investment guide

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Choosing me as your photographer means that I always see you as a person first and a client second. My #1 goal is to make sure that you're comfortable in front of the camera at all times when working together. I strive to build relationships with all of my couples so that they feel like they are being taken care of by a close friend.

Although I'm brought on as your photographer, I'm also here to help with any and all photo logistics. As a type A Virgo, I need to make sure everything is running smoothly in order to do my job to the best of my ability! This means a helping hand with timeline-building, permits, location ideas, and other ways that I can assist with organizing your day.

What it's like to work together

One of the most important aspects of my job is preservation. While I love learning about trends or getting the newest gear, I will always be making every choice with my clients in mind. Each photo needs to stand the test of time by truly reflecting the moment. As long as I can hold a camera in my hands, this will always be how I photograph weddings.

Building trust requires transparency and communication. I'm committed to making sure that you feel listened to and that your emails, calls + texts never go abandoned. I'll always steer you in the right direction and give my professional opinion whenever I can.

We get to know each other! Hopping on Zoom or the phone helps all of us to figure out if we're a good fit. You'll tell me about what you have planned so far and we'll chat about what kind of photography coverage feels right.

I officially get you in my books with a signed contract and a 20% deposit. You'll get access to my Engagement Session Guide and my Wedding Day Guide in order to make sure you know what to expect.

Engagement session (if applicable)! We'll get you feeling comfortable in front of the camera so that you'll be ready to take photos on your wedding day.

Our process + timeline

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I will check in 3 months before your wedding to start finalizing details. I'll ask you to fill out your questionnaire before we schedule a call to discuss everything.

WEDDING DAY! WAHOO! I get to hang out with you for most of the day and show off my incredible dance moves. Fun fact: I know all the words to "Up" by Cardi B and I LOVE to scream-sing the "Mr. Brightside" lyrics.

If your package comes with sneak peeks, you'll get those within 7 days of your wedding. Full galleries arrive in your inbox 4-8 weeks later! You'll get to relive your wedding day all over again and be able to share the gallery with friends + family.

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That's me!

Looking to pop the question? Let's make your proposal super memorable by documenting it! I WISH my own parents had a photographer when my dad asked my mom to marry him. I always ask to hear the story over and over again about the poem he read her in their apartment before he proposed. I would give ANYTHING to have seen those photos! It's my job to ensure that you have photos from that very moment when your partner screams "YES YES OF COURSE YES!" to hold dear for years to come.

I always arrive at LEAST 30 minutes prior to the proposal time to get as set up as possible. After you propose, we'll take some portraits around the proposal area for ~15 minutes (with the ability to add more time). Each proposal comes planning/timeline assistance and 75-100 hi-res images available on a secure online gallery/print store with a print release. Turnaround time is 2-3 weeks, but also includes day-of sneak peeks so that you have a few photos to share on social media and/or with family + friends.

PROPOSALS

Proposal – $850

PROPOSAL + ENGAGEMENT SESSION (90 min) – $1350

ADD-ONS:

Extra Time

$400/hr

Now that you're engaged, it's time to take some photos together! This is a great opportunity to practice getting photographed before your wedding. It's kind of like a dress rehearsal! It also gives you two the chance to get to know how I work as a photographer, allowing you to feel more at ease when I show up on your wedding day. We can go to as many spots as you like that fit within our 90-120 minute timeframe (including outfit changes). More time can be added on if you need. 

You will receive planning/timeline assistance, plus 100-150 hi-res images available on a secure online gallery/print store with a print release. Turnaround time for deliverables is 2-3 weeks. You'll also receive access to my Engagement Session Guide, which lays out the best things to wear, what to do with pets, where we'll need permits, and includes the link for my calendar to schedule yourselves into my available dates.

Please note that engagement sessions are included in my 9 hour and 10 hour wedding packages.

engagement sessions

ENGAGEMENT SESSION (90 - 120 min) – $850

ADD-ONS:

Extra Time

$400/hr

8 x 6 Signing Guestbook (20 pages)

$450

For some couples, all you need are each other and the "I do's!" This package is designed for those who are looking for City Hall ceremony photos plus a couples session with additional portraits around the city. Getting married in your home or somewhere else of importance? No problem! This package can be customized for other minimonies (ceremony + portrait session) with just the newlyweds and up to 6-10 other guests.

You will receive planning and timeline assistance, 5 5x7 prints, plus 100-150 hi-res images available on a secure online gallery/print store with a print release. Turnaround time for deliverables is 4-6 weeks.

