****New Post from Feb 2020::****…read more Had an absolute blast shooting our maternity shoot with Magdalena at her amazing downtown studio and partially outdoors (yes in the middle of Chicago winter) this past weekend. It was SO worth it for the incredible shots she caught. Her perspective is so unique and captivating. We have done our engagement, wedding, boudoir and now maternity all with WASIO/PURE Boudoir and wouldn't have it any other way! The session just flowed incredibly well, and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Magdalena was extremely mindful and accommodating throughout if I needed a water, snack or restroom break at all. Even at 36 weeks pregnant, she made me feel more beautiful than ever! To anyone on the fence about having a Maternity shoot done because you aren't sure you feel up to it, I promise you, its totally worth it! ****Original Post from Aug 2017:: [ALSO 5 STARS!!!]**** What an incredible experience! I chose Magdalena of Wasio for two reasons. One, I've worked with her before for my engagement and wedding photography, and two, for her incredible prospective when it comes to boudoir photography! I was nervous at first but Magdalena was very reassuring and made me feel extremely comfortable. She offered many suggestions on outfits and ideas, and worked with what I had in mind as well. Throughout the session Magdalena would show me a few glimpses of photos on her camera as encouragement. She has a great eye that could make a woman of any shape or size feel beautiful. I chose to do mine as a surprise gift to my husband for our 5 year wedding anniversary and a gift to myself for my 30th birthday. This was a very rewarding experience and I definitely recommend Magdalena. Every woman should do this at least once, even if it is just for yourself!

I booked a boudoir session with Magdalena to get some photos as a wedding present for my fiancé…read more Before the session, Magdalena sent detailed instructions on what to expect and how to prepare. The morning of the session I had also booked hair and makeup through someone she recommended, and their services were great! The session itself was also wonderful. Despite the fact that I had never done something along the lines of boudoir before, Magdalena gave a lot of instruction on how to pose and ensure my facial expressions also conveyed the right tone. She stopped to show me photos along to way so i could see how they were turning out. She promptly shared the unedited proofs with me, and they were all so good it was so hard to decide which ones I liked the best! If you are considering doing a boudoir shoot, do not hesitate to book with Pure Boudoir!

Photos are great and Jill was pleasant to work with. Kind and warm also. The photos are easy to…read moreaccess, download, and share.

I hired Jill to complete a shoot of headshots for me a few months ago. I was very satisfied with…read morethe services she provided and her work. She was professional, on time, her photography skills were excellent, and the price was reasonable. I would consider using her again for future headshots or other photography services. *This is an actual review - "not fake".

Bethany is amazing to work with!! She is incredibly kind, easy to work with, listens and makes sure…read moreshe truly understands your vision, and then executes in the best way possible. From beginning to end her services were top notch. She helped us plan out our photos, making sure we got everything we wanted in the time slotted, and we had the most fun day taking our wedding photos with her. Our guests even raved about how fun it was to have her capturing special moments during our reception. She made every aspect of the process so easy, stress-free and smooth and I cannot recommend her enough. We just got some sneak peek photos back and were blown away by how perfectly she captured the very specific vision we had in mind. HIGHLY recommend working with Bethany for your wedding, or other, photo needs!

Five stars aren't enough! We would give 10 if that was an option. We feel so lucky to have worked…read morewith Bethany for our engagement photos and wedding day photos. Bethany is extremely professional and caters to your desires for your special day. She brings a calming presence to an often stressful process of wedding planning and on the actual wedding day. She is genuinely kind, funny, creative, and talented, and we trusted her ENTIRELY to capture our day. As the bride and groom, we had a million thoughts going through our heads on the big day, but we never, ever worried about our photos. Bethany is the person to work with if you want professionalism, attention to detail, genuine love and care, and kick a** photos!!! We are forever grateful to Bethany, and we would recommend her to anyone for their special day :) Thank you, Bethany!!!

