedding day. From the very first interaction, Chad and Heidi were so warm and on top of everything, making the entire process a breeze. Their communication was outstanding, and they truly went above and beyond to capture our day in the way we had only dreamed about. The quality of their work was exceptional - they have a classy, timeless documentary style that sparked so many emotions when we saw the final photos and video. Even though my husband and I can be a bit awkward in front of the camera, Chad and Heidi made us feel completely comfortable and helped us show our true emotions. We loved the drone and video clips they provided as well. Timeless Imagery & Media gave 110% and we are so grateful for the beautiful memories they created for us. We highly recommend them to any couple looking for outstanding wedding photography and videography.
Morgan Z., a year ago
Quick responder
MJC IMAGE 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $4,400
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Hey, I'm Mary! It's nice to meet you. I am a New York City-based photographer championing spaces where all joy is seen and celebrated. Originally from Indiana, I'm now based in Manhattan, where I live with my wife, Rosalie, and our cat, Ramsay. I have a formal background in theater and have been immensely privileged to work and train all over the world.

Awarded Best of Zola
We were so blessed with fantastic vendors on our day, but Mary truly helped us bring the whole thing together. From the moment we chatted on the phone, we knew we were in great hands!! With her quote, she sent over a proposed timeline for the day and recommendations of timing / number of photographers-- we used this to quite literally plan our whole day timeline around, and we were never running low on time; everything felt according to plan and never rushed. (Family photos were SO smooth!) Her level of detail is so special, and we loved the photos captured of all the hard work we put in on the decorations, venue, etc. as well as the organic human moments filled with emotion, silliness and beyond! She makes you feel so comfortable and ease immediately, which helped bring out the sweetness and silliness in our couples photos. We also got the BEST reception photos and loved how much happened on the dance floor or at cocktail hour that we didn't even see happen (because, you know, you're a bit busy seeing everyone)! Could not have asked for a better photographer, and we're so happy we had her for our day.
Lora M., 10 months ago
Quick responder
Ali Cushing Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (35 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,750
  • Serves Makanda, IL

My name is Ali Cushing; a NY-based photographer working in a blended documentary and editorial approach, emphasized with a cinematic method, and a personalized, true to life editing style. I am honored to be entrusted with depicting genuine love, authentic characters, and immortalizing precious memories. I see beauty in the subtle details as much as the wide, epic scene, while I see glory in the mundane in-between moments as much as the heart thudding highs. I am adamant that everyone, of all genders and orientations, any ethnicity, culture, or faith, all shapes, ages, and abilities, are welcome and I’d be delighted to work with you.

Awarded Best of Zola
I am SO HAPPY that we hired Ali for our wedding! She was so kind and easygoing while also totally in command and on top of every request we had photography wise. Her years of wedding coordination and event experience were truly evident throughout every step of the day. Not only was she totally on top of keeping us on our timeline and capturing all of the special moments, but she even went into super hero mode and on the spot sewed one of my bridesmaids dresses in the bathroom right before the ceremony without showing an ounce of stress. We already received our preview photos and are truly blown away by how she captured our love & our special day. Her attention to detail, calming presence, and creative approach are truly invaluable and we will be recommending her to everyone we know for years to come!
Leila D., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Heather Christine Photo + Film 
Rating: 5.0 (35 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Hiii! I'm Heather Schoolcraft - owner & CEO! I'm a small town gal from WV who LOVES traveling and pops of color. I've designed my entire company around creating authentic + magical love stories. On your wedding day, our goal is to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and to focus on the raw + real moments on your day. Don't settle for less because you have to; let ME help you get the photos + video that you've always dreamed of.

Awarded Best of Zola
There is no one else on this EARTH that I would’ve wanted to take our wedding photos. Heather and her team are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She made me feel so confident! Heather took our engagement photos, my boudoir photos, and our wedding photos. I’m so grateful for her and her whole team. I’ve known Heather for years and she’s the most amazing person. She’s so genuine and caring. She loves all kinds of love. I highly recommend her!! She’ll do an amazing job of capturing the memories you’ll want to cherish forever.
Hannah B., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Debra Aslanidis Photography 
Rating: 4.9 (30 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,600
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

We’re Debra & Jeremy, a husband-and-wife wedding photography duo capturing love stories with heart, intention, and a whole lot of soul. Our approach blends documentary moments with gentle guidance, so your photos feel natural, emotional, and unmistakably you. From quiet, intimate glances to joyful, unscripted laughter, we focus on the moments you’ll feel just as much years from now. If you value connection, authenticity, and images that tell a story—not just pose for one—we might be the perfect fit.

