Rich Chapman Wedding and Lifestyle Photographers

Rich, his son, and wife were amazing for our engagement photo session and for our wedding day. They truly care about the quality of your pictures and will do anything to make sure that you love your pictures. It was very nice to have someone so passionate about photography take our wedding photos. Rich and his family are extremely thoughtful and talented. I would recommend Rich Chapman to any friend or family member.

Rich and his son were absolutely wonderful! Not only is Rich a very caring and personable man, but he and his son were flexible, creative, helpful, and made the most beautiful memories for me and my husband. I would strongly recommend Rich Chapman to ANYONE looking for incredible pictures!

I found Rich through my step-mom. She and my Dad had their album done by him (which was beautiful)! Before I met him, I had my heart set on another photographer. However, after meeting Rich and getting to know him and his photography, I was blown away! We walked out of the meeting and I immediately turned to my fiance and told him Rich was our guy! From the time we signed with Rich till the wedding (which was a good 8-10 months), Rich kept in good contact with us making sure he had every detail he needed to help make our wedding day run as smoothly as possible! As the day grew closer we had another meeting where we met the second shooter (his son, who is just as wonderful as Rich), and went through the entire day and they both made sure that every detail was covered and that we understood what their process will be on the day and how smoothly everything will run. On the wedding day, they were on time and prepared to start shooting! Both photographers made their presence known when it needed to be, but yet they were completely discrete and respectful during the ceremony and still they captured some amazing pictures! The whole day was a blast and the entire bridal party had a ball with Rich and his son. I received so many compliments from guests on how wonderful the photographers were (this way even before they saw the pictures)! After the day was all said and done, we were able to view the photos on line a couple days later and my husband and I were stunned with the job Rich and his son did. The details in our pictures are amazing and the amount to choose from is overwhelmingly wonderful! We cannot wait to pick out the pictures for our book! We wish that we could give more then 5 stars because Rich deserves it! We recommend his work 110...no 120%! You will not be disappointed with any aspect of Rich Chapman Photography!

Rich Chapman was the most amazing photographer ever! His great attention to detail, lighting, and special moments were spot on. Rich and his assistant and wife Penny, made both me and my new husband feel very comfortable from the very beginning at our first meeting. The day of our wedding, he was so graceful and did a wonderful job of catching all the little special moments that will be treasured for a lifetime. From the bridal prep to candid shots, to ceremony shots, to portrait shots, to detail shots, to reception shots, to romance shots, everything was perfect. There are so many great pictures that we did not even realize were being taken. We couldn't have asked for a better experience with a photographer. I have heard nothing but fabulous comments from friends and family that have seen the pictures as well. My husband and I highly recommend Rich Chapman for any special event. We couldn't be more satisfied with his service.

My wife and I highly recommend Rich Chapman Photographers for your wedding! First off, they were extremely easy to work with right from the start. They clearly communicated what needed to be done and when he had to be done, yet they listened and fulfilled any of our requests. Rich and his son are truly passionate about their work and they both work extremely hard to capture the day. From the action shots to portrait shots, the quality of the pictures is unmatched with anything we have seen. Furthermore, they were hardly noticed throughout the entire ceremony and reception yet they were still able to capture everything we could have possibly wished for. Within a week after the wedding, we were able to see over 3000 photos from the day, as well as a video slideshow! They were extremely patient with us and very prompt with any of our post wedding requests as far as obtaining photos and making minor adjustments to any of the photos that we chose for our final album. Finally, the wedding album…words cannot express how happy and impressed we are with their work. The album is amazing! Without a doubt, the best one I have ever seen. It is true what people say, the day will fly by and there are too many moments for you to even remember. Make sure you capture everything through your photographer… so pick a great one. Again, my wife and I highly recommend Rich Chapman Photographers to capture one of the most important moments of your life! I promise that you will be blown away by their work.

