The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Rockford, IL

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172 Wedding Photographers in Rockford, IL

Photojournalistic
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Shannon VanDyke Photography 
Rating: 4.6 (10 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,250
  • Serves Rockford, IL
  • Offer

Hey there! I'm Shannon! I've always been a creative at heart and I'm blessed to have a job that I absolutely adore! I truly love connecting with all of my couples and creating those special memories. Capturing the love between two souls is truly my calling in life. From engagement session to wedding day, I am here for you! I want to be "THE ONE" to tell your beautiful love story!

Awarded Best of Zola
Shannon was absolutely amazing! From our engagement pictures to our wedding photos! She does a great job with communicating and is so flexible. She was someone we had trusted since day one and we knew that our wedding day would go perfect with her capturing it. She made both of us feel so comfortable when it came to taking those awkward pictures but they turned out perfect. On our wedding day, we had some technical difficulties that caused some delays and Shannon was super chill about it. We felt guilty that she stayed a little longer than she needed to make sure she captured the dancing portion at the end of the night. We cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for us and we strongly recommend her to those looking for a wedding photographer.
Grant and C., 2 months ago
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Megan Saul Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Rockford, 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.

Megan did our engagement, boudoir, and wedding photos and I cannot love her or her work more. She is a total artist and captured us, our friends and family, and the vibe of our wedding so magnificently. She worked with everyone so well and provided direction when needed but also just did her thing and the results are beyond gorgeous. Will be working with her for every future event!!
Kaleigh W., 2 months ago
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Christian Isaac Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,600
  • Serves Rockford, IL

I'm Chris, on my 13th year of event & weddings photography. At your hands you have a photographer who documents and enjoys the fun spontaneous emotions for candids and poses. I believe photography helps maintain life's special moments for people that like to keep watching and rewinding memory lane and I am one of them. I believe photography is fun, life-giving, adventurous for the right people and I look forward to answering any of your questions.

As a wedding photographer myself, I’m extremely selective about who I trust to capture the most important moments of my life. Choosing Chris was one of the best decisions we made. His talent, eye for detail, and soft artistic touch truly stood out from the very beginning. My wife and I were especially impressed by his kindness and patience throughout the entire day. He brought such a calm, positive energy that made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. The way he captured our emotions and the little in‑between moments was everything we hoped for. Chris isn’t just a skilled photographer — he’s someone who genuinely cares about the couples he works with. We’re incredibly grateful for the beautiful memories he created for us. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a photographer with both artistry and heart.
Nikolay, 7 months ago
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Red Barn Wedding Studio 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Rockford, IL

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., 2 years ago
Ryan Davis Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Rockford, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500

I photograph weddings for people who'd rather enjoy their day than spend it posing for photos. For more than 15 years I've been documenting the laughter, happy tears, dance floor chaos, and the little moments you never saw coming. My goal is simple: make you feel comfortable, stay out of the way when it matters, and create photos that feel like your wedding, not a photoshoot.

For so, so many reasons, Ryan should be your wedding photographer. He was AMAZING! I think my favorite thing about him is his calming demeanor. But his superpower is his uncanny ability to feel the rhythm of the day and find its essence. My daughter and son-in-law got married at Anderson Japanese Garden, and Ryan scoped out the garden before the wedding so he knew all the best appts for color, background, and pop. He has a great feel for catching the best poses without posing his subjects. He is prompt, professional and the coolest human being! I can’t recommend him highly enough!
Rebecca, 2 months ago
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DIAMOND PHOTO CO 
Rockford, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500

Hello, I'm Amanda, owner of Diamond Photo Co! I am passionate about capturing memories and preserving moments through photo and video and have been dedicating my life to this for 9 years, now! I absolutely love what I do and am proud to offer you a timeless keepsake of one of the best days of your life! I've assembled a team I love to work with and am proud to work alongside them to capture your day. Wanna know more about me? I'm a Type A planner that loves to roll with the punches! From planning you timeline with you on a phone call to laughing with you at the engagement session, I like to keep it fun, easy, and relaxed!

