Cinematic Chicago Wedding Photography
The way it felt. Made to be framed.
A signature vision for the creatively bold. An easy, affirming presence for the camera-shy.
Chicago Venues I Know
250+ weddings across Chicago. I know which venues have the light, the backdrops, and the hidden corners that make photographers' jobs easy, and which ones require creative problem-solving. Not all venues photograph equally.
Indoor
- Chicago Winery (preferred vendor): Barrel rooms, industrial romance, warm candlelight
- Lyric Opera of Chicago: Theatrical grandeur, dramatic architecture
- The Rookery Building: Frank Lloyd Wright staircase, architectural history
- Chicago Athletic Association: Rooftop views, Art Deco details
- Artifact Events: Gallery minimalism, editorial canvas
- The Walden: Bow-truss ceilings, floor-to-ceiling light
- Gaelic Park: Crystal chandeliers, 50-acre grounds
- Garfield Park Conservatory: Victorian glasshouse, lush year-round greenery, outdoor gardens in season
Outdoor
- North Avenue Beach: Skyline reflections, golden hour
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool: Hidden gem, prairie serenity
- Chicago Riverwalk: Urban energy, architectural backdrops
- Ping Tom Memorial Park: Pagoda pavilion, river walkway, skyline angles
- Milton Lee Olive Park: Lakefront skyline without the Navy Pier crowds
- Morton Arboretum: 1,700 acres of seasonal beauty
Why This Matters
Some venues make everyone look like they stepped out of a magazine. Others require knowing exactly where to stand at exactly what time. I help couples choose based on their vision (moody industrial, editorial polish, fairytale romance), not just what's trending on Pinterest.
For couples with creative vision: Industrial lofts, minimalist galleries, and rooftops with skyline views are blank canvases. Perfect for elaborate themes, dramatic lighting, or ideas nobody's tried before. Tell me what you're imagining.
Haven't picked a venue yet? I'm happy to talk through options on our discovery call. Some venues photograph like a dream. Some need workarounds. Good to know ahead of time.
Wedding Coverage and Investment
Choose who leads your day. Add a second photographer when the day calls for one.
Signature Wedding Coverage
Eight hours begins at$5,200
Eight hours with Jeremy begins at $5,200. Additional coverage planned before the wedding is $650 per hour.
Shorter coverage is available for select dates and intimate celebrations.
Check Your DateStudio Wedding Coverage
Eight hours begins at$4,400
Eight hours with a trusted studio photographer begins at $4,400. Additional coverage planned before the wedding is $550 per hour.
Shorter coverage is available for select dates and intimate celebrations.
Check Your DateTeam Coverage
With Signature or StudioOne complete investment
A second photographer can be included when simultaneous coverage, multiple locations, or a larger celebration calls for it.
Team coverage is presented as one complete investment based on the recommended coverage plan.
Ask About Team CoverageEvery wedding: highlights within 72 hours and the full gallery within 5 weeks.
I edit every gallery I photograph. Studio galleries are edited by the photographer who shot them, and I review each one before it reaches you.
What Makes This Different
Most wedding photographers started as photographers. I came from theater: actor, director, acting coach. 10+ years learning how to help people feel comfortable under pressure, find emotional beats, build narrative arcs. Then I picked up a camera.
Guidance That Doesn't Feel Like Guidance
I don't say "stand here, smile at the camera." I say "walk toward me like you're late for dinner" or "whisper something that'll make them laugh."
You forget the camera exists. Your partner forgets the camera exists. We get real emotion, not performed smiles.
Creative Collaboration
Have a vision? A theme? An idea nobody's tried before? I live for that. Film noir speakeasy. Moody greenhouse editorial. Chinatown mural jumping shots.
Your imagination is the starting point. My job is execution.
Storytelling Over Shot Lists
I'll capture your family formals, fast and flattering. But what I'm really watching for: the moment your dad tears up during the toast. The way your partner looks at you when they think no one's watching. The quiet pause before you walk down the aisle.
Those are the keepers. The shots that make you cry 20 years later.
"I'm one of those people who get super nervous having photos taken of me and Jeremy helped me feel natural and comfortable throughout the photoshoot. The photos turned out beautiful. 10/10 recommend."Jake & Alex
If you want a photographer who shows up, clicks the shutter 1,000 times, and disappears, I'm not your guy. But if you want someone who helps you feel comfortable and brings creative vision? Let's talk.
From Inquiry to Album
No surprises. No hidden fees. Here's exactly what happens.
Before
Your inquiry. Tell us your date and what matters most. You'll get availability and investment in writing, no sales call required. If you'd like to talk it through, we're glad to.
Contract + retainer. 50% holds your date. Balance due 30 days before. Credit cards, checks, Venmo/Zelle.
Pre-wedding planning. 4-6 weeks out: timeline, light, locations, and the family photo list, built together.
Wedding Day
We arrive early. Scout the light. Stay steady when timelines shift, they always do.
The job: capture your story, keep things moving, get you back to cocktail hour as fast as possible.
After
Within 72 hours: Highlights. A set of favorites while you're still buzzing. Social media, thank-you cards, reliving it fresh.
Within 5 weeks: Full gallery. Every frame hand-edited, color-corrected, and polished. No batch filters. Every gallery is reviewed by Jeremy before it reaches you.
Optional
Albums + prints. Physical keepsakes, ordered right from your online gallery. Heirloom quality.
Straight Answers
250+ weddings. These come up every time.
"We're not photogenic."
Most people feel this way. I use movement-based guidance instead of stiff posing. You'll forget the camera exists.
"Photogenic" is a myth. Real emotion makes great photos, not perfect jawlines.
"We're awkward but want creative photos."
That's not a contradiction. That's most of my favorite couples. Camera-shy and wanting something cinematic? That's exactly what the theater background is for.
You can absolutely have both.
"We have a specific creative vision."
Good. Themed concepts, elaborate setups, ideas nobody's tried. That's the fun part. Film noir speakeasy. Moody greenhouse editorial. Vintage Hollywood.
My job is execution, not just documentation.
"What about rain / dark venues / difficult families?"
Rain: Some of my favorite photos. Moody skies, dramatic light, reflections. Cinematic gold.
Dark venues: I specialize in low-light. Fast lenses, subtle off-camera lighting. Your guests won't notice I'm working.
Difficult families: Divorced parents, opinionated aunts, kids who'd rather eat cake. I've wrangled them all. Steady, patient, discreet.
"What if you're sick on our wedding day?"
Network of trusted backup photographers: vetted, insured, capable. In 8+ years, I've never missed a wedding. But if the unthinkable happens, you're covered.
"Can we see the RAW files?"
No. RAW files are unfinished sketches: not color-corrected, not cropped, not polished. What you receive is the finished work. The version I'd put in a museum.
Would you ask a chef for the raw ingredients after dinner?
Check Your Date
Tell me about your day and we'll build the right collection. It starts with a quick note.