Joyful & Genuine Images for an Unforgettable Day
$5,200 starting price
Rachael Watson
OWNER & LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (10X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Rachael Watson Photography Inc. specializes in capturing weddings in Batavia, IL, and beyond. Wedding photography is more than just incredible images; it’s an experience, and after shooting over 300 weddings, I’ve yet to experience two weddings that are the same. That’s why the first thing I want to do is get to know you and your vision for your wedding. : )
To learn more about RWP, send us a message!
+11 years in business
Prices & packages
Associate Wedding Experience
$5,200 starting price
Associate Wedding Experience
$5,200 starting price
Contact for hours
Contact for hours
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
Two Photographers
Two Photographers
Complementary Engagement Session
Complementary Engagement Session
Professionally Edited Images
Professionally Edited Images
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
Online Viewing Gallery
Online Viewing Gallery
Print Release
Print Release
Most popular
.Wedding Experience
$6,200 starting price
Wedding Experience
$6,200 starting price
Contact for hours
Contact for hours
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
Two Photographers
Two Photographers
Complementary Engagement Session
Complementary Engagement Session
Professionally Edited Images
Professionally Edited Images
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
Online Viewing Gallery
Online Viewing Gallery
Print Release
Print Release
Wedding Experience & Wedding Album
$7,280 starting price
Wedding Experience & Wedding Album
$7,280 starting price
Contact for hours
Contact for hours
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage
Two Photographers
Two Photographers
Complementary Engagement Session
Complementary Engagement Session
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
High Resolution Download of All Edited Images
Online Viewing Gallery
Online Viewing Gallery
Print Release
Print Release
10x10, 15 Spread Wedding Album
10x10, 15 Spread Wedding Album
Professionally Edited Images
Professionally Edited Images
Showing slides 1 to 3 out of 3
- Associate Wedding Experience$5,200 starting priceAssociate Wedding Experience$5,200 starting priceContact for hoursContact for hours8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage8 Hours of Wedding Day CoverageTwo PhotographersTwo PhotographersComplementary Engagement SessionComplementary Engagement SessionProfessionally Edited ImagesProfessionally Edited ImagesHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesOnline Viewing GalleryOnline Viewing GalleryPrint ReleasePrint Release
- Most popular.Wedding Experience$6,200 starting priceWedding Experience$6,200 starting priceContact for hoursContact for hours8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage8 Hours of Wedding Day CoverageTwo PhotographersTwo PhotographersComplementary Engagement SessionComplementary Engagement SessionProfessionally Edited ImagesProfessionally Edited ImagesHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesOnline Viewing GalleryOnline Viewing GalleryPrint ReleasePrint Release
- Wedding Experience & Wedding Album$7,280 starting priceWedding Experience & Wedding Album$7,280 starting priceContact for hoursContact for hours8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage8 Hours of Wedding Day CoverageTwo PhotographersTwo PhotographersComplementary Engagement SessionComplementary Engagement SessionHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesHigh Resolution Download of All Edited ImagesOnline Viewing GalleryOnline Viewing GalleryPrint ReleasePrint Release10x10, 15 Spread Wedding Album10x10, 15 Spread Wedding AlbumProfessionally Edited ImagesProfessionally Edited Images
Starting prices may not include all fees a vendor may charge. Contact the photographer for customized services and quotes.
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Photo Shoot Types
Bridal Portraits
Day After Session
Engagement
Photo & Video
Digital Files
Online Proofing
Photo
Printed Enlargements
Same-Day Edits
Second Shooter Available
Social Media Sharing
Wedding Albums
Photo & Video Styles
Artistic
Classic
Lifestyle
Modern
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Any questions?
Meet the team
Rachael Watson
Owner & Lead Photographer
Wedding & Engagement Photographer. Small Business Owner. My husband Blake and I LOVE trying new things together! Some of my favorite adventures with Blake over the years are road tripping across the country and downhill mountain biking. WOW! I love being outdoors, everything Summer, dance, a good audio book while editing and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. I love wedding photography because I get to capture the love, joy, and excitement of new beginnings. Moments that come and go quickly, but are forever treasured.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0136 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Reviewers consistently praise Rachael Watson Photography for providing exceptional service and stunning photos. Rachael and her team are described as talented, professional, and attentive, capturing every moment with creativity and care. They go above and beyond for clients, making them feel comfortable and at ease during engagement sessions and on the wedding day. Rachael's warmth, communication skills, and ability to capture the essence of each moment leave couples impressed and grateful, with many expressing high recommendations for her photography services.Review photos
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Jennifer C
Highlighted review.
5.0
11/13/2024
Rachael is the most incredible photographer any couple can work with. From the very beginning of working together, she is so knowledgable and helpful with helping plan your day and know what are big moments to capture. She is such a joy to be around, her and her team and so upbeat and positive and really go above and beyond to make sure everyone feels great and is having fun while capturing the most breathtaking photos. Her sheer talent in the images she captures is something everyone dreams of when thinking of wedding photos! You can tell she loves what she does and it shines through in her beautiful work. I recommend Rachael to any couple lucky enough to get to work with her!!
response 11/13/2024
Jen,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! Your review has truly made my day. : ) ...
It was such a privilege to capture the beauty of your love story at Cantigny, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be there and to do something I love so much. Thank you for trusting me and the RWP Team with such an important part of your day, and for recommending us to others. It means the world to me! 💕
Wishing you and Ryan all the best as you continue on this adventure and please keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Maggie F
5.0
3/18/2025
Rachael and her team were the best!! From the very first phone call through to our wedding day, working with Rachael was an absolute dream. She made everything so easy, from helping us plan our timeline to ensuring that we got every photo we envisioned. On the day of the wedding, Cassie and Erik came in with such amazing energy and brought such an incredible vibe to the whole day. It truly made the experience even more special. Our photos turned out absolutely perfect, and we will cherish them forever! I know as a bride, booking a photographer can be a bit anxiety-inducing, but we couldn't have been happier with Rachael Watson and her team. If you're planning a wedding, I wholeheartedly recommend them—they're truly fantastic!
Any questions?
Ali S
5.0
1/25/2025
A Truly Exceptional Experience!
From the moment we met Rachael, we knew we were in great hands. She captured our engagement session with such warmth and creativity, making us feel completely at ease. The photos were stunning—each one perfectly reflected who we are as a couple and the excitement of the journey ahead.
On our wedding day, Rachael and her assistant were nothing short of amazing. They didn’t just take beautiful pictures; they captured the true essence of every moment, from the quiet, intimate glances to the lively, joyful celebrations.
Rachael went above and beyond for us…After the ceremony, I was struggling to bustle my dress, and without hesitation, she stepped in to help. It was such a thoughtful and kind gesture that made a potentially stressful moment so much easier. It's moments like these that show how much she truly cares about her clients.
The photos are absolutely breathtaking—each one is a perfect representation of our special day. Rachael has such a talent and it’s clear she poured her heart into every shot she took!
We are so grateful to have had Rachael as part of our wedding day. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine care made the entire experience so memorable. We can’t recommend her enough—if you want a photographer who will capture the beauty of your day and go the extra mile to make it perfect, Rachael Watson Photography is the one!
response 01/28/2025
Hi Ali, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. Reading it today...
warmed my heart and I may have shed at least one tear. I truly love what I do and I'm so, so glad you felt that on your wedding day and saw it through the final images. I love getting to be a wedding photographer, it's truly a dream come true and I especially love getting to show up for Brides in unexpected ways on their wedding day. Thank you for having me. For trusting me and please keep in touch. : ) Much Love, Rachael Watson
Melisss S
5.0
1/01/2025
Truly amazing people to work with. They go above and beyond with their services. Would highly recommend them!
response 01/02/2025
Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for your sweet review! I'm so glad Cassie and the RWP Team g...
ot to be there to capture your wedding day. It was truly a pleasure. : ) If you need anything, always feel free to reach out and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Maggie H
5.0
12/22/2024
Rachael and her team were truly a dream to work with! From day one, Rachael is very communicative and genuinely interested in getting to know you as a couple. She is an expert behind the camera and captured our engagement photos and wedding day beautifully. On our wedding day, Rachael kept the day fun and up beat! We have received so many compliments on our photos and will treasure them for the rest of our lives. Highly recommend!!
response 12/31/2024
Reading your review truly warmed my heart, THANK YOU! Your kind words and recommendations ...
mean the world to me. Thank you for letting us be a part of your incredible journey and wishing you a lifetime adventure together. Keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Sam M
5.0
12/17/2024
Rachael & her team were AMAZING to work with! Rachael’s quick and clear communication was really helpful as we planned our engagement photo session and wedding day.
