HI, I’M ELENA
HI, I’M ELENA
capturing weddings & elopements with editorial intimacy and genuine emotion.
elena@ececreative.co
I focus on people—because the people are your story.
The first-look tears. The inside jokes. Your best friends helping you get ready while your vendor team brings the vision to life behind the scenes… all while your mom sips champagne just out of frame. These are the moments that matter. The ones you’ll carry with you forever.
I’m the photographer for modern romantics who value connection over perfection. Because while the details matter, it’s the emotion that lasts.
My approach is intentional and calm—shaped by connection, grounded in trust. I’ll guide you when needed, step back when it counts, and photograph your day in a way that feels meaningful, natural, and unmistakably yours.
With a background in retail and nearly a decade in the industry, I’ve worked alongside some incredible female photographers and witnessed firsthand how much the client experience matters. That’s what drives me: capturing in-between moments with heart while making my couples feel supported every step of the way.
Thank you for trusting me with such a sacred part of your story—welcoming me into a space usually reserved for your closest people. It’s something I never take for granted. Truly, it’s an honor to be invited in.
the why behind what i do
capturing emotional connection and real moments with a calm, editorial lens.
VALUES
I’m not here to just show up with a camera — I’m here to show up for you. The more I know about your story, your priorities, and your vision for your day, the better I can show up as both a photographer and a trusted guide. My role is to support you, advocate for you, and make sure you feel genuinely cared for every step of the way.
Connection Comes First
Your wedding is a reflection of who you are — together and as individuals. That’s why I believe in creating space for moments that feel honest and completely your own. Whether it’s a quiet pause before the ceremony or slipping away for a few minutes together, I’ll guide you when needed and step back when it matters most. My job is to document your day as it really is — not to make it something it’s not.
Your Day. Your Way
From your first inquiry to your final gallery, my goal is simple: make this experience feel seamless, meaningful, and genuinely enjoyable. I’ll help build a timeline that works for you, communicate clearly, and step in when you need someone to take the lead — so you can stay grounded in the moments that matter.
Confidence Built on Care
MY STORY
Chicago is home. I love the city’s energy, its food, its architecture—but most of all, its people. It’s where I feel most alive and most grounded.
Before photography became my full-time career, I studied Political Science, worked as a legal secretary, and juggled retail and nannying. But my love for capturing life started long before that—at just five years old, holding my dad’s camera at SeaWorld and clicking the shutter just as Shamu leapt into the air. That rush? It’s never left me.
Over the years, I’ve learned that what matters most isn’t just beautiful photos—it’s the people in them. The first look tears. The way your best friend buttons your dress. Your dad’s reaction during vows. I photograph with my heart first, and my camera second.
