Do you photograph proposals?
Yes, and I love them. I know this city: how the light falls at sunset, which rooftops have the best skyline views, where to find the more private locations in our bustling city. I've helped plan alibis, coordinated surprise family arrivals, and always have a quick turn around on files. Learn more about my Chicago proposal photographer services.
Will we look natural - or like we're posing?
Both, actually...and that's the balance. I am always directing. Everything is intentional about my compositions and location choice. But I create a space for you to be comfortable and natural. And that's where the magic happens.
So you won't have is empty expressions, unflattering angles, or stiff poses. We work together to make the session relaxing and memorable.
Do you work with a second photographer?
Most of my couples add one, and I have a standard for who that is. It's either my dedicated second photographer who I've worked with and shoots in my style or it's a weddings photographer who runs their own business and charges $3,000 to $8,000 per wedding. They just happen to be available on your date. No interns, nobody building a portfolio, nobody learning on your wedding day.
What a second photographer gets you isn’t double the pictures. It’s closer to 20 or 30 percent more, and it’s the second angle. While I’m at the front of the aisle, they’re at the back getting your face and the reaction of everyone watching. If the two of you are getting ready in different places, we can cover both without stretching your timeline.
Have you photographed a wedding at our venue before?
Probably. With 19 years across Chicago's best wedding venues, there's a good chance I've been there. From the iconic Ritz Carlton Chicago to the 5-Star luxury Langham Chicago. But if I haven't, I'll be there early to scout it beforehand. Working at a "new to me" venue is always exciting as I get to explore and find the best spots. I come ready create the photos that I have pre-visualized in my mind.
What about the photos our parents want?
We ask them. Directly, before the wedding day.
Your parents have been picturing this day a lot longer than you have, and they almost always have a handful of photos that matter to them. Most of the time they never say it out loud, and then it surfaces the next morning as “I never got a picture with my best friend.” I’d rather head that off. We build their requests into the family photo list ahead of time, and anything that comes up during the day gets handled at cocktail hour or on the dance floor.
When will we see our photos?
Faster than you expect. Three images go live on Instagram the night of your wedding. So when you get back to your room at 2am, there's already something waiting. Your best 60 to 90 images post to the NAKAI Photography blog within 2–3 weeks, right as you're coming off your honeymoon. Your full gallery is online within a month. Your custom USB within three months. Most couples appreciate the speed and the effort I put into their images.
Why does turnaround speed matter?
Because the feeling of your wedding day fades. I want you to relive it while it's still electric. Not wait months wondering. You deserve to be excited about your photos, not anxious. There's so much energy from your wedding day and being able to see the pictures quickly helps keep the excitement and memories alive.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
Chicago weather is part of the city. I have contingency plans for every scenario. Beautiful indoor locations, covered spaces, and 19 years of experience making unexpected conditions work in your favor. Wind, rain, or cold temperatures. I've shot beautiful weddings in all of it. We talk about it in our pre-wedding call so you feel prepared.
What happens if you get sick or have an emergency?
Fair question, and the honest answer is that I’ve never missed a wedding since 2007. Knock on wood.
But that's not the whole answer. I’m part of a tight network of Chicago wedding photographers and we are there for each other. We’re all in the same boat, and we all know the SOS text could come on any given weekend. If something happened to me, I’d find you a photographer at my level. If I were truly incapacitated, my colleagues would do it for me. Your contract spells out your options: you can accept the replacement and the contract transfers over, or you can release the contract and find your own.