When we started the wedding planning process, I was pretty nervous and a bit intimidated by the photography (I don’t really like taking pictures). My husband and I both found the engagement photo session incredibly beneficial. Once the wedding day rolled around, I didn’t have any nerves about the photos because I felt so comfortable with Cassie. Cassie and Natalie helped to capture all the beautiful moments from our wedding day. They were both key in ensuring we were on track for the various photo opportunities throughout the day.
I’m SO grateful for the Rachael Watson Team! Thank you for perfectly capturing our day!!
response 12/18/2024
Your words have truly warmed my heart! Thank you Sam. : ) It was an absolute joy to have C...
assie & Natalie capture your love story, from the engagement session to your big day. Thank YOU for trusting us with such an important part of your journey. Wishing you two all the best as you continue on this adventure together and keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Kara R
5.0
11/13/2024
We couldn't be happier with our experience with Rachael! From the very first meeting to the final delivery of our photos, Rachael was an absolute joy to work with. She has an incredible eye for detail and an uncanny ability to capture the most beautiful, candid moments. The photos from our wedding are absolutely stunning—each one a work of art that truly tells the story of our day.
Rachael made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera, even those of us who are usually camera-shy! Her creativity, patience, and professionalism put us at ease and helped us enjoy every moment. She even captured the moments we missed, and we are so grateful to have those memories preserved.
The final photos are beyond what we could have imagined—beautifully edited, vibrant, and filled with emotion. We’re so grateful to have these memories to look back on for a lifetime. If you're looking for a photographer who genuinely cares about capturing your event in the best way possible, I can't recommend Rachael highly enough!
response 11/15/2024
Hi Kara,
Thank you so much for your sweet review! It was truly a joy capturing the speci...
al moments of your wedding day and I'm so, so happy to hear you and Jason loved your photos. : ) Thank you for having me and thank you for your kind words. They mean the world to me. Wishing you all the best as you continue on this new adventure together and please keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Mary S
5.0
10/30/2024
Rachael was everything and more! She went above and beyond to make our wedding day so special. She captured every moment we dreamed of, but even curated photos we could have never thought of that we cherish to this day.
Rachael goes above and beyond for her clients, is so professional, extremely patient, has the best turn around time, and is truly a joy to work with!
We had so many people rave about how amazing she was !
response 10/30/2024
Hi Mary,
THANK YOU so much for your kind review! I'm so grateful I got to be there to ca...
pture your wedding day and I just love all the fun shots we got with you and Cale. : ) Thank you again for having us and wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together. : ) Keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Jenna E
5.0
10/29/2024
Rachael was an absolute joy to work with from start to finish! She was so easy to communicate with and responded quickly to any questions that came up. She checked in periodically leading up to our wedding day. She helped create the perfect timeline for our wedding day. The wedding day was seamless! She made the whole picture taking process fun and easy going! Best part is we got a sneak peek of photos during dinner!! Would highly recommend Rachael for your wedding photographer!!
response 10/30/2024
Hi Jenna, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! Day totally made. : ) I...
loved getting to read this and I'm so, so happy to hear you loved your sneak peek during your wedding reception. : ) Thank you for having us. I had a lot of fun with you, Dan and I'm wishing you two all the best as you start this new adventure together. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Tiana C
5.0
10/10/2024
Rachael Watson is THE photographer to have, she is so talented and such a joy to be around. My husband and I both don't love posing for photos but with Rachael it was actually fun! She makes you feel so comfortable while taking photos it is a breeze. When we talked to Rachael about the kinds of photos we liked and didn't like, she listened and there is not one photo we don't absolutely LOVE from our wedding day! I would recommend Rachael Watson & her AMAZING team for any event. I wanted to hire Rachael for my Bridal shower to take photos but she was already booked that date, she had her team member Cassie come and do it and she is equally just as amazing as Rachael! Rachael has a fantastic team and every one of them was so awesome to work with! Words can't express how much we LOVE our wedding photos <3 :)
response 10/10/2024
Hi Tiana,
Thank you so much for these incredibly kind words! It was truly an honor to ca...
pture your special day and help make the experience fun and easy for both of you. Knowing you love every single photo fills my heart with so much joy! Thank you for having me and the RWP Team. Your recommendation means everything to us and we can’t wait to capture more beautiful moments for you in the future. : ) Keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Krista B
5.0
7/27/2024
Rachael is the best of the best! Such a fun and sweet person to work with and she did such amazing work! Would totally recommend!
response 07/29/2024
THANK YOU Krista for your kind review! Getting to be there for your wedding to Mikey was t...
ruly special. : ) Thank you for having us and keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Abby W
5.0
7/19/2024
Rachael and her entire team are truly the best! All of the extra care they put in throughout the process, from start to finish is so clear to see! Rachael, Erin, and Shannon came in with a game plan, even if it was raining ALL DAY, made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera, and captured our day perfectly! We were blown away with their ability to both create beautiful portraits and capture all the best candid moments throughout the day!! Our friends and family have commented on how INCREDIBLE the final images are as well as what a joy Rachael and her team were to work with on our wedding day! We would recommend Rachael Watson Photography to absolutely anyone looking for top-tier wedding photography! Rachael and her team really know how to take care of their Watson Brides!
response 07/22/2024
Hi Abby, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! I loved getting to know you and Michael ...
over the last couple of years. From your sweet engagement session at Blackwell Forest Preserve with your pup to your big day. : ) Thank you for having us. For trusting us even when the rain came in and for being an absolute delight from start to finish. Our Watson Brides are truly the best and I'm so grateful you're one of them. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Corinne S
5.0
7/18/2024
Rachael’s energy is amazing! I couldn’t be happier with having gone with her for photos. She made the room comfortable! Her photos are gorgeous! We’re so glad we went with her for photos.
response 07/18/2024
THANK YOU so much for your sweet review Corinne!
You and Bren are truly the best and I'm...
so grateful I got to be there for your wedding and engagement. : ) Thank you for having us. For trusting us with your big day and wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together. Keep in touch!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
Jihan M
5.0
7/17/2024
Love, love , love Rachael! Very professional ! She works with the bride and groom to make sure all of your photograph needs are met. She is super kind and fun. The pictures turn out AMAZING!! Rachael and crew do not disappoint!
response 07/18/2024
THANK YOU so much Jihan for your sweet words! I'm so grateful I got to connect with you an...
d Scott. : ) Getting to capture your wedding day was truly special and I'm so grateful we got to be there for it. : ) I loved your first dance together, the dance you did with your friends and loved getting to capture the beautiful vows you two shared during your wedding ceremony. Truly a wedding to remember. : ) Wishing you both all the best and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jena L
5.0
7/13/2024
Rachael was absolutely amazing throughout the entire experience. She was so helpful, personable and easy to work with. During our wedding, we had many people come up to us to complement her.
response 07/15/2024
Hi Jena, thank you so much for your sweet review! I loved getting to be there to capture y...
our wedding day and I'm wishing you and Jim all the best as your start this next chapter as husband and wife. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, RW
anonymous u
5.0
7/12/2024
Highly recommend Rachael Watson Photography as your wedding photography team! Rachael is so kind and organized. The process started with a phone call with Rachael and right away she sent us a wedding day timeline based on our discussion. It was SO helpful in planning out our day with other vendors. Leading up to our wedding, Rachael was fantastic at communicating. She reached out often, responded to emails quickly, answered all of our questions, and made sure everything was on track. Our engagement and wedding photographer was Rachael's Associate Photographer, Cassie. Cassie was AWESOME! She instantly made us feel comfortable during our engagement session, which helped on our wedding day. Our wedding day moved along so smoothly thanks to Cassie. She was even there to help buckle my shoes and fix my hair. Our families and wedding party are still talking about how wonderful Cassie was on our wedding day. All of the photos turned out BEAUTIFUL! There are so many to choose from and Rachael got them back to us extremely fast. We are so happy with our decision to work with Rachael and Cassie, cannot recommend them enough!
response 07/15/2024
Hi Ariel,
THANK YOU so much for your kind review!!! Cassie and I had a ton of fun with b...
oth you and Ethan. : ) Truly couldn't have asked for a sweeter couple. Thank you for having us. For trusting us to capture your wedding day and for making it possible for us to do what we love. : ) Wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together and keep in touch!!!
Much Love,
Rachael Watson
David G
5.0
6/19/2024
Rachael was an absolute dream to have capture our wedding day. For starters, it’s difficult to generate a friendship out of thin air with a couple you’ve just met, but Rachael seemingly does it with ease. Rachael’s incredible personality, positive energy, and mastery of her craft will quickly win over any nervous bride or skeptical groom. Rachael came up with creative and beautiful shots along the Mag Mile in Chicago for our engagement photos and the second we saw them we knew we were in great hands for our wedding day as well.