Rich Chapman (and son!) was such a pleasure to work with. His passion for wedding photography really shines through and is so evident in the beautiful pictures he takes. His photojournalism point of view tells our personal story of our wedding day. I found Rich to provide a great balance of candid shots as well as the traditional more posed shots. He was assertive in the shots he wanted to get, but also listened our wishes, which is very important in a wedding photographer. We are so pleased with the beautiful pictures we are left with to remember our wedding day. I highly recommend Rich Chapman to capture your wedding day; you will not find a more passionate, caring photographer.

We were referred to Rich through one of our friends that used him for their wedding. As soon as we met with him in person, we knew we had found our photographer! His passion for photography & for weddings is unmatched in his field. He is also very creative & willing to try whatever crazy ideas you may have for pictures! We absolutely loved working with Rich. He shot our engagement pictures in downtown Elgin and spent almost 3 hours with us. On our wedding day even our guests noticed how great he was, before they saw the finished product! Rich, his son Rich, and his wife Penny are a dream team and we would recommend him to any bride and groom!

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Richard Chapman and his son, Rich, make a wonderful photography team. From our first sit down, they were very warm and welcoming to talk with and backed up their experiences with an amazing portfolio. I was very upfront with Rich and his son in the beginning advising them that I wanted my wedding to be captured more “in the moment” rather than storybook poses. I wanted to make sure I had a photographer that would let me enjoy my wedding, and not spend hours taking pictures. Richard was wonderful to work with throughout the whole process; he even managed to convince me to add a few more posed photos to the shot list. I never once noticed him during the ceremony or reception. Richard and his son did an amazing job capturing the moment and our photos are wonderful. Even during our photo walk, we had so much fun, I did not realize we were taking pictures for almost an hour! After the wedding was over, Richard immediately set to work and I had the DVD digital negatives of the pictures within a couple weeks in hand. Throughout the entire proofing process for the wedding book, Richard was patient with my revision requests and delivered to me just a few weeks ago the final wedding book. This wedding book is by far the most elegant wedding album I have ever seen. I am one hundred percent satisfied with their work.

Rich Chapman was one of the best decisions we made on our wedding day. We cannot express how much his photographs capture the emotions of our wedding day--they are absolutely stunning. It is so true that your wedding day is over in an instant--but Rich (along with his wife Penny and his son Ritchie) is able to capture the beauty and preserve it so that you can remember all the precious moments. Rich has an eye for beautiful photos and his background in photojournalsim allows him to capture the "story" of the wedding--rather than just than the standard posed shots. We could not have made a better choice for our wedding photography. Rich did a wonderful job. He was easy to work with and a was a pleasure to have with us our special day. We love our photographs and we will treasure them forever!

My husband and I highly recommend Rich Chapman as a photographer for your wedding day. Rich was the first person we interviewed and we hired him on the spot. There were three specific reasons that stand out in my mind as to why we were so impressed with Rich during our conversation. First, we could tell he was passionate about his work. It was clear that he wanted to capture "moments" and tell a story through his pictures, not just take the standard wedding shots. Second, we felt comfortable with Rich. We knew that Rich and his son would be at our side for every emotional moment, and we wanted those moments captured. And third, his portfolio told it all. He is a very talented photographer.After we hired Rich, we had about three phone calls to discuss the details of the wedding and he came through with every detail I requested. The process was stress-free for me. The best part about having Rich as our photographer was not just what I described above. The very best part of this whole event is the final wedding book. It is the most amazing storybook ever. Every time we open it, we relive every emotion from that very special day. Thank you Rich for capturing our day.

Rich is exactly what my wife and I were looking for in a photographer. He listened to what we wanted and had a great understanding of our vision. By taking the time to meet with us a few times before the wedding, Rich was able to give us a few of his ideas as well as listen to the important photographs that we wanted. What we feel makes Rich stand out over other photographers is his passion and enthusiasm. You can tell that he loves being at weddings and understands the importance of his pictures to the bride and groom. On the day of the wedding, Rich never seemed to get in the way but was always catching the perfect moment. He works well with Penny and they are great at finding detailed shots that will amaze anyone. We were both amazed by the photo album that we received after the wedding. Rich gave us the freedom to pick out the pictures that we wanted but used his great artistic skills to produce a wonderful book that we will treasure forever. I would absolutely recommend Rich to anyone that is looking for a fun and outgoing photographer that will capture every important moment of the day.