I moved to Chicago at the end of last year, and this is my first pregnancy. At first, I wasn't sure…read moreif I wanted to do a maternity photoshoot. It felt out of my comfort zone, something I had never done before. But after hearing from friends that I might regret not capturing this moment, I decided to start searching for a photographer. I came across many different artists online, but Sri's portfolio immediately stood out. His photography style is artistic, natural, and unique--nothing felt overly posed or awkward. I was already approaching my third trimester, so time was limited. Thankfully, Sri responded quickly and guided me through the entire process. He explained what to bring, what to expect, and assured me that most of the wardrobe and accessories would be available at the studio. We scheduled the shoot two weeks later with Sri and his talented makeup artist, Laura. When I arrived, I was nervous and unsure, but those feelings quickly disappeared. Both Sri and Laura made me feel completely at ease. Laura styled my hair into soft waves and gave my skin a beautiful, radiant glow, while Sri patiently walked me through the session step-by-step. Sri has an incredible eye for detail and a clear passion for his craft. He was attentive, energetic, and never rushed the process. Even when I needed time to find the right pose, he remained patient and encouraging, always focused on capturing the perfect shot. The final photos exceeded all my expectations--they are stunning and filled with emotion. I'm so grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone and trusted Sri with this experience. He even made sure I had a beautifully edited photo ready in time for my baby shower just one week later. This photoshoot has become one of the most meaningful memories of my pregnancy, and I wholeheartedly recommend Sri to anyone looking for a photographer. He not only incredibly talented but also kind, professional, and deeply passionate about what he does.

I cannot recommend Sri enough as a Chicago maternity photographer! I set up a pregnancy photoshoot…read morefor my sister as a gift. She hadn't planned on doing a shoot for herself and I wanted to make sure she had something beautiful to look back on to remember the moment. It was important to find someone who would make her feel comfortable while also delivering truly stunning maternity pictures-- and Sri exceeded all expectations. From my first call with him, Sri was warm, professional, and incredibly straightforward about pricing, deliverables, and the entire process. He made everything seamless, even arranging hair and makeup. When I introduced Sri to my sister, he was just as kind and reassuring, which instantly put her at ease. The maternity photo shoot itself was an amazing experience. Sri's studio is in a great location and offers the privacy that was important for my sister to feel relaxed. Throughout the session, Sri brought great energy and took the time to understand how my sister wanted to see herself in the photos. His expertise in artistic photography really came through-- his use of light is masterful, creating simple yet powerful images that perfectly capture this special moment. I found Sri by searching online for photographers in Chicago, and I'm so grateful I did. If you're looking for a talented, professional, and thoughtful Chicago maternity photographer, Sri is the one to book!

I was looking for some quality headshots for my LinkedIn page to give my profile a more…read moreprofessional look as I began my job search. I chose Organic Headshots because the photos on their website looked high quality, the pricing was very reasonable compared with other options I looked at of similar quality, and they included all of the photos from the shoot in high resolution without watermarks. A lot of other places charge extra for that. My photographer was Alexander, and he was fantastic. He took the time to understand the purpose of my shoot and what I was hoping to get out of it. I brought several outfit options, and he helped me decide which clothes and backgrounds would work best. He walked me through different poses and angles so we could get a good variety of photos. I have a hard time smiling naturally for pictures, but Alexander was very patient and did a great job of guiding me through the process to get the best out of the shoot. It was a great experience. I'm really happy with the photos and would absolutely come back the next time I need professional photos.

My photo session with Organic Headshots was fantastic! Alexander was so fun to work with, and I'm…read morereally happy with the headshots I received. The studio was perfect as it had a backdrop/setting that matched the aesthetic I was going for re: the additional photos taken for my website. I would definitely recommend Organic Headshots, and specifically Alexander!