As our wedding day approached, Rachael assisted us with every question we had quickly, professionally, and even provided some of her wedding knowledge to help us make decisions about timeline and shots to include.
Finally when our wedding day arrived, Rachael was punctual, organized, and played a huge part in making our wedding day magical alongside her wonderful associate photographer Cassie! I can’t say enough positive things about both Cassie and Rachael. The quality of their photos, their personalities, their ability to get to know our wedding party and make the process fun during hours of photos impressed my wife and I immensely.
In case I haven’t been clear enough yet, the best decision you can make for your wedding day is choosing Rachael as your photographer.
response 07/26/2024
Hi David, THANK YOU so much for your thoughtful review! You and Meghan were such a joy to ...
work with. From the easy love you two share to your excitement about your engagement, wedding day and the photos that go along with it. Truly a pleasure and I'm so grateful Cassie & I got to be there to capture your wedding day. Please keep in touch and can't wait till the next family wedding this August! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Erin M
5.0
1/22/2024
Rachael is a literal superstar! From the first conversation my husband and I had with her we knew this is who we wanted to capture our wedding day. She wanted to get to know us as individuals first, before even asking questions about our wedding day vision. She was one of the first vendors we picked and from there I really felt like our vision started to come into focus. She was an absolute dream to work with! So professional, so fun, and incredibly beautiful photos!!! She made us feel like the most gorgeous people on our wedding day and made taking hundreds of photos insanely fun. Our wedding party loved working with her as well! We have nothing but great things to say about Rachael and I would 100% recommend her to anyone and everyone! Thank you for everything, Rachael!!!
response 01/27/2024
Hi Erin, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review!!! I just loved getting to know you and P...
acky over the last year or so. : ) You two truly have something special and I'm so grateful I got to be there to capture your wedding day. : ) Thank you so much for having us and keep in touch!!! Much Love, RW
Denise C
5.0
12/14/2023
Rachael is truly amazing! She is so fun, energetic, professional, and organized! After our first phone call, we knew that she was the photographer we needed for our big day! After that call, she even sent us an initial photography timeline for our wedding day, which was so helpful during the wedding planning process. Rachael also did our engagement photos, which turned out beautifully. On our wedding day, Rachael and her team made my entire bridal party feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. She took time to get to know the names of each member of our bridal party, which was very sweet. My bridal party kept saying how wonderful the photography team was! During our reception, Rachael even showed us a few same-day photo edits, which was so cool! Our wedding photos turned out AMAZING, and we got them very fast. We’ve received so many compliments on the photos! I highly recommend Rachael for your engagement and wedding day photography!!
response 12/18/2023
Hi Denise, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! It truly means the world to me. : ) Th...
ank you so much for having us as your wedding photography team. Getting to work with you and Ben was truly special and I'm so grateful we connected. : ) Keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Lindsay W
5.0
12/10/2023
Cannot recommend Rachael Watson Photography enough for your wedding day! Rachael made the entire process seamless and fun, and she is so thoughtful and talented.
Leading up to wedding day, Rachael was so thorough and organized with her planning, and she truly cared to make sure that every single detail my husband and I felt was important was something she captured. Your vision is super important to her, and we felt that throughout the entire planning process. Plus she really cares to get to know you as a couple, which made spending wedding day together so much more fun! She also has so many wonderful resources for you to use throughout your planning process, like her blog and website which I found to be so helpful!
We had such a great time at our engagement session and it really helped to ease our nerves. Rachael taught us all the best poses and made it feel so natural to be in front of the camera. On wedding day, Rachael knew the perfect poses for bride and groom, family, and the bridal party. She made it fun to take photos for hours on end, and the end results are better than anything I could have hoped for :). She also helped keep us on schedule all day which we were so grateful for. I also loved the variety of photos she took of me and my husband - she took us exploring around the venue and I was stunned by some of the shots she got in places I never would have thought to take photos in front of! She has such an incredible vision and it made for the BEST photos. All our friends and family complimented how incredible Rachael and her team were on wedding day - they were professional and kind and were able to quickly and efficiently get our large family photos done.
We also had Rachael photograph our rehearsal dinner, and she stayed late to make sure she captured some of the best moments. I will never be able to thank her enough for her kindness and her thoughtfulness. Some of my favorite photos of the weekend were captured at our rehearsal.
Rachael - you captured our day so beautifully. We love every single photo and can’t wait to cherish these memories for the rest of our lives. Thank you for your passion and your kindness, we had so much fun working with you! I can’t wait to work with you again for anniversary photos, family photos or just any excuse to work with you again :)
response 12/18/2023
Hi Lindsay, Thank you so much for your kind words. Reading your review this morning truly ...
made my day. : ) Seeing the love you two share and getting to capture it on your wedding day was such an honor and I'm so grateful we got to be there. : ) I'm especially glad we got to explore around the venue grounds with you! You two were totally game for it and it made all the difference. Thank you for trusting me as your wedding photographer and I can't wait to see you again in the future. : ) Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jackie G
5.0
12/04/2023
Rachael was one of the first vendors we hired after booking our venue. She is an absolute pleasure to have during this process. She is very professional but is so caring towards everyone. She cares about what your vision is for your wedding day. She knew all the best pictures for
portraits, couples pictures, and group pictures. She did our engagement pictures as well and they looked great on our save the dates. On the day of the wedding, she took control of all the people involved and we were right on schedule for the whole day. After receiving our pictures back, we were amazed at how beautiful they were. She is truly professional and kind. Plus, she has a great website to view and order your pictures from. I wish her nothing but success.
response 12/06/2023
Hi Jackie, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review!!! Your wedding day was truly one of a ...
kind and I'm so grateful we got to capture it for you. I still can't believe the rain we had on your day and I'm so grateful you two were game to get creative. I just LOVE the final shots that we got. : ) Thank you again for having us. Wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Elizabeth F
5.0
10/25/2023
We had their associate Cassie take pictures of our wedding and the photos were absolutely stunning! Cassie had a very fun personality which made taking pictures all day super fun! She did both our engagement and wedding day.
Racheal’s business is definitely a must select! From the time we met her, she made us feel like we were close friends—-very welcoming and asks the perfect questions to ensure we get what we wanted! I appreciated all the work she did up front because it set our wedding timeline and ensured on the wedding day we did not miss anything—-like taking a family photo!
response 10/27/2023
Hi Elizabeth, Day totally made! I'm so, so happy to hear that you had fun with Cassie and ...
that you love your final images. : ) I had a lot of fun getting to know you and Andrew and I'm so grateful we got to be the team to capture your wedding day. : ) Thank you so much for having us and wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Katie B
5.0
9/27/2023
Rachael was truly such a pleasure to work with from our first encounter with her! Rachael made her passion for photography and working with people very clear in her conversations with us leading up to us choosing her for our wedding photographer. She truly got to know us as people which made it a lot more comfortable to work with her and get in front of the camera. My husband is more camera shy than me, and Rachael managed to make him feel comfortable and have natural, genuine smiles both in our engagement session and our wedding day! We received SO many compliments about Rachael and her team on our wedding day. So many people were impressed by her positive attitude and the effort she was putting into her work to make sure the photos were turning out well and having an artistic and flattering appeal to them as well. She also worked QUICK, in a good way! She managed to snap multiple family photos in a short matter of time, and they turned out wonderfully! Her team made sure to get photos of nearly EVERY single guest in a flattering fashion, in groups of people or couples! It was so nice to see afterwards! She also worked so hard by climbing into the grass/plants on the venue property in the rain to get photos of us on our wedding day, so that we were covered by an archway. We had completely other plans for locations for photos, and she made different locations look absolutely incredible with our weather! I totally trust her to make decisions for photos, especially if you are in a pinch due to weather and need someone to think outside the box and be inspired by their surroundings! Not only that, Rachael stayed over her time to make sure we got a few more shots that we wanted! We are truly grateful that we chose Rachael for our engagement and wedding photographer and hope to use her in the future as we grow our family and have other fun events. Photos are something that were of very high importance for me, and she did not disappoint! :) If you want someone that will work hard and make you feel comfortable to enjoy the process, pick Rachael!
response 10/02/2023
Hi Katie, THANK YOU so much for your kind words! Getting to work with you and Chris was a ...
