The Best Wedding Photographers in Athens, IL

At the end of the day, all we have are the stories told about us and the ones we write about ourselves. I love writing about the musings of life and sharing my thoughts with others in conversation and social media posts. I constantly document my own life so I don't forget the big or little moments. Every time I travel to somewhere new I love connecting with those who cross my path, and yet I love coming home to my dog. TLDR: sentimental soul, avid movie goer, mental health advocate, and decent chocolate chip cookie maker.

I’m Julie, a central Illinois wedding photographer. I’m especially drawn to small, intimate weddings where focus connection, emotion, and intention are the focs. With over 12 years behind the camera, my focus is on creating timeless, natural images that reflect who you truly are and how your day felt. I approach every wedding with calm energy, thoughtful guidance, and an eye for the moments that matter most—quiet glances, genuine laughter, and the details you carefully chose. My goal is to give you an experience that feels effortless and photographs you’ll look at for years to come.

Hello, I am Nicole Gray. An Illinois based wedding, elopement and portrait photographer. My style is mostly candid and non-obtrusive. My goal is to photograph your story in an emotional, creative and natural way, to tell your story like it is, without a lot of intervention. However, I do love dramatic images with a editorial flair and will give guidance when needed. Whether you are having an intimate gathering with your closest family and friends or having a huge party, we want to be there and give you the images that reflect you!

Hello! I'm Allison, I own and operate Soul Focus! Soul Focus is a lifestyle photography company, capturing true moments that evoke emotion, retells genuine stories, and instills inspiration. Everyone has a story to tell and I would love to play a part in sharing yours! Soul Focus is not just a regular photography business that comes, takes photos, and returns them. Our goal is to make personal relationships through our clients so that we can capture everyone’s unique story.

Photography by Vee is a wedding photography business based in Central IL. Vee is an experienced artist who aims to capture every beautiful memory on your wedding day. Wedding packages with Photography by Vee can be tailored to meet your specific goals. Whether you're planning an elopement or a big party, Vee will be there to document the occasion and leave you with beautiful photos.

I am Kate Spencer, a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Illinois and available for travel worldwide. I started this business in college knowing exactly what I was meant to be and determined to create beautiful art for all of my amazing clients! I am a dog momma, daughter, sister, aunt and loving girlfriend. Dustin is my better half, he allows me to chase my dreams and follow my heart. Our free time consists of country drives in the sun and cold days cuddled on the couch with our pups - most likely watching Harry Potter (if I get to choose).

My name is Gabby and I have been obsessed with weddings since I watched "The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez & Matthew McConaughey when I was 10 years old. I worked my first wedding when I was 15 years old, and I KNEW right then and there that this was the industry for me. Capturing love stories is truly a passion of mine, and I get goosebumps and teary eyes at every wedding I photograph!

Hi, I am Zach Adams. I'm a photographer from Illinois. (United States). I have been featured in Illinois Times and also have an exhibit at the Illinois State Museum. I use photography as a means to document the world around me. I take pictures that call attention to things that some may overlook. Everything from protests to a simple flower. This exploration of the overlooked helps me engage more deeply with where I am in space and time. My goal is to take photographs that draw viewers into the now.

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.

Hello! We are Christian and Ana. We have put together the best wedding photo & video team in America. Don't take our word for it, see it for yourself on our website. 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!



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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

* 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!

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.

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!

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.

Hello! We are a husband and wife company. We have covered over 1000 weddings in less than 5 years all across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. We love to travel so much that we keep our prices affordable- giving us the opportunity to cover all over the USA (no travel fees). Our most popular package is our Red Carpet which gives our clients up to 10 hours of photo and video coverage, 505+ edits, and 2 wedding videos (with the whole ceremony). Check out our FB or Youtube for HUNDREDS of weddings we shot in the past.

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!

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!

Hey! I'm Piero, I've been a wedding photographer for 7 years now, I'll make sure that all your favorite moments throughout your wedding are captured, literally all. You'll see me moving around from side to side, capturing those good shots... from the getting ready shots to the moment you dropped the shoes to keep dancin'. We'll meet thru video or in person, and talk about those details. Chat soon!!

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.

Our lead photographer has over 30 years of experience behind the lens and makes certain that every member of the team achieves the highest level of competence in posing couples or individuals, taking and composing the photographs, using light to the best advantage and making sure that our clients are relaxed and as comfortable as they can be doing the shoot.

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.