The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Crystal Lake, IL

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Crystal Lake, IL

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294 Wedding Photographers in Crystal Lake, IL

Photojournalistic
GemHidden gem
Becka Payauys Photography 

5.0

Crystal Lake, IL
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,700

Hey! Aaron and Becka here! We are wedding photographers based in the North Suburbs of Chicago. We have three kids; Judah (4), Jane (2), and Dan (6 months). Being parents is one of the sweetest gifts we have ever been given! When we aren't doing photography or ministry, we are either going for hikes as a family, playing music together, working on updating our 200 year old house, or hanging out with friends! We both love the shooting side of photography, but when it comes to the admin and post-creative, that's where Becka takes over! So, if you reach out, she will be the one chatting with ya!

Awarded Best of Zola
Becka and her team deserve 5/5 stars and all the love for how hard they worked with my husband and I throughout the pandemic.. Let’s go back all the way to the beginning of March 2020.. That’s where I met Becka for the first time.. (She met me in person, which I truly appreciated) right before well, COVID-19.. We were both a little hesitant of what was to come of this virus but it was SO early that neither one of us thought it would effect my wedding that was supposed to take place in the fall of that year.. Boy, were we in for a surprise.. Realizing in the summer that COVID-19 wasn’t going to go anywhere, we rescheduled our wedding for the following year. Unfortunately, Becka was already booked for the only day we could manage to reschedule our venue/church.. However, she saved the day by allowing her assistant photographers, Lauren & Michaela to take over… At first I was a bit nervous knowing Becka wasn’t going to be the one taking the wedding pictures (we loved our engagement photography session) but I trusted her, and I knew her standards were high so she wouldn’t just allow anyone to take the pictures under her name... And let’s just say, my husband and I were not disappointed! The assistant photographers did amazing, it even rained during the most crucial time of the wedding (in terms of photos) …The time after the ceremony! But despite this, the pictures came out absolutely stunning and our family/friends loved them.. All the details, all the unexpected “I didn’t know they captured that!” moments were there… Another thing I want to mention is the way Becka was able to help me schedule parts of the wedding and assist in the planning of when certain things are supposed to happen… As you can imagine, planning a wedding is stressful... Sometimes you don’t even know where to start! Becka helped me tackle this issue and streamline the day so it wouldn’t be as intimidating… With her schedule, I could now put together the pieces of the day and take a breath. Photos & logistics aside, everyone was also so sweet, patient and accommodating… So a big thank you to Becka, Lauren & Michaela for capturing our big day wonderfully. We will cherish these photos for a lifetime!
Paulina W., 4 years ago
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JZ Studio Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
I would recommend JZ Studio Photography to anyone getting married! Phillip was very professional and communicative and was able to get through posed pictures very quickly and efficiently, and he was incredible at blending into the crowd for the rest of the day so we could feel present at our wedding, and not feel like we were at a photoshoot. We are very happy with our experience with JZ Photography.
Cassidy T., 2 years ago
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Ezlan Powers Studios 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

I have been mindfully crafting my approach to serving like minded couples for quite some time now. I'm an easy going soul, who loves to capture happiness and joy in genuine ways. I'm a gentle guide towards ideal photographs for most folks who find being in front of the camera stressful. I'm always eager to listen carefully to my clients when they share about themselves so I can anticipate their needs.

Awarded Best of Zola
Ez was fantastic to work with for the wedding day. We met with them prior to a few times to discuss what the day itself would be like and what our hopes were. When the day arrived, Ez was there early and ready to go. They blended seamlessly into the guests of our wedding to get candid photos of people as well as beautiful clear shots of my husband and I. There was not a missed moment in all of the photos taken, including a few of my husband with his childhood pup who passed away not long after the event. After the wedding, we received our photos quickly and every single one was perfect. We ordered a bunch of different images to have printed for family and around our home. In all of the photos, the colors pop and everything is so vibrant. I'm beyond happy with Ez as our photographer and continue to recommend them to anyone looking.
Jeremy C., 2 years ago
GemHidden gem
Nichole Babiez Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

I am a midwesterner, born and raised in the burbs north of Chicago who strives to capture moments that are gone in a second, impossible to reproduce, but with the help of an artist touch, can last a lifetime. I'm here to connect with you, listen to you, create with you, and provide a stress-free, comfortable atmosphere from start to finish. 3 things about myself, I have 3 dogs (yes, its crazy LOL), I am in loveee with Target, and coffee and mango froyo are my love languages.

