Chris Withers Photography

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Sam and Shea as we roamed around a few spots that had sentimental meaning to them.

One of the things I loved most about hearing their story is that it didn’t begin in one perfect, predictable moment. Their paths crossed in little ways long before their relationship officially began.

Mutual connections, passing moments, and even Shea’s loud truck with dual pipes all somehow became part of the background of their story before either of them fully knew where it was heading.

Their relationship really started at the gym, which honestly feels perfectly fitting for them. Sam had just finished squatting an extremely heavy weight, hit his max, and Shea came up behind him and said, “Do it again.” That somehow turned into a 15-minute conversation, which eventually became one of those moments where you realize you’re probably talking way too much at the gym.

A few days later, Shea walked into Supplement Superstore, where Sam was working, and the conversation picked right back up. They ended up talking for roughly two hours during a snowstorm and made plans to go to Twisted Ranch in St. Louis. A couple days later, they actually made it happen, turning their first real date into a trip to another state.

On the drive there and back, they talked about everything — the kind of deep, honest, completely unfiltered conversations most people probably avoid on a first date. But for them, it worked. From there, the rest is history, and according to Shea, they’ve never really stopped talking.

That kind of connection is exactly what I love photographing. Not just two people standing together for a picture, but two people with a real story, real humor, and a real rhythm between them.

I immediately got along with Sam and Shea. They had such a comfortable energy, and I loved how excited they were to create great photos. They were open to direction, willing to try ideas, and easy to connect with from the start.

We also had the pleasure of meeting their adorable dog, Sasha. She was so chill, friendly, and calm. I loved her peaceful energy, and she fit right into the feeling of the evening.

After we documented some meaningful moments at Centennial Park, we mixed in a little of Sam and Shea’s love for competition and headed over to Malibu Jack’s. They both enjoy the arcade, so we let them have some fun together and just be in the moment. That is always one of my favorite things to photograph — people enjoying each other naturally instead of trying to force something for the camera.

After the arcade, we snuck over to the Capitol after dark and created one of my favorite portraits of the night. It was simple, romantic, and dramatic, with nothing but car headlights illuminating them.

I’m grateful to know Sam and Shea, and I’m thankful they trusted Jessica and me to be part of such an important milestone.
I look forward to seeing how their love continues to grow, how many happy memories they create together, and how their story continues to unfold from here.

I want to take a moment to thank Emma for allowing us to capture such a special milestone in her life.

We had an amazing time roaming around the beautiful UIS campus, finding unique spots and creating graduation portraits that felt personal, polished, and full of excitement for what’s ahead.

Emma, I wish you nothing but success, happiness, and all the positive momentum in the world as you step into your future in business. I have no doubt you’re going to do incredible things.

Congratulations again, and I hope you love this sneak peek!

Photography assistants needed 📸 - Springfield, Illinois.

I’m looking for a few people who would be excited to jump in on photo shoots with us from time to time. 🎉

More than anything, I’m looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about the creative process. 🎨 Someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty, help haul gear, set up lighting, move things around, and do whatever it takes to help bring a creative vision to life. 💪

And when the moment calls for it, someone who isn’t afraid to pick up a camera and capture that alternate perspective we may need. 📷

These spots would be on an as-needed basis, so this is not a permanent gig where you can quit your day job tomorrow. 💼 But you would get to be part of some really fun and adventurous shoots, meet some genuinely cool people, and work in a laid-back, friendly environment. 😄

We love bringing on people who are positive, hardworking, dependable, and motivated to be creative. 🌟

If that sounds like you, send me a message and let’s talk. 💬

Every wedding day gives us a new story to step into, and Kerrin and Brock’s day was one we were truly grateful to capture at Dragonfly Wedding Venue

I found myself thinking about the fact that I have been photographing weddings with my wife for 11 years. I have been a photographer for over 15 years, and I have had the privilege of teaching photography for 10 of those years. Through all of that time, I have learned that wedding photography is not just about knowing a camera, finding good light, or creating beautiful images.

It is about understanding people.

It is about seeing connection, loyalty, joy, nerves, quiet moments, loud moments, and everything in between.

My wife and I have seen so much together. We have traveled from one end of this country to the other, photographing so many amazing wedding stories and witnessing so much beauty along the way.

But nothing is more beautiful than looking over at her and remembering how lucky I am that she has stayed by my side through all of it. Her love and loyalty remind me why I love photographing weddings in the first place. The bond two people share through life is an amazing, unique, and deeply personal story.

And that brings me to Kerrin and Brock.

From the moment I met Brock, he stood out to me. He carried himself with the kind of confidence, calmness, and professionalism that feels like it comes from a different time. There was a steady presence about him throughout the day. The way he moved, the way he handled each moment, and the way he showed up for Kerrin told me this was not just a man having a wedding.

This was a man ready to be a husband.

I have nothing but good things to remember from my time with Brock. He was calm, kind, respectful, and present every step of the way.

And Kerrin…

Kerrin stepped into the day in a beautiful dress filled with incredible detail, and she absolutely lit up the space around her. Her face had the glow of fresh sunlight breaking into a new morning. You could see the joy radiating from within her and reaching everyone around her.

She was not just wearing the dress. She was living the moment.

You could tell she loved being wrapped up in that world, the one built for just the two of them. She was present, emotional, joyful, and completely lost in the beauty of the day.

Before I share my final thoughts, I want to take a moment to thank my assistant, Trinity, for helping us document this wedding day. I always appreciate the way she sees a moment. She has a gift for putting herself in the right spaces, finding angles that create compelling images, and capturing pieces of the story that matter.

It has been incredible watching her growth over the years, and I am always thankful to have her there with us.