Awarded Best of Zola
Debra and her husband were amazing! Which is an understatement! Capturing the most unique and beautiful moments of our wedding! Seriously cannot thank them enough! 1000/10 would recommend!
Brianna S., 10 months ago
Quick responder
LoveCraft Studios 
Rating: 5.0 (29 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

LoveCraft Studios is a wedding photography and videography company dedicated to capturing love stories with artistry and intention. Blending cinematic visuals with authentic storytelling, we focus on candid emotions, timeless portraits, and all the little details that make each wedding unique. Our goal is to create beautiful, heartfelt images and films that couples can treasure for a lifetime.

Awarded Best of Zola
These photos are worth every single penny and more. Honestly I would’ve paid double after seeing them. They didn’t just take pictures, they told the story of my day. I laughed seeing the fun reception shots and cried at the ceremony ones. My favorite is me and my husband holding hands behind the door before walking down the aisle. The video is gorgeous too, like something you’d see on TV but it’s ours. My family keeps asking to rewatch it. They also worked so well with my crazy bridal party. No stress, just fun and comfort. They truly knew how to get people to open up. Every shot looks polished but still natural. These are memories I’ll pass down for generations. Best investment I made.
Stephanie R., 10 months ago
Quick responder
Love Knot Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Hi, I’m Isaac. In my world, light is everything. The cool ambient hues at dawn, hinting at what the day may bring. Golden sun rays catching particles through a tree as friends gathers to celebrate. A Cotton candy sunset peppered by patio string-lights as a DJ plays my favorite song. We all have timeless memories logged in our minds. For me, they are based in a language of light. As a wedding photographer, this deep connection to special lighting helps me produce dynamic visual stories of romance, personality and beauty.

Awarded Best of Zola
A few things that stood out the most about Isaac were how responsive he was, how he was able to accommodate to our budget, and how he took pictures from angles and views that turned out great on the photos. As a couple with demanding careers, I much appreciated how quickly Isaac was with replying to emails. We had a pretty tight budget, and Isaac was able to offer us a package that landed pretty close to our budget and only had the items that we needed the most (mini engagement photoshoot for the website and wedding day). Our ask for him was to get some candid shots as we feel pretty awkward in front of the camera. I personally think that the wedding day pictures came out more naturally because of the setting being surrounded with friends and families, and Isaac and Sushen did a great job capturing the candid moments beautifully. Isaac even had an idea for me to pose by climbing up a wooden stair ladder for a shot that I honestly wasn't sure how it was going to turn out while doing it, but it ended up turning out beautiful and magazine-like in addition to other ones that he asked us to pose for. Isaac put together a behind the scenes video that also showed the reactions of guests to our photo place cards before we had entered the reception area, and this was lovely in that we got to see our guests' reactions that we weren't able to see.
Rafy, 2 years ago
Quick responder
NATIONWIDE Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer -HAS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN YOUR AREA! 
Rating: 5.0 (26 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $599
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Congratulations, you have the rare opportunity to have one of the very best wedding teams in the country at an amazing price for your big day. We have the budget friendly packages and prices to capture your wedding moments and memories that every couple wishes they had. We've been trusted for more than 27 years by over 17,000 couples nationwide, and we are very proud of our 100% 5 star rating. We also offer Expert wedding DJ-MC services in bundle packages. Our planning assistance ensures that your wedding is not only fun for all your guests, but also stress-free. Don’t wait—Call now before someone else books your date!

Awarded Best of Zola
Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer Nationwide was an amazing choice for our wedding day. From our first interaction, they were incredibly open-minded and responsive, working closely with us to understand our vision and preferences. Their communication was top-notch, and they arrived on the day with perfect timing, capturing all the special moments seamlessly. The quality of their work was truly amazing - the photos they delivered were stunning and on-trend, providing incredible value for the investment. We are thrilled with the beautiful memories they helped create, and would highly recommend Spectacular Photographer to any couple planning their wedding.
Marisol B., a year ago
Quick responder
Charlie's Angels Photography, LLC 
Rating: 5.0 (25 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

At Charlie’s Angels Photography, we are 100% committed to bringing your dream wedding to life through timeless, cinematic storytelling. My name is Charlie, a proud U.S. Veteran and traveling wedding photographer with a passion for capturing love stories with elegance, emotion, and artistry. I believe every couple deserves an unforgettable experience and images that beautifully reflect who they are and the unique connection they share. Our mission is to listen closely to what matters most to you and preserve every meaningful detail with flawless style, authenticity, and beauty. From intimate moments to grand celebrations.