ton of fun. From exploring Downtown Palatine with you both at your engagement session to sweet photos on your wedding day... Like popping Champagne together or swoopy veil photos! You two were game for anything and I'm so grateful! Especially, when the weather got a little goofy. Thanks for your flexibility, for trusting me and having me as your wedding and engagement photographer. You two fit perfectly together and getting to capture your love was truly special. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Rachel L
5.0
9/20/2023
Rachael is an absolute pleasure to work with!! Rachael was the first wedding photographer that we spoke with and wow, how lucky did we get! From our first call, she exuded so much positivity and excitement for our vision. She asked us amazing questions and was beyond organized. She made us feel so special and excited to work with her from the start and truly went above and beyond. There are not enough words to express how appreciative we are to have had the opportunity to work with Rachael for such an important moment in our lives. Her photos are absolutely STUNNING. Our engagement session was so easy and we loved every single photo and she set the bar high. At our wedding, Rachael surprised us with some same day edits during dinner and a full sneak peak just a few days later. Our wedding photos are an absolutely dream come true. Also, she is the best hype woman!! She worked seamlessly with everyone and our bridal party also enjoyed the opportunity with to work with her. If you are looking for a photographer, seriously look no further!! Rachael is absolutely amazing and a true professional! I can’t wait for the opportunity to work with Rachael again in the future!!
response 09/21/2023
Day totally made. : ) THANK YOU so much Rachel for your sweet review. : ) Getting to captu...
re the fun season of engagement and then your incredible wedding day was such a joy. You and Luke are truly meant to be and I'm just so grateful we got to be the ones to capture it all. : ) Thank you so much for having us and definitely keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Lindsay L
5.0
8/01/2023
Rachael was a wonderful vendor to work with throughout the entirety of wedding planning. Not only was she amazing on the day of our wedding with all things photo, she also was a great support in the months leading up to the wedding. She made us super comfortable in front of the camera during our engagement session and taught us simple poses that can be used anytime. Then, in the months of planning, Rachael's wedding expertise was super helpful as we built our day-of schedule and decided on the little details of the day. The photos all turned out beautifully and she thought on her feet when the weather was not on our side on our day. Our sneak peak and gallery were finished so fast after our wedding, we were barely home from our honeymoon when we got all of our photos back wonderfully edited. We would highly recommend Rachael to any bride in the Chicagoland area!
response 08/03/2023
Hi Lindsay, Day totally made. : ) Thank you so much for your sweet review. : ) I loved get...
ting to work with you two and I'm just so grateful that we connected! I will never forget trying to time things with the weather and I'm so glad we found a couple of locations around the church before traveling! I love the final shots that we got and I couldn't be more excited for you two to start this next adventure together. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Angel C
5.0
8/01/2023
From start to finish Rachael was such a joy to work with throughout the past year for our engagement shoot and wedding!!! We were so fortunate to find Rachael through Cantigny's preferred vendors along with on the Knot. If you are recently engaged and in need of a photographer for engagement photos and your wedding do yourself a favor and hire Rachael!! She is so organized, detailed and takes the best photos I have ever seen. I love that she helped us along the entire way, told us how to pose and everything in between. Our wedding photos turned out AMAZING, and we are so happy to have worked with Rachael for this very special day. We're already wanting to use her again in the future for any special events. :)
response 08/03/2023
Hi Angel, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! Getting to be there to capture your wed...
ding day was truly special and I'm just so grateful I got to connect with you and David. : ) Thank you so much for having us and keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson PS. I will NEVER forget the storm that came through right before we left. I'm so glad we got a few fun shots of you with all your guests! Definitely a unique memory. : )
Katlin D
5.0
7/06/2023
Before getting engaged, I had already saved Rachael's contact information after seeing her stunning photos from a wedding album posted on social media. She was the very first vendor we hired (the day after we got engaged!) and I can't recommend her enough for your future wedding or any photos you are having taken. Not only is Rachael incredibly talented, but she is an amazing person. She makes you feel so comfortable and confident being in front of the camera. Our engagement shoot with her was in 100+ degree weather and the photos came out so beautiful. We received our wedding photos so quickly and were blown away by how well she captured the day, our love, and memories that will last us a lifetime. We truly could not find a picture we didn't love. Rachael also includes a custom timeline for your wedding day which is so helpful to you, your vendors, and your bridal party. She takes the time to get to know you and it truly translates in her work. Please do not look any further as hiring Rachael will be the best decision you make for your wedding day!
response 07/09/2023
Hi Katlin, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! You and Dylan were truly a joy to work...
with and I'm so grateful I got to be there for your wedding day. : ) I will never forget your engagement session. I STILL can't believe how hot it was, but you two were totally game and the photos were worth it!!! While there were so many sweet moments during your wedding day, I think your first look with Dylan was my favorite. : ) You two are truly meant to be and I'm just so excited for you two to start this next chapter as husband and wife. : ) Thank you again for having me and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jenna H
5.0
7/05/2023
Rachael and Blake are THE BEST!! They have such kind hearts and are so much fun! Rachael was so easy to communicate with and organized the photos throughout the day perfectly! Rachael is so creative and was very flexible! The photos we received from our sneak peak are absolutely gorgeous!! We would hire them again and again!
response 07/06/2023
Hi Jenna, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! I had a ton of fun with you & Zeke, and...
we couldn't be more excited for you two to start this next chapter as husband and wife. Thank you so much for having us and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Danny J
5.0
6/23/2023
When I worked with Rachael at Cantigny Golf and she first started her business, I promised her I’d hire her for my wedding one day. Watching her business not only grow but explode in popularity over the years has been so fun to watch and I’m so glad she was able to be a part of my wedding.
Rachael and her team absolutely knocked it out of the park! I couldn’t be happier with how our day went. You can tell how good their preparation and efficiency is on the wedding day. Everything went so smooth and she got all of our photos we requested. She helped us develop our itinerary and this helped our day greatly. 1000% will be recommending her to all my friends and family!
response 06/27/2023
Day totally made. : ) THANK YOU so much for your kind review Danny! It feels like just yes...
terday we were working at Cantigny together talking about our future goals. To be able to catch up with you recently. Seeing all the fun things you've accomplished and being able to capture all the love and joy of your wedding to Megan, your high school sweetheart was just the best. : ) Thank you so much for having us and wishing you all the best as you start this next chapter as husband and wife together. Much Love, Rachael Watson
Emma A
5.0
6/16/2023
This review is LONG over due. Rachael was our photographer for our wedding last summer. To say she was great would be an understatement. From the moment we hired her she was fantastic! Rachael is so personable and makes you feel so comfortable in front of the camera. She made it a point to really get to know us as a couple through the whole process and honestly feels like a friend. Because of how personable she was to everyone on our wedding day, a number of friends in our wedding have decided to work with her. The pictures from our engagement and wedding are beautiful! We could not have asked for anything better.
My husband and I recently gave birth to our son and knew there was no one else we would want to photograph our family. The photographs she took are going to always help us remember this special time with our son.
In a short amount of time Rachael has become a staple in our families life milestones. We know we will continue to work with Rachael in the future.
response 06/21/2023
Hi Emma, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review! Getting to catch up with you and Sean la...
st month to meet your little one was so fun for me. I couldn't be more excited for you two as you start this next adventure together. :) Thank you for having me as your wedding & engagement photographer. Thank you for having me again to capture this sweet milestone. You two are truly the best and I'm so blessed to have couples like you. Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Julia H
5.0
6/11/2023
Our experience with Rachael was top-notch from start to finish! She was there for us all the way through our wedding planning experience! She is very responsive and helpful to any questions that arise. Not to mention her photography skills are AMAZING. From the engagement session to wedding day she made my husband and I feel special and beautiful. She even got our not-so-photogenic groomsman to smile and open-up to the camera, a true skill! We got access to all our final images (over 1500) and the quality is amazing! Would recommend RWP to everyone!!
response 06/12/2023
Hi Julia, THANK YOU so much for your kind review! Getting to capture all the love and exci...
tement of your wedding day was truly a pleasure. : ) I will never forget having all four sets of your Grandparents on the dance floor for an anniversary dance. Truly special and something I'm so glad we got to capture. : ) Julia & Brandon, thank you so much for having us. Wishing you all the best as you start this next adventure and keep in touch! -Rachael Watson
Ashley J
5.0
6/05/2023
As a bridesmaid in a wedding that Rachael Watson Photography shot, I knew right away who I wanted to capture our wedding day. Rachael not only went above and beyond but also surpassed all our expectations, leaving us with amazing photographs that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the day.
Rachael took the time to get to know us as a couple along with our vision and style, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. She even went the extra mile to create a detailed timeline for the day, which kept everything running smoothly and allowed for ample time to capture the most important moments including our expressions during our special vows. Being in late October, fall colors were a vital aspect of our wedding vision and Rachael truly brought them to life in the photographs. Even after the wedding, she helped us create a special photo gallery to include on our thank you cards for our guests to view.