As I look back on their wedding, I keep coming back to this thought:

If you are planning a wedding and want a truly great photography or videography experience, make sure the person you are marrying still makes you light up with a smile. Make sure the planning feels like something that warms your soul, not just another chore on a list. And when you find a photographer whose style you truly love, trust them.

Let them see your day. Let them move. Let them get lost in your world. Let them find the moments that tell your story in a way that is honest, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

Do not let your wedding become a copy-and-paste version of whatever trend is popular on TikTok this week. Let it be your story. Let it be real. Let it be something only the two of you could have created.

That is exactly what Brock and Kerrin did.

They gave us the freedom to create, to observe, to document, and to tell their story with the time we had. We could not be more thankful for that.

Kerrin and Brock, thank you for having us there to capture your wedding day. It was truly a pleasure, and we are so excited to share this sneak peek from your beautiful day.

Audrey and Joshua’s wedding day had such an easy, honest beauty to it.

The Homestead in Tallula, Illinois gave the day a peaceful backdrop, but what stood out most was not just the location. It was the way these two moved through the day together. There was a calmness to them. A realness. A feeling that this was not about putting on a show, but about stepping into something meaningful with the people they love closest to them.

That is what I loved about Audrey and Joshua’s wedding. It had those moments everywhere.

Joshua was a pleasure to get to know. One thing I noticed about him was the way he looked at Audrey. There was an aura of love and protection in the way he carried himself around her. And Audrey had that same energy toward him.

The two of them just seemed to bounce off each other in the best way. Their connection felt natural, joyful, and steady. They were not caught up in trying to make every little detail perfect. They were focused on the moments. They were present with each other. They were embracing the adventure of the day as it unfolded.

That is what made their wedding feel so real.

Audrey was absolutely beautiful, but what made her stand out even more was the joy she carried with her. She had this soft, genuine brightness about her. The kind of joy that shows up in her eyes before it ever reaches a smile. She looked like someone fully living inside the moment, not rushing through it, not performing it, just feeling it.

Together, Audrey and Joshua had a connection that felt natural. Nothing about them felt forced. They did not need to overdo anything. Their story showed up in the way they stood close, the way they looked at each other, and the way the day seemed to settle around them.

That is always the goal for me.

Not to turn a wedding into something it was never meant to be.
Not to chase every trend.
Not to recreate someone else’s day.

But to notice what is already there and tell that story honestly.

Audrey and Joshua, thank you for trusting us with your day. Thank you for giving us the freedom to create, observe, and capture the story as it unfolded.

Your wedding was beautiful, heartfelt, and truly your own.

The Homestead

A little sneak peek from one of the sweetest surprise proposals. ❤️

Carter set up the perfect plan for Vivian at the lovely Ewing Cultural Center. He hired us for what Vivian thought was just a couple’s session, and I had to fully commit to the role by pretending I knew Carter from the pharmacy where he worked.

I have to say, I think my acting chops were on point. 😂

Halfway through the session, Jessica helped strategically separate them by taking Vivian on a little trail to capture some portraits of her while Carter and I got everything ready at the proposal spot.

Waiting for her was a beautiful “Marry Me” sign, with Carter standing there, ring in hand.

Because Vivian doesn’t see well without her glasses, she didn’t notice it right away. But once it finally came into focus, so did the moment. Her face lit up, the tears started, and the joy between them was absolutely beautiful.

And as she said yes, a team of dancers who happened to be watching from a distance gasped, applauded, and celebrated right along with them. Vivian even asked for a special photo with them to remember that part of the story, which made the whole moment even more unforgettable.

Jessica and I want to congratulate Carter and Vivian. Their happiness was radiant, their excitement was contagious, and their love for adventure was easy to see.

Thank you both for letting us capture this part of your story. It was truly an honor. ❤️

SPRINGFIELD, IL ACTORS NEEDED

CASTING CALL — SHORT FILM PROJECT 🎥 👦 👧

I’m currently developing a short psychological mystery film that I personally wrote and plan to direct. This is a personal passion project, and I do plan to release it after it is completed.

I’m looking for two actors who could play a young couple in their mid-twenties.

I would like to arrange a few in-person conversations and have whoever comes in do a small audition for the part. This will give us a chance to talk through the script idea, see who connects with the material, and find the right people for the roles.

I’m looking for:

A male actor and female actor who can believably play a couple in their mid/late-twenties

People who are confident and natural in front of the camera

Someone with charisma, emotional range, and the ability to push themselves where the story leads

People who are open to a dramatic, mysterious, character-driven short film

The story is intimate, emotional, and built around tension, secrets, and a very clever twist. I’m trying to keep the production budget-friendly while focusing our efforts on creating the most compelling and dramatic story possible.

I’m really excited to bring this idea to life and to work on it with whoever we end up taking this journey with.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please reach out to me directly. I’d love to set up a time to talk, go over the idea, and do a small audition for the part.

Feel free to share or tag anyone who might be a good fit.

Hello Springfield and Central, IL area. We are currently looking for a photography assistants to join our team on upcoming shoots.

No experience or equipment is required. We are mainly looking for someone dependable, positive, and excited to be part of a creative team.

This would be a great opportunity for someone who enjoys photography, working with people, and being part of fun, adventurous photo shoots where we work together to create beautiful memories for our clients.

We will be scheduling meetings and interviews soon at the studio.

If you or someone you know may be interested, please reach out. We would love to hear from you!

It always warms my heart when a potential client ends the conversation by saying "You're the fifth photographer I spoke to, but the only one that I can confidently say I'm already excited about working with."

There's nothing I enjoy more than hearing a client's history and forming an idea on the spot on how to create an experience they'll never forget. This is truly a rewarding job and I love the magic of it all.