City Hall Weddings / MINIMONIES

1 hour – $1250

2 hours – $1650

ADD-ONS:

Wedding Album (see pricing below)

Engagement Session

Travel Fee (only required for a 2+ hour drive outside of the city of Chicago)

$850

$450 - $1250

$400 - $2500

Extra Time

$500/hr

Sometimes it makes more sense to just have your most important family + friends present for your ceremony and reception. No fuss, no crazy productions– just you, your person and those who are nearest + dearest. This package is designed for those who are having an intimate wedding with up to 40 guests in attendance and a minimum of 3 hours of coverage. This can include a few getting ready photos, family photos, ceremony coverage, some reception and some dancing. You will receive roughly 75-100 photos per shooting hour.

You will receive planning/timeline assistance, 8 5x7 prints, plus hi-res images available on a secure online gallery/print store with a print release. Turnaround time for deliverables is 4-6 weeks.

MICRO WEDDINGS

3 hours – $2950

+ $600 per following hour

ADD-ONS:

Wedding Album (see pricing below)

Engagement Session

Travel Fee (only required for a 2+ hour drive outside of the city of Chicago)

$850

$450 - $1250

$400 - $2500

Nothing but the biggest celebration for you and your person! These packages are designed for couples looking for a full day of photography with all family + friends present (even your mom's cousin Susan twice removed, she can come!). From putting on your incredible wedding ensemble until you and your best friend are belting "Livin' On A Prayer" on the dance floor, I'll be with you from start to finish. Coverage includes getting ready photos, portraits, family photos, ceremony, reception & dancing.

My photography services start at 8 hours of coverage and can go up to 10 hours (or more) depending on your needs. Each package includes edited hi-res images available on a secure online gallery/print store with a print release. Turnaround time for deliverables is 6-8 weeks.

Please note that services/items cannot be removed from any packages in order to adjust the price. Each package is carefully designed to give the best experience possible with optimal coverage. However, add-ons (listed below) can be combined with packages to create one that best suits your needs!

wedding packages

Rewrite the stars

golden hour

perfect duet

10 hours

9 hours

8 hours

800 - 1000 Edited Photos

Planning/Timeline Assistance

Wedding Day Guide

Vendor Recommendations

20 5x7 Prints in Print Box

Sneak Peek Mini Gallery

Engagement Session

All Day Second Shooter

10 x 8 Wedding Album (30 pages)



700 - 900 Edited Photos

Planning/Timeline Assistance

Wedding Day Guide

Vendor Recommendations

15 5x7 Prints

Sneak Peek Mini Gallery

Engagement Session

All Day Second Shooter


600 - 800 Edited Photos

Planning/Timeline Assistance

Wedding Day Guide

Vendor Recommendations

10 5x7 Prints

Sneak Peek Mini Gallery

$8950

$7950

$6750

All day coverage, ideal for couples who need extra travel time throughout the day. Allows ample time (plus some wiggle room) for getting-ready photos, portraits, and reception coverage.

Full day coverage, ideal for couples who are most likely having their ceremony + reception in the same location. Allows ample time for getting-ready photos,  portraits, and reception coverage.

Coverage ideal for couples who are having everything on-site or in close proximity to each other. Allows enough time for getting-ready photos, portraits, and reception coverage.

(Most popular)

Wedding Album (see pricing below)

Extra Time

Engagement Session

Second Shooter

Travel Fee (only required for a 2+ hour drive outside of the city of Chicago)

ADD-ONS:

$650/hr

$900

$500 (for my 8 hr package)

$450 - $1250

$400 - $2500

Rehearsal Dinner Coverage (pending availability)

$950

(option to add on an Engagement Session for $500)

WEDDING albums

Making an album is the perfect way to remember your wedding. Living in a digital world means we see an infinite amount of images on a screen everyday. Although this kind of accessibility is valuable, it lacks the heart of something tangible you can hold in your hands. Anyone can snap a quick pic on a phone, post it on Instagram and have it live only on the internet. Having an album that sits on your bookshelf, coffee table or mantle means those pictures have new life and a physical existence. Trust me when I say your experience will change when you're able to actually touch the photos that mean the most to you.

Vision Art offers high quality printing with archival inks that ensure your album is long-lasting. The pages are sturdy, but not too thick. Creating the spreads in Photoshop means the sky is the limit with how we place the images on each page. Every album I make is as unique as the couple designing it and our process can be as collaborative as you want it to be. Want me to make a book and choose all of the images so you don't have to worry about anything? No problem. Want to make sure a couple of your faves are included? Of course! And if you're looking to do a deep dive with me in terms of design, we can either meet for coffee with my laptop or do a screen-share Zoom call where you call ALL the shots!