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Erik Anderson - Photography, LLC. 
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Rockford, IL

I'm a 35-year-old husband to Samantha, our son Silas, daughter Fiona, and our wiggler companion Moxie. I've been a wedding photographer for 11 years, having photographed over 300 weddings and countless other sessions! My hobby is also my job, and you bet my wife loves that, haha. I am also a stay-at-home dad, a philatelist, a Lego freak, and a craft beer nerd, and we have an orange fridge, haha.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we first spoke with Erik, we knew he was the perfect photographer for our wedding. His friendly and passionate personality immediately put us at ease, and his professionalism shone through every step of the way. Erik's work is truly exceptional - the photos he captured are authentic, beautiful, expressive, emotive, and elegant. He had amazing ideas for poses and shots that resulted in stunning, one-of-a-kind images that we will cherish forever. Erik made our wedding day incredibly fun and joyful, keeping us laughing and smiling the entire time. His efficient and organized approach ensured the photo portion of the day went seamlessly. We are beyond thrilled with the work Erik did and cannot recommend him highly enough for any couple looking for a truly talented and wonderful wedding photographer. Erik was so great to work with right from the start. I could tell right off the bat just through email that he was so passionate about the work that he does. He also showed so much excitement to get the opportunity to capture our special day. He was very professional and thorough when communicating with us. Our engagement photo session was SO fun, and my husband and I both immediately felt comfortable with Erik. He is so friendly and so easy to work with. Getting pictures taken like that with a significant other can feel awkward, but Erik made it anything but that! It felt very natural and enjoyable, and it felt the exact same way on our wedding day. He took the time to get to know us and our vibe, and rolled with that when taking our pictures. All of our pictures capture our relationship and our love so well, and I’m so thankful we chose Erik! If you want beautiful pictures and some super fun photo sessions, book Erik as your photographer!
Hannah and J., a year ago
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Erin Henze Media 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Rockford, IL

Hi, I’m Erin! In my free time you might find me reading a good book, going for a quick run, planning a trip or spending time with my friends and family. And, most of all, I love using my camera to capture the beauty of people and the world that we live in. I am deeply devoted to documenting all of the memories, moments and feelings that you deserve to have stored forever. There is so much power in visual storytelling, and I would love for the opportunity to help you tell yours! Whatever the occasion- from wedding celebrations & family photos to senior portraits and birthday parties- I’m here to capture it all.

Awarded Best of Zola
This is the second time we booked Erin Henze Media to take family photos. Impressed that I received a pre-shoot survey so I could share the specific type and style of photos we were looking for. Erin took AMAZING photos of my family. No easy feat when you are dealing with a 6YO, 4YO, and 2YO. :P The photos she took will be treasured by family and are ones that will be hanging on the wall for a lifetime.
Jorden S., 2 years ago
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Weddings By Holly Lou 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,250
  • Serves Rockford, IL
  • Offer

Located in Northern Illinois, couples who choose me are looking for clean, natural, and timeless wedding photography. My style is very candid and photojournalistic, but also artistic and professional. My editing style is very clean, keeping your images timeless.

Awarded Best of Zola
I never expected her to capture so much in our pictures! You can see all the love and happiness in our pictures. She really was my right hand girl, I couldn’t have gotten through the day without her! She has done our engagement, wedding, my daughter’s senior pictures and we still have a session to use for family pictures!! I’ll never look for a different photographer!
Ashley B., a year ago
Chrissy Deming Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Rockford, IL

I'm Chrissy and I'm a documentary wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience who fully believes that your life deserves to be documented truthfully. My focus at your wedding isn't to steal you away from your family and friends for hours to make "art," but to empathically capture the moments and relationships present at your wedding. Your wedding photos are the single most important wedding investment you'll make. After the day is done and over, they will be what tethers you to your memories of your day. They will be the heirlooms you'll pass down to your grandchildren to hang on walls and sit on bedsides for generations to come.

We loved Chrissy! She was fun and easy to work with, and I loved that she provided color and black/white photos. She did everything on our list, and listened to our ideas as well. Nothing felt forced or over-posed, but she was great at guiding next moves when needed. Will definitely use again for future photos.
Eline O., 4 years ago
Rockford Wedding Photographer 
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Rockford, IL

It’s about time. Twenty years from your wedding day, the pictures will take you back to every moment you recall, and perhaps many more you’d thought you’d forgotten. It’s my job to help you remember. My name is Mike Hope, and I’ve done this for a while. I started shooting weddings 15 years ago. The years add up–in a good way. Every wedding is different, but some things stay the same: the intimacy; the hidden moments; the celebrations. However you wish to honor each other, I’ll be there. I’ll document it. And you’ll have something to look back on for the rest of your lives together.