Nichole is the best choice you can make for photography for your wedding day! She has a special ability to make all of her couples feel amazing. We love how our gallery came out and she did an amazing job getting pictures without them feeling forced or awkward. We had so much fun having her capture our day. Throughout the planning process, she was always available for a phone call and responsive via email to our questions. Thank you Nichole for everything, you are the best!
Meghan F., a year ago
GemHidden gem
Rock 1 Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,600
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

Hi! My name is Brittany and I LOVE my job. I focus on emotionally driven images and I have the prompts/poses to pull out the magic. Getting a balance of free/wild and structured is my specialty, ensuring you receive the posed pictures that are important but also the images that give you all the feels of the moment. Not sure about what kind of pictures you want? Talk to me! We can incorporate creativity into the shoot that'll show off who you are! Give me a call, I can't wait to meet you.

Awarded Best of Zola
Brittany brings each proposal to life with her stunning pictures! She always comes in with a great attitude and remains upbeat throughout the entire process which makes her clients feel at ease and comfortable. Will always recommend her work!
Manny Aganon, 5 years ago
GemHidden gem
Parker Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

I believe you can't stand behind your business unless you can say you fully understand it – and 24 years of marriage is proof that I KNOW LOVE. I set out to capture the essence of love when I started Parker Photography in 2018. I have been married to my best friend for the last 24 years, and people who meet us swear we are newlyweds. We still act like lovestruck teenagers with each other, that same feeling we get from every newly engaged couple that we meet. We know where our couples are coming from and what they hope to capture in their engagement sessions and on their wedding day, and we make it effortless for them to achieve their goals.

Awarded Best of Zola
Deb and her team did an absolutely amazing job with our wedding pictures in April 2021. The pictures are so beautiful and did a great job of capturing our day. She got the pictures back to us so quick too! Our friends and family have not stopped texting us raving about how nice the pictures came out! Would recommend Parker Photography to anyone.
Breanna E., 5 years ago
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Lavita Photograhy 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $400
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL
  • Offer

My photography style is timeless, natural, light, and effortlessly real. My goal has always been to capture moments as they genuinely unfold — not forced or overly posed, but full of emotion and authenticity. From the very beginning of my wedding photography journey, I set out to tell honest love stories — the quiet glances, the joyful tears, the belly laughs, and all the in-between magic. The more experience I gain, the deeper my passion grows. Every wedding reminds me why I love what I do.

It was great quality work! Vita is very patient and collaborative. She understood my vision. The pictures turned out fantastic and I use them professionally as a realtor.
Ruta S., a month ago
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Nicole Kilday Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,275
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

You’re getting married! Like — actually married. To your favorite person. On a day that’s going to move fast and feel big and live in your bones long after it’s over. I’m Nicole — photographing weddings across Northern Illinois, Chicago, Lake Geneva, Southern Wisconsin & beyond. While you’re in the middle of it all, I’m paying attention. The way your mom squeezes your hand. The way your friends look at you. The quiet second before everything shifts & it becomes your new favorite memory. Booking 2027 weddings.

Nicole Kilday Photography was the perfect choice for our wedding! From start to finish, Nicole’s communication was flawless—always on top of things and incredibly responsive. The quality of her work is stunning: creative, timeless, and truly a work of art. If you are looking for a photographer who has fun with you, helps you step out of your comfort zone, and creates wonderful images to last a lifetime, Nicole Kilday Photography is the one. She makes the entire experience easy, enjoyable, and unforgettable—while delivering photos that are truly works of art. Nicole was so helpful with timeline planning and keeping our lively group in order. She’s down to earth, really listens to your needs and wants, and makes sure every special moment is captured beautifully. Her support both before and during the wedding went above and beyond—we could always count on her for anything we needed. We are so grateful to have had Nicole as part of our day and couldn’t recommend her more highly!
Amber H., 7 months ago
GemHidden gem
Kailee Rei Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,200
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

Warm, and emotive portraits showcasing authenticity is my first priority. I'm here not only to capture your precious moments but to be right by your side through such large life events. I'm based in Lake County, Illinois, and yes I love to travel! If you want me to photograph your story, it will require a travel fee, depending on where it takes place. But no worries, I always try to find the cheapest way to come.

Kailee Rei Photography was an exceptional choice for our wedding photographer. Kailee was prompt, kind, and calm in all of our communications leading up to the big day, putting us at ease through the planning process. On the wedding day itself, she impressed even my husband, who doesn't normally like having his photo taken. Kailee gave clear direction for portraits and efficiently wrangled our large groups for family photos, helping keep the day running smoothly. The quality of Kailee's work is simply amazing - we've received so many compliments on our wedding photos, which perfectly captured the joy and special moments of our celebration. We felt the exceptional images we received were well worth the value. I would highly recommend Kailee Rei Photography to any couple looking for a talented, professional wedding photographer.
Lucia M., 2 years ago
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George Street Photo and Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,295
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL
  • Offer