We could not be happier with our decision to work with Rich and his wonderful "crew" on our wedding day. After doing our research and meeting with several reputable photography companies in the Chicagoland area, we were recommended to check out Rich's work by friends. His amazing portfolio spoke for itself. We were sold the minute we met Rich and Penny in person and saw how they clearly pour their passion and love of photography into each couple's wedding day. We loved that they seemed to capture those split second moments that were unposed, candid yet told the whole story of the day. They pay so much attention to detail. Our photo album is unlike any others we have ever seen. Its a big hit already! We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to work with them.
Thank you Rich, Penny, and Rich Jr.!

We could not be happier with our decision to work with Rich and his wonderful "crew" on our wedding day. After doing our research and meeting with several reputable photography companies in the Chicagoland area, we were recommended to check out Rich's work by friends. His amazing portfolio spoke for itself. We were sold the minute we met Rich and Penny in person and saw how they clearly pour their passion and love of photography into each couple's wedding day. We loved that they seemed to capture those split second moments that were unposed, candid yet told the whole story of the day. They pay so much attention to detail. Our photo album is unlike any others we have ever seen. Its a big hit already! We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to work with them.

Rich was awesome! He was so flexible and so genuine. He was so happy for us and to be a part of our wedding... it made all the difference in the world. We had so much fun with him! He helped us through the whole process and even when the major rains came on our wedding day, Rich managed to take the most beautiful photos. Looking back, we don't even mind that it rained at all. So many of our guests commented on how hard he worked and the fact that he was literally all over the place to get the best shots... I think he even went under the pews in church at one point : ) Our wedding album is spectacular... people are amazed. It is so artistic and captures the spirit of the day and so many wonderful memories. We will keep it on display in our home forever. You would be definitely be wise to use Rich for your wedding... rain or shine you pictures and album will be absolutely gorgeous!!

I was immensely pleased with Rich Chapman and would recommend him highly to other brides looking for quality photography on a moderate budget (or even to brides on a sky's the limit budget!). I like things to look a specific way and can be picky about details. After only a few conversations with Rich (I think there were 3 - one in person, one by phone, and a running conversation via email), he nailed exactly what I wanted. I know he would've been happy to meet with me more, had I wanted to! He was personable, would go to the ends of the earth to capture what I wanted, he turned around some quick snapshots for us the day after the wedding, he is "Chicago" personified (I mean that in a good way)! He was a comfortable presence despite being a stranger in our midst on such a big, emotional day. His son, who tagged along with my husband for photos of him and his family, was all of these things as well. I did not interview other photographers, having received Rich as a recommendation through friends of a coworker. Rich was a gem, and I feel lucky to have worked with him.

Here's a quick scene from our wedding:

After the ceremony, we'd all arrived at the reception, buzzing with excitement. We didn't notice the incredible late autumn sunset taking place all around us. Rich did — and he didn't waste a second of our time in getting the photos he knew would turn out great. And did they ever.

Unlike what I assume many wedding photographers to be (all business), Rich and Co. seemed to know their very important role in the day and just go with it. Laid back, but in a "there's-no-way-I'm-not-getting-this-shot" sort of way.

He showed passion for everyone and everything he photographed that day. And he does it in a way that respects the storyline for that day - a nod to his photojournalism chops.

And if you're still in doubt after reading this and all of the the other glowing reviews, you should know that the book he puts together is worth every single penny, and continues to wow everyone who picks it up.