If you are searching for a wedding photographer who will go above and beyond, capturing your special day with expertise and creativity, I highly recommend Rachael Watson Photography! She did not only capture all of our special moments but her great personality made everything so fun and carefree even when a groomsmen was MIA.
Thank you Rachael, for capturing our wedding! You truly exceeded our expectations!
response 06/05/2023
Hi Ashley, THANK YOU so much for your sweet review!!! I had a ton of fun with you, Rade, a...
nd your whole Bridal Party. : ) I will still never forget the look on Rade's face when you started to read your vows to him in his first language, Serbian. He was so surprised and all the hard work you put into learning a little Serbian was totally worth it! Thank you so much for having us as your wedding photography team. : ) I couldn't have asked for a sweeter couple and I'm wishing you all the best as you start this next adventure together. : ) Keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Sarah P
5.0
6/03/2023
RWP was the best choice we could have made when it came to planning our wedding. She not only was with us all day to capture every special moment but also created an entire timeline to make sure the day ran smoothly. She quickly learned the names of all family members and bridal party. It was really special to have her be apart of our day. Not to mention the photos are BEAUTIFUL and we had them all within less than a week of our wedding date. Thank you RWP for being the best!
response 06/05/2023
Hi Sarah, THANK YOU so much for your review! I had a ton of fun with you, Ian and I will s...
till never forget taking sunset photos on that cute swing with you two! Your day was truly the best and I'm just so honored we got to be there. Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jane (
5.0
5/18/2023
When thinking about who to choose as our wedding photographer, I knew talent was important, but personality and character was just as important. Your wedding photographer will be around you almost as much as your bridesmaids/groom the day of - so I wanted someone who was positive, encouraging, organized, detail oriented, a natural leader and essentially my “hype woman” to help me feel confident in front of the camera. Rachael is ALL these things and more. I said this over and over again to friends and family that one of the best decisions I made for our wedding, next to marrying my husband John, was choosing Rachael as our photographer. She had a detailed timeline for our wedding from day 1 - before we had even chosen her as our official photographer or put a down payment. This was so appreciated because it had us thinking about details we wouldn’t have considered early on. Looking back on our wedding day photos, I feel like I am reliving every moment and even the moments I wasn’t able to witness or be there for. The joy and authenticity of the photos is only something a truly talented photographer can capture. Rachael went above and beyond from our day 1 initial call and all the way to sending our full gallery to us less than 2 weeks from our wedding day. She is talented, personable, positive, and timely. We are so grateful!!!
response 05/24/2023
Jane, THANK YOU so much for your review! I had a ton of fun with you and John on your wedd...
ing day and I'm just so grateful we got to be there to capture it. : ) I will never forget the sun peeking out during your ceremony just as you two were exchanging vows. It was the perfect moment and just added to an already special day. You two are truly meant to be and getting to know you over the last year and a half as you plan your wedding day was an absolute pleasure. Thank you again for your kind words and keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Maribel G
5.0
3/20/2023
First, I’d like to profusely apologize to Rachael for my super late review! But it’s gotta be worth something that I’m still thinking about how incredible our wedding pictures turned out and that this review was STILL very much on my to-do list 😅. Rachael’s perfect 5-star reviews are perfect for a reason. Well…a multitude of reasons! I’ve been to a few weddings since my own and the photographers were nowhere near the level of professionalism and expertise that Rachael has. Not even close! I feel so lucky that Rachael was available to do my wedding because she is the best photographer out there. I was a very hands-off and hated planning kind of bride. Rachael helped me so much with the wedding timeline and captured every conceivable moment, even moments I didn’t even think of! She took the time and energy to learn my bridal party’s names and made everyone feel so comfortable. She taught us how to pose and made us all look so good. My husband and I have big bodies and we are self-conscious when it comes to pictures. Racheal made us feel and look like movie stars. When I look back at our wedding pictures, I feel immense happiness not only because they are so beautiful, but also because she was able to capture the pure joy we felt that day. Thank you so much Rachael. Quick side note - Rachael saved our lives! Our engagement session location had tall grass and Rachael texted us to check for ticks and we had a couple on our clothes. So grateful that she warned us!!! 😮💨
response 03/27/2023
Day. Totally. Made!!! Thank you so much for your kind review Maribel. : ) I still remember...
your wedding day like it was yesterday. Chateau Bu-Sche', the stunning bridge, gardens and exploring them all with you and Neal. : ) Thank you so much for having me and the team and for trusting us to capture this exciting time of life. : ) Y'all are truly the best and I'm cheering you on as you continue on this adventure together. : ) Much Love, RW PS. I still LOVE that we went back to where you two met for your engagement session! Uniquely you and so, so special. (And VERY glad we narrowly escaped the small critters!)
Bridget K
5.0
1/18/2023
Rachael and Blake were a dream! From the beginning, Rachael gave so many tips and advice and helped us plan our day and made the details seamless. She was always so quick and personal in all communication which made working with her so easy. Both Rachael and Blake made everyone feel so comfortable and just made every moment so fun! It was like having your friends take your photos all day! We could not have asked for a better photographer and the pictures speak for themselves! Absolutely perfect!
response 01/24/2023
Thank you so much for your kind words Bridget!!! You truly just made our day. : ) Getting ...
to capture your New Year's Eve wedding was definitely a highlight for us! From your sweet first look on the grand staircase to your sparkler exit at the end of the night. The love you two share was so evident. We just loved getting to be there to capture it. : ) Thank you for having us and keep in touch! -Rachael Watson
Sara D
5.0
12/28/2022
Rachael is a true example of going above and beyond. From the moment I reached out she has been nothing but amazing to work with. From sharing tips on wedding planning (beyond just what's involved with photos) to being so patient with a bride and groom that are not so fond of photos to thinking on her feet when our big day was faced with a massive rain storm and 50-60mph winds...Rachael is such a professional and helped make our day truly memorable. Thank you Rachael!
response 12/29/2022
Hi Sara, THANK YOU so much for your kind words! I still can't believe how windy it was on ...
your wedding day! Thanks for being flexible, for having fun with us and for having us on your wedding day. : ) You and Jason are truly meat to be. : ) We had a ton of fun with you two and we're wishing you all the best as you start this next chapter together. Keep in touch! -Rachael Watson
Katie M
5.0
12/10/2022
We had our wedding in June of 22 and Rachael was the one of the most amazing parts of the day. She made everybody so comfortable and happy to participate in photos. We had to move our wedding back and Rachael was understanding and willing to work with us. She was very positive through the whole day and worked with us. The pictures are amazing. Many of my friends and family complimented her and the photos after the wedding. We are so happy that we were able to work with her on such a special day. I highly recommend Rachael to anybody who wants to feel comfortable on their wedding day and have beautiful memories of the day.
response 12/12/2022
Hi Katie, THANK YOU so much for your review!!! It was so fun getting to be there for your ...
wedding day. : ) I still remember running around Cantigny with you and David. So many fun locations to explore! Thank you, thank you for having us. : ) It's our sweet couples that make what we do so fun. Grateful for y'all and please keep in touch!!! - Rachael Watson
Molly C
5.0
10/21/2022
We are so happy with our decision to work with Rachael for our wedding, and we can't emphasize enough how much we love our final photos! We had so much fun getting to know Rachael at our engagement session, and couldn't wait to work with her on our wedding day. Leading up to the wedding day, she was very responsive and helpful with coming up with a timeline, ironing out last minute details, and making sure we were all on the same page about photo plans. On our wedding day, Rachael and her assistant, Courtney, did a great job helping us stay organized and making sure we got all the photos we wanted while sticking to our timeline, and she made sure we didn't feel rushed at all. The photos from the ceremony are so beautiful and expertly capture the emotions and joy of our wedding ceremony. Rachael was very patient and efficient with helping us get through LOTS of family photos, and did a great job directing the bridal party photos to make sure we didn't get too distracted so we could get great shots done in a timely manner. After bridal party photos, we took our photos in a variety of great photo spots, and they all turned out beautifully. Rachael has so much artistic talent and I was so impressed with how she made every photo look so stunning, even in unexpected places like the middle of the street or in front of a fallen tree! She was so fun and enthusiastic throughout the whole day, and she made us feel very comfortable and natural in front of the camera, and this made our photos turn out so beautiful and genuine. We received countless compliments from our bridal party, family, and friends about how impressed they were with the flow of the photos, and the quality of the final images. We were so excited to get our sneak peek within just a few days of the wedding, and were very impressed that we had the final gallery within just 3 weeks! Our experience with Rachael was excellent from start to finish, and I cannot emphasize enough how highly I recommend her as a wedding photographer :)
response 10/28/2022
THANK YOU SO MUCH Molly for your review!!! Your wedding day was so fun for us. : ) From po...
