She's great. Fun experience. Having a dog trainer a good idea. Recommend her highly.

We had such a great photo shoot experience with Candice. She and her team were patient and full of good humor as they worked to capture photos that showed my two Westies for the lively and loving pups that they are. The final photos are a keepsake I love and enjoy daily, and I know I will treasure my wall art for years to come! Would highly recommend! read more

My sweet pup Blue is 13 years old and I really wanted some special photos of him. Candice replied very quickly to my emails and questions and we even set up a day to bring Blue to her gorgeous studio so he could get comfortable before his big photo shoot! The photos came out perfectly, really capturing his personality and I am so happy with them! Candice's assistants were fantastic as well, giving Blue lots of attention and treats and making the experience so positive. It was well worth the investment for the artwork and I know I will have these photos forever. read more

Candice C Cusic Photography - Photographers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

DO THIS!! It was such a wonderful day for my dog and me with Candice and her assistant. They know what they are doing and will conduct your photo session with ease. We felt like models and the end result is PERFECT. No one comes into my home and doesn't make over 'The Vivienne', the 3 ft x 3 ft gorgeous shot of my beautiful Cavalier. The bubble shots were what drew me in and it is amazing to watch their expertise in making it happen for us! DO THIS!! read more

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I had such a great experience exploring animal communication with Candice. She provided excellent insights into my aging girl's behavior that were spot on and even suggestions of activities she might enjoy, which have been loads of fun to explore and certainly enhanced our bond. I absolutely recommend Candice for both your animal communication and your photography needs! read more

We wanted to get some photos of our family as two of our cats grow older. Candice was quick to respond to my inquiry and very flexible when it came to scheduling our photo session. We have three cats so we didn't want to worry about transporting them so she and her assistant came to our house so our cats could be more comfortable. I love the pieces we got. They make me and my partner smile every time we see them. The photos bring tears to my eyes with how beautiful they are. read more

Candice and her team are a delight! From the moment you and your pup(s) arrive you are greated with a smile and ushered to a good place for a doggy pit stop before going in. The studio is simply gorgeous and welcoming. My boys are I were offered yummy goodness and places to settle in and chat. The team wanted to understand who and what we're about before shooting. The session itself was great! Animals aren't predictable so they pivot and adjust as they go! Shortly after the session you reconvene and create your project together. The team then offers up your mock-up. It was super fun throughout and a carefree experience. Our project is still in progress but we're gitty to receive it!! read more

Great location with free parking. Staff worked hard to put our family at ease and to create memorable pictures.

If you are considering getting professional shots of your dog and family, look no further. Candice is truly the best and her photos are magical! Candice is an amazing photographer and was able to capture the sweetest moments of our little pup and ourselves! My boyfriend and I were a little nervous of how the photographs would turn out, but once we started viewing the photos we were amazed at how many good moments she captured. It was SO hard for us to cut out any pictures, they were all that good! She did such a great job capturing our puppy's personality and was so patient with him, as I know puppies can be very hard to photograph. Candice further has been extremely patient with us throughout the whole process. She is extremely professional and truly care's about the quality of her work. Her studio is also amazing. We cannot recommend her enough!! read more

I don't even know where to begin. I could talk about Candice's thoughtful initial phone call or her super welcoming spirit when we arrived or how patient and kind she was with both me and my nervous Nellie. It doesn't really matter where I start because it all combines to create the most amazing images of my sweet pup. From the moment we first spoke on the phone, Candice was really interested in getting to know what my dog was like... what made her so special to me, what are her quirks, what did I hope to get from our shoot. I felt so relaxed about the appointment later that month despite Nellie not always loving other people. And as soon as we got there, Nellie loved Candice. Nellie took a little while to warm up to the idea of the camera, but Candice was patient and offered ideas to make her more comfortable. She ended up getting the most incredible pictures of my shy, sweet girl. The experience from start to finish was amazing. I would recommend Candice to anyone! read more

Candice C Cusic Photography - Photographers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a wonderful experience capturing the spirit of our Bernedoodle with Candice and her team. They were kind and patient with us and our dog. Highly recommend. read more

I have read many reviews regarding Candice and the 5 star reviews are spot on. I was looking for someone, anyone, that could capture the essence of the feelings and emotions my pups and I have for the mental health therapy work we do together. Candice was able to capture that "look" I was hoping for and the attached photo is proof. Candice is a professional in every sense of the definition; she made me, an introvert and camera shy individual, feel relaxed and able to interact with my pups as I would at work or home. I felt more than welcomed to her awesome studio both for the photo shoot and the design consultation. I admired her ability to get along with three pups running around the studio and making a mess with all their fur flying. Her patience during the shoot allowed me and my pups to be ourselves and that in turn shows in the photos I selected. This is not your photo shoot at Wal Mart, Sears or your local photography studio using a blue background. Total professionalism doesn't describe nearly how I felt about the shoot and the end results. I considered the experience to be interactive with Candice, myself and the dogs. I did NOT feel like a statute posing for a "hope I get it right" shot. Instead, the photos were me, Gohan, Emi and Colleen as we are with each other - that's what I wanted to convey to anyone that is considering seeking my help as an mental health therapist that involves therapy dogs. Finally, her assistants Mack (I hope I spelled that correctly) and Emiko were just as friendly and professional as Candice. They were like icing on the cake. If you are looking for the best photographer to do your photoshoot with your pups for business or family memories, look no further than Candice C. Cusic Photography. read more

Candice C Cusic Photography - With my three pack for a "family" photo. This photo defines my dogs and myself as to how we feel about our therapy work together. PERFECT! - Photographers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can't say enough good things about Candice and her wonderful team. From booking our session, to the photoshoot, to our museum-quality artwork, our expectations were constantly exceeded! Everything about our experience was fantastic. The studio is warm and welcoming. The team is easy to work with and professional. Candice is such a fabulous talent. She directed our shoot and made us--and our fuzzy puppy!--feel comfortable and confident. When it came to selecting our photos and artwork, she was patient and gave us great advice. It really felt like a terrific collaboration to work with her. When we got our final product, we were blown away. The portraits are phenomenal and we will treasure them for the rest of our lives. You will not find a better photographer in Chicago! read more

Candice C Cusic Photography - Photographers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We can't say enough good things about Candice and her staff! We wanted family portraits with our three (sort of trained) dogs. Candice and her staff were competent, friendly, helpful, and generally made the entire experience delightful. This was the least stressful photography session we've ever had - with or without dogs! Our photos are absolutely gorgeous and are exactly what we wanted. They don't just show a picture of what we and our dogs look like, they are a window into our life with our dogs. You can see our personalities and our dogs' personalities shining through the photos. Candice isn't just a photographer; she's a storyteller. Candice even arranges installation of our art work (he was terrific!) and now, every time we walk into our house, we immediate see the photos and smile. Every. Single. Time. Candice is truly an artist and she gave us incredible, legacy portraits. If you're on the fence, call her. You won't regret it. read more

Ironically it is my 1st year anniversary today. I have not a single photo that is acceptable to post to celebrate my marriage. Candice was the absolute worst decision I have ever made, and I absolutely will regret hiring her for the rest of my life. My husband and I got married alone (elopement style) and wanted her to photograph a few hours of photos for us. She over promised and way way way under delivered. To keep things short (because I already spend WAY too much time thinking about how awful my wedding photos are and how much it breaks my heart): She did not photoshop a single photo. Even though I had asked her to photoshop some blemishes on my forehead amongst some other things to which she replied, "OF COURSE that is included!" (liar) For the price we paid (we were paying hourly) she gave us only SIXTY unedited photos. Absolutely unacceptable for the price we paid. We had a list of locations we wanted that we had emailed her, we didn't go to a single one of those locations after at least three phone conversations PLUS the emailed list. Once we were all together in person she acted like she had never done this before and suggested the worst places to go for photos, places that were not on the list we emailed her the night before- all in ubers which we paid for each time. When we'd request our locations she'd say there wasn't time (?) ...We mapped out our locations and they were near and all totally doable. The photos we wanted with our dogs turned out totally laughably bad, like embarrassing, out on the balcony of our hotel room- wind blowing my hair straight UP and she thought that was fine? Or how bout the one with the wind blowing the hair over my entire face? yeah, that one was stellar! So, today I sit here wishing I had even just ONE photo that was acceptable from my day and sadly I don't. It was totally rushed. I've never felt like more of a burden on someone doing their actual job in my life. A job we're paying them for hourly. Honestly, I don't even have the actual photos any longer because I never want to remember my experience or that portion of the day. I took the file and trashed it. I never want to open them again. I emailed her and she did reimburse me *some* money (not even half the amount we paid) but I still feel we totally got taken by her and how much she charged us. It makes me livid to remember our experience. I guess she does her best work for those who are paying her for their entire day not just a 4-6 hour window. Keep that in mind. Thanks for literally nothing Candice. It makes me sick to think about. **EDITED to reply to her ridiculous response: CANDICE: We were twenty minutes late- you banged down our hotel door and forced yourself in while we were half dressed. We had you booked by the hour- so really, what did that matter to you. We REQUESTED sunset photos multiple times throughout our correspondence. MY DOGS WERE NERVOUS BECAUSE YOU WERE MAKING THE MOST HORRIBLE HIGH PITCH SQEAK AT THEM. A noise to this day my husband and I talk about because it was SO INSANE. AS FAR as my tan review goes (which is none of your business), IF YOU HAD EDITED THE PHOTOS LIKE WE PAID YOU TO DO I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN UNHAPPY with how my hands looked in the photos, that again, you DID NOT EDIT! Always full of excuses and blame, Candice! You *truly* ruined my day, and your response says a lot about who you really are. read more

Candice has a great space and makes your pets feel relaxed. We had three dogs and she and her staff worked hard to keep them entertained and focused. We are very happy with the results. read more

You guys, stop everything. Seriously, whatever you're doing, stop doing it. And go to Candice's gorgeous photoblog, and tell me you've ever seen anything more amazing in your entire life (and not just because my fiancé and I are currently featured, though its a nice touch!). Because you haven't. Candice's photos are gorgeous, artful, journalistic, emotional masterpieces. From engagement sessions to weddings to baby photos, this woman has a gift unlike anything I've seen. She takes moments that were once special (weddings! hurray!), turned banal clichés (everyone, pose like you're shocked that the bride and groom are kissing!), and turns them back into memories anyone would be honored to keep. You won't see any choreographed bridal party posing photos, but thank goodness for it: because what you see instead is real. And worth capturing. I first heard of Candice through a friend of mine who (fabulously, i might add) cuts hair. She offered up her name and suggested that she may not be our style, but knowing we needed a wedding photographer, thought she'd let me know. I didn't think much of it, but I went home that night and checked out her website with my fiance, and I knew she was our photographer before ever even MEETING her when I felt myself getting teary-eyed looking at the wedding photos of people I DON'T EVEN KNOW. When we met with her, we learned she's not only incredibly talented, but warm, funny, and incredibly charasmatic - all attributes I imagine you need to weather the bridal arena. Her photography packages are, admittedly, more expensive than other photographers, but you absolutely are getting what you pay for. Candice answered all of my obnoxious questions (and continues to do so every step of the way through this getting married process) and we signed the contract the day we met her. Two weeks ago, we had our engagement photo session, and she braved the bitter cold with us to take the most engaging, beautiful photos imaginable (and CERTAINLY the most beautiful photos anyone's ever taken of my fiance and me. Whoa). She had fantastic suggestions for location and very generic requests for our physical posture (e.g, please take your hands out of your pockets... oops!) but the rest was just her documenting emotions and moments in time. We got the photos back today, and as I anxiously combed through them to see the result, it became SO VERY REAL that we're getting married. Her photos just brought to life a timeline of events that will end in our wedding, and only made me more excited for the big day to arrive. THAT, my friends, is a true feat of photography. If you're looking for more than traditional wedding photos, or if you just don't want to have to worry about great looking photos, if you wanna brag about how amazing your wedding photographer is, or if you'd prefer some combo of all three, do yourself a favor and hire Candice. I cannot recommend her talents highly enough! read more

I love Candice, she's amazing!! I got photos taken with my dog, who is incredibly shy around new people. Candice and her staff were so patient and accommodating to my dogs needs and used many different methods/techniques to make it fun and less scary for her. The end results are amazing and I am so happy with the whole experience and products!!! read more

Finding the best is difficult. Finding the perfect photographer to capture YOUR most important moment is essential - trust me i understand. I was put in the same situation as you for our wedding. I spent countless hours researching photographers. But let me ease your mind, you found her and Candice will exceed your expectations. Bold statement right? Well here is the support. Others have attested to her credentials, Candice is highly accredited and awarded in her community. Though experienced, she hasn't lost her passion and high energy. After our recent experience, my wife and I couldn't be more thankful and blessed to have Candice agree to capture our most important moment. Why? because Candice gifted us the ability to RELIVE our moment daily. "Viewing" and "reliving" are two different experiences, she truly is a photojournalist, someone who tells the story of you (and your guests), capturing real moments as they unfold. Instead of your typical pose here, or scripted locational shot photographers, we have photos filled with treasures, as if nobody realized that a photographer attended the wedding. Each photo shows raw emotion; they show not only what we were experiencing during the wedding, but they also tell a story of our guests' experience. Her photos truly are works of art and we are forever grateful that Candice shared her gift with us. BTW: I heard from other couples that they waited months to over a year to receive their photos. Knowing how in demand Candice is, we expected the same. To our surprise, Candice had our photos completed within weeks. Only a true professional can accomplish a task like that. read more

Easily one of the most gifted photographers and genuinely kind people I have ever met. Candice did a photo shoot for my sisters wedding and a private lesson as a birthday present to my dad. For both events her super positive, quirky, light-hearted personality and exceptional gift for capturing moments in explosive and unique ways made her an amazing person to be around. None of that awkwardness when a photographer you barely know gets too close or cliche, stiff, obviously posed wedding photos. Her photo journalism background is obvious in the way she is able to capture and make you feel apart of every photo she takes. She is truly an amazing person and photographer and you would be a fool to hire anyone else. read more

I originally didn't want to do any photography, I figured that since it was a courthouse wedding it wasn't necessary. I have never been more thankful that my now husband talked me out of that decision. I spent a few days looking for a photographer before I stumbled upon Candice. Her work was beautiful to me on her site and she did courthouse weddings I couldn't help thinking jackpot. I've never come across another person who shows such a passion for what they do! Her personality is absolutely infectious and her ability to turn in my mind something that was "just a little thing" into one of the most beautiful memories that I have speaks to the work she does. Everyone loved our photos as much as we did. She did exactly what made me want her in the first place, she caught moments as they happened naturally. Sure we did a few posing pictures but every time I look at a photo of a moment she caught I am instantly taken back to that day, that specific time, and that to me is priceless. She made us laugh and made our special day so unique and wonderful that I could not imagine it without thinking about her. If ever I have someone getting married or doing any event where a professional photographer is needed I would not hesitate to recommend Candice, hands down, as a top choice. read more

When my husband and I found out we were expecting a baby we immediately asked our good friend Candice if she would take our pregnant belly shots when my tummy got larger. For months she waited patiently for my stomach to pop and when it did, she cleared her schedule to give us a lengthy photo session. Not only were my husband and I excited and pleased with Candice's ability to accommodate our calendar, but her own excitement about taking the photos blew us away. She took my suggestion to shoot at the beach and ran with it -- even going so far as to bring some props! While there, she worked her tail off, getting down on her belly in the sand and grass, facing bugs and dirt to get some amazing images. Her creativity and suggestions for different locations was ceaseless, despite a warm, midday sun beating down on her back. She gave wonderful direction, made my husband and I feel relaxed and more than anything, gave us a sense that we were doing something really special. The resulting images truly showed just how special a day it was! We couldn't have been more pleased with the shots. A few months later, when our daughter was born, she asked us if she could take her first photos. A week after her birthday, Candice came to our house and worked her magic within the comfort of our home and backyard spaces to capture our daughter in exquisite detail. Again, she gave gentle direction and her enthusiasm and enjoyment about what she was doing shone through throughout the session. I am sure I'm biased, but the photos of our baby are the most lovely baby pictures I've ever seen. After both sessions, we were treated to a blog about the event. Further, Candice was extremely prompt in getting us digital images of the work she had done. She's a first-class pro through and through and has a true talent for capturing life as it happens. read more

We retained Candice to shoot an engagement session and our wedding. We couldn't be happier with the results or with the experience of working with Candice. So much of the planning and execution of a wedding is stressful and tedious, but every moment spent with Candice was delightful. For the engagement session, she created an atmosphere that was fun and relaxed, but also exciting. We tromped around Lakeview with our dog and found the most beautiful locations in the most mundane places. For the wedding, Candice pulled off this amazing trick of being entirely present and engaging with us and our guests, and yet almost entirely invisible. In both instances, she was able to capture moments of true intimacy and spontaneity. In the end, we were left with a set of beautiful photos, capturing the static beauty of the trappings of the day--our venue, centerpieces, rings, clothes, and so on--as well as the dynamic beauty of our guests joy and our own happiness. As for the photos, you have to go to Candice's website and look at her photoblog. Words here can't do a better job of extolling their quality than they themselves do. Candice will find that quiet moment that, say, your coworker and her spouse, who almost never get time to themselves, share after dinner, or your new mother-in-law's reaction when your best man asks her to dance, or your officiant going over the reading before the ceremony. If you are looking for truly unique wedding photos, photos that don't just document, but tell the story of your wedding, Candice is your photographer. Lastly, you'll find as you plan your wedding that there are certain qualities that the great vendors share. Candice has all of those qualities. She is a great listener. She is responsive to your needs and generous with her advice. Her contracts and billing system are clear, concise, and simple. She is on-time and always prepared. She's professional, but also great fun to work with. Maybe most of all, Candice is a hard worker. That, in combination with her frankly amazing talent (see the photo blog!) means that your photos are going to be something to cherish. read more

Candice is an excellent photographer. We are very pleased with all of our wedding photos and our wedding album. She has a knack for capturing a couple's unique style and chemistry. And she also got all those unique moments at our wedding that we can look back and cherish forever - from the touching moments to the wacky! We couldn't be happier with Candice - while her services may be more expensive than other Chicago wedding planners she is worth it. read more

candice is a great woman with an amazing eye for artistic photography. if you are looking for someone who cares about what they are doing with photography, look no further. read more

Candice did a great job capturing our dogs' personalities. She made the whole process easy and fun for all of us. You can tell she's passionate about capturing the natural moments. read more

Candice is worth every penny. If you want artistic and interesting photos she is your woman. I kind of loved hanging out with her and was sad when she left after our wedding photos were done! Our original plan to shoot at Riot Fest was foiled, but came Candice to the rescue providing us with an awesome shoot at the MCA-amid a rocking David Bowie exhibit! read more

I used to work with Candice when she was in journalism, and we collaborated on a few stories together. What I noticed is she has this amazing instinct for being at the right place at the right time, and that sixth sense could only be developed by years of being in the trenches of daily journalism. She brings that instinct to her current job, and let me tell you, very few photographers have what Candice has. There's no forced "hold for this pose", because she allows her subject to be themselves and in the moment. Candice is a storyteller at heart, so there's an organic aura to all her work. There's plenty of good wedding photographers out there. But when I got married, knowing that we had one shot to get pictures we'll look back on the rest of our lives, we didn't want to compromise on just good. We wanted the best. There wasn't even a choice B: Candice was the only person we called. read more

I was referred to Candice by a trusted photographer I had worked with in a corporate capacity and knew from the get-go I wanted to work with her for our wedding. Her style may not be for everyone. She doesn't do cliched poses, she doesn't do a ton of portraits and she doesn't prescribe traditional locations. Instead, she captures moments, reactions and tells a detailed and thoughtful narrative from countless perspectives - her creativity, vision and ability to manipulate different situations and scenery is incredible. While she was a definite investment in our wedding budget, she was truly worth every penny. We received our pictures less than two months after our wedding day via an online portal and a USB drive. Flipping through them we truly relived every moment and emotion over again. I couldn't be happier with the engagement shoot, our wedding day and everything in between. Working with Candice was an easy and fun experience, and you can't help but smile around her quirky personality! read more

Candice photographed my wedding and engagement pictures and I could not be happier that we chose her. When my husband and I first met Candice we knew she was the photographer for us. She is extremely talented (just look at her photos they speak for themselves) and professional. Our pictures from both sessions are absolutely beautiful and they are something we will have for years to come. She is wonderful to work with and hands down my favorite vendor for the entire wedding. read more

A Photojournalism pundit who can seamlessly create artistic photos no matter where you are or what the occasion is. Her skills are impressive and her extremely rich experience in photojournalism enables her to capture the truth and realism in the actual moment. Her pictures tell the actual emotion and the atmosphere of the scene. In addition, getting pictures taken from her is an experience in itself and you also get to learn the inner intricacies of artistic photography. Another impressive thing about her is that in spite of being a very busy photographer, she finds time to teach Photojournalism in Northwestern School of Journalism and Chicago Photography Center, a contribution of hers' which I admire. To summarize, if you are reading this review just stop wasting your time and call/email her for next memorable photo shoot. read more

super professional, awesome funny lady. book her for your next event now!

Couldn't be happier that we were able to work w/ Candice! She far exceeded all expectations. The pictures really capture each moment and ALL the feels that go along w/ it. Her team works to make sure all the details are perfect. Candice is a true professional who cares about her work and cares to tell your story. Well worth every penny! read more

Wow.... what can I say that her pictures don't already tell you. Candice is an amazing photographer and person. We had her shoot our engagement pictures and wedding. I was just amazed with the pictures. She really captures the moment and emotion that is there. She also great to work with. She makes you feel comfortable at all times and has a great sense of humor too. I would definitely recommend her to anyone in need of a photographer. I can't wait to have her shoot our pregnancy and baby photos. Thank you Candice!!! read more

Just recovering from our wedding last week. Candice was a joy to work with. She's so creative - she finds the coolest shots and angles and moments that noone else would see. She's a photojournalist and that shows in her work - she captures all these moments in an engaging and creative way. And even though we spent 8 hours with her, she's funny and patient and surprisingly unobtrusive during the wedding. We loved our engagement photos and felt so comfortable having chosen her to capture our wedding. Although we haven't seen the wedding photos yet, we know they'll be beautiful and unique. She's very responsive and answered all our numerous questions along the way. We'd recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone. read more

Candice transcends all expectations of a wedding photographer. She is an exceptional artists that captures moments for a lifetime. Her patience and professionalism are second to none. Worth every penny...Couldn't recommend any higher! read more

We chose Candice to shoot our wedding and could not have been more pleased with the choice. We interviewed several photographers and she stood out head-and-shoulders above the rest in terms of experience and aesthetic. She has experience (lots of it) as an actual photojournalist, so when she says she shoots like that she isn't just using a buzz word that will draw wedding clients. She actually really shoots that way, blending into the event, finding the best shots without disrupting the flow of action. We didn't even notice her or her partner at our wedding-- it was like they just blended into the scenery. If our engagement photos are any testament, our wedding photos are bound to be amazing. read more

Candice is just splendid and her photographs are breathtaking! She was such a positive and welcome presence throughout our planning and our wedding, and she continues to be now, after the wedding. We received SO many compliments about her after the wedding. "Your photographer took so many pictures!" "Your photographer was absolutely everywhere and yet you didn't notice her at all." "Your photographer was so nice." "Your photographer's shots are amazing; They look like they should be in a fancy magazine or photography book." "How did you find your amazing photographer? She really nailed the mood and feel of the day" and on and on!!! I mean it's crazy, really... But well deserved! She made us feel completely at ease the entire day. She was honest with us every step of the way which helped us plan properly and get amazing pictures. I love photography and researched TONS of photographers. Candice has such an artistic eye. Hiring her was one of the best decisions we made in planning our wedding and we will be forever grateful for her talent with which she graced us, and also for her amazing aura and attitude. read more