Meet Dennis Lee of Dennis Lee Photography

Dennis Lee, with over 15 years experience, is one of the most sought after Chicago wedding photographers.

Tell us about you and your story.

What is your background and how did you find your way to the wedding industry?

It was a fateful trip to Spain and Morocco that would start me on the journey to being a photographer. Happy in my technology project management career I took a rare vacation. You'd think the story goes with me coming back with beautiful photos and realising my talents. That couldn't be further from the truth. The photos I came back with were terrible and it was that failure that made me want to learn photography. I soon found out how much I love taking photos, but they had to be more than beautiful photos. I wanted my photos to tell a story even more than just being beautiful. It was in wedding photography where I found I would hone my storytelling skills.

Share a little bit about Dennis Lee Photography's history.

When did Dennis Lee Photography launch? What are you known for?

My company started in 2003. My main service is wedding photography. I would say that I'm known for capturing unique moments, fleeting moments that are unique to the individuals. I'm always looking for that little touch, hand hold and look that maybe nobody else in the room sees but when I capture that moment it says it all. My core values are honesty in my work, putting my clients first and being honorable in how I am with people.

What sets you and Dennis Lee Photography apart?

What's your secret sauce? What makes you different from everyone else?

I think I bring a very critical eye and timeless approach to everything I do. Always taking care to make sure that the work produced isn't trendy or fleeting. I'm always looking to classic photography and art to recenter myself. My approach is not force my clients to work my way but rather to figure out how I can work within the clients' idea of their wedding day. With a high level of lighting and technical expertise, whatever the day throws at us, trust we'll still be calm and capture beautiful story-telling images.

Tell us about your ideal couple.

Tell us about the type of couple that really clicks with you and your company.

My ideal couple is one who knows that while the focus and celebrating is for them, they also understand this is their first large event they are hosting as a married couple. When that is the point-of-view they are working from, rarely do I see anything going wrong.

What is the best advice you have for couples currently planning their weddings?

You've seen so many couples go through the planning process. Share your best pearl of wisdom for those just starting out with their planning.

When planning the day build in time, no matter how short, where you two can slow the day down and stay connected. I think it's good advice for the wedding day and beyond.

What's the ONE thing that couples shouldn't forget to ask potential wedding vendors?

Spill! What's the single most important question that couples should ask before booking a vendor for their wedding?

I think the most important question varies by vendor. For photography, I think it is whether they will work within your schedule or whether they have requirements of time and/or locations that the couple needs to meet. That will tell couples which direction the photographer is approaching the wedding from.