The Gernands Photography

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Prices start at $4,300

Elopement pricing

Prices start at $2,000

About The Gernands Photography

The Gernands Photography

Lead Photographer

Hi, I'm Samuel! Chicago based wedding and elopement photographer here to give couples a truly relaxed and down to earth experience. Being photographed shouldn't be uncomfortable or boring!  Telling love stories through photos brings me immense joy. 

My approach to photographing couples and weddings is simple - create an experience where you and your partner can feel completely comfortable and actually enjoy yourselves! I focus on a candid style vs. a more posed or staged style. This means that I like to prompt you to interact with each other in different ways, to allow me to capture your genuine personality and dynamic. It also takes the pressure off of being in-front of the camera!

Services

Services

  • Engagement session
  • Extra hours
  • Image editing
  • Printing rights
  • Second photographer

Photo formats

  • Digital
  • Film
  • Hybrid

Deliverables

  • Digital files
  • Digital rights
  • Online gallery
  • Printed enlargements
  • Same/next-day sneak-peek images
  • Slideshow
  • Wedding album

Reviews

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5.0 out of 5

4 reviews

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  • Candid, fun and beautiful photos

    •Verified review
    •Abby•Apr 20, 2025

    We loved working with Samuel for our wedding and engagement shoot! We don’t really love taking photos and are not comfortable in front of the camera, but Samuel was so reassuring and made us feel comfortable. We were surprised at how much fun we had at the engagement shoot, and the photos turned out so beautifully! Samuel has an ability to capture very unique and real shots, they don’t feel posed, they capture natural moments which we loved.   Not only are they beautiful, but he really captured everything about the event, from beginning to end!   And I am not sure how he captured everything because I don't really remember seeing him, it's like he was everywhere, but yet invisible. We are really happy with the way the wedding photos turned out, and so glad we have them as memories of our wonderful event. Also, Samuel is just a fun, cool guy and really great to be around. Definitely hire him!

  • Last minute miracle for a city hall ceremony

    •Verified review
    •Sasha•Mar 22, 2024

    We were so grateful to Samuel who was able to document our city hall ceremony on a very last minute request during the end of year holidays. (Are you free next weekend?) We were drawn to the documentary style of his work and thought it was a fitting way to remember a special moment in a basement of Chicago's City Hall. Leading up to the day, we texted and chatted about places to do portraits after and Samuel was very patient and helpful in suggesting places that felt right for me and my partner. Not only did he have the inside scoop on what the city hall ceremony was going to be like and what was going to happen, but he was also great to hang out with in line and and get to know better. We both felt very comfortable working with Samuel and the nerves of working with a professional photographer for the first time went out the window. I can only imagine how amazing the experience would be to work with Samuel with more time to prepare or at locations a little less drab than a city hall basement!

  • Absolutely love our photos

    •Verified review
    •Courtney B.•Oct 8, 2023

    Samuel was wonderful to work with! He did our engagement and wedding photo sessions. He is a great guide and provides posing and location ideas to get the best shot. He is extremely detailed which made all of our photos turn out amazing!

  • Incredible Photographers & People

    •Verified review
    •Taylor & G.•Jan 19, 2021

    We cannot recommend Samuel & Maria enough! They are so personable and easy to work with. They absolutely nailed the look & mood we were going for. And like the title implies, they aren't just great at what they do; they're great people, too! We cannot recommend the Gernands enough.

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