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Hi, I'm Kenny Nakai.

 

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to document some of the city's most beautiful love stories.

 

I hope you find inspiration here and connect with the feelings I had when I created each photo.

kenny nakai chicago photographer in tuxedo on dark backdrop

Hi, I'm Kenny Nakai.

 

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to document some of the city's most beautiful love stories.

 

Welcome to my Chicago wedding blog, where I share my latest work and the deeper stories behind the photos. I hope you find inspiration here and connect with the feelings I had when I created each one.

CHICAGO WEDDING BLOG

REAL STORIES.

REAL VENUES.

REAL MOMENTS.

chicago skyline engagement night

It's been quite the journey since I started this Chicago wedding blog in 2007. Photography is more than something to post on social media. It's a time capsule. Stopping. Freezing. Holding a moment forever.

 

There is no greater privilege than being trusted to preserve these moments for the people I love working with.

 

Wedding photography has brought me to the rooftop Cupola at The LondonHouse and on to the turf at Wrigley Field. Not just documenting people, but our ever-evolving city, one frame at a time. One love story at a time.

Beautiful Montrose Beach Engagement // J&M

Chicago Montrose Beach Engagement Photos

Jami + Matt had some pretty unreal Chicago Montrose Beach engagement photos! The sun was just perfect to help create these beautiful moments! This first photo almost looks like an art piece!

If you were needing an engagement, proposal, wedding or family photographer…be sure to contact us!

chicago Montrose beach engagement photos

It doesn’t even look like we are in Chicago-

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Photographer’s Insight: Love the strong symmetry and lines in this photo – the setting sun created a beautiful palate of colors-

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Love how the trees frame them for this unique Chicago skyline engagement photo!

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We ended their session with all these photos at the beach!

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Thanks Jami + Matt for a wonderful time together for your Montrose Beach engagement photos! Can’t wait until your wedding!

with love,

your Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny Nakai

Engagement Photos in Chicago at Night

Engagement Photos in Chicago at NIGHT!

Nicole + Andrew were totally willing to meander together for their engagement photos in Chicago! Their riverwalk photos at night were so romantic! Be sure to scroll through to see all of our favorites!

If you were looking for an engagement, proposal, or wedding photographer – be sure to send us a message!

engagement photos in chicago night time riverwalk

They wanted to incorporate the Art at Mart display in the background! Love how they know how to make each other laugh!

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Looking like they belong in a fashion photoshoot-

engagement photos in chicago riverwalk

We had started their photos with their puppy!

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SOOOO ROMANTIC!

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engagement photos in chicago night time bridges

You guys did a great job on your photoshoot and we were able to create some amazing images! Can’t wait until your wedding!

with love,

your Chicago engagement photographer,

Kenny Nakai

70+ Glorious The Edgewater Madison Wedding Photos

The Edgewater Madison Wedding Photos

We headed up to Wisconsin for our 2nd Madison wedding in less than a month! It was wonderful to see all of Ilana + Yonatan’s family come from out of town to celebrate their wedding! It may have seemed like a hot and humid day to us Midwesterners…all the Atlanta folks seemed to think the weather was perfect! =)

Shout out to Jan from PEM Parties, the staff at The Edgewater Hotel, and Cagen Music for rolling through the changing weather and still making Ilana + Yonatan’s wedding spectacular! Lemons to lemonade!

Wedding Details:
Venue: The Edgewater Hotel
Planner: Jan from Parties, Events, and More
Photographer: Nakai Photography
Band: Cagen Music
Decor: Daffodil Parker and Blooming City Flowers
Wedding Day Dresser/Styling: G ALXNDR

Up first are a few of our favorite pictures from the day! The Edgewater Madison wedding photos would not be complete without a night shot of the State Capital building!Madison the Edgewater wedding photos reception capital

Spiral staircases make for beautiful photos!

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Getting Ready Edgewater Wedding Photos

Amazing lake views from the suites for their Edgewater wedding photos!

the Edgewater hotel wedding photos dress details

Stationary, shoes, rings and a handprinted bottle of champagne!

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A cute bridesmaids photo!

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Mom helping her daughter with her dress

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A reveal to her bridesmaids!

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos getting ready

She looks stunning in front of the floor to ceiling windows!

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Gorgeous!

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The groom getting styled by G ALXNDR

Madison the Edgewater wedding photos getting ready

The groom’s brothers were always having fun

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Love this portrait of Yonatan-

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Edgewater wedding photos have to include pictures on the rooftop!

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The Edgewater has their own dock…so we took a few photos over the water!

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One benefit to having a choreographed first dance: you look good dancing in your photos!

the Edgewater hotel wedding photos bride groom

Madison State Capital Building Wedding Photos

Though there was the large Madison Art Festival happening around the State Capital building, the bride and groom we were still able to get gorgeous photos with thee most iconic building in Madison!

Madison capital building wedding photos

Love the timeless look of their Madison capital building wedding photos in black and white

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Madison capital building wedding photos

It’s easy to understand why couples want to have Madison State Capital wedding photos!

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A little lemonade to help cool down the bride and groom!

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The official Jewish wedding ceremony takes place as they sign their Ketubah

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos ketubah

The Edgewater Madison wedding photos wouldn’t be complete without their outdoor ceremony set up…unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans…but what a beautiful setup!

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos outdoor ceremony

An impromptu staircase entrance was still a grand moment for the bride and groom!

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos staircase

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos staircase

The Edgewater Madison Wedding Photo // Ceremony

Quick thinking and action helped bring the ceremony indoors

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Love all of the groom’s expressions through out the day!

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Madison the Edgewater wedding photos ceremony jewish

Shout out to the groomsmen for their hard work!

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Of course the sun was shining during and after the ceremony…so we made sure to have LOTS of pictures outside with their beautiful chuppah!

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Just imagine them walking down the aisle after their outdoor wedding ceremony! =)

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Edgewater Wedding Photos // Reception

Love the use of lemons and mandarin oranges in the glass vessels on their escort card table

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Coffee meets bagel cake topper! =)

Madison the Edgewater wedding photos details

Then there was this epic sunset over the lake. Madison wedding photos wouldn’t be complete without the most perfect sunset photos!

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With colors like this…we could have stayed outside all evening taking photos!

the Edgewater Madison wedding photos sunset bride groom

We may have gotten carried away with the sunset photos…since we don’t have sunsets like this in Chicago! The Edgewater Madison wedding photos are now complete! Capital building + sunset over the lake = perfection!

Madison the Edgewater wedding photos sunset

First dance photos-

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Followed by another epic dance routine by the groom and his parents!

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Always love a good Hora photo!

Madison the Edgewater wedding photos reception horaMadison the Edgewater wedding photos reception danceMadison the Edgewater wedding photos reception danceMadison the Edgewater wedding photos reception band

Thank you Ilana + Yonatan for having me as your Madison wedding photographer capturing your Edgewater wedding photos! We got it all throughout your day! Shout out to you both for rolling through your day and turning lemons to lemonade! =)

with love,

Kenny Nakai

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I'm Kenny Nakai, a Chicago wedding photographer creating beautiful, timeless imagery since 2007. For couples who value artistry, authenticity, and the moments that last forever.

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