pping champagne in the morning with your bridesmaids to your first look with David and fun veil photos. I had a ton of fun with all of you and I'm so glad you were game for anything. : ) Including some of the more unique locations like the fallen tree! Thank you again for having us. : ) Your day was truly special and I'm just so grateful we got to be there. Wishing you all the best as you start this next adventure together and keep in touch!!! - Rachael Watson
Hannah M
5.0
10/21/2022
Rachael was a dream to work with! We are SO happy we were able to work with Rachael for our wedding. She was such a pleasure to work with and was so accommodating and responsive leading up to the big day. Our bridal party & family had such a blast working with Rachael & her team on the day of the wedding – she is the sweetest and made everyone feel so comfortable. Our photos turned out beautifully and better than we could have imagined. I highly recommend Rachael. She was the best and we were so lucky to have her part of our special day!
response 10/28/2022
THANK YOU so much Hannah for your review!!! Totally made my day seeing this. : ) I had so ...
much fun with you and DJ. : ) I still remember your Chicago engagement session and those awesome red shoes! Then your wedding day... even more fun! (Which I didn't think was possible!) Thank you so much for having me. : ) Y'all are truly the best and I'm so grateful we got to be there to capture your wedding day. : ) Keep in touch!!! - Rachael Watson
Molly H
5.0
9/04/2022
We knew from the moment we got engaged that we wanted Rachael to be the one photographing our special day! Rachael was the photographer for one of my close friend’s wedding and did such a phenomenal job, I just knew that I wanted that experience for myself. From planning our engagement session all the way through to post-wedding Rachael was nothing short of spectacular! Our guests have complimented not only the pictures we have shared, but Rachael and Blake’s overall interactions with them at the wedding. I could not thank Rachael enough for also traveling about 4 hours up to my wedding in Wisconsin. Knowing she was there put me at ease. I would recommend Rachael in a heartbeat again and again!
response 09/06/2022
Day totally made! Thank you so much for your kind words Molly. : ) I just loved getting to...
work with you and Jeff. From your sweet engagement session at Cantigny to exploring the family farm together on your wedding day. You two brought such great energy and we loved getting to capture the love you two share. THANK YOU for having us and wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together. :) Much Love, RW
Jessica R
5.0
8/16/2022
Hiring Rachael was by far one of the best decisions we made in the wedding planning process! If we could go back and hire her again, we absolutely would! Throughout the whole wedding planning process Rachael was such an amazing resource. She made our day of timeline, she gave recommendations and advice, she even sent us a holiday card (so cute!). Above all, she always made us feel as if we were her only client and that she was there to help us with anything.
Our engagement photos were amazing and we had so much fun while we were taking them. When we got our photos back, we were amazed. I honestly didn't know how she could top those photos. As the wedding day got closer, she made a detailed timeline for us which was SO helpful - it saved us sooo much time and really helped to have her advice!
On our wedding day, Rachael helped move things along and never made us feel rushed (even when we were running behind!). She came up with great ideas and solutions on the spot and her experience really showed. I can't even count the amount of people who came up to us throughout the day and said how amazing, personable and kind our photographer was! Her energy brought so much to our day and our photos!
A week after the wedding we got our sneak peak of 100 photos which were all so beautiful and only a few days later we got our entire gallery! The photos are stunning! We are so incredibly happy that we have these photos to look back on relive the day! Rachaels experience and creativity really showed! We are so thankful that we decided to invest in Rachael, she helped make our day a dream come true!
response 08/16/2022
THANK YOU so much Jess for your review! Wow! I just love hearing how helpful the wedding t...
imeline was to you and that your guests had fun. : ) You truly just made my day. : ) I loved getting to spend time with you and Drew leading up to your wedding day. From your engagement session, phone calls to the day of. The love you two share shines and I'm so grateful I got to be there to capture this part of your story. : ) Y'all are truly the best and I'm so, so grateful I got to know you over the past year and a half. : ) If you ever need anything, always feel free to reach out and wishing you all the best as you continue on this epic adventure together. : ) Much Love, Rachael Watson
Maria D
5.0
8/10/2022
If you're debating on who to hire as your wedding photographer, stop looking and hire Rachael, it will be the best and easiest decision you make for your celebration. Some of the innumerable qualities that make Rachael amazing include her beautiful and creative eye; her flexibility and responsiveness; her ability to put her clients at ease and help them have fun; her attention to detail; and so, SO many more. We got married in October 2020, but had a larger celebration July 2022, and Rachael ROCKED IT! Our photos turned out so beautifully and so many of our guests commented on her professionalism and great skills. If I could go back in time and hire her for our October 2020 wedding, I would! Rachael helped me with ALL of my questions, was totally willing to work around my timeline, and had such great suggestions for pictures. She was also "down for anything", including an 'engagement' shoot in the snow in February...LOVE those pictures too! What really makes Rachael special is she truly makes you feel like her most important client(s), and she does everything she can to give you the photos (and experience!) you want for one of the biggest days of your lives...including making me feel it was totally normal to surprise my husband wearing a raptor mask for our (second) first look. When Rachael got excited about this idea and didn't think I was totally crazy, I knew I had chosen someone special. She even sent us a surprise canvas shortly after our wedding and delivered our full digital album only ten days after our celebration...and we got a sneak peek of about 100 photos only a week after...AND even got to see 15 photos DURING dinner! I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop by saying that Rachael is someone who is doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing...her passion, commitment to her clients, creativity, and skill are rare....so rest assured and hire her for your big day! You WON'T regret it! :)
response 08/11/2022
-Wipes tears from eyes- THANK YOU so much Maria for your kind review. : ) I feel so blesse...
d to have couples like you and Tim. You guys make it possible for me to do what I love and I'm so, so grateful. : ) From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thanks for having me, for rocking a raptor mask for your (second) first look and taking the time to write this review. Y'all are truly the best and I'm wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together. : ) Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Clare S
5.0
7/21/2022
Rachael was AMAZING. I could not be happier with how our photos turned out- both from the wedding as well as our engagement shoot. She captured so much joy in our photos, and I'm going to treasure them forever. More than that, she was such a pleasure to work with. Her positive energy is contagious- she kept our photos moving along while making the experience enjoyable. So many of our guests have complimented her work- they loved her excitement. She made us feel valued and prioritized throughout the planning process. I enjoyed my wedding stress-free knowing that Rachael would make sure our photos were stunning and on schedule. Can't recommend her enough!!
response 07/22/2022
Thank you so much Clare for your review!!! You and Daniel are truly the best and I"m so gr...
ateful we connected! From getting ready in the morning with family, to exploring Cantigny Park together, yard games and an epic Groom's cake, every detail was thoughtfully created and getting to photograph it as it all came together on your wedding day was so sweet. : ) THANK YOU so much for having me! Y'all are truly the best and I'm cheering you on as you two start this next adventure as husband and wife. : ) Keep in touch!!! Much Love, RW
Megan K
5.0
6/19/2022
Having Rachael as our wedding day photographer was the BEST decision that we made for our wedding. She was an absolute dream to work with. From our initial conversation, to our engagement session, to creating the perfect wedding day timeline to our final images, everything was perfect.
Our family and friends too cannot stop talking about how amazing she is. She even made one of our family members that has an extreme phobia of pictures feel comfortable with having their picture taken for the first time in years.
Rachael, you are the MAGIC!
response 06/21/2022
Oh my gosh. Megan, day totally made!!! Thank you so much for your kind words. : ) Working ...
with you and Andrew was truly a joy. Your wedding day was perfect and I will never forget everyone on the dance floor for the umbrella song! Such a fun day and two incredible families coming together. : ) Thank you so much for having me. : ) Wishing you all the best as you continue on this adventure together and keep in touch!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Andrea L
5.0
6/16/2022
Rachael was absolutely amazing. We were so lucky to have her as a part of our special day! She went above to capture the most beautiful photos and she was so helpful to have on site. She even helped out with tasks that weren’t in her job description. All our friends and family were raving about our photographer the entire day. Also, I have to mention again the photos she took were absolutely stunning! I know we’ll cherish them for a lifetime, and she captured absolutely everything we asked for. We can’t recommend her enough!!!
response 06/16/2022
Day totally made! Thank you so much for your kind words Andrea. : ) I truly loved getting ...
to hang out with you and Nate on your wedding day. I LOVE the shots that we got (Especially, your wedding dress!!!) and I couldn't be more excited for you two to start this next chapter as husband and wife. : ) Keep in touch and cheering your on!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Julia B
5.0
5/11/2022
Rachael was the best! When we first got engaged I knew that Rachael needed to be our wedding photographer. She was always there to answer questions, photography related or not, she had no problem taking charge of our family and our friends to make sure that my husband and I had the most incredible day! Rachael was the one who suggested that my husband and I run around and get photos with each table during the reception, Mission Impossible. This was something so important to us. Now we are sure we have a photo with each guest. This also gives me the opportunity to now pass those photos back to my guests. I received so many compliments during our big day about how much fun Mission Impossible was. Our guests loved the idea and it is all thanks to Rachael and her willingness to run around with us! She has such an eye for photography. It is very clear that Rachael cares for each couple and truly wants nothing less than the best and most special day for everyone. She is one of the kindest, most adventurous, and genuine people I have come to know. I would recommend Rachael again and again. If you have any doubts, don't.