Albums make the perfect gift for loved ones or close family members who weren't able to attend. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are free to contact me in order to design their own personalized album so you don't have to play the middleman! 

The process starts by choosing a size and a spread count. The standard cover is a textured book cloth in the color of your choice and comes with a debossing of your name and/or date, also offered in different colors. The back contains the Madi Ellis Photography debossed logo in the same color as the front design.

10 x 8 Album, 15 Spreads (30 Pages)

$800

$650

8 x 6 Album, 10 Spreads (20 Pages)

12 x 9 Album, 18 Spreads (36 Pages)

$950

14 x 11 Album, 18 Spreads (36 Pages)

$1150

5 x 4 Album, 10 Spreads (20 Pages)

$450

Additional Spreads

$15 each

Various Color Materials

$0 - $85

Undecided? You + your partner can always add one on at any point in the process, even after you've signed the contract. You can also order an album after the wedding is done! Parents, grandparents, siblings, or other family can contact me directly about ordering additional albums if they would like one for themselves.

16 x 12 Album, 20 Spreads (40 Pages)

$1250

Signing Guestbook

8 x 6 Guestbook, 10 Spreads (20 Pages)

$450

Having your guests sign a guestbook is the perfect way to capture everyone's well-wishes in their own handwriting. Like any other album, the design process is a collaborative effort using your engagement session photos that I took for you previously. The 8 x 6 size with 10 spreads ensures that your guestbook can feature your gorgeous images along with extra white space so that loved ones have ample room to write. 

WELCOME / Rehearsal dinner

Sometimes wedding day coverage isn't enough! Having me come to a welcome/rehearsal dinner means that you'll get some extra photos of you and your guests that have come to celebrate your love. This is especially significant if folks are making speeches and/or if you have close friends + family coming in from out of town. Because I don't photograph people eating (trust me, no one wants those photos), I recommend my departure from the event coincide with when everyone sits for the meal (if that's the case). Please note that my availability is based on my schedule and is subject to change. This event must be officially booked with the restaurant/venue before this add-on can be booked with me. You'll receive this gallery of 100-150 images alongside your wedding photos. Coverage includes:

$950

  • Mini session with you and your partner before the event (30-45 min)

  • 90 min of cocktail hour + speeches

asked

QUESTIONS

Frequently

All of my packages are created to ensure I give you the best when it comes to my photography services. Each item adds value to that specific package and the prices are based off of the collection as a whole with everything included. Although nothing can be removed, my add-on services and deliverables can be added to smaller packages, allowing you to personally customize what you need for your wedding.

If you don't want engagement photos but are interested in booking either the 9 hour Golden Hour package or the 10 hour Rewrite the Stars package, you can substitute the session with one additional hour of wedding day coverage OR welcome/rehearsal dinner coverage (pending availability). This adjustment can only be made in these exact scenarios and is not applicable for add-ons or additional items.

Fun fact about me: I'm a weirdo who LOVES to edit. It's a process that brings me so much closer to what lies at the heart of what I do best, which is to create fine-art photography. I'm always eager to start on the edits from the moment I get home and this excitement continues until I export the final images. For smaller sessions, the edits take about 2 - 3 weeks and larger weddings take 4 - 6 weeks. If there is any reason that I would not meet this deadline (because of an emergency or other obligations), then I will 100% communicate that to you and make sure you're filled in on everything that's going on.

LET ME TELL YOU that when someone tries to take MY photo I often freeze up. My hands? My face? My body? Suddenly I don't know what to do with any of them! Whenever I'm working with couples I always aim to capture them in a natural, organic way. Every relationship is different physically + emotionally. I work to find what makes you guys feel the most like yourselves. There are small tricks I have up my sleeve to aid this process, but no two couples are the same. It's so much easier to think about your partner and the ways you love them rather than where to put your arms or how to position your legs. We will work together to tell your story in these photos.

Unfortunately, I can't clone myself to be in two rooms at the same time (wouldn't that be cool?). This is where the role of the Second Shooter can really come in handy! I almost always recommend a Second Shooter for large events in order to make sure every last detail is captured and from every angle. If you and your partner are getting ready in separate locations, having another photographer there allows each of you to be documented before the ceremony. If I'm photographing someone giving a speech, my other photographer can take photos of your reactions. These are only a couple of the many ways a Second Shooter can be utilized.