Mindy Joy Photography 
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Rockford, IL

My style is an amalgamation of my personal artistic touch with a candid approach. I provide work that is reflective of the events, feelings, and moments that occur. My photography is complimented my enthusiasm, and creative drive! I strive to give clients authentic photography. I grew up outside of Rockford, Illinois and received my BFA with a concentration in printmaking in addition to Art History and Psychology Minors from Rockford University. My involvement in art, photography, and people has been nothing short of a lifelong endeavor. There's few things I love more than creating with and working with others. It's my passion.

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Original Weddings Photo & Video 
Rating: 4.9 (233 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Rockford, IL

Original Weddings Photo & Video is a team of EMMY award winning storytellers. Our photography and videography packages are tailored to you, customizable and perfect for every wedding. We offer engagement photography, wedding photos, highlight films, wedding coverage and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
Going into the wedding planning process, my now husband and I didn’t have a strong vision for what we wanted in terms of photography. We just wanted to have lots of fun and end up with some great candid shots. We chose Original Weddings because we really liked their Instagram photos, and they had pricing options that fit our budget comfortably. Their online platform and regular communication made the process super simple and straightforward. We met with the Original team and our photographer, Eugene, a month or so before the wedding, and gave him pretty much no direction except that we wanted a lot of candid shots. The day of the wedding, he was on point. He got amazing candid shots, but also recommended certain group photos or locations for us to shoot throughout the evening. We are so thrilled with how our photos turned out, and owe it all to Eugene’s guidance, skill, and professionalism.
Ellie W., 10 months ago
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Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 
Rating: 5.0 (193 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Rockford, 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. 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 was absolutely incredible to work with. From start to finish, our engagement session experience exceeded every expectation. He was so communicative beforehand, which immediately put us at ease, and in person he was warm, personable, and genuinely fun to be around. My fiancé and I love taking photos, but we never really know how to pose — and Pedro directed us like a true expert. He made everything feel natural and effortless, and we felt completely comfortable the entire time. We shot at the Art Institute of Chicago, and he captured so many stunning moments. One of the most special parts: while chatting between photos, we casually mentioned that we loved “Paradise Lost” by Raqib Shaw. Before we even realized it, Pedro had taken us there and created the most breathtaking photos in front of it. That thoughtfulness meant so much to us. On top of everything, we received our gallery even sooner than the timeline he originally estimated. The photos are beyond beautiful — truly better than we could have imagined. 10/10. We couldn’t recommend Pedro more!
Shivani, 6 months ago
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Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. 
Rating: 4.9 (96 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,845
  • Serves Rockford, 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
OLAS were the easiest vendor I worked with throughout the wedding process. Their quick and efficient communication gave me the peace of mind I needed when it came to wedding photos. I had a very specific vision for our imagery, and OLAS and our photographer were more than accommodating as I neurotically guided some photos. Our photographer came equipped with a great attitude and even better skills in capturing our day, and I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding photography experience.
Jordan M., 2 years ago
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VIDART 
Rating: 5.0 (60 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Rockford, IL