Richard, Thank you so much for making the memories of our wedding so beautiful. Your wife, son and you were such a pleasure to have around on our big day and could not have made me feel any more like a princess than you did. The poses and pictures turned out wonderful! Just as I thought it couldn't get any more better, you surprised me with this gorgeous wedding album. I have never seen a more beautiful album and based on everyone that I've showns reaction, they haven't either. You are truly a wonderful photographer and it shows how much time and pride you put into your work. Thanks again for everything that you have done in helping us to remember how beautiful our wedding day was. Love,Rob and Karri Lemke

Thank you so much for making the memories of our wedding so beautiful. Your wife, son and you were such a pleasure to have around on our big day and could not have made me feel any more like a princess than you did. The poses and pictures turned out wonderful! Just as I thought it couldn't get any more better, you surprised me with this gorgeous wedding album. I have never seen a more beautiful album and based on everyone that I've showns reaction, they haven't either. You are truly a wonderful photographer and it shows how much time and pride you put into your work. Thanks again for everything that you have done in helping us to remember how beautiful our wedding day was.

Love,
Rob and Karri Lemke

Rich was the photographer for our summer 2007 wedding, and he was a complete pleasure to work with from beginning to end. A number of our guests even commented on how terrific he was. Rich is truly enthusiastic about photography and seems personally committed to providing you with the best photos possible. He works hard to capture all the best shots, and it's evident in his work. The photos from our wedding are beautiful and artful (and numerous!) -- from the candid shots to the portraits, they really tell the story of our event. We can't recommend Rich highly enough -- he's easy to communicate with, professional, passionate, and truly talented.

I had Rich Chapman do both our engagement and wedding photos. The best way I can describe the amazing work ethic of this three person team is that they didn't miss a beat, from beginning to end. We practically had to force them to sit down and grab something to eat during the reception, as they didn't stop shooting the entire time. Not only did they capture all of the important moments of the day, they were also so unobtrusive. I can't say enough positive remarks about Rich and his team. Penny, Rich's wife, is definitely an asset, as she provides a woman's eye view. Rich is emotionally involved with his clients, and we never felt like "just another wedding." Although my wedding was just a few weeks ago, I already got to take a sneak peak at my photos, and they made me cry (tears of joy). I got to relive the day through the photos. I give Rich Chapman photography my highest recommendation.

For me, my wedding pictures were one of the most important aspects of my wedding. In fact, I was just going through my pictures again to arrange them into yet another photo album! My husband and I hired Rich because of a recommendation from our wedding planner, Emilee Lales (Blush and Bashful). I couldn't have picked anyone better for the job--I didn't even interview other photographers. We met before the wedding to hash out important details, such as our expectations, what our album would look like, places we wanted our pictures taken, pricing, etc. We kept in touch periodically after that via email and phone (we could have met in person again, actually, but my schedule was not conducive to it). It was important that we both had a clear understanding of the types of pictures I wanted and his style, and I never felt like we were on a different page. When we first met, I felt an immediate warmth from Rich, and I knew that he would not only make me, but the rest of my family and wedding attendants feel at ease. I also liked that he works with his family because it lent a personal feel to our interaction, which is what I wanted. The wedding day came, and he and his family were on time (very important), and I met his wife, Penny, who was just as open and warm as Rich! They work very well together professionally, and if Penny saw something Rich didn't, she would point it out, and "fix" it. I left most of the artistic views to Rich and Penny, but Rich always listened to us when we wanted to try something different. Most importantly, the pictures are gorgeous. The resolution, the colors, the poses, the candid shots--they all tell this incredible story that makes me want to get married again and again, just so I can have Rich document more pictures!

