The Wedding Experience
My approach
From the moment you reach out, my goal is to make this feel easy, personal, and genuinely fun. You're inviting someone into one of the most meaningful days of your life, and I don't take that lightly.
I work quietly but precisely. I'm usually the one in the corner feeling the emotions shift, waiting for your grandmother to tear up, noticing the way you look at each other when you think no one's watching. My documentary instinct means I follow the feeling of the day. My editorial eye means every frame is composed with intention. Together, they create a gallery that feels authentic and looks beautiful.
That said, I'm never invisible. For the moments you do want posed — the newlywed portraits, the family formals, the wedding party fun — I'll guide you with a light touch, keeping things relaxed and natural so nothing ever feels stiff or forced.
The Process
It starts with an inquiry. Once I hear from you, we'll set up a consultation call to get to know each other, talk through your vision, and make sure we're the right fit. From there, booking is straightforward, simply requiring a signed contract and paid retainer. Then you're officially booked, and my calendar date is yours.
As your wedding gets closer, we'll connect again to go over the details: your timeline, the moments that matter most to you, any specific shots you have in mind, and how the day will flow. My job is to show up completely prepared so that on your wedding day, you never have to think about me — you just get to be present.
STEP 01
Inquiry
First, fill out my inquiry form and tell me a little about your day. If I'm available on your date, I'll get back to you within 48 hours with a copy of my pricing guide and a link to book a virtual call with me.
STEP 02
Discovery
We'll hop on a virtual call to get to know each other and talk about your vision, your vibe, and what matters most to you on your wedding day. Come with questions, ideas, and excitement.
STEP 03
Booking
If we're a good fit (and I have a feeling we will be), I'll send over a contract and retainer invoice. Once those are signed and squared away, your date is officially mine.
STEP 04
Planning
This is when we'll lock in your engagement session — your chance to get comfortable in front of my camera before the big day. As your date gets closer, we'll reconnect to nail down your timeline, must-have moments, and all the details.
STEP 05
Wedding
Show up, be present, and let me handle the rest. I'll move through your day quietly and joyfully, capturing every real, beautiful, unscripted moment as it happens.
STEP 06
After
Within 8 weeks, your full edited gallery will be delivered straight to your inbox — plus a sneak peek beforehand, because the wait is real and you deserve something to squeal over. The gallery is just the beginning of a different chapter. I love staying connected with the couples I work with, and I'm always here for whatever comes next — anniversaries, family sessions, or just to say hi.
Step inside a real wedding day
Trust is earned. Check out a few recent weddings of mine below.
When entering, click "enter as guest". Please note this will only show a handful of highlights from each day. Full galleries are available to view upon request.
Frequently asked questions
How far do you travel?
I'm based in Milwaukee and photograph weddings across the Midwest — from southeast Wisconsin staples like Madison, Sheboygan, and Kenosha, to Chicago and beyond. I also love a good destination wedding. Travel fees may apply depending on location, so just ask!
How long until we get our photos back?
You can expect your full edited gallery within 8 weeks of your wedding day or session, occasionally sooner depending on my workload!
How many photos will we receive?
You can expect 50-100 photos per hour of shooting. But, I never cap how many photos I deliver! It's very possible you'll receive more than 100 photos per hour.
Do you offer a second photographer?
Yes! In fact, majority of my wedding packages include a second photographer. My second photographer network is made up of many incredibly talented wedding professionals who are creative, passionate, and fun.
Will you be the one photographing our wedding?
YES. It's always me. I never contract weddings out to associate photographers unless previously discussed with and approved by the couple. In the extremely rare case that I am unable to photograph your wedding last minute (illness, emergency, etc.) I may send an approved associate in my place after discussing options with the couple.
What is your stance on AI use?
I see AI as an assistive tool, not a replacement for any part of my job. That said, I believe in transparency above all else. Here's a breakdown of how I use AI in my business.
I use Lightroom-native AI tools to:
- Help filter through the thousands of photos I take on your wedding day
- Remove distractions such as garbage cans, signs, HVAC equipment, and more
- Select and edit specific parts of an image
I use AI to help me automate certain tasks that would have otherwise taken me hours to do, all so I can get your most precious memories to you quickly.
I never use AI tools to fully edit a gallery. I touch every image.
I also use tools such as ChatGPT and Claude to polish email, social, web, and marketing content. Everything you read is first written by me, then improved with the help of AI.
Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes! Love is love, and I proudly honor the love stories of couples and families from all backgrounds and walks of life. You, your love, and your stories are safe with me.
...How do I say your name?
Very fair question, since most people are unsure! My first name is Katie, pronounced like normal. Gennell is my middle name, pronounced like ja-nell.
Like what you see?
Let me be a part of your day.