Chicago Wedding Photographer

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A CALM, SUPPORTIVE APPROACH THAT GUIDES AND BLENDS SEAMLESSLY

Your photographer should be invested in more than just the outcome, but in you, your people, and your experience.

With a calm, supportive presence, I guide when needed and step back when it matters most, creating space for you to feel fully seen, at ease, and truly present throughout your day. I take the time to understand what matters most to you, so you can move through your wedding day feeling comfortable, supported, and connected to every moment.

Because when you feel seen, your photos reflect that. Honest, personal, and unmistakably yours.

BEGIN YOUR EXPERIENCE
Sydney Marie sitting on a beige armchair, smiling, with long red curly hair, wearing a black top with lace details, burgundy pants, and black high-heeled shoes with red soles, in a room with white paneled walls and a light-colored carpet.

WHAT MAKES THE SMP EXPERIENCE UNIQUE?

  • Timeless, True-to-Life Imagery: Your photos should reflect how your day truly looked and felt. My editing style is classic, intentional, and designed to remain beautiful for decades.

  • Thoughtful Guidance: Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but your photography doesn’t have to. I’ll help you create a natural-flowing timeline and photo plan that feels relaxed and aligned with your vision.

  • A Calm, Reassuring Presence: On your wedding day, I show up with steadiness and care so the two of you never feel rushed or overwhelmed. My approach helps you stay grounded and fully present.

  • Genuine, Emotion-Filled Images: I focus on honest connection and the moments that matter most: the real expressions, the joy, and the people who make your day meaningful.

  • Celebrating Community: Your wedding is about more than the two of you. I’m intentional about capturing the relationships, traditions, and interactions that shape your celebration.

  • "My parents were wedding photographers for 20+ years and so our expectations were pretty high and Sydney far exceeded all of them!"

    — Carley + Zack

  • "Sydney is a consummate professional and such a chill person to have around in moments both exciting and potentially stressful."

    — Jenny + Shaun

  • "Our photos are fun, authentic and beautiful and we will cherish them forever!"

    — Alyssa + Dalton

ALWAYS INCLUDED

  • A consultation call to connect, understand your vision, and ensure we’re the right fit

  • Ongoing support and guidance throughout your planning process

  • Access to a personalized client portal with your contract, invoices, and questionnaires

  • A custom wedding day photo timeline designed for a natural, seamless flow

  • A calm, steady presence to help you feel at ease throughout your day

  • Thoughtful, natural posing guidance that feels effortless and true to you

  • An online gallery of professionally edited, high-resolution images

  • Printing and sharing rights for personal use

A bride in a strapless wedding gown smiling joyfully as a woman helps her adjust her dress.

PRICING

Each couple’s vision is unique, which is why your photography experience is personalized. You can choose the collection that fits your celebration, with the option to add coverage for welcome dinners, rehearsal gatherings, or any moment you want remembered.

Most couples invest between $7000-9000 for their photography experience. I take on a limited number of weddings each year to ensure every couple feels fully supported, cared for, and truly seen.

And if you’re planning a more intimate celebration, I offer custom coverage designed to feel just as intentional, personal, and reflective of what matters most to you.

INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR DATE
A man and woman are kissing in a city street with tall buildings and traffic in the background.

PRESS & FEATURES

Awarded and trusted by:

Sydney Marie Photography is a multi-year winner of The Knot Best of Weddings, achieving Hall of Fame status in 2022. Her work and incredible couples have been featured in top publications such as Destination I Do, Wedding Chicks, Style Me Pretty, Munaluchi Bride, Offbeat Wed, Bajan Wed, and more. Sydney is also a proud member of World’s Best Wedding Photos, an exclusive invitation-only collective of the industry’s top photographers, as well as Perfête, Chi Thee Wed and WIPA Chicago, organizations dedicated to raising the standards of creativity, community, and professionalism in the wedding industry.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Outdoor wedding reception by a lake with guests mingling, white chairs, umbrellas, and floral decorations.

  • The first step is setting up a call so we can chat through your wedding day and make sure we’re the right fit. From there, I’ll create a custom proposal with collection options tailored to your needs. Once you’ve chosen your collection, I’ll send the contract and retainer. This officially reserves your date.

    I only take on 15 weddings per year so each couple receives the level of care and attention they deserve, and I always keep you informed if someone else inquires about your date.

    If you have questions about collections, we can walk through everything together on our call so you feel fully confident in your decision.

  • I work with a trusted group of professional photographers, many of whom have been alongside me for years. They are kind, reliable, and aligned with my approach so your experience feels seamless.
    Your second photographer captures additional angles, moments happening simultaneously, and supports you throughout the day.
    If you’re unsure about adding one, we can talk through your guest count and priorities to decide what fits best.

  • My style is natural and candid, focused on highlighting the connection between you and your partner. I use simple prompts like walking together, leaning in close, or interacting in ways that feel natural to you.

    My goal is for you to feel confident and relaxed, especially if you usually think you are awkward in front of the camera. Most of your photos will feel effortless and true to life, with a few classic portraits woven in.
    If posing feels intimidating, we can talk through what helps you feel most comfortable.

  • Yes. I love traveling for weddings and photographing couples in places that feel meaningful to them.
    Travel within Michigan and Chicago is included in my collections, and I am always available for destinations beyond.

    We can go over any travel details during our call so everything feels clear and custom to your plans.

  • Every wedding is unique, so I do not set a strict number of photos. Most weddings average around 80-100 images per hour of coverage depending on your wedding party size, family photo list, and how much is happening throughout the day.

    No matter the number, you will receive a full gallery of beautifully edited images in my timeless, true to life style so your wedding day feels just as vivid years from now.
    If you have specific moments you want captured, we can talk through those during your planning call.

  • Absolutely. As soon as I get home from your wedding or session, your images are backed up in multiple places for safety and peace of mind. I use professional gear, external hard drives, and cloud storage to ensure your files are secure.

    Protecting your images is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I do everything I can to keep them safe from the moment they are captured.

    If you have questions about my backup workflow, I am always happy to walk you through it.