VIDART's chief photographer studied at Columbia for film and U of I for foreign languages and philosophy, and went to Loyola for graduate studies. He worked at Lyric Opera of Chicago filming operas before joining VIDART. He is the author of the college textbook Cinematography 101, and has worked with John de Lancie (Q in Star Trek: TNG) on the science documentary The Reality of Time. Michael has also worked on the sets of over a dozen other feature films. He has handled the photography and videography for several thousand weddings and events, including work for clients such as Microsoft, Amazon, Macy’s, Sysco and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
I don’t even know how to put into words how beautiful our photos are. VIDART has such an eye for detail and emotion. Looking through them feels like reliving the entire day. I’m crying happy tears all over again.
Amanda F., 5 months ago
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Portraits By Sean 
Rating: 5.0 (47 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Rockford, 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
My husband and I were from out of town and hired Sean to photograph us at a Christmas gala at the place we got married. He was accommodating to last minute changes to make the most of the session and even went above and beyond to make it happen. Upon first impression, he was upbeat and had a vision. We were outside in sub 30 degree weather with fading evening light as well as low light inside a building and he was up for the challenge. We ended up with beautiful images in less than ideal conditions and that is what makes a great photographer. Sean has a sense of humor and an eye for that perfect photograph. He was fun to work with and his heart for people and creativity shows through. Thank you Sean for capturing this time in our lives.
Julia M., 2 years ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 
Rating: 5.0 (43 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Rockford, 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 were wonderful to work with for our wedding. They were very communicative and helpful in guiding us through all the different poses to capture the best shots. The quality of their work was amazing - they really captured the beauty and joy of our special day. They managed to get so many beautiful and unforgettable moments on camera that we will treasure forever. We highly recommend Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film - they were great and did an amazing job at capturing every special moment of our wedding.
Genesis M., a year ago
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The Still Life Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (38 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,225
  • Serves Rockford, 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
The Still Life Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very beginning, Nicole was incredibly responsive, typically getting back to us within an hour whenever we had a question or concern. Her communication style was professional yet personable, making us feel at ease throughout the entire process. The quality of her work was truly above and beyond what we were expecting. Nicole listened intently to my concerns before and during the big day, and she expertly kept us on track the entire night. They say you get what you pay for and I definitely got my money's worth - the photos are stunning and I'm so grateful for their hard work. All around, it was an amazing experience working with The Still Life Photography and I would absolutely use them again in a heartbeat.
Jodie T., 8 months ago
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Heather Christine Photo + Film 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Rockford, 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
Working with Heather & Andrew was truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From the moment they arrived, they brought such a calm, encouraging energy that instantly made us feel comfortable. They captured every detail, every emotion, and every moment we didn’t even realize we’d want to remember. Our photos are absolutely breathtaking!!! They somehow managed to be everywhere at once without ever feeling intrusive. The candid shots, the portraits, the tiny in-between moments… all of it feels like a perfect retelling of our day. We will genuinely treasure these photos forever. If you’re looking for someone who is talented, professional, kind, and truly invested in your vision, definitely go with Heather & Andrew! We booked photographers and got magicians!!! I didn’t know we could look that good! Not only did we get amazing photos, we got new friends! They’re the best. Absolutely 11/10 recommend!!!
Johnna & E., 10 months ago
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Ali Cushing Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Rockford, IL

Hey, hey my name is Ali. NY-based, but working nation-wide, I'm a wedding photographer who captures experiences, genuine love, authentic characters, and immortalizes precious memories. I focus on visualizing how it felt to live your wedding day, while also crafting editorializations simply for the sake of intentional, living art. 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
We are introverted and were nervous about being photographed, but Ali made us feel comfortable from start to finish. She kept communication open and friendly throughout the entire process, which helped us feel at ease. On our wedding day, she went above and beyond—helping me with my shoes and offering to assist my husband with his tie. Ali captured the beautiful pictures we wanted based on our inspiration, even though we're not really photo people. She truly made our engagement and wedding photos special. We highly recommend Ali ! We loved our photos !!
Corina S., 2 months ago
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Debra Aslanidis Photography 
Rating: 4.9 (32 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Rockford, 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 Aslanidis Photography was an outstanding choice for our wedding photographer. From our initial contact, Debra and her team were prompt, quick, and efficient in their communication, providing detailed responses to all of our questions. On the day of the wedding, Debra and her fiancé Jeremy were professional, unobtrusive, and captured the most beautiful, detailed shots that we will treasure forever. Despite not seeing them constantly throughout the reception, they managed to get so many stunning photos that we didn't even know were being taken - we truly felt like we could just enjoy the moment without having to "perform" for the camera. The quality of their work is simply outstanding, and we couldn't be happier with the value they provided. Debra is the perfect wedding photographer - she takes her job seriously but has fun while doing it, and we highly recommend her services to any couple looking for beautiful, detailed photography that will beautifully document their special day. These are just a couple of the shots I felt really captured our day!!
Jeanette T., 10 months ago
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KMauck Photography LLC 
Rating: 5.0 (32 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,700
  • Serves Rockford, IL

Hi, I’m Kelsey! I am a wedding photographer! I am obsessed with dogs. I will never not acknowledge a dog near me by saying “puppers”. It is what it is. I would 100% rather be on the beach somewhere with palm trees. I am constantly daydreaming about being in the tropics. I love the color black. If we work together, there is a high chance that will be my outfit color of choice.