George Street Photo and Video has one story to tell: Yours. With over twenty years of experience, our award-winning team has been lucky to capture thousands of weddings for our couples across the United States. Specializing in both wedding photography and videography, we offer affordable and customizable packages starting at $1295 that are designed to suit your unique vision and budget. We even offer a fun style test to help us match you with a photographer that aligns with the vibe of your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
George Street Photo and Video was the perfect choice for our wedding photography. From the start, they were incredibly communicative and on top of things, making the planning process seamless. Our photographer, Jeremy, was highly knowledgeable about the area and helped provide great structure and flow to our wedding day. The quality of their work was outstanding - they worked with our budget and the photos turned out beautifully. We got over 2,000 photos from 8 hours of work which is above and beyond what other photographers quoted. Jeremy was so friendly and personable, and all of our guests loved him. We're so grateful to have found a team that not only delivered incredible results, but also contributed so positively to making our special day perfect.
Chloe J., a year ago
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Original Weddings Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
From our first interaction, the team at Sound Originals Photo & Video was professional, courteous, and friendly. Their communication throughout the planning process was excellent, and they were very responsive to our questions and requests. On the day of our wedding, they captured every moment beautifully, producing professional, bright, vivid, and simply picture-perfect photos. Even when we had to take some of the photos outside on a rainy day, they made the images look bright and amazing. We were thrilled with the final product, and would highly recommend Sound Originals to anyone planning their special day.
Denise, a year ago
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Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios was a pleasure to work with for our wedding. Pedro was very easy to talk to throughout the entire process, making us feel comfortable and at ease. The quality of his work was very detailed, capturing all the special moments of our big day. He was also incredibly helpful, guiding our bridal party and ensuring everything ran smoothly. We could not be happier with the beautiful photos that will allow us to cherish our wedding memories forever. Highly recommend. !
Diana G., 8 months ago
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Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,845
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
We used Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. for our wedding and engagement photos, and they were amazing from start to finish. Their communication was clear, helpful, and enthusiastic throughout the entire process. The quality of their work was efficient, stunning, and highly personalized to our style. They sent us multiple photographer options to choose from, and we went with Sabatani, who captured every moment of our special day beautifully. OLAS also helped us create a detailed day-of timeline to ensure everything ran smoothly. We're thrilled with the photos and couldn't have asked for a better photography experience for our wedding.
Chelsea C., a year ago
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Nova Photos 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $895
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

Nova Photos is a wedding photography, videography, and photo booth studio in Chicago, IL. We're a multicultural, multilingual, LGBTQ-friendly, photographer/employee-owned studio dedicated to documenting the most memorable moments of your wedding day! Collectively, we have captured over 10,000 weddings. At Nova Photos, we work with our clients every step of the way. The team provides comprehensive support with planning locations, setting up permits, and creating a timeline that works for them and their other vendors. Every couple deserves more than just memories; they deserve a timeless keepsake that captures the essence of their love story!

Awarded Best of Zola
Nova Photos did an incredible job at capturing our wedding day! Our coordinator made sure to ask for thorough details and asked us many questions to ensure our day came out smooth. Our photographer was Florin and he was amazing!!! Attentive, respectful, honest and personable. He made our experience so easy and we did not worry about capturing every important morning of our day. He posed us in creative ways while also taking traditional shots, made sure we had enough photos with everyone we wanted to take it with (we had a group of friends/family with us), and he made suggestions that we ended up loving as far as location/poses. The quality of the photos is very clear and high quality! We enjoyed the filters and editing that was done as well; it was not overdone. Overall, I recommend hiring Nova Photos if you want a seamless, thoughtful and thorough experience on your wedding day. Thank you!
Sophia M., 6 months ago
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Portraits By Sean 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,550
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL
  • Offer



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 partner and I hired Sean for our engagement photos and we were extremely impressed! He was super helpful in helping us pose and very skilled in the ways he used lighting to capture our best features. He captured really genuine moments with such skill. He also made sure the job was well done and he got all the photos that we could have wanted. We had a blast working with him! The photos are stunning and I genuinely can’t stop looking at them! My partner and I tend to feel awkward getting our picture taken but Sean created such a comfortable space for us. We would highly recommend booking Sean.
Sydney and J., 2 years ago
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VIDART 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
Booked VIDART for our wedding in Madison. Super easy to work with, photos delivered fast, and the candid shots were amazing. A few people blinked in group pics but overall fantastic. 5 stars.
Amanda K., 4 months ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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. For 2025, we have 140+ weddings booked in 37 different states. 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
From the moment we first spoke with Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film, we knew we had found our photographers. Their communication style was pleasant, efficient, and highly organized, putting us at ease throughout the planning process. The quality of their work was truly exceptional - detailed, thorough, and delivering stunning photos that captured all the special moments of our wedding day. Sam fit right in, feeling like a wonderful addition to our day that also happened to be taking incredible pictures. He really understood our vision and executed it so well. We are so grateful for the experience of working with Ledd and Sam, and couldn't recommend them enough to any couple planning their wedding.
Stephanie S., 5 months ago
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The Still Life Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,450
  • Serves Crystal Lake, 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
Finding and working with Nicole was one of the best decisions I could have ever made for mine and my husbands wedding. Nicole from day one made sure to make herself available and was so informative. No matter how many questions I had or if I just wanted to update her about something she was always there, literally a friend from a far. Leading up to wedding day Nicole checked in with me and made sure she was current and up to date with all things wedding, she assisted me with the timeline and overall flow of the wedding day and even added in some suggestions. Nicole showed up on wedding day and it was so nice finally meeting her in person after almost a year of Facetime, calls, and texts. I have never met someone more professional. I would recommend Nicole over and over to anyone because she provides such quality in her photos and it was an absolute joy working with her.
Whitley H., a year ago
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Ali Cushing Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,750
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL
  • Offer

