welcome
WHy WE photograph weddings
When we first meet the two of you, and you’re recounting all the little moments that brought you to this big one, our hearts will already begin unfolding your story. It may seem strange, but our lens' don't just see you as you are today. It honors all of your tomorrows ahead.
When you’re finishing one another’s sentences and savoring smiles across the table, barely able to contain your anticipation for your wedding day, we’ll see the way you’ll grow old and wrinkly together. Still hold hands walking down the street. Sip coffee together as the dawn cracks across your kitchen floor. Kiss each other before work, so your love lingers all day long. Frolic like teenagers on the beach, with the salt licking your hair. Go on spontaneous weekend getaways, window-down road trips, and anywhere adventure calls you.
We’ll see the way their hand finds home in the small of your back. How your words always fall safe in their ears. How they makes banana pancakes for you every Sunday morning. And claims that nook between your ear and shoulder with their head every night.
That’s what we are here to capture. Posterity. The kind of long-haul love that brings out the best in the other person while still giving them a forgiving space to be their worst. Humble, undone and imperfect. Timeless and true. The kind that never fades.
Your wedding is only one fleeting moment in the lifetime of memories you’ll share. One chapter in your love story. But it still deserves to be documented in a way that speaks to the beautiful future that lies ahead of you.
We want your photographs to look the way your love feels. This is the heart of our work. Our privilege and passion, as your photographers. And we can’t wait to share it with you.
the experience
It all starts with a conversation
It’s not just a pretty photo; it’s your chance to fall in love, over and over again.
To relive the tenderness of a spontaneous forehead kiss, how Audrey Hepburn you felt in your dress, how iconic you felt in your tux, the sweetness of a speech, or the applause that rolled through the room when your grandparents busted out their moves on the dance floor.
When you’re in the thick of love, it’s easy to let the moments blur by. But with us there on your wedding day, you’ll have a visual documentary of the small but significant that’s yours to keep forever.
Every wedding we photograph has a style and soul of its own, because our intention is to curate a gallery that feels the same way your wedding day felt. One that creatively captures who you are—and what you mean to one another.
The value that frames every single shot we take?
Your and your people matter to me.
We want to know about the meaning behind every detail of your day. How you met, the moment you knew you were falling in love, what you do together on weekends, who you are as individuals, and why you’re better together.
We believe that the true beauty of a photograph isn’t found in its picture-perfect composition, a breathtaking backdrop or an artful angle. It’s about the people who are in them.
So when you ask us to be a part of your wedding day, we don’t just see you as “clients”. The couples we work with tell us time and time again that we feel like a part of their family. And this intimacy is how we discover who you are when no one is looking...and how you interact with the person who makes you feel your you-est, every ordinary day of your life.
You won’t even know we are there, and we'll capture the moments you didn’t even know happened. Because we want you to be able to step back into the day’s beauty like it’s the first time, whenever you want to be reminded of how special your day was.
How does working with an associate work?
If you book with a RSP associate, you are still fully Rachael's client and will have her personally looking after everything, along with your chosen associate, in the lead up to the day. She'll be on hand to answer any questions, queries or to help with recommendations and guidance. You will book through Rachael directly and communication will be both with her and your associate, so you have the benefit of getting to know your photographer coupled with the expert tips, tricks and advice Rachael has gathered over the years. We are a team - which means you'll receive the same level of care and attention as you would if Rachael were photographing the day herself!
faq
How would you describe your style?
In a word? Honest. We love bare emotions, intimate looks, naturally romantic backdrops, angles with a mysterious pull, and inspiring stories. We lean into light, locations with a life of their own, and uninterrupted moments where your magic is free to roam. When you’re in front of our lens, you’ll often be totally unaware of our presence. Our goal is to anticipate those fleeting moments, sweet caresses and soft smiles instead of staging them. But we’ll also guide your photo shoot with a creative eye to get you memorable shots that make a true statement about your love.
faq
We love your style, but would love to have some traditional portraiture. Is this something you’re happy to do?
Of course. We are people who honor traditions, family heirlooms and—let’s be honest—your mom’s wishes. While we’ll cover the personality angle in some of your fun shots with your wedding party, we can also schedule in 20-45 minutes to create posed photographs with your nearest and dearest on your wedding day. Because who knows when you’ll all be gathered together like this again?
faq
Are you insured?
Yes. We promise we’ve got all my legal ducks in a row. If you need proof, just ask.
faq
Do you have a backup plan if your gear breaks/it rains/our timeline flops?
We are always prepared for the unexpected. And because we've been doing this for years and have attended more weddings than we can count, we’ve been through it all—misplaced rings holding up the schedule, downpours, equipment malfunctions, cranky toddlers, snakes hiding in bushes. We know how to improvise, overcome, and keep everyone calm and collected in the meantime! We always find a way to get the shots you want in the end.
faq
What are your thoughts on a first look?
Personally, we love them. You’ve probably heard that they can dim the impact of seeing one another for the first time, but we’ve always found quite the opposite to be true. When you choose to do a first look, this intimate moment is only shared between the two of you and we can capture a kaleidoscope of emotions that’s often repressed during the ceremony because you’re distracted by your vows and the crowd. Best of all, choosing to do a first look gives you a chance to spend more time alone on an otherwise blur of a day, bring calm to your ceremony, and create a smoother timeline. That being said - if you do prefer the traditional route, we'll still happily be there to document the moment in the most beautiful way.
faq
I’m working with a smaller budget - if I choose to book with one of your associates, will there be a style or quality difference?
