• Home
  • Weddings
    • Elopements
    • Weddings
  • Couples
  • Seniors
  • For Business
  • My Work
  • About Me
  • Fb. /  Ig.  
  • Home
  • Weddings
    • Elopements
    • Weddings
  • Couples
  • Seniors
  • For Business
  • My Work
  • About Me
Contact me
  • Home
  • Weddings
    • Elopements
    • Weddings
  • Couples
  • Seniors
  • For Business
  • My Work
  • About Me
Contact me

Intimate weddings and elopements in Milwaukee & Wisconsin

For couples who want their wedding day to feel calm, intentional, and real

Milwaukee and Wisconsin are perfect for intimate weddings and elopements. From courthouse ceremonies and city walks to lakeside vows and quiet backyard celebrations, this is a place where your day can be simple, meaningful, and fully yours.

I photograph intimate weddings and elopements across Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin with a focus on emotion, connection, and storytelling — not trends or forced moments.

What intimate weddings & elopements look like here

Every couple defines “intimate” differently. In Milwaukee and across Wisconsin, that might look like:

– Courthouse weddings in downtown Milwaukee
– Backyard weddings in Shorewood, Wauwatosa, or the suburbs
– Lake Michigan ceremonies at sunrise or sunset
– Small gatherings at Airbnbs, cabins, or family homes
– Nature elopements in state parks or quiet outdoor spots
– City elopements with a walk, coffee, and time together

For my coverage, an intimate wedding typically includes:
– Up to 30 guests (including family and close friends)
– One main location or nearby locations
– A relaxed timeline without large formal productions

Milwaukee Elopement Photography

My approach

I take a documentary, cinematic approach — observing first, guiding gently when needed. I won’t over-pose or interrupt moments as they happen.

I’ll help with:
– Choosing locations around Milwaukee or Wisconsin based on light and vibe
– Building a relaxed timeline that doesn’t feel rushed
– Making sure you feel comfortable and like yourselves

The goal is photos that feel honest — images you’ll recognize yourselves in years from now.

What you’ll receive

Story-focused coverage of your day
Natural, relaxed posing guidance
Timeline and location support specific to Wisconsin light and seasons
A carefully edited online gallery with a cinematic feel
Full-resolution downloads and printing rights

No stiff smiles. No pressure to perform. Just real moments.

Is this the right fit?

This is for you if:
– You’re planning a small wedding or elopement in Milwaukee or Wisconsin
– You care more about emotion than tradition
– You want candid, documentary-style photos
– You prefer a calm, easy experience over a packed schedule

If that sounds like you, we’ll work well together.

COLLECTIONS

The Sketch

(OCHERK )

Like a master’s sketch, this collection focuses on the raw, beautiful lines of your union. It is a concentrated, cinematic study of your ceremony and your connection. This is for the couples who want to strip away the noise and focus entirely on the “now.”

The Vibe: Perfect for courthouse ceremonies, lakefront vows, or an adventurous session at a single Milwaukee landmark.

Includes:

  • 2 Hours of Cinematic Coverage: A focused solo-photographer experience.

  • The Ceremony & Portraits: Documentation of your vows and a dedicated creative portrait session.

  • Artistic Curation: High-resolution digital gallery featuring your story’s most poignant moments.

  • Location Scouting: Expert guidance on finding the perfect, quiet pocket of the city for your photos.

  • Private Gallery & Printing Rights: To share and download your memories with ease.

$20% retainer required to reserve your date.

~$1,200 + tax

Start the conversation

The Meeting

(VSTRETCHA)

This collection is about more than just the ceremony; it’s about the “coming together” of your day. With four hours, we have the space to breathe—capturing the quiet anticipation before you see each other and the celebration that follows your “I do.”

The Vibe: Ideal for intimate weddings with a small guest list, allowing time for getting ready, the ceremony, family formals, and a relaxed portrait session.

Includes:

  • 4 Hours of Documentary Coverage: Capturing the flow of your intimate celebration.

  • Expanded Storytelling: Coverage typically includes final preparations, the ceremony, and a celebratory toast or mini-reception.

  • Creative Portraiture: More time to explore multiple backdrops or lighting changes.

  • Timeline Support: Collaborative planning to ensure your 4-hour window is stress-free and full of light.

  • Fast-Pass Sneaks: A curated set of preview images delivered within 48 hours.

  • Private Gallery & Printing Rights: A beautiful, permanent home for your wedding story.

$20% retainer required to reserve your date.

~ $1,800 + tax

Start the conversation

Personal Touches​

Add-ons

Make your experience feel even more you.

  • Polaroid Keepsakes – $100
    16 instant film shots (color or b&w) you can hold in your hands before the night’s even over.

  • Extra Coverage – $400/hour
    Add more time for travel, dancing, or a slower, story-filled pace.

  • Makeup artist 
Start the conversation

How I work

I care deeply about how your day actually feels.

I want you to be present, relaxed, and enjoying it — not thinking about the camera or wondering what you’re supposed to do. My goal is for photography to feel like it quietly fits into your day, not something you have to perform for.

I approach photography with a lot of care and attention. I’m calm, observant, and very aware of how vulnerable days like this can feel. My role is to support you, not direct you — and to make sure you feel comfortable being yourselves.

Almost every couple starts by saying, “We’re awkward in photos.”
And almost every couple ends the day saying, “That was actually really fun.”
That’s exactly how it should be — easy, real, and true to you.

Your gallery will feel cinematic and intentional, but never staged. The kind of photos that don’t just look beautiful, but take you back — to the emotions, the energy, and the way the day felt.

She made us feel comfortable and helped with posing for the best shots. It was such a fun shoot and the pictures turned out amazing. She brought our vision to life!
Julia R
I can’t believe how you were able to capture the beauty and emotion of our day the way you did. We can’t thank you enough!
N
Kate was absolutely lovely to work with!  She was an AMAZING problem-solver: extremely professional, creative, and kind. Kate is a photographer with an incredible amount of talent, and the way she works with people to bring out the joy and fun of the moment is really special.
Sarina
Kate has done couple photography and wedding photography for me and I cannot say enough about how amazing her work is. She is very passionate with her work and very very talented.
Stephanie
Insanely awesome photographer. We really came as we were and she did ALL THE REST. Which I really enjoyed. Very quick, professional, easy to work with. I would definitely recommend.
Family Photography in Milwaukee
Jake

Let's Tell Your Story

Whether you’re planning a downtown Milwaukee celebration, a Wisconsin countryside wedding, or a destination adventure, I’d love to capture your authentic love story. Let’s chat about what you’re dreaming up and make something beautiful together.

Let's Chat!

All Couples & Engagements Portrait Photography Wedding
Candid elopement photography in Milwaukee Wisconsin

Intimate Elopment at Conservancy for Healing and Heritage

Cozy holiday couple session

surprise proposal Milwaukee

Surprise Proposal in Downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee Central Library Couple Session

Milwaukee Central Library Couple Session

Wedding at Oak & Antler | Milwaukee

Milwaukee Elopement Photography | Intimate & Cinematic

Devil’s Lake Engagement Session in Wisconsin

Engagement Session at Devil’s Lake

Engagement session in Milwaukee

Sunset Engagement Session in Wisconsin

Intimate Backyard Wedding with All the Personal Touches

Spring Wedding at the DeKoven Center


Follow me on Instagram

Wedding photographer Milwaukee
Portrait Photographer Milwaukee
Wedding photographer Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI

shoot@katophotoo.com

Instagram Facebook
  • Home
  • My Work
  • About
  • Contact
  • Weddings
  • Portraits
  • Engagements
Katophotoo - Milwaukee Portrait Photographer