This is definitely the question I get asked the most! One of the best ways to figure this out is to hop on a phone or Zoom call to discuss your big day. We'll go over how long everything will take, including getting ready, travel time, and even when speeches should be planned. My goal isn't to get you to book my largest package or sell you hours you don't need– it's to find the right timeline that works best for you. We'll finalize everything before your wedding so that when when the day comes, we'll have a solid schedule in place and y'all don't have to worry about a thing!

Oh heck yes! All wedding packages come with a specific amount prints along with the ability to add on an album. The gallery you receive online also serves as a print store, making ordering any additional prints super easy.

(Updated Feb 2024) If you're looking to get married in person at City Hall, there's no appointment needed Tuesday through Fridays, 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm (the latest we can arrive is 3:30pm). Saturdays are by appointment only. Those are made 6-8 weeks ahead of time by calling (312) 603-5660. From what I've heard, the times they give you are random and you aren't given much choice on the time of day.

For non-appointment days, we'll check in on the lower level of 119 W Randolph St in the Loop and hand the receptionist your marriage license and $10. Without either of these, the judge cannot perform your ceremony that day. After that, we'll wait until your names are called. Depending on how many folks have hopped in line before you, it can take up to 30-45 minutes (this is more likely on Fridays). If your names are called and we're not there, you'll forfeit your place in line. Once you're called, we'll go into one of the small rooms and get you married! You can have up to 10 people with you, but please note that the rooms are VERY small (you can see photo examples of the space here). The ceremony takes only 3 minutes!

For a scheduled appointment, everything above is the same with the exception of wait time. Because they schedule multiple couples for the same time slot on Saturdays, there will still be a small window of time where we'll wait for your names to be called.

Because wait times vary, I deduct those minutes from your photo coverage to ensure we have plenty of time for photos!

Absolutely. Any couple who wants to book me for their wedding with coverage of 9+ hours will receive a complementary engagement session! I love doing this because it encourages us to get to know each other and form a trust that will only make the images that much more magical.

At this time I am not offering mini sessions. I want to make sure that my couples are able to receive the full experience when it comes to a session with me. Spending the full time together allows us to get to know each other better while we run around and take gorgeous photos.

Every single photo you receive from me will have been color corrected and edited by my own hands. My edits are what make my craft so unique, and it's for this reason that I don't send off my work to be edited by someone else or give out RAW, unedited photos.

My wedding packages usually yield 75-100 images per shooting hour depending on what's happening and how many people are being photographed. I take fewer photos while people are eating (trust me, the average person does not look cute while taking a big bite of chicken) and more during the important moments. An engagement session will often result in 100-150 images.

I promise we can always find beauty in whatever Mother Nature throws at us and we will make it work. Sometimes a little extra rain, snow, or wind can add some incredible, unexpected texture that makes the photos even more beautiful. If an engagement or family session date needs to be rearranged because of dangerous conditions, I'm more than happy to take that on a case-by-case basis.

I do not think that a person's body should be edited to look a certain way. I take pride in being a body-positive photographer that looks at the organic love happening between people. We all have skin, fat, folds, and other beautiful curves. I embrace it all. The only retouching I do is for acne, scarring, blemishes, or bruising. I never look at someone I've photographed and seek out to erase their "imperfections." I only see love, which is honestly what you'll remember most about the day when you look back on these images. The best photos won't be about how your body looks. It'll be about the connection you share with the ones you cherish the most.

I always ask for a deposit of 20% with the contract. This payment ensures my time and that I don't accept another booking for that day. Because that date is being held just for you, it is non-refundable and acts as a retainer. The remainder of the balance is due 2 weeks before the wedding/session, but I am happy to set up a plan that spreads out for smaller payments over time before the big day.

If you are rescheduling a wedding, the paid deposit will go toward your new date and I will not add any additional fees. A new contract will be written for the new date agreed upon by both you and me. If a wedding is rescheduled for a second time, I require a 15% non-refundable payment for the new date. If a wedding needs to be moved to a new date due to government shutdowns or mandates preventing any kind of gathering from happening, I will not charge any additional fees for rescheduling.

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time during your planning process! However, only folks with booked venues can sign a contract + pay a deposit with me (with the exception of City Hall weddings) to make everything official. Not only does this ensure that your date lines up with my schedule, but it also gives us a great starting place when we discuss your wedding day timeline to figure out how much coverage you'll need. If you're looking at a number of dates, please let me know so I can share my availability with you! 