Thank you so much for all you did for us Rachael! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life looking at your beautiful photos!
response 05/11/2022
Hi Julia, THANK YOU so much for this sweet review!!! I loved getting to hang out with you ...
and Jared on your wedding day and in Utah at your engagement session. I love that you're game for anything and I love the thought and care that you two put into your wedding day. : ) I will never forget your wedding day, your vows were so genuine. You two are truly meant to be. : ) Thank you so much for having me and wishing you all the best as you two start this next chapter together! Keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael W.
Meghan M
5.0
5/10/2022
Rachael is absolutely amazing! My husband and I loved having her photograph our wedding this past weekend. She handles awkward family situations with grace and makes posing for pictures for hours fun. She is a joy to be around and has the most encouraging, sweet personality. Hiring Rachael was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Will definitely be hiring her for family sessions in the future! THANK YOU RACHAEL!
response 05/10/2022
Hi Meghan, Day totally made. : ) THANK YOU so much for your review!!! Y'all are truly the ...
best. : ) Thank you so much for having me and wishing you all the best as you start this next chapter as husband and wife. : ) Full sneak peek in just a few days!!! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jordan P
5.0
3/02/2022
Of all the choices I made for my wedding, hiring Rachael as the photographer was one I feel I did absolutely right! She's incredibly amazing to work with! From start to finish, she was great at communicating, super personable, very organized... she even helped me draft my wedding day timeline which is honestly a huge and stressful task for a bride. On the day of, she was so on top of everything, I truly believe the day went smoothly because of her. Not to mention, her and her husband Blake are soo friendly, it really does put you at ease with everything else going on that day! And finally, her photos are absolutely STUNNING! I cried when I saw previews of them. You will love and cherish them forever. My bridal party and family STILL talk about how wonderful she is as a photographer and person in general!
response 03/03/2022
Hi Jordan, THANK YOU so much for your kind review!!! Day totally made. : ) You and Chris w...
ere truly a joy to work with. Your Christmas wedding at The Farmhouse was perfect and I'm so glad y'all were game to do photos around the grounds! Love, love, love how they turned out and so, so grateful we connected. : ) Keep in touch!!! - Rachael Watson
Colleen C
5.0
2/17/2022
Rachael was the BEST photographer for our wedding in January! She was listed as a preferred vendor from The Hyatt and I am so happy that we decided to book her! Rachael is so personable. The very first phone call we had she really wanted to get to know Anthony and I as a couple! The engagement session was so great to get to work with her in front of the camera before the wedding. She was so helpful in creating a detailed timeline for the wedding day and worked with me so that we could get all the photos we really wanted! Her and her assistant Courtney were the best! We had several bridesmaids and family members comment on how wonderful they both were! Our wedding photos turned out amazing!! There is not one picture that I don't absolutely love! Would highly recommend Rachael and her team!!
response 02/18/2022
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your review Colleen! Truly just made my day. : ) You and Anthony wer...
e a ton of fun to work with and I'm so grateful we connected. I still can't believe it rained ice on your wedding day! We totally worked with it though and I love how everything came out. : ) THANK YOU for having us, for trusting us and so, so excited for you and Anthony as you start this next chapter of your lives together. : ) Keep in touch! -Rachael Watson
Rachel A
5.0
1/31/2022
Rachael was hands down one of my favorite vendors we worked with. We found Rachael through our preferred vendor list - and I am so thankful we did. Beginning with engagement pictures Rachael made it easy, she showed us her favorite poses, and spotted beautiful locations. After seeing those pictures, I couldn’t wait for her to shoot our wedding. We had to delay our wedding due to covid, and she was flexible, compassionate, and understanding as we dealt with several possible wedding dates. She sent me a wedding day timeline and the day of the wedding was great knowing we were already on the same page. She gave us a sneak peak during our reception and our guests were as blown away as we were! The turn around time was amazing, and our pictures are absolutely stunning! We LOVED working with Rachael & her husband!
response 01/31/2022
Day. Totally. Made! THANK YOU so much for your sweet review Rachel! You and Steven are tru...
ly the best. :) I still remember running around the morning of your wedding, capturing all the excitement and the look on Steven's face when you walked down the aisle... priceless. :) I'm so grateful we got to be there to capture your wedding day. Thank you so much for having us and keep in touch! -Rachael Watson
Samantha A
5.0
1/23/2022
Being as meticulous as I am about small details and helping plan my sisters wedding for not one but two years (thanks covid), I have to say hands down, Rachael was the absolute best! I joked that I wish I could “redo” my wedding and hire her as my photographer (might not have been totally joking). I don’t know how I didn’t know about her when I got married, but she will be my top recommendation for future friends and family. Rachael’s attention to details and ideas for photos made this day better than anyone could have imagined. We had such a great time walking through Cantigny with her, Blake and the rest of the bridal party. Blake even offered me and another bridesmaid his jacket as the sun started to set. Such a fabulous couple to work with, and I have to say they are relationship goals! The pictures my sister has look like they are straight from dream. They belong in every wedding magazine and not just hanging on our walls. It doesn’t do them justice. Thank you, Rachael for giving my sister Rachel the best day ever! I look forward to working with you again in the future!
response 01/24/2022
Day. Totally. Made! THANK YOU SO MUCH for your review Sam!!! Rachel & Steven's wedding day...
was truly perfect. : ) So many fun details all coming together and I just loved all of it. : ) Especially, hanging out with the Bridal Party at Cantigny! I'm so grateful we got to explore the grounds together and I just love the final shots we were able to get together! Thank you so much for helping us out all day and thanks again for your review! It truly means a lot. : ) Hope to see you all again soon!!! - Rachael Watson
Angela H
5.0
1/19/2022
I booked Rachael for my wedding photographer, and aside from my husband, it was the BEST choice I made for the wedding. I knew photos were so important to me, and seeing Rachael’s work and style; the choice was easy. After requesting info, Rachael called me to chat and get to know me a bit; she asked questions about my vision and what I wanted the day to look like. After the phone call and feeling so at ease talking with her, I knew we had to book her. She set up another phone call to ask questions I did not even were important, like who did I want in photos, what things that I wanted to include (like jewelry, shoes, invites), and what fun things did I want to do (sparkler exit, first looks, getting ready). From that call, Rachael made me a day of timeline, and I was able to base the rest of the wedding planning off that. This took such a weight off my shoulders. We scheduled our engagement shoot soon after. At this shoot, my fiance and I got to meet Rachael in person and learn some great simple poses, become more confident with being posed, and most importantly have fun. However, the pandemic had another plan. We had to reschedule the wedding for 3 different times. Each time Rachael was there to support, answer questions and reassure me. She was truly a lifeline in the crazy planning stages. I loved working with her so much that I hired her again to shoot our small elopement ceremony a year before our reception.
Finally, when the big day came, Rachael and Blake had gone over all the details with us again, confirmed the timeline, and reminded me to get the extras I wanted (an invitation, special jewelry, and extra flowers for the detail shot.) These extras would have slipped my mind but the week of the phone call she has with her brides is perfect for relieving any anxiety.
For the day of Rachael and Blake arrived early and ready to work, they were able to bob and weave to make sure all the photos were perfect. Even little details they did really made a difference in the finished photos. During the day I was able to get all the photos I had wanted and planned to. Even during what could have been a terrible moment, a fire alarm going off during cocktail hour, and the Aurora FD coming. Rachael turned it into a fun mini photoshoot in front of the truck! I received a sneak peek within a week and the final photos were done within two weeks.
