Candid, emotional storytelling for modern romantics.
If you’ve envisioned being fully present—enjoying your wedding day without constantly worrying about being “camera ready”—you’re in the right place.
With a mix of storytelling, candid moments, and editorial perspective, you’ll be free to embrace the first-look tears, the hug before you walk down the aisle, the laughter during speeches, and the champagne clinks before the dance floor opens—knowing the true essence of who you are, and the celebration you’ve poured your heart into, will be captured with care, creativity, and intention.
• Welcome Dinner Coverage
• Weekend or Multi-Day Coverage
• additional polaroid rolls
• Behind-the-Scenes iPhone Coverage
• Film Photography
What’s Always Included
If you’ve envisioned living in the moment and enjoying your wedding day without worrying about timelines or feeling “camera ready”—you’re in the right place.
I’ll guide you through the process, take the pressure off, and document your day with a thoughtful blend of candid emotion, editorial intimacy, and a little direction when it’s needed. With all-inclusive coverage, you’ll never have to choose what matters most—I’ll be there for the quiet moments while you’re getting ready, the look you share walking down the aisle, the laughter over dinner, and the joy of the dance floor.
With all-inclusive coverage, you’ll never have to choose what matters most—I’ll be there for the quiet moments, the vows, the laughter at dinner, and the joy of the dance floor.
Serving Chicago & surrounding areas (including Southwest MI).
Full-day wedding coverage begins at $5,900, with custom proposals for destination celebrations available upon request.
signature customizations
• Engagement Session – time to connect before the big day
• Polaroids – a full roll of instant keepsakes
• Planning Support – timeline & guidance for a stress-free flow
Every wedding deserves more than coverage—it deserves care.
For couples who want the full arc of their day told. From getting ready details and vows, through portraits, dinner, and toasts — you’ll have both of us documenting from different perspectives, so you can relive every look, every hand squeeze, every happy tear.
4 Hours — $3000
Some elopements are more than a quick ceremony at City Hall. They’re rooftop vows with your closest friends, a vineyard dinner under string lights, or a celebration that lingers long after the paperwork is signed. These collections are for couples who want space for their story to unfold — the laughter, the tears, the in-between moments with the people who matter most.
Based in Chicago and capturing elopements throughout the surrounding areas — including Southwest Michigan.
Designed for couples who want to keep it small and meaningful (with 25 guests or fewer), intimate elopement collections range from $3000–$5000.
6 Hours — $5000 (includes a second photographer)
Just enough time to capture your ceremony, portraits, and the start of your celebration. Perfect if you want to slip away for vows, share a meal with your people, and still feel fully present without rushing.
No matter which you choose, my goal is simple: to take the pressure off. From guiding you through timelines and recommending vendors, to calming nerves and offering advice that actually helps — I’ll be more than just your photographer. I’ll be your steady, supportive presence so you can sink fully into the joy of it all.
Ceremony coverage, portraits at City Hall, and time for a second location — maybe a stroll downtown, the South Gardens, or a celebratory toast nearby.
Ideal if you want more variety and space to let the moment breathe.
1 Hour — $950 | Weekdays only
There’s a quiet beauty in saying “I do” at Chicago’s City Hall. The nerves waiting in line. The way your hands find each other just before you’re called in. The cheers from your people — or the stillness if it’s just the two of you. These elopements may be simple in logistics, but they’re full of meaning.
I’ll guide you through every step — from choosing the right time of day and navigating the appointment process, to calming those day-of nerves and offering advice that makes the process feel easy. Whether you bring a handful of guests or keep it just between you two, I’ll make sure you feel cared for, supported, and fully present in each moment.
Serving Chicago and the surrounding areas.
City Hall elopement collections are designed for intimate celebrations with 15 guests or fewer, ranging from $950–$1550.
2 Hours — $1550 | weekdays & saturdays
Ceremony coverage and portraits in and around City Hall.
Perfect if you’re keeping things short, sweet, and focused on the essentials.
Explore my services
- Elva & Ben
I can't express how much I've loved working with Elena! She’s not only an incredibly talented photographer, but also an absolute joy to work with. She is fun, enthusiastic, but also comforting and patient, making the entire experience truly special. She's also wonderfully communicative, which made everything run so smoothly.
Elena perfectly captured our city elopement last July! She didn’t just capture the love between my now husband and I, but she also photographed my son and included a few family photos. I will cherish those photos forever. To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we were lucky enough to work with her again and once again, she exceeded my expectations!
If you’re looking for a photographer, I could not recommend Elena enough - she is truly exceptional!
Elena is fun, enthusiastic, but also comforting and patient, making the entire experience truly special; she exceeded my expectations!
Elena is fun, enthusiastic, but also comforting and patient, making the entire experience truly special; she exceeded my expectations!
Absolutely—if we’ve built it into your collection, it’s already covered! If not, and I’m available, I’d love to be there. I also offer coverage for other events like engagement parties, bridal showers, or post-wedding brunches.
Just mention it when inquiring, and I can include it as part of your custom proposal.
Can you photograph our rehearsal dinner (or other pre-wedding events)?
I'm a Sony girly so all my camera gear is Sony (minus my point & old school film camera; those are Canon!). My cameras have dual camera card slots to ensure the safety of your images. I also have backup lenses as well.
I have liability insurance as well in cases that is needed for any of your vendors
Do you have insurance?
what equipment do you use?
Yes, I do! Whether you’re tying the knot locally or across the country, I’m happy to travel.
To keep things simple, I build any necessary travel costs directly into your custom proposal—so there are no hidden fees or extra steps on your end. If your celebration requires airfare, lodging, or extended travel, those details are handled case-by-case and included upfront so you know exactly what to expect. I’ll take care of all the arrangements and bundle everything into one seamless collection.
For example: Travel from Chicago to Boston typically averages around $1,500—including round-trip airfare, lodging, ground transportation, airport parking, and a checked bag.
Do you travel for weddings & elopements, and what does that process look like?
No I do not under any circumstances as they do not represent or reflect my business or my work.
do you provide unedited/raw images?
I primarily shoot digital, but I have a background in film—starting back in high school when I first learned how to shoot and develop it myself. These days, I shoot film for fun and practice using a point-and-shoot 35mm camera, and occasionally offer it as an add-on to your digital coverage.
Because I’m still refining my film process, the add-on rate is lower than most. It’s a great option for couples who love the nostalgic, imperfect beauty of film and want a few rolls captured alongside their day.
Film images are scanned and delivered as digital files within your final online gallery. The number of film photos you’ll receive will vary depending on your coverage and how many rolls we shoot—but they’ll be intentionally chosen and edited with the same care.
do you shoot film & digital?
I believe in quality over quantity, but I also don’t set a limit on how many images you’ll receive. What matters most to me is that your gallery feels like your day—authentic, real, and full of the moments that tell your story.
On average, an 8-hour wedding day usually comes out to about 600–800 photos, depending on how you’ve planned and celebrated.