Tawny Ballard Photography

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Chicago, IL
Tawny Ballard Photography

Tawny Ballard is an LGBTQ+ inclusive Chicago-based wedding, elopement, and couple photographer.

01/30/2025

Join us at the West Loop Wedding Walk for a special VIP Brunch hour before you set off for an afternoon of exploring 12 unique venues, sipping drinks, savoring delicious bites, and connecting with Chicago’s top wedding vendors 🍾

Transportation between locations will keep the party going! 🚍

Complimentary valet parking here at Wildman BT!

$10 VIP Brunch Add-on Ticket includes:
•Custom coffee & brunch bites
•Entry to win a $500 voucher to use with ANY vendor on the WLWW
•Guaranteed swag bag

Don’t miss out—tickets available in bio! 🎫
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Participating Vendors
Planner:
Catering:
Floral:
Photography:
Photobooth:
Officiant: .incredible
Live Wedding Painter:
Wedding Day Pet Assistant:
Lighting & Production:
Custom Coffee:
Valet:
Mobile Bar:

10/30/2024

Eva + Eric’s wedding portraits here in sweet Chicago 🔥

E + E had their wedding ceremony and reception in the suburbs, but live in (and love!) the city, so we HAD to get some photos of them in a few iconic Chicago spots.

They are icons, legends, the moment 😮‍💨

08/01/2024

Introducing MR. & MRS. OWENS 🥂

Sahsha + Stephen had the most phenomenal wedding at River Roast right in the heart of Chicago. There were so many little details that made this day truly THEM, but most of all, they really let their personalities shine through in every moment and kept the day fun, which I LOVED.

S + S chose a new last name to have as a married couple! Congrats to Sahsha + Steve! ❤️

Planning: / Venue + Catering: / Photo: / Video: / Floral: / Rentals: / HMU: / Cake:
/ DJ: / Ceremony Musicians:

07/26/2024

❤️

07/12/2024

✨ It’s here! ✨

This brand video has been in the works for some time now (just a little under 5 months) and I am SO stoked to share! 🩵

As I have grown and changed, so has my business, and I am so grateful for how every step along the way has morphed me and TBP into something even more beautiful. Moving to Chicago in 2022 was a big leap but it has lead to some incredible changes. No matter the changes, one thing has always stayed central: documenting my clients’ love stories with all of the care, tenderness, and devotion I can muster. That will always remain true.

Thank you so much to Jamie and Sarah (and little Max!) for sharing your heartfelt review. Your kind words mean more to me than I can express!

Thank you to my dear friends Sarah and Rachel for allowing me to document you for this video.

And of course thank you to my work bestie, Ray, for creating such a beautiful video for me.

Cheers! 🥂

03/30/2024

I feel so honored to be sharing my FIFTIETH 5-star review! ⭐️❤️

“We had an incredible experience working with Tawny! She created a q***r affirming space during a very traditional/gendered event (a wedding). And most importantly the photos turned out beautiful! We are so happy with them and will cherish them forever.“

Thank you, Naomi + Josh! I’m so grateful I got to share your Chicago elopement day with you 🫶🏻

***relopement

03/28/2024

Amanda + Mal at the Rookery — now on the blog 🌟

Including details on how to reserve the Rookery for your engagement session 🫶🏻

03/26/2024

I’m so excited to share something I’ve been working on with you… ✨

If you’ve been paying attention, you know I’ve been spending my fair share of time at Chicago City Hall documenting couples eloping ❤️ And I’ve been loving every minute of it!

I’ve complied all of the info for Chicago City Hall weddings and custom packages for those who want to elope at the courthouse! I’ve spent hours researching so that you don’t have to. Everything you need to know, all in one place.

OF COURSE I’ll still be taking elopements in other parts of Chicago and the world, but for those who choose City Hall, I have this resource for you!

tawnyballardphotography.com/chicago-city-hall-weddings

03/24/2024

I’ve always been a romcom girlie ✨

When I was a teen, one of my favorite activities was going to a Blockbuster and picking out a few romcoms. Sometimes I’d pick new (to me) ones, other times I’d stick to tried and true favorites like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or 500 Days of Summer (IYKYK).

But I’ve always always always loved anything set in NYC or Chicago. Something about whirlwind romances in the city drew me in. I loved seeing the characters hailing a cab, taking long walks in the city and grabbing a bite to eat on the street, or sharing a coffee in a cute little shop while the world bustles by.

Now, as a Chicago wedding photographer and Chicago couple photographer, I document the real life romantic and fun stories that happen under the Chicago (and sometimes NYC!) sun. The couples who really do hail those cabs, grab a bite to eat, and sit in those coffee shop windows. I can’t imagine anything better ❤️

03/22/2024

🌟 Lauren + Adriene 🌟

These two shared an intimate day with just their close family members and best friends

They originally planned to do a big wedding, but quickly realized it wasn’t for them and shifted gear to a Chicago courthouse elopement

They then celebrated sharing drinks with their loved ones at LondonHouse

I feel so blessed to be able to share these days with my couples and their families. It is so special to watch you all vow to love each other through every beautiful and messy moment to come

Who’s next? 😉

03/18/2024

✨ Four ways to prepare for your engagement session ✨

▪️Figure out what vibe you’re going for. Do you want your engagement session to feel comfy and casual? High end and editorial? Romantic and intimate? Chic and sophisticated? This should help you plan everything else!

▪️Nail down your location(s)! Your photographer should be able to help with this (I give all of my couples a list of the best Chicago engagement session locations). Be sure that the location(s) you pick align with the vibe!

▪️Select outfits in advance. You do not want to be scrambling day-of, trust me! Order things ahead of time! You want to feel confident and calm, not flustered by an outfit that doesn’t feel quite right or overwhelmed by running behind.

▪️Put everything you plan on bringing to your session in a bag by the door a day or two before your session. This includes any changes of clothes, champagne to pop, props you’re bringing, etc.

Save this for later to refer back to 🫶🏻

03/14/2024

One of my favorite things about being a photographer and entrepreneur is all of the amazing people who come into my life 🫶🏻

To think these two were strangers in the moments these photos were taken is almost unimaginable considering they’ve become some of my dearest friends.

Getting to meet some many incredible people every year during one of the most memorable, pivotal times in their lives makes this job so much sweeter.

My past couples know I continue to cheer them on from the sidelines and I love watching how they all grow and change, both individually and together ❤️

It’s one of the reasons why I take on a limited number of weddings per year — to get to know you as a couple and give you a personalized experience.
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Address

Chicago, IL

Website

http://tawnyballardphotography.com/

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