I have worked with Rachael for the last two years and I could not recommend her and her team enough. She is energetic, fun to work with, organized, and above all truly talented. Rachael really is a gifted photographer and AMAZING to work with. She has created and cultivated a unique experience for her brides.
response 01/20/2022
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kind review Angela!!! Oh my gosh. These past couple years have ...
truly been a whirl wind, but getting to work with you & Will makes it all worth it. : ) My couples are truly the best and I'm just so honored we got to be there for the whole process. You two are truly rockstars and I couldn't be more excited for you two as you start this next adventure together. : ) THANK YOU for having us and definitely keep in touch. Much Love, Rachael Watson
Jamie W
5.0
10/27/2021
If I could give Rachael more than 5 stars, I would! Upon our first meeting/consultation you could tell how much she truly loves her job and how much she cares for her couples. She was outgoing, fun, and so easy to talk to that it was a no brainer for us to work with her! Our wedding day ran so smoothly because of her schedule/timeline she created and the direction she would give to the bridal party. Our bridal party and guests even commented on how well organized she was with the flow of the day, what shots to get, and the coaching she would give. One of the bridesmaids, who is engaged, even said she wished she didn’t book a photographer yet because she would have booked Rachael! I could go on and on about all the wonderful attributes that Rachael brings as a photographer. But besides being a wonderful photographer, she is also just a really good person. Do yourself a favor and book her, you will not be disappointed!!
response 10/30/2021
Hi Jamie, THANK YOU so much for your kind words!!! You truly just made my day. : ) I'm so ...
grateful we were able to connect and I still can't believe how cute those twin ring bearers were! Thank you so much for having me. : ) You two were so much fun to hang out with, your ceremony was so sweet and I couldn't be more excited for you two as you start this next adventure. : ) Thank you again and keep in touch!!! - Rachael Watson
Kristen M
5.0
10/15/2021
Rachael was AMAZING! She not only created a fabulous schedule for the entire day, but also kept everyone comfortable and calm. Taking pictures was not awkward at all. Rachael was not afraid to give constructive directions. She taught us "core poses" at our engagement session, which was very helpful for wedding day photos, too. She is bubbly and fun to be around. She gave us really cool ideas like, "Mission Impossible" and "sparkler exit". I highly recommend Rachael, she will not only capture the best moments, but create more opportunities and memories of your special day.
response 10/18/2021
Hi Kristen, THANK YOU so much for your review!!! I had a ton of fun with you and Landon a...
t Cantigny this past summer and I'm so, so happy to hear you did too. : ) Thank you for having us, for exploring the park with us and for being game to try different things. : ) I still love the backlit shots we got on the bridge! Thank you so much again and keep in touch! - Rachael Watson
Nicole L
5.0
10/13/2021
We found Rachael while perusing on the Knot and had a meeting with her and immediately knew she was the perfect photographer for us! We were a bit nervous at first going with someone who we had no personal references from and just basing our hiring of her on reviews but man I am so SO happy that we chose her for our big day! She is so professional but manages to treat you like a friend throughout the entire process from engagement photos to the wedding day. She also kept us calm on the day of the wedding and that was what really made her stand out in my mind. When the venue seemed to be rushing us out so they could set up for dinner, she looked at her watch and told my husband and I that we had plenty of time left for photos and to just focus on the task at hand instead of the time. That was SO important to me to have someone like that running the show and it made me realize just how important the right photographer is for your big day. They really are with you for 10+ hours so you get to interact very closely and I would recommend Rachael to work with to anyone and everyone I know who is getting married. Our bridal party was also raving to us about how amazing her and her husband Blake were to work with! Choosing Rachael to work with for our wedding was hands down one of the best decisions we made in the entire planning process. And the photos turned out GORGEOUS! She is so good at staging couples and getting just the right angle to make everyone look amazing and she gets the photos out quickly too! We had our sneak peek available on her blog four days after our wedding! Bottom line is this: hire Rachael, you will not regret it! (check out her website/blog and follow her on instagram and facebook to see her awesome content!)
response 10/14/2021
THANK YOU SO MUCH Nikki for your review! We truly enjoyed capturing the excitement of your...
wedding day and I'm so glad I got to connect with you and Dan. : ) We ended up with the perfect day and I just loved how supportive and fun your bridal party and family were! Y'all truly have an amazing crew and I'm so, so grateful to have been able to capture your wedding day. THANK YOU for having us and please keep in touch. : ) Much Love, Rachael Watson
April N
5.0
10/13/2021
Hiring Rachael was the best decision we truly made when it came to planning our wedding day, and we have and will continue to recommend her to all our friends. We worked with Rachael for both our engagement pictures and for 12 hours on our wedding day. Rachael has this amazing ability to make you feel comfortable and seen, even after just meeting for a few minutes! She truly takes the time to get to know you and your partner to capture your wedding day the way you envision it and all of the special moments along the way. She is punctual, approachable, communicates quickly, and truly has the same energy at hour 1 as she does hour 12! Beyond her incredible photos, she helped to also build our timeline for the day and corral family members together so that we could successfully take the photos we were hoping for.
We ended up getting married on the hottest day of the year in Chicago, and Rachael and Blake made sure to constantly check-in on our needs, adjust to account for water breaks, and still managed to capture the highest quality photos. Both my husband and I couldn't be happier with our wedding day experience thanks to Rachael, and how all of the photos came out. They exceeded our expectations and we are so thankful we have those treasured moments to look through for years to come! If you're looking for a phenomenal photographer that you can trust with such a big role, Rachael is it!
response 10/14/2021
Hi April, You TRULY just made my day. : ) Thank you so, so much for your kind words. : ) B...
lake and I had an absolute blast working with you two and we couldn't have asked for a sweeter couple. : ) THANK YOU for having us, for running around Chicago with us and being game for anything. Your day was truly a highlight. (Even with the heat!) You and Joe are truly meant to be and we couldn't be more excited for you two as you start this next chapter as husband and wife. : ) Keep in touch and much love. -Rachael Watson
Alyssa F
5.0
10/11/2021
I was referred to Rachael after my maid of honor was in another wedding that used Rachael as the photographer and I am SO glad she was recommended for my wedding! Rachael’s work is truly perfection. She is creative, pays attention to detail, and makes you feel so comfortable when working with her. Prior to the wedding Rachael, my husband, and I talked a few different times so I felt extremely organized on wedding day. Rachael makes a wonderful timeline that is so helpful and ensures not a minute of the day goes to waste. Our wedding photos came back so quickly I was shocked. She goes above and beyond for her clients and her work is incredible. I highly recommend Rachael & am definitely planning on using her again in the future!
response 10/12/2021
Hi Alyssa, Ahh! Day totally made! Thank you so much for your review. : ) I had a TON of fu...
n working with you, Bubba and your whole Bridal Party. Your day was truly stunning. Especially, your walk down the aisle! North Fork Farm was the perfect spot for you two. : ) Thank you so, so much for having me and looking forward to seeing you two again! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Amanda P
5.0
10/10/2021
I couldn't possibly imagine working with anyone other than Rachael! From the moment we met Rachael at my sisters wedding a few years back, we absolutely loved her energy, how fun she was to be around, the way she made everyone feel so comfortable and of course her beautiful work. She captured the most stunning photos for our engagement session and even more amazing ones at our wedding. Throughout the stress of postponing, Rachael was there to help and support us with any questions in addition to helping us put together our day of timeline. We received our wedding photos back so quickly and have been nonstop looking at them. Her work speaks for itself, but truly she is an amazing photographer and person to have be apart of your special day. Anyone would be lucky to have her!
response 10/11/2021
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AMANDA!!! I had an absolute blast working with you, ...
Marcin and your huge bridal party! Your wedding was stunning. Definitely a wedding to remember and so, so glad we snuck in some shots of you and Marcin at the park when the rain cleared up! Thank you for going with the flow, having fun and for having us. : ) I couldn't be more excited for you two as you start this next chapter. : ) Congratulations again and keep in touch! Much Love, Rachael Watson
Kristin L
5.0
8/08/2021
Look no further than Rachael for your photographer. Her high energy, organizational skills, and genuine kindness made me feel like our wedding was the most important thing in the world. She was flexible, ensured that we got the photos we wanted, and was able to keep families in line for photos. Her recommendation of doing "mission impossible" was one of the biggest highlights of our evening. I strongly encourage anyone searching for a photographer to meet with Rachael.
response 08/11/2021
Hi Kristin, THANK YOU so much for your review! I loved getting to hang out with you, Jesse...
and your whole Bridal Party on your wedding day. : ) I still can't believe how jam packed your dance floor was! Awesome shots and such a fun wedding celebration. : ) Thank you so much for having us and keep in touch! - Rachael Watson
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