No. We take every measure to ensure consistent style and quality among the team of photographers. Each of the associates has previous experience and they have all worked with Rachael prior to shooting for RSP on their own. Each shoot is reviewed to ensure that the quality and style are consistent and to ensure delivery of the most beautiful images. You can trust that the quality and style of photography you receive will be consistent and gorgeous - often exceeding your expecations dreams.
faq
Has your work been featured anywhere?
Yes! Our work has been featured in the following publications:
The Knot Magazine Chicago | Style Me Pretty JuneBug Weddings | Huffington Post | Pop Sugar | Every Last Detail | The Knot | Elizabeth Anne Designs | Once Wed | 100 Layer Cake | Emmaline Bride Wedding Wire | BuzzFeed | Wedding Chicks | Two Bright Lights | Fearless Photographers
faq
How long does it take to get our wedding images back? How many images can we expect to receive? Do you include the high resolution images?
A gorgeous gallery will be delivered to you within eight to ten weeks of your wedding date. It will feature a beautiful selection of both color and black and white images - and usually you can expect a minimum of 50 per hour of shooting time. So on an 8 hour wedding day, your gallery will typically feature 500+ images. You do get all of the fully edited, high resolution images which you can download straight from your gallery. And they are accompanied by a print release - allowing you to make unlimited prints on your own.
faq
Do you offer any prints or albums?
That's easy. My family. I am married with four kids - and they are my everything. They make up the why of what I do - in fact, we are in the midst of the long haul love story I wrote about in my Welcome note above and it's pretty incredible. We love adventure and travel and take at least one road trip every year. We are hoping to hit all 50 states before the littlest ones graduate from high school! I also find inspiration in nature and art, music and dancing, good food and good wine, champagne and celebrations and laughter.
faq
How do we book you?
Dates are booked on a first come, first serve basis. All you need to do to secure your date is a signed contract and retainer for $1000. We can set up the remaining balance to be paid however fits your budget best...as long as it's paid in full 30 days before your wedding date.
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the collections
CUSTOM COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
9 hours of coverage
Second Photographer
20-page 10x10 linen wedding album
Online viewing/ordering gallery
High resolution images + print release
*Complimentary Engagement Session
OR
One Additional Hour of Coverage
COLLECTION ONE
$4,000
8 hours of coverage
Online viewing/ordering gallery
High resolution images + print release
*Complimentary Engagement Session
OR
One Additional Hour of Coverage
COLLECTION TWO
$3,500
7 hours of wedding coverage
Online viewing/ordering gallery
High resolution images + print release
*Complimentary Engagement Session
OR
One Additional Hour of Coverage
COLLECTION THREE
$3,000
A LA CARTE
Additional Wedding Coverage - $400/hour
Portrait Session - $500
(Engagement, Anniversary, Etc...)
Additional Photographer - $500
Heirloom Prints, Wall Art, Guest Books & Albums - Pricing Varies
Custom packages are available upon request.
A 50% retainer and a signed contract are all that is needed to reserve your date.
*Travel fees may apply to weddings outside of Central Illinois. Ask for details.
albums
Handcrafted Albums are the perfect way to showcase your wedding day
Albums are absolutely the best way to make your wedding memories last forever - and as an heirloom, your album will become a cornerstone of your family as you share in the beautiful moments printed on its pages in the years to come. As you celebrate one year, ten years, fifty years together - you'll be able to step right back into the day as if it was happening all over again.
20 page 10x10 album
Linen: $850 for Linen
Leather: $1100
Additional 2-page Spread: $50
If you are on the fence about purchasing an album, we highly encourage you to get one. There is nothing like holding your beautiful moments in your hands and sharing them with your children and grandchildren over the years.
"It's the one thing I regret from my own wedding day. As I watch my children page through my parent's album 35 years after they said their vows, I can't help but wish I had one of my own to grace my coffee table and tuck into one of our bookshelves. It's on the top of my to do list for this year - create an heirloom to call my own. " - Rachael
PRICING
(8x8, 20 pages)
Linen: $450 each for Linen
Leather: $700 each
Additional 2-page Spread: $40 each
DUPLICATE PARENT ALBUMS
engagement sessions
Love doesn’t need a special occasion to be celebrated.
Let's adventure into your story....
Capture your most captivating chapters. And every moment in between that mapped out the journey there. Explore your endearing quirks, silly streaks, and untamed affections. The bold and unbreakable bond that brought you this far, and will glue you together beyond this moment.
And above all, let’s describe your indescribable love the only way we possibly could—visually. So you can hold onto the memory of its beautiful evolution, look back and see how far you’ve come.
Engagement sessions take place at your chosen site, exploring your connection, giving you some gentle guidance and letting you be yourselves for the camera. (Laughs will most definitely ensue.) ALL digital images with a print release delivered via a gorgeous, interactive online gallery, so you can see your love in its full splendor and share your cuteness all over Facebook.
Sessions outside Central Illinois are available for an additional travel fee.
Beautiful heirloom products - framed prints, albums, guest sign in books and more - are available a la carte.
about sara
Associate Photographer
Ever since receiving her first camera at fourteen, Sara’s passion has been documenting the people around her. In 2012 she earned her Bachelors of Fine art with a major in photography, and has been photographing weddings for nearly half a decade. Sara’s focus during a wedding is capturing all of the moments and feelings of this day; big and small. She believes that the experience of being photographed is just as important as the end result of beautiful photos. Aiming to keep things natural, she does not believe in stiff posing, fake smiles, or staged theatrics. A wedding does not need embellishing or staging, it is in itself, an event worth documenting. When not photographing weddings you can find Sara on the couch with her dogs, grilling with her boyfriend, or at a thrift store buying things she doesn’t need.
Thank you so much for considering us to be a part of your wedding day! If you’re interested in working with us, the next step is to set up a time to chat! You can reach us directly at hello@rachaelschirano.com