Awarded Best of Zola
Kelsey was great to work with for our engagement, wedding and even maternity photos! She captured our day so beautifully!! She is very easy to work with and we received our photos pretty quick!
Megan, 2 years ago
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Focused On Life Photography LLC 
Rating: 5.0 (30 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,500
  • Serves Rockford, IL
  • Offer

Hi! I'm Brayley, owner of Focused On Life Photography LLC, a Full-Time, Published, Destination Wedding + Lifestyle Photography business, & I would LOVE to be your wedding photographer! Since 2023, we at FLP LLC have been focused on capturing all of life's precious milestones in a natural, earthy, classic & candid style. From your first inquiry, to your wedding day, & to hopefully many more milestones in the future, we are here to make your photography dream a reality in a way that feels authentic to you. With us, you don't need to worry about things like how to pose -- all you need to do on your day is smile & relax! We'll take it from there.

Awarded Best of Zola
I truly cannot say enough amazing things about Brayley. From start to finish, she was hands down one of the BEST decisions we made for our wedding. I originally found her on Instagram and immediately fell in love with her work. From our very first consultation, I knew I wanted her as our photographer. She was so incredibly sweet, knowledgeable, and intentional with the questions she asked. She genuinely wanted to get to know us and make sure our personalities, vision, and overall vibe were a good fit for her photography style — and that level of care continued through the entire process. Once we booked her, she made everything SO easy. She checked in with us throughout the planning process, sent update emails, always offered to help however she could, and gave us the most detailed resources to prepare for the wedding day. She had checklists for detail photos, preference sheets, planning documents — seriously, everything you could possibly think of. I never once felt like I had to wonder what she needed from me because she had already thought of it. And then came the wedding day… Brayley was absolutely INCREDIBLE. We only booked her without a second photographer, and somehow she managed to capture our entire night so perfectly. She was everywhere without ever feeling intrusive. She never made us feel rushed or stressed, even when we were running a little behind while getting ready. She rolled with everything, kept things moving, and somehow even managed to wrangle all of the boys and get every group photo we wanted. What I loved most, though, was how much I trusted her creatively. We gave her the freedom to do what she does best, and she gave us photos that are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. She captured the big moments, the tiny moments, the emotions, the people we love, and so many little pieces of our wedding that I didn’t even realize were happening at the time. Looking through our gallery genuinely feels like reliving our wedding night. I tear up EVERY SINGLE TIME I look through our photos. She didn’t just give us beautiful wedding pictures — she gave my husband and me the ability to go back and experience one of the best nights of our lives over and over again. If you are looking at Brayley’s work and considering booking her, DO IT. There is absolutely no one else I would have wanted behind the camera on our wedding day. She is talented, organized, patient, kind, creative, and just an absolute joy to work with. Brayley, THANK YOU for capturing our wedding so beautifully and giving us photos we will treasure for the rest of our lives. I truly cannot recommend you enough.
Sabrina P., 12 days ago
GemHidden gem
Chicago Wedding Photographer - Joe Nowak Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (30 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,500
  • Serves Rockford, IL

Hi, I’m Joe! I’ve been photographing weddings for over 20 years because I love capturing authentic, heartfelt, and timeless moments while keeping the day fun and stress-free. I gently guide couples and families when needed, making sure the moments that matter most are captured beautifully. Featured in Modern Luxury Chicago Bride, and award-winning online and print magazines, I become couples’ go-to person on the day, building trust and creating images they’ll treasure forever. — Joe

Working with Joe was hands down the best decision we made for our wedding day. From start to finish, he made everything feel effortless. He’s calm, fun, and somehow everywhere and nowhere at the same time, capturing every moment without ever feeling intrusive. He went above and beyond — from stepping into traffic to help us get the perfect shot to catering to every need we had. Our photos at the Peninsula Hotel, North Avenue Beach, Millennium Park, the Rookery, and Board of Trade are absolutely stunning, and we get to relive the day every time we look at them. Joe isn’t just a photographer — he’s like family now, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience or the pictures.
James R., 6 months ago