Awarded Best of Zola
We recently had an amazing experience with Charlie at Charlie’s Angels Photography, and we truly cannot say enough wonderful things about him! From start to finish, Charlie was not only professional but also incredibly personable, instantly making us feel comfortable and at ease. His warm energy and calming presence made every session feel natural, fun, and effortless. Charlie has an incredible eye for detail and a talent for capturing authentic, meaningful moments. He listened to our ideas, offered creative suggestions that perfectly complemented our vision, and went above and beyond in every way. Each shot feels genuine, beautifully composed, and deeply personal. And now that we’ve received our wedding photos, we are absolutely in awe. The way Charlie captured the emotion, movement, and magic of our day is truly breathtaking. Every image holds a piece of our story, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and care he put into them. We also want to mention our videographer, Gabriel, who was just as amazing. He was friendly, attentive, and truly listened to everything I wanted. He worked seamlessly with Charlie and made sure every moment was captured with intention and heart. We couldn’t have asked for a better photo and video team. If you’re looking for a photographer who is both talented and deeply dedicated to capturing your style, personality, and the real moments that matter, we highly recommend Charlie at Charlie’s Angels Photography. We are absolutely thrilled with our photos and video, and we can’t wait to work with them again in the future!
Lisa E., 8 months ago
Quick responder
MSMP MEDIA LLC 
Rating: 4.8 (24 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $1,400
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Hi there! We’re Robert and Marisa Carter. Founders and owners of MSMP Media. A photo and Video Wedding company. With over 10+ years experience in the wedding industry we are as familiar as it get's with all things wedding 💜 We service select states, capturing our couples genuine joy, love and happiness across the nation and we love every minute of it! Our goal is to leave you with photos and/or videos that will bring back the feeling & emotions. Take a look at our gallery or visit our webpage portfolio under recent work. Don't be shy to connect, we love creating a fun filled experience, all are welcome!

Awarded Best of Zola
Our experience with MSMP MEDIA LLC as our wedding photographers was absolutely fantastic. They provided light, romantic and artistic photography that captured all the special moments of our big day, and the turn around on images was also surprising! Despite some communication issues due to a change in our wedding planner, the MSMP MEDIA team was incredibly flexible and adaptable. They got creative with unique shots while also following our lead and going with the flow. Even without the typical shot list or knowledge of our wedding party (our fault entirely), they seamlessly pulled off the photography and didn't miss a beat. We are so grateful to have such stunning photos to remember our wedding day by, thanks to the talented couple Marisa and Robert!
Eliana C., 2 years ago
TrendlineTrending
Oury Memories 
Rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Makanda, IL

I have been a photographer for 8 years. Throughout my time as a photographer I’ve captured clothing, models, and memories. I shifted from corporate shootings to families and weddings because it gave me this warm fuzzy feeling when I edited my couples and families photos. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me and ask about my photography style, my editing style, or my favorite restaurant! I highly recommend scheduling a free consulting session!

Awarded Best of Zola
Grace is an amazing photographer! If I could give her 10 stars I absolutely would. She was amazing working with both of our crazy families and from the very beginning I knew that she’d do a great job capturing the special moments of our special day. She worked with everyone and did a great job explaining what everyone needed to do to get a perfect shot. She also was absolutely wonderful with our 2 year old son who would’ve climbed in the car and went home with her if he could. If I could do it all over again I would definitely always pick Grace to shoot our wedding! She was an amazing addition to the day and we are so thankful that we found her.
Kay D., 2 years ago
TrendlineTrending
Ashley Cynthia Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (23 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $5,500
  • Serves Makanda, IL

* PLEASE INQUIRE ON WEBSITE* HEY! I'M ASHLEY! Aka, Your Professional third wheel! I am so happy you dropped by! I am a uber bubbly, warm hearted, person who loves to order 3 drinks at Dutch Bros and say its for other people but really its just for me. When I am not spending my lifes savings at Dutch Bros, I am professionally following peeps in love and photographing their stories. I am a lover of true crime and murder podcasts! (But I mean who isnt! I just cant help it!) FUN FACT: I speak switzerdütsch, aka a German slang. My mom is originally from Switzerland and my dad from Jamaica, so you know I am always hungry for adventures!