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
My husband and I cannot recommend Ali enough to anyone looking for a photographer!! We first got in contact with Ali last year for our planned wedding, but due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to have our big day, BUT we were lucky enough to transfer her services over to my sister and brother and law! After meeting Ali in person on their wedding day and seeing the magic she can do, it was an absolute no brainer that she would be there for our big day and any and every other event we need photography for! She truly became family and we cannot thank her enough for everything she’s done! She goes above and beyond in her work and truly makes the day so much easier and more fun than ever!
Gabrielle M., 7 months ago
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TWA Photographic Artists 

4.7

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,799
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

The best part about what we do are the stories we get to tell. The happily-ever-afters, the love-at-first-sights…it’s the truth in a moment and a look that says it all. As Chicago area wedding photographers for over twenty years now, we’ve seen and captured just about every incarnation of true love imaginable. That’s why we approach your special day as a unique journey we take together. We walk you through every step, from proposal and engagement photos and perfectly capturing those forever wedding day moments with photography, videography, and content creation, to expertly crafting your very first family heirloom…your wedding album!

Awarded Best of Zola
We love working with TWA for our couple's big day! They are always very communicative and professional. The photos we receive from them and our clients are always stunning! This photography company knows what they are doing, and they do it well! We highly recommend TWA for all of our couple's photography needs.
Paramount Meyer B., a year ago
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Audrey Simper Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

GET TO KNOW ME: Empathetic, detail oriented, & interested in learning how I can best support you. Capturing your shine while encouraging a feeling of ease. Go to coffee order: Almond Milk Cafe Miel | Personality types: ENFJ, Leo, Enneagram 7, Big Nerd | Hobbies: Acroyoga, dance, pottery, board games, reading books on psychology, binge watching survivor, being obsessed with your dog, getting little treats, curating an at home apothecary | Family: I live with my tiny Chihuahua Theo in Chicago.

Awarded Best of Zola
I absolutely loved working with Audrey for our wedding! I had to write her a review. I found her for her beautiful photos but I'm most happy with my choice in her, for all the rest of the little things. We met with her to discuss engagement shoot and wedding photos and she was so thoughtful. She asked questions I hadn't even thought of and it was from those questions that really helped me plan the rest of the wedding day of. She gave me a photo timeline that was absolutely essential. The rest of my vendors were given her timeline and they were so thankful at her level of detail too. I appreciated the thoughtful small touches. The way she asked about any complicated family dynamics, who our chosen family was, who she should highlight etc. I appreciate that she didn't come with assumptions and asked questions, so gently. I've found that's rare in the bridal world. I would 100% recommend Audrey to anyone we know and absolutely loved our experience with her. We went with a second shooter and we loved Olivia too! They both did fantastic work and were so thoughtful and professional. Thank you for all you did for Mike and I, Audrey! We will always remember you as a the one who kept us all together!
Salena P., a year ago
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Drzazga Photo 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,900
  • Serves Crystal Lake, IL

We're husband and wife destination wedding and elopement photographers and videographers based in Cleveland, Ohio, traveling as much as possible. We’re here to be your photographic memory, capturing you honestly and naturally so you can give your attention to the people and moments that matter most. We want you to have stunning images and the best day of your life and we do everything in our power to deliver both.

Awarded Best of Zola
Choosing Drzazga Photo as our wedding photographers was one of the best decisions we made. From our very first interaction, they were incredibly easy to talk to, made us feel comfortable, and responsive. They gave us suggestions and guidance but were also game to try specific things we wanted and the end results were stunning - the photos they captured are absolutely gorgeous. We’ve been getting compliments non-stop about any photos we post. We couldn't be happier with the memories they helped us preserve from our special day.
Emily Y., 8 months ago