My husband and I hired Rich because of a recommendation from our wedding planner, Emilee Lales (Blush and Bashful). I couldn't have picked anyone better for the job--I didn't even interview other photographers. We met before the wedding to hash out important details, such as our expectations, what our album would look like, places we wanted our pictures taken, pricing, etc. We kept in touch periodically after that via email and phone (we could have met in person again, actually, but my schedule was not conducive to it). It was important that we both had a clear understanding of the types of pictures I wanted and his style, and I never felt like we were on a different page. When we first met, I felt an immediate warmth from Rich, and I knew that he would not only make me, but the rest of my family and wedding attendants feel at ease. I also liked that he works with his family because it immediately let me know that ours would be a personal interaction, which is what I wanted. The wedding day came, and he and his family were on time (very important), and I met his wife, Penny, who was just as open and warm as Rich! Aside from the fact that they are married, they work very well together professionally, and if Penny saw something Rich didn't, she would point it out, and "fix" it. I left most of the artistic views to Rich and Penny, but Rich always listened to us when we wanted to try something different.
Most importantly, the pictures are gorgeous. The resolution, the colors, the poses, the candid shots--they all tell this incredible story that makes me want to get married again and again, just so I can have Rich document more pictures!

Rich Chapman was great at capturing memorable candids without being intrusive. The best part was that very shortly after the wedding, he provided us with a slideshow of the wedding highlights, with beautiful accompanying music, that we were able to share with our guests and those who were unable to attend the wedding. My husband and I were very busy after the wedding with a move and weren't able to share our input with Rich on what shots we wanted included in our album, but he was very patient with us. The album is beautiful and we've received so many compliments on it. He had a great eye for the photos that captured the spirit of our wedding night.

Rich was a dream to work with. He is a photographer for the Sun Times, and as such, he has an extremely good eye for photographic moments. He has worked there for decades, and is excitedly transitioning into the wedding business. He has a true passion for photography, which reassured me when we selected him as our photographer. Rich took more than 2,700 photos for our wedding (more than twice what most other photographers take), compiled them for us immediately, sent them to us on a DVD 3 weeks after the wedding, gave us complete rights to the photos immediately, and created a very professional and amazing wedding album/photo book that my husband and I look at often. The company he used to make the wedding book is one that Oprah uses to create photo books - I think that speaks for itself! The actual pictures that Rich took were gorgeous, many of them looked like they belonged in a magazine. I 100% recommend Rich and am confident that everyone who goes with him will have great results.

We cannot thank Rich, Penny and Rich Jr of Rich Chapman Photographers enough for the terrific job they did photographing our September 15, 2007 wedding. The photos are amazing and we continue to receive countless compliments on them. Everyone is especially impressed with the summary Rich compiled and set to music (all of which was completed and sent to us while we were still on our honeymoon).

Rich, Penny and Rich Jr had a really long day at our wedding - shooting for 11 hours. We appreciated the energy throughout the day to continue to get that perfect shot. The evidence of their hard work came through in the 2,700 photos on the 2 disc CD-Rom.

My wife, Lori, and I chose Rich Chapman to be the photographer at our wedding on March 24, 2007, and we were very impressed with the way he handled the entire day. We also were impressed with his son, who served as Rich's assistant.

Rich -- who covers weddings with the same passion that he's covered news stories in Chicago for decades as a photographer for the Chicago Sun-Times -- did a good job making us feel comfortable as we did a sort-of photo walk throughout Chicago before the ceremony. He shot us at our condo, on Michigan Avenue, at Millennium Park and on the campus of the University of Chicago, where our ceremony took place. Something like this easily could be hokey if you've got a shooter that wants to pose everything, but Rich has a way of making everything look natural.

It was a very foggy day outside, but Rich used the Gotham City effect to our advantage, producing many pictures that made the final album. And, at U. of C., his years of experience came in handy as there were low-light conditions in both Bond Chapel, where our ceremony was, and Ida Noyes Hall, the site of our reception. Throughout the night, Rich and his son were flies on the wall; it wasn't like they were making spectacles of themselves and distracting from the ceremony/reception. More importantly, the pictures turned out better than we ever could have imagined.

This is a great source for the pics in your HourPower Watch!

Rich and his team take beautiful pictures of unexpected moments and keep the bride and groom in good spirits all day. I never hestitate to recommend Rich to my clients because I know that the pictures will be priceless and I will be working with a pro which makes my job so much easier!