Awarded Best of Zola
Hiring Ashley was easily one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. She’s bubbly, kind, and makes you feel like you’ve been friends forever. The day of our wedding went by so fast, but every single image she captured brings me back in an instant. She not only captured our love story, but captured our friends and family beautifully. Every silly moment, tender exchange and happy tear was published in our gallery — and for that, I am forever grateful. THANK YOU Ashley & Meredith, our wedding day was all the more special with your talent!
Alyssa K., 2 years ago
Quick responder
JZ Studio Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (22 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

JZ Studio Photography is a wedding and Portrait photography company based in Chicago, that services Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and anywhere our couples may take us within US and Canada. At JZ Studio Photography, the team will create an amazing photographic experience for you on your wedding day, by capturing all of the most intimate and romantic moments through their camera lenses from beginning to end and compile the story for you.

Awarded Best of Zola
We cant recommend Philip and JZ Studio enough!! From beginning to end, he was so helpful, accommodating, and responsive. He made us feel comfortable right away during our engagement shoot and we were laughing the whole time. We had open communication about what we liked and didnt like and how to pose etc and it helped so much for our wedding day. The day of was great and they helped with our timeline and shot list. We had 2 photographers and a videographer all day which we recommend as well. Not only did we love our wedding pictures, but our video turned out amazing. We will cherish the photos, videos, and wedding album forever! Philip was always quick to respond to emails and texts and it really eased my wedding planning process. He had been to our wedding venue before which really helped as well. I am so happy we decided to book with JZ Studio!
Nicole and K., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Abigail Saalfrank Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (20 reviews)
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

You are probably assuming my about me section will have a story about how I always wanted to be a photographer, I came out of the womb holding a camera, but that couldn’t be me. I stumbled into it, literally. I had no plans to become a wedding photographer. I was either going to follow my dad’s path and go to dental school, or become a social worker. But a freshman in college decided to shoot a few photos for fun, and now over eight years and almost 200 weddings later, I could not imagine myself doing anything else. This is my dream job!

Awarded Best of Zola
Abby wasn’t able to travel to my wedding but she sent her assistants and she edited the photos. It went absolutely perfect. The photos were beautiful and I got so many meaningful photos with my family and his family that I wouldn’t have thought to get. I sent her draft of a timeline and the photographers printed it out and had it to make sure the photos I wanted got done. They were absolutely amazing. Thank you so much to Abby and her team.
Paige L., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Svyat Bogdanov 
Rating: 5.0 (19 reviews)
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Makanda, IL

Named one of Zola’s Best Wedding Photographers of 2024 and a proud Zola Brand Ambassador, Svyat Bogdanov is recognized as a trusted expert in the wedding industry. Based in Chicago and originally from Crimea, he has photographed over 600 weddings across the U.S. and abroad. His style blends candid emotion with timeless elegance, creating personalized galleries filled with heartfelt moments and genuine connection.

Awarded Best of Zola
We came to Chicago for a small elopement, just the two of us — and hiring Svat was one of the best decisions we made. He made the whole experience feel so special and personal. From the start, he was super communicative and made sure he understood what we wanted. On the day of, he took us around downtown, showed us the most amazing spots, and made us feel completely at ease the whole time. It honestly felt more like hanging out with a friend than doing a photo shoot — and somehow, in the middle of all the fun and laughs, he captured the most beautiful, intimate photos we’ve ever had. If you’re planning an elopement or small wedding in Chicago, don’t even think twice. Book Svat — he gets it.
Olivia, a year ago
Quick responder
Amative Creative | Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, & Destination Wedding Photographer & Videographer 
Rating: 4.9 (19 reviews)
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,600
  • Serves Makanda, IL
  • Offer

Hello there! I'm Andrea, owner of Amative Creative, and every weekend we're so blessed to be able to tell the love stories of so many amazing couples. Like many others in this industry might say, we simply adore weddings. But what makes us a little different is our entire brand is centered around telling love stories specifically curated to reflect your vision and aesthetic. "Amative" means to be prone to love, so as you can see, we want nothing more than to tell your love story! But what makes us truly unique is that we understand every love story looks different. And we personalize every aspect of how we document your wedding day!

Awarded Best of Zola
Amative Creative did our wedding and the preview pictures are PERFECT. I am so happy I booked them! The vibe is everything I wanted, and they were super responsive the entire time!! 1000000% recommend!
Jayla G., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Visil Photography & Video 
Rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,250
  • Serves Makanda, IL

I’m Victor, a Chicago wedding photographer and filmmaker who understands how quickly the day moves. Having experienced weddings both behind the camera and as a groom, I guide couples with a calm, intentional approach so they can stay present and fully experience their day while their story is preserved authentically. I serve couples across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and destinations worldwide.

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., 2 years ago