The Experience
Your wedding is a big deal. I am your wedding photographer but along the way I will be so much more. In my 15 years as a Chicago photographer I have built the ultimate experience for my clients. I will guide you through what to expect, how to find your vision and how to make it happen. I make it my personal mission to not only make you feel comfortable in front of the camera but also be of assistance in your wedding process that only occurs once in a lifetime. From the time the inquiry hits my inbox to the moment you open your final gallery, each of my couples gets all of me.
You will have many chosen wedding vendors serving you on your wedding day and almost all of them will have a certain amount of planning time with you before the wedding and on the wedding day. I am the only vendor you will be working with before, during and after the wedding has come and gone. I am by your side and interacting with your friends and family throughout your wedding day. For those reasons it is very important that you choose a photographer that you enjoy being with and that understands you and your vision. You spend countless hours picking out every last element of your wedding’s aesthetic and I will make sure every detail you have spent time on gets captured in the most beautiful light. Being your wedding photographer is the responsibility of trust and honor. I will be that person for your wedding day.
Couples spend an average of $8500
Coverage begins at $7000
- Every wedding package is customized to tailor to your wedding day’s unique timeline. You are never forced to choose a package with items that do not make sense for your needs.
- Custom collections include a second photographer that is a seasoned professional like myself that compliments my style and adds a variety of additional angles and moments to your final delivery of images. You will also receive images in color and select images in Black & White in HIgh Resolution delivered in an online shareable gallery.
- Items that are available to add to your hourly needs are Full engagement sessions, Wedding Albums, Rehearsal Dinner Coverage & Wedding Content Creator Coverage.
Offerings
The Booking Process
01.
Initial Meeting
We will schedule a meeting of your preference so you can tell me all about your vision of your wedding day. You will tell me about yourselves and what you are looking for in me as your photographer. You will get a custom quote and estimated timeline with hourly suggestions. Shortly after you say yes to City Savvy Imaging as your photographer, a contract will arrive in your inbox to secure your date.
02.
Engagement Session
We plan your engagement session with wardrobe suggestions, location suggestions and I will give you tips on how to approach the session with ease.
03.
Final Planning
You will connect me with your planner and we will discuss all your early details of your wedding day which will be followed by a final consultation that will take place about a week before your wedding where we solidify all final details and chat about all of the most important moments you will experience on the actual wedding day. I will also answer every single question that may arise about what to expect.
04.
The Big Day
Your wedding day takes place in complete success and within 1-2 days you receive early preview downloads to hold you over until the full gallery is ready.
05.
Delivery
In the weeks after your wedding you receive your full gallery online and reminisce with your friends, family and social media. If you have chosen to purchase a tangible wedding album, you will begin to choose your most loved photos to allow me to begin the design process which I will guide you through. Finally, you will receive a wedding package in the mail from me with a few sweet little surprises to remember your day by.
Chicago Wedding Photography FAQs
01. What do I need to consider when researching Photographer pricing?
Always consider experience and skill set when researching a wedding photographer. More experienced photographers who know high skill set techniques will cost more. Additionally remember that of all the vendors you hire for your wedding, the photographer will be the one ( besides your planner ) who will be spending the most time working with you before, during and after your wedding day.
02. Why is it important to hire a local photographer?
It is important to hire a local photographer when it comes to the city of Chicago because they know the city best. Chicago is one of the most challenging cities to be a wedding photographer because there are many fluid factors that could change your plan on your wedding day, like traffic, weather, major chicago events that close down portions of the city etc. A local photographer will know how to navigate all those unexpected city circumstances and they will have alternate locations in their back pocket. A local will also know all the hidden unique locations you may not know about.
03. Why should I ask to see a full day wedding gallery?
It’s important to see a full day gallery from a photographer because that gallery shows exactly what a client will receive from the first to the last moments of your wedding day. Websites and social media are great places to see their work but you only get to see a limited amount of photos in limited lighting situations. A full gallery will showcase their abilities to photograph in all situations of any given wedding day.
04. Why does it matter how my wedding photographer uses lighting?
Lighting is an important factor to look at when choosing a wedding photographer because skilled photographers know how to light a night ceremony and a dark reception with no natural light. There are also some photographers who only work with natural daylight and do not use flash lighting. If you have a dark venue or you plan to have a night time event, you want to make sure they can appropriately light the event.
05. How much does experience matter in a wedding photographer?
Experience matters when it comes to lighting, location, vendor relationships, and ability to capture important moments. Additionally, being a great photographer is knowing where to be at the right moment. You want a photographer who is seasoned in all these areas so they can provide advice on how to logistically plan the photo portions of your day, they can assess a situation and know when to be ready for important photos and they can provide lighting for all situations. That being said, the more experience a photographer has the more they cost. I have been photographing weddings since 2009 and have seen literally every situation and outcome possible and at this point I know how to handle and pivot with them all.
06. How much assistance does a wedding photographer provide in planning?
A photographer can only offer so much help on planning a wedding timeline and directing family for formal photos . They can give advice on how much time to plan for photos on a wedding day and they can estimate a basic timeline but they cannot help you do things like coordinate a ceremony lineup or help fund family when they aren’t present for group photos. The services a wedding planner offers for your wedding day is endless and worth every penny to hire one. Even the smallest of weddings can benefit from having a wedding planner.
07. What is your stylistic approach as a wedding Photographer?
My stylistic approach to weddings is a very mixed bag. I approach each portion of the wedding day in a different way. I best describe my style as Modern yet timeless, Artistic, Candid and Colorful. I value true and timeless color in my work and you will notice that immediately upon looking at my portfolio. I also include candid work which is heavier on certain portions of the day like during ceremonies and receptions. There are also portions of the day I like to view in a more artistic way for example during couples portraits and decor photos. Last but not least I always provide some traditional photos like posed family portraits. I love to provide variety and as such I work with a variety of lenses that give many perspectives of the day.
08. How many photos can I expect from my wedding coverage?
When you book a package that includes 2 photographers you can expect between 80-100 photos per hour of coverage.
09. Why is getting an engagement session helpful?
Engagement sessions are always helpful to give you a feel for how your photographer will direct you on your wedding day. This helps with calming nerves if you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. You get to know your photographer a little better and you can take your time at a comfortable pace. Wedding days can be fast paced and engagement sessions are a nice slow situation where you can enjoy your time with your photographer. Engagement sessions also provide you with some shots to use on a Save The Date or for a display at your wedding welcome table.
10. How long does it take to get my wedding photos back?
You can look forward to some early previews around 72 hours after your wedding to hold you over until your full gallery is done. The full wedding gallery is typically delivered 8-10 weeks from the wedding day.
11. Why do I need a wedding planner?
I could list 1000 reasons why you need a wedding planner no matter the size of your wedding. The city of Chicago presents constant surprises and wedding planners help you navigate those surprises and they also provide endless services. From small tasks like pinning a flower on your grandmother to alerting a venue when someone spills a drink on the dance floor, they can help with all the expected and unexpected events. I have many wonderful highly recommended wedding planners I can recommend, so please don’t be the couple who regrets not hiring one.
12. Do you book destination weddings?
I take weddings literally anywhere. I love to travel as well. I’m happy to schlep my gear across the world. There are added costs to booking a destination photographer. I do charge for all the travel costs but I think it’s worth it if you are really in love with the photographers work.
