The Blog
Welcome to the Nicole Kilday Photography blog — a space for couples planning their wedding in Illinois, Wisconsin, or beyond. Here you’ll find planning tips, real wedding stories, photography advice, and emotional storytelling inspiration designed to help you plan your day with presence, intention, and ease.
How It Felt: The Way I Photograph Weddings (and Why It Matters)
Your wedding isn’t a performance — it’s a story unfolding in real time. My approach to photography blends candid emotion, editorial artistry, and documentary storytelling to capture how it felt, not just how it looked. From quiet moments to golden hour chaos, this post dives into what it’s really like to be photographed by me — human, intentional, and anything but surface level.
Illinois & Wisconsin Wedding Photographer | I Know What I Bring to the Table
I’m not your average photographer — I’m the whole fxking package. As a seasoned wedding photographer serving Illinois, Wisconsin, and Destination couples, I’m here to capture the raw, unposed, and in-between moments that make your love story yours. I come as myself and expect you to do the same. My work is about presence over perfection, emotion over aesthetics, and storytelling that feels like you.
The Experience: Not Just a Vendor with a Camera
Your wedding photography experience should feel like home — calm, intentional, and full of connection. With Nicole Kilday Photography, you’ll have a photographer who feels like a friend, guiding you through every step to create images that don’t just look beautiful but feel like you.
The Process: From Inquiry to Friendship
My wedding photography process is built on connection and trust. From the first inquiry to the delivery of your gallery, I’ll guide you through a seamless, heartfelt experience — one that’s calm, intentional, and deeply personal, so your images feel like home.
Build Your Dream Team — And Choose Your Photographer Who Feels Like Home
Your wedding vendors aren’t just a checklist — they’re the heartbeat of your day. From your venue to your photographer, each one plays a role in telling your story. Learn how to build a vendor team that feels like family and how to choose a photographer who not only captures your memories but makes you feel at home in front of the camera.
Soak It In: Your First Steps After Saying “Yes”
You just said yes—cue the happy tears, phone calls, and champagne pops. Before the planning whirlwind starts, here’s how to slow down, soak it all in, and take your first steps into this new chapter together.
Let’s Make Your Dream Wedding Photography Happen: Flexible Payment Plans That Work for You
Your memories matter—and your payment plan should reflect that. Here’s how we can make your dream wedding photography happen with flexibility, ease, and zero stress.
Things to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before Booking
Choosing your photographer is a big deal—I’ve been where you are. Here are the questions I wish I’d asked (and my honest answers) to help you find your perfect fit.
How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer is about more than pretty pictures—it’s about trust, connection, and finding someone who feels like home. Here’s how to choose the right person to document your memories exactly as they felt.
Serving couples across Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond — Nicole Kilday Photography captures weddings, elopements, and moments that feel like home. Explore real weddings, planning guides, and photography resources to plan your day with heart.