Your Wedding Photographer based in the Greater Chicago Area

Forest City Photographs

Welcome to Forest City Photographs, where every click of the shutter is a step closer to perpetuating your precious moments. I am Joel, the visionary and lead photographer behind this labor of love that marries nostalgia to contemporary artistry.

Our team is not just about snapping pictures; we're here to craft your story and breathe life into it, long after the confetti settles and the last dance winds down. We specialize in creating images that resonate with emotions, images that are destined to become keepsakes, pieces of art that celebrate your unique journey.

The Art of Timeless Memories

A man wearing a plaid blazer and light blue shirt with a camera around his neck is smiling outdoors with trees in the background.

Our Unique Selling Points:

Timeless Images:

We believe your memories are priceless, and they deserve nothing less than to be captured through a lens of timelessness.

Artistic Craftsmanship:

Every photograph we make for you is meticulously crafted, considering light, composition, and emotion, transforming simple moments into enchanting visuals.

Nostalgic Storytelling:

We weave the narrative of your love and legacy into a visual saga that will be told for generations.

Group of four young adults taking a selfie outdoors during a social event, with green trees and a brick walkway in the background.

Services We Offer:

Wedding Photography:

As you embark on your forever chapter, we ensure every laugh, tear, and tender touch is immortalized with grace.

Artistic Portraits:

From an individual's quiet strength to a family's shared sparkle, our portraits celebrate the stories untold.

Nostalgic Storytelling:

At the core of our philosophy lies the commitment to seal over the essence of your personal narrative.

Delve into our curated world of photographic wonders at Forest City Photographs. Navigate through galleries that showcase genuine moments, laughter shared between soulmates, and serene glances against the backdrop of life's grandeur.

With every photograph, we strive to encapsulate the essence of fleeting instants, the warmth of love, the echoes of joy, turning them into enduring stories. Each image stands as a testament to our dedication to fine craftsmanship and our passion for creating visual legacies.

Discover Forest City Photographs: Because your story isn't just another tale. It's an epic to be told with sensitivity, creativity, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.

Let us narrate your story. Let's create art that honors who you are, and who you're becoming, together.

Portfolio Highlights:

 “I'm absolutely obsessed with my wedding day photos!”

-Emily + Gerhard

A bride and groom walking up a staircase, with the bride wearing a wedding dress and floral headpiece, and the groom holding her hand, seen from above in a black-and-white photo.
A couple on their wedding day with the Chicago skyline in the background, embracing and touching foreheads.
Elegant ivory high heel shoes with pearl embellishments, a black jewelry box with a diamond ring inside, a small present with hoop earrings, and a perfume bottle on a gold tray.
Bride in a white wedding dress standing near a window, looking down with a serene expression.
A bride and groom standing close together, facing each other and smiling, surrounded by blurred motion of dancers in formal attire at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Two people gently holding hands, gently touching fingers, with focus on their rings, in a dimly lit setting.
A bride and groom embrace on a beach, with water and small waves in the background.
A woman looking out a window with her reflection visible on a dark surface, soft lighting highlights her face.
A bride and groom in wedding attire running on green grass in front of a white lighthouse with a red roof, during autumn with fallen leaves.
A bride and groom holding hands outdoors during sunset, with the bride wearing a white gown and a flower crown, and the groom in a dark suit with a boutonniere.
A black and white photo of a man and woman holding hands in a grassy field, with the woman wearing a dress and the man wearing a suit.
Couple in wedding attire sharing an intimate moment outdoors at sunset.
A silhouette of a couple standing close together with their foreheads touching during twilight, against a starry sky.
A bride and groom holding hands and walking down the aisle outdoors during their wedding.
A bride in a white gown holding a bouquet and a groom in a black suit holding hands, standing against a brick wall in a dimly lit room.
A happy bride and groom on their wedding day outdoors, smiling, surrounded by greenery.
People crossing a city street at a crosswalk, including a woman with blond hair in a black coat holding hands with a man, with cars and buildings in the background.
A black and white close-up photograph of a man and woman touching foreheads with their eyes closed, intimate moment.
An old film camera showing a reflection of a couple standing close together, with the woman holding the man's arm.
Two people standing in front of a colorful graffiti mural on a brick wall. The woman on the left has light brown hair, is wearing a black coat and a white scarf, and is looking to her right. The man on the right has dark hair, glasses, is wearing a b
A man in a black suit with glasses and a floral tie, standing outdoors in a wooded area, with four men in suits in the background.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with a bride and groom standing at an altar in a wooded area, surrounded by guests seated in white chairs.
A couple looks at each other closely with smiling faces, the woman's hand with a ring on her finger rests on the man's shoulder.
Close-up of a man in a black suit and floral tie with a woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers in the background.
Close-up of a couple, with the groom wearing brown shoes and grey trousers, and the bride wearing white sneakers and a white dress, standing on a wooden floor.
A man and woman walking hand in hand on a concrete pier by the ocean during the daytime.
Silhouettes of a man and woman close to each other, with the man gently touching the woman's face, on a backlit background.
A smiling woman and man laughing together against a wall with autumn leaves, embracing each other.
A couple holding hands in a field during sunset, with the woman wearing a black top and the man in a white shirt and black pants.

 

 “I cannot put into words how amazing it was and continues to be to work with Joel & Nicole”

-Emily + Ben

  • Smiling man outdoors carrying a camera around his neck, dressed in a blazer and shirt.

    Joel

    “Wedding photography is simply a way to connect with people. ”

  • A woman standing outdoors smiling holding a camera. She has glasses, a nose ring, and a camera bag with a camera inside. Rows of chairs are in the background.

    Nicole

    “We’re here to party! We’re here to be your friend. We’re your new wedding photographer”

  • A smiling man with glasses and a beard wearing a blue blazer, holding a camera, outdoors with blurred trees and lights in the background.

    Tyler

    “Photojournalism has been my life’s work. Let’s capture moments that matter together.”

Latest Wedding Galleries

Silhouette of a couple in a close embrace, likely during a dance at a formal event, with warm lighting highlighting their profiles.
A bride and groom holding hands and smiling at each other in an urban setting with graffiti on the wall behind them. The bride wears a white lace wedding gown and holds a bouquet of white roses, while the groom wears a black suit with a white shirt and tie, and a white boutonniere.
Bride and groom holding hands and walking with wedding party in an urban street, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed in formal attire.

Latest Couples Galleries

A bride and groom sharing a tender moment at their wedding reception, with their foreheads touching and eyes closed.
Two people holding hands and running through a field at sunset.