Of course! I will meet you wherever you are– I'm definitely not limited to the Midwest. All additional travel expenses will be discussed and added to the final contract, so you won't need to worry about flights/gas/hotels.

Being a concert photographer in addition to photographing weddings means I've practiced being able to capture important moments in less than ideal lighting situations. My trained eye combined with knowing how to best utilize my lighting equipment allows me to provide amazing photos, no matter where your wedding is taking place or what time of day it occurs.

At the moment I only offer photography. However, my recommended vendor list contains a number of videographers that I love to work with. Once you book with me, I'd be more than happy to share my list with you!

Honestly, I'd be mad if you didn't. If you have any furry friends at home, I want to know every nickname you call them, how floofy they are and why you can't live without them.

"We LOVED working with Madi. I feel like she really understood me and my husband's wedding vibe from the beginning! Taking so many photos can feel awkward at first, but she made us feel so at ease, and we got to know her fun personality even more that day! Many of our friends and family commented on how great she was! We had a big wedding (300+ people) with a lot of family and friends to take photos of/organize and she handled it like a true pro. 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.  We are so grateful to Madi for making our day so special; she truly went above and beyond for us. We cannot recommend her enough!"

Maggie + Tom

"If we could give Madi 100/5 stars, we would! Not only does she have a stunning portfolio, but she had great insight on how to structure our wedding day. For the wedding itself, Madi truly went above and beyond though. She helped keep us to our timeline without feeling rushed and made sure that every moment we wanted was captured (and probably then some). Madi Ellis is worth every single penny and should probably be paid royalties every time her works of art are shared because they're that good. She's INCREDIBLE and truly the best in the business!!!!"

Mattie + Chris

"From start to finish, Madi made our special day feel so graceful and effortless. She felt more like a friend tagging along than just a photographer, seamlessly blending into the celebration. Her warmth, friendliness, professionalism, and 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. If you’re looking for a photographer who not only delivers stunning images but also enhances the overall experience, look no further."

Alex + Ian

"I was on the hunt for a photographer that would capture two things: color and emotion. What we got with Madi was not just color and emotion in photography style, but a soundboard to get ideas off of, a great communicator, someone who was genuinely invested in our engagement and wedding day experience, and truly a wonderful human who is respectful of all backgrounds and identities. In the first intro call, Madi really showed an authentic yearn to get to know me and my husband's background and history together. I feel like I can remember every moment just by looking at our wedding gallery. It makes me emotional and so grateful that we picked her as our photographer."

Sam + Freddy

"When we told our venue vendor that we were working with Madi Ellis, her response was, 'the queen.' She was 100% right. I can't say enough good things about Madi. She was super engaged and responsive from the jump, and she went above and beyond to help us integrate our photo plans with our wedding day schedule, making sure we didn't miss out on opportunities to capture the night. On our wedding day, Madi was prompt, prepared, and ready with a contingency plan when downtown traffic threatened to throw off our shoot schedule. Throughout the night she helped our coordinator keep things rolling smoothly and was ready to take advantage of candid moments and set up group shots on the fly. And the photos are all stunning and captured us so well!"

Will + Jeff

"My husband and I could write pages and pages about how beautiful the photos that Madi takes are. 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

"Madi is quite literally one of the most talented, capable, and fun event photographers in the game. I believe her services are something else compared to other photographers, especially in the wedding industry. 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 even shows up on the day of the wedding with an "emergency kit" for anything that could go wrong! 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 an incredibly talented artist and we are absolutely in love with her photos. And maybe just as importantly, she is such a warm and kind person who immediately put everyone in the wedding at ease. Are you worried about being photographed for hours and made the center of attention? Madi will make what could be an awkward encounter feel second nature. Are you worried that your venue has weird lighting? 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 was amazing to work with throughout the planning process. 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 is incredible and you should absolutely book her. 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. To top it all off, Madi is fun and friendly, and we loved getting to spend time with her throughout this process."

Hanna + Nick

"Madi was so easy to work with - from planning everything, to her communication, to how comfortable she made us feel in front of the camera. She is so knowledgeable about all things wedding and was so helpful to us in more ways than just photography. BUT THEN THE PHOTOGRAPHY!! Her photos were absolutely stunning. She captured our goofiness in such a beautiful way, caught all of the little moments between us and guests, nailed all of the little detail shots. She was so amazing to work with and we loved our experience with her."

Becca + Trevor

KIND WORDS