Meredith Washburn Photo

06/24/2026

Had the best time photographing my pal gabby and her husband at my favorite place (obvi) Helmi's Gardens 🌿🥲!!!

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

It’s strange how love can keep getting deeper with time. I loved you when we were young, but the love I have for you now feels different somehow…quieter, steadier, and even more certain. The older we get, the more I realize how much you’ve changed the way I experience love altogether. You’ve shown me a love that isn’t transactional and love that doesn’t have conditions attached to it. You’ve showed me that love that doesn’t need to be earned over and over again. You’ve always and consistently been my safe place to land exactly as I am. Because of you, I’ve learned more about who I am. I trust more. I love more openly. I let my walls down a little easier these days. You’ve changed not only how I love you, but how I love everyone around me. It’s truly hard to believe one person can have that kind of impact on a life, but somehow you have. You have loved me in a way that made me softer without making me weaker and more open without making me afraid. You didn’t just become the love of my life, you changed my understanding of what love was capable of being. Lysm Benny boo . Thanks for taking care of our 5 crazy pups while I’ve been gone and for letting me come home to a sparkling clean house today - my favorite gift of all 🥲.

06/15/2026

A little life update from me since it’s been a while….
This weekend I was back home for my high school reunion, spent some time with family, caught up with old friends, and even got to play in a golf tournament with my uncle. Somewhere between walking the halls of my old high school and reminiscing about old memories, I found myself feeling unexpectedly sentimental about how quickly time passes. On the work side of things, this year has looked a little different. After adopting five very energetic rescue dogs (send coffee 🙈), I’ve intentionally shifted my business toward fewer weddings, more elopements, and more local work. I’ve also been spending some time helping create content over at Helmi’s Gardens, which has been such a fun and unexpected creative outlet. Honestly, being home more has been really good for me. I’ve had more time with Benny, more time with the dogs, and even managed to dust off my golf clubs again. Looking back, I don’t think I realized how many jobs I was photographing every year or how tired and overextended I had become. Slowing down a bit has been one of the healthiest changes I’ve made in a long time, and I’m genuinely happier because of it. One thing that hasn’t changed is how grateful I am for the people who trust me to document their lives. It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this for over 22 years now (how is that even possible?!). Every family, couple, and wedding has played a part in building a career that has given me so much joy and purpose (thank you 🥹). For those wondering, I’m still photographing families, couples, in-home sessions, and adventure elopements, and I absolutely loveeeee that work. I will continue taking a small number of weddings each year, but I’m being very intentional about limiting my calendar. If you’ve been thinking about reaching out, I definitely encourage you to do so sooner rather than later, as my wedding availability fills much faster these days 🙂. Thanