Cat and her crew were amazing for our wedding! She has such talent, creativity and is so easy to work with! Despite the Thunderstorm and impatient bride and groom, she was able to pull some amazing shots! I am so thankful to have her as my photographer! read more

Cat is the absolute best!! If you want high quality, professional photography from someone with a positive and friendly attitude, look no further! I first met Cat at a wedding show when we were looking for a photographer for my sister's wedding. I loved her work and she made an instantly good impression on me! So much so that 6 months later when I got engaged and needed a photographer for my own wedding, I knew that I wanted her - but since we had been so engrossed in planning my sister's wedding, I couldn't for the life of me remember her company's name to reach out. I knew what I wanted though, so my mom and I went to 5 different wedding shows to try to re-find her. We were getting to the point where my dad was telling me that my wedding was getting too close and that we would just have to find someone else or we would risk not having pictures, when my mom and I walked into a wedding show at America's Center and immediately looked at each other and excitedly, near screamed, "That's her!" We went straight up to the booth and booked her. Leading up to the wedding the communication with her was fabulous. We had a wonderful engagement session with beautiful photos. We met with her to have a planning meeting prior to our day and that took so much stress off my shoulders. She is so wonderfully organized - the plan/timeline she mapped out was flawless and a completely reasonable wedding timeline (not leaving dead space, but also not jam packing in unnecessary things) and we were able to share it with our venue, DJ, videographer, etc. All of them commented on how helpful it was for them and how well put together it was. While she made suggestions on pictures we could get based on her experience, we were never once pressured by her to do or not do any of the pictures that we wanted (or didn't want). The day of the wedding everything ran so smoothly! I was completely taken aback because with a big event like this you expect something, somewhere to go wrong, but I think back and really can't think of anything. All our vendors were aligned and on the same page with events and timelines, thanks to Cat! We got in every photo we wanted, plus some, and friends and family have raved over how good they are! There is literally not a single photo out of all of them she took that I dislike. Getting the download link for instant photo access, and also the personalized USB keepsake with all the photos, is also a nice touch! Something that I don't recall seeing many others offer. I think it's also worth mentioning that my experience with Cat was a major change from my sister's experience with her wedding photographer a couple months earlier - she went with a different photographer and her day was a mess. I, as her Maid of Honor and sister, had to actually take charge of the wedding timeline (the morning of her wedding while we were all also trying to get ready!) and direct her photographer to make sure she got what she wanted because he was upsetting her so much. Needless to say, after my wedding and seeing how smooth it went and how amazing the pictures turned out, my sister said numerous times that she should have gone with Cat. My parents have also said numerous times that she should have gone with Cat. My mom is still trying to get my sister's wedding photos off of dropbox which from the time it was sent has never fully worked correctly. I also don't think her pictures turned out as good... I don't completely know because there are some she won't even show me, just stating that they were "bad" - confirmed by my mom even. Of the ones I saw there were some good ones and some ok ones, so not a total loss. But to have "bad" ones that you don't even want to show your own sister? And her photographer cost more! Not something to dwell on for us as what happened has already happened, but hopefully this helps someone else to avoid her messy wedding day photographer scenario and make the right choice up front. Obviously loving the photos is a must (which we do!), but Cat's attitude, organization, and professionalism is also so valuable. Things I don't think are always thought of when looking for a photographer. We've kept in touch with Cat since our wedding. When we tell friends about her, we tell them we've made her our official family photographer - and she has been just that! A few weeks ago my husband and I had a maternity shoot with her at Bee Tree Park. No surprise, we love the pictures! They are so special to us during this special time for us, soon welcoming our first born together. We'll be reaching out to Cat for even more pictures in the future! All this being said, don't hesitate, choose Cat - she won't disappoint!! read more

Catherine at DCR Productions will always be my first choice in photographer! She is so easy to work with, listens to her clients and offers excellent professional advice. I have had her photograph everything from my children's newborn sessions to my own vow renewal last summer. I would recommend her 100% all day long! read more

I have been using DCR Productions for years. I actually met Catherine when she was just starting her business, and chose to grow with her as a client. Over the years, she has taken pictures for myself, my husband and I, and even photographed my Mother's Wedding on top of a free standing 50 foot tall rock formation in Garden of the Gods, Illinois! I cannot say enough about her professionalism, attention to detail, and honest transparency regarding coordination and what's involved. She does in person meetings, and provides her personal number to clients, just so she can be accessible at almost any given time. She goes out of her way to help her clients, and does everything with a positive attitude. I cannot recommend DCR Productions enough! It's a choice you won't regret. read more

I know this is long, but please read! I hired Catherine at a wedding show almost two years prior to my Wedding. My Pros for her business, was she was incredibly kind off the bat, her package deals hit all our boxes and bonus, I was able to make a payment plan up until the wedding. I truly do love that she offers that to couples! With those things being said, I feel like I need to share my experience with other potential Bride & Grooms.. It is now May of 2024 and I STILL feel off-put and I got Married in October 2023. I'm not normally someone who leaves reviews, but to this day this still sits with me. Initially, we really hit it off! Her website says engagement shoot included...Your engagement "sitting fee" is included in the "Elegance package". It felt at the time of the vendor show, everything was exaggerated as for what's included. If you don't know that a "sitting fee" does not include the $300-500 extra in purchasing pictures from the shoot. I accept responsibility that I assumed that it included the photos taken. (Misleading) When I asked about it, she was very kind explaining but it was a shock after already signing and agreeing to $3500 for the package. The next interaction was when we met for wedding day briefing and planning the schedule. She is kind but it felt as if she really wanted to control things. She was frustrated we did not want to see each-other prior to walking down the aisle, and made us feel obligated to do certain things (like cake cutting, which we really did not care about) I just went along with her advice because she is the professional in this situation. My biggest concern with the overall experience was having her for the unlimited hours. What is promised in the package is not what you will receive! Fast forward to our wedding day. Unlimited is essentially nonexistent, and it was a n ongoing disagreement between us prior to the day. We had Catherine on site from 11:30-9:30. So for about 10 hours, and the secondary was 6 and a half hours. My frustration is, the pictures are the most important part to me and we had family from far away visiting for this. I wanted all the moments captured no matter how small or dwindled the party began to feel. Her reasoning was that all the pictures start to look the same and that it's unnecessary to continue. I can see where she could be coming from, but for me it felt misleading to promote so heavily from the jump "unlimited time" when that is simply NOT the case. I was made to feel bad about it. I have very little getting ready pics, for me and my bridal party, and the pictures stop a few hours before the wedding was actually over. If you say unlimited, it should mean it. Once I signed the contract it just felt like a bait and switch honestly. I understand she had a personal family matter going on that was rather urgent day of, she informed me upon arrival as I was starting to get ready. I sincerely hope that situation has improved for and wish her the best for her family. Perhaps a back up person would have been a good alternative. When you have stressful personal things happening I think that contributes to the overall attitude/tone for the day. Of course you will not be at your best when things are going on in that manner, but in this industry wedding days cannot be redone later or get that day back. It's supposed to be the happiest day of your life. In my package a personalized USB with pictures from the wedding, and a digital link are supposed to be included. When my pictures were done she said either a download link OR the USB. Additionally I never received both prints of my choice that are supposed to be included. All of these are listed under that package on her website and heavily advertised at the vendor show. I shouldn't have to reach out and ask to receive them. Overall she is a talented photographer but there is definitely some things to think about when choosing her. When all is said and done, spending over $4000, I'm sad one of the most important vendors on my special day was such a stressful experience. read more