MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mariah
photographer
"I'm Mariah ~ lead photographer / founder of King & Opal. Capturing love stories and getting to know the ones who give us this honor of preserving such beloved memories is a real joy for me, so thank you for your interest in our work. I ardently believe that photographs reveal how truly rich reality is and I never take for granted how special it is to be welcomed into the lives of so many in light of connection (which I learned a long time ago reigns supreme in this life). ♥︎
A little about me personally: I'm a momma / wife to two of the coolest guys I know. I’ve traveled all over the world & lived my adult years mainly between the Caribbean islands, New Orleans, NYC, and the midwest. I’m an admirer of unconventional beauty, a veggie gardener, cosmos marveler, motorcyclist, former train hopper, and nature-loving “wild child.”
My approach to shooting weddings & elopements is flexible, guided by the unique personalities and desires of the couples I work with. I can be a circus director or a fly on the wall, and find there's so much beauty in even the simplest of details. My hope is to nurture a feeling of ease on your wedding day and ultimately hand you a collection of photographs you will adore forever.
Feel free to reach out if you want to connect more directly. I'm easy-going and always down to chat!"
xoxo, mariah
Rich
photographer
This is Rich. Hands down one of the most interesting, well-traveled, and talented humans you'll ever meet. He despises talking about himself, so I (Mariah) will just have to boast about his coolness for him!
He is a fine art and editorial photographer with a love for creative experimentation. He uses both analogue and digital processes while leveraging best-in-class cameras and equipment to bring life to projects in 35mm, Medium Format, and 4K. He describes his focus as "creating imagery that is timeless in character and emotion, without sacrificing modern capabilities and quality."
When we shoot together, Rich is the sleuth who misses nothing. Whiskey connoisseur, sharp shooter, storyteller, and lionhearted adventurer. Believe me when I tell you, you'll want to sip a dwinky wif him.
Kevin
photographer
"Hey, I’m Kevin. Photographer, dog dad, and coffee fanatic based out of Chicago & Naperville along with my energetic Siberian Husky named Qi’ra (nerdy Star Wars reference). I’m a lifelong Chicago native and Cubs fan.
I wasn’t one of those kids that grew up with a camera knowing I wanted to be a photographer. There were always creative outlets that I enjoyed, whether it was drawing or playing guitar, but photography was something that came to me a bit later in life.
After earning a college degree in engineering, I settled into cubicle life. As much as I loved engineering and the analytical, I missed having some form of creative outlet and started to pick up photography for fun.
I became obsessed and really dove deep into it. The first wedding was both terrifying and fun at the same time. I immediately loved the feeling of documenting moments that mattered and that would be cherished for life. The purpose and creative challenge wedding photography provided was exactly what I needed and continue to enjoy every day."