Midwest / Destination Documentary-Style Photography on Digital + Film
Chicago Wedding Photographer
Emotional Imagery, forever yours
Being deeply devoted to capturing every couple as they are is what helps me create genuine art in the photos that I take. I believe that creating the perfect blend of photojournalism and editorial photography is what will best preserve the memories from this important time in your lives. I'm a natural empath, a great communicator, and the ultimate fan of people making their own rules when it comes to their wedding.
Documentary & fine art Chicago wedding photographer
AS SEEN IN
Junebug Weddings
W|PJ Awarded Member
Chi Thee Wed
Chicago Style Weddings
Green Wedding Shoes
Equally Wed
The Knot: Best of Weddings for 5+ years and the Hall of Fame Award
Party Slate
Documentary & fine art Chicago wedding photographer.
True documentary-style means that your wedding photos are real life time machines. My photography will always reflect the moment as it unfolds while adding in a pinch of fine art flair. Nothing in this world is more important to me than ensuring you have a gallery that allows you to relive the day.
I will always make you feel as comfortable as I can. We'll laugh, play around, and get those natural-looking shots of you that will convince your friends & family that you were most definitely a model in a past life. You'll never fear the camera again!
I form a bond with all of clients throughout the wedding process and our relationship continues even after the big day has ended! Choosing me as your wedding photographer means you're choosing to work with a close friend.
No matter who you are and how you identify, I am here to document your incredible love. I am a body-positive photographer and a queer woman who is a proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. I do not tolerate bigotry, racial slurs, or shaming of any kind. I actively work to create safe spaces and will ensure that you and your person will get to be your most true and beautiful selves on your wedding day.
No. 1 / Preservation over everything
No. 2 / Painless posing
No. 3 / I want to be best buds
No. 4 / I see you and support you
Want to LEARN MORE?
I'm pretty biased, but my clients are a lot of freaking fun
MY PHILOSOPHIES as a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHer
"Her eye for detail, soft direction on the best angles and poses, and knack for capturing pure emotion are unmet, and come across beautifully in her photos. On the wedding day, we had numerous guests and family members compliment how well Madi directed our guests for group photos, and how she took the most beautiful shots. That easiness and lightness shone through on our wedding photos, all thanks to the wonderful and talented Madi Ellis!"
Sarah + Drew
"My husband and I could write pages and pages about how beautiful the photos that Madi takes are!"
"Madi is a literal light! Her spirit is infectious, she has an incredible way of making everyone around her feel comfortable, confident, and excited to be in front of the camera. And her help went beyond photography. She offered thoughtful guidance on our timeline and was a steady presence throughout the planning process and wedding day. She kept things moving smoothly without ever making it feel rushed, allowing us to soak in each moment while she captured them perfectly."
Nicole + Gabe
"On our big day she brought an energy and warmth that made us feel instantly at ease."
"Her documentary style is SO effective because she blends seamlessly into the scenery, catching the truthful, messy beauty of the day. All the details you poured into planning and more. You genuinely don't notice she's there until the exact moment you need her—then she transforms into a bold, decisive captain, wrangling family for a quick portrait, making noises to charm our dachshund, or pivoting to catch key moments like our pizza cutting, with perfect timing. Our gallery is full of the actual us and our people—the gummy smiles, the guffaws, and the steady, quiet eyes."
Alli + Mar
"Seeing our wedding through her honest and keen lens is an absolute gift."
"From the moment we met her, her bubbly personality and warm presence put us completely at ease, which absolutely shows in our photos. She is not only incredibly talented, but also professional, organized, and thoughtful every step of the way. On the day of the wedding, Madi somehow managed to strike the perfect balance between being the fun go-to gal and a commanding captain of the ship, guiding us and our big families through a long list of portraits ahead of schedule (a true miracle!). We feel so lucky to have had Madi as part of our day."
Lucy + Anand
"Madi captured every meaningful moment that we will treasure forever."
"We LOVED working with Madi. I feel like she really understood me and my husband's wedding vibe from the beginning! We also got to know her fun personality even more that day. Many of our friends and family commented on how great she was! On top of that, she repeatedly checked in on me and my husband and made it a priority to ensure we were calm and happy throughout the day. She is so gifted at her craft; we are just in awe at how well she captured our day. She truly went above and beyond for us. We cannot recommend her enough!"
Maggie + Tom
"Taking so many photos can feel awkward at first, but she made us feel so at ease."
"She works closely with you and your partner to tailor your experience based on your needs and preferences, and her institutional knowledge and experience of the wedding industry, best practices, and event flow. Her work is bar none. She has a warm personality that managed to calm my nerves and instill confidence. She's a star and thinks of it all - an excellent vendor to have in your corner. If you're on the fence, here's your sign to book Madi ASAP."
Rebecca + John
"Madi is quite literally one of the most talented, capable, and fun event photographers in the game."
"I have never felt more authentically myself and beautiful in photos EVER in my life. It’s so wonderful to see the emotions, the colors and the vibe captured so succinctly and vividly. Perhaps most importantly was Madi's innate ability to direct and influence the flow of the day in a way that only the most experienced and level-headed person could. She can command a room whilst capturing the attention and hearts of even the most prickly family members and had everyone laughing and smiling all day long."
Lilly + Caleb
"She has the most unique ability to make people feel naturally at ease in their own skin. it’s a gift."
"She felt more like a friend tagging along than just a photographer, seamlessly blending into the celebration. Her warmth, friendliness, professionalism, and her incredible organization truly shone through. The humor she brought added to the incredible vibe of the day, making everything feel relaxed and joyful. Madi has an incredible talent for finding the most beautiful moments, from candid laughter to the most heartfelt glances. Every shot tells a story, preserving the joy and love we felt throughout the day."
Alex + Ian
"From start to finish, Madi made our special day feel so graceful and effortless."
"From putting together a realistic day of schedule, giving helpful planning tips, delivering a gorgeous engagement photo gallery, going above & beyond to scout locations for portraits at our very large venue, soothing our anxieties and keeping us on schedule day of, and delivering the wedding album of our literal dreams. Madi was also so deliberate in capturing the small details of the day (that were a blur for us!), pictures of so many of our guests, and candid moments with people who mean the most to us."
Hanna + Nick
"Madi is fun and friendly, and we loved getting to spend time with her throughout this process."
"She is such a warm and kind person who immediately put everyone in the wedding at ease. From getting ready to the ceremony to the dance floor, every photo perfectly captures the emotion of the day. Are you stressed about logistics? Madi was super-human levels of communicative leading up to the wedding and helped us plan and navigate various logistics without even batting an eye. Planning a wedding involves a lot of difficult decisions, but this one is easy."
Laura + Nathan
"Madi is an incredibly talented artist and we are absolutely in love with her photos."
My own wedding is on 6/6/26 and I will not be taking any weddings 5/29/26 - 6/14/26.
TRAVEL DATES for 2026
2/4/26 - 2/10/26 St. Croix, USVI
4/17/26 - 4/19/26 Sedona, AZ
2025 books are closed
2026 + 2027 books are open