If a picture is worth a thousand words and you don't have two chances to make a first impression,…read moreyou'll want someone who deftly creates Shakespearan verses with each snap of the camera. You'll want to go with Michael Schacht at 312 Elements. I'm the type that will research a big-ticket purchase for six months to get an idea of the market--and then spend another three months trying to convince myself why I don't need it. I didn't need nine months to be convinced to go with Michael. An initial look through his portfolio and you'll notice that he not only knows how to take a picture, he knows how to make you look good. Visit him in the studio and you'll also notice that it's not just knowing facial expressions, angles, body positioning, spacing, and lighting that creates his elevated works. I already knew Michael was good behind the camera, I was genuinely surprised by how good he is in connecting with clients in the studio. These days we frequently meet each other online before getting together in person. Michael will draw out your best self and capture the parts of your personality that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Having worked with several photographers at this point I have to say Mike's working style is…read moreunique. I walked into the shoot expecting the standard "stand over there and do this pose" shtick. Instead, Mike spent about the first 10 minutes getting to know me. By understanding who I am, what I wanted to accomplish, he understood what I want to portray through the shoot. The rest of it was a breeze, Mike was able to capture I was envisioning, and help me bring out my best. If you want to end up with a stereotypical headshot, feel free to find your run-of-the-mill portrait photographer. But if you want an unique experience with quality headshots you can use in years to come, Mike's service is well worth the price.

Had a great experience working with Ben not too long ago. He came out for 6 hours to shoot our…read morefundraiser and couldn't have been any happier. He captured exactly what I imagined and what we talked about on the phone. Will use again for our future events!

Ben was incredibly professional and fun! We did a family shoot in a local park with 7 adults and 2…read moredogs. He captured the vision and ran with it! TY!!

10 years ago I hired Ben Mahoney to be the videographer for our wedding. At the time, we hadn't…read morebudgeted for a wedding video and Ben was a last-minute addition. Second only to marrying my wife, hiring Ben was the best decision I ever made. We still watch our wedding video every year on our anniversary and it's a precious keepsake that I will always treasure. It's now 2022 and my dad just turned 80 years old. So, to commemorate the occasion, I hired Ben and the Our Days film crew to put together a montage of videos of my dad spending time with his grandkids. As usual, Ben did a masterful job weaving together pictures and videos into a beautiful movie. We screened it for the whole family and there wasn't a dry eye in room. If you are thinking about hiring Ben and Our Days, don't hesitate a minute longer. You won't regret it!

How do I fit 50 of Jess' pics on my Holiday card? Does anyone know?…read more I have a million thoughts but I'll narrow it down - Jess captured my family's natural essence; the quiet, in between moments that make us... us. I just looked at one photo in particular of us looking at a turtle over a railing and thought, "this captures our family in its entirety." On SO many occasions, I want to put the sweet moments of my kids in a jar and put it on my shelf forever - the album she delivered is my jar. Thank you, Jess for capturing the intangible joy we feel on an ordinary afternoon and thank you even more for reminding me of the blessings that we have.

Emily is a true artist!!! She is so knowledgeable about all the flattering angles of the body and…read moremaking sure you look and feel your best! Literally the best photos of myself I've ever gotten! If you're looking for a boudoir photographer look no further she's your girl. Will definitely be using her again in the future !

I cannot recommend Emily enough! I was looking for a photographer that was willing to work with me…read morefor a surprise proposal that I had planned. I researched other photographers and spoke to a handful, but from the start Emily was professional but also fun and extremely easy to work with. I shared my ideas with her and as the day drew closer she realized that due to the season or time of the day, some of the shots would probably not work out. She had a ton of great suggestions that were even better than what I had planned. Emily got some great candid shots of me proposing to my girlfriend, and then we went on a photo shoot around Chicago. After the proposal Emily was great at making sure that we stuck to our schedule, checking and giving us suggestions to make sure the photos looked well, and capturing great light and backgrounds across the city. Emily got us our photos really quickly, and we were blown away by how great they ALL were. We've been very happy and proud to show off our proposal photos, and everyone has loved them. I can honestly say that my proposal would not have turned out as great as it did without Emily! Thanks Emily!!

We have had two family photo sessions with Beth now and both were incredible! Beth is so lovely to…read morework with, she was wonderful with our son both times and was able to capture such great photos despite all the chaos that comes with trying to get a toddler excited about taking photos! We already have our next session booked with her and are so excited! I truly cannot recommend her services enough if you are located in the Chicago area!

We had newborn twins and an almost two year olds that we wanted to have newborn/family photos. We…read moreused Beth and so happy we did, I could not be happier with how the photos turned out! She captured amazing moments and was able to get the best smiles out of our rambunctious toddler. We had the best time with Beth and will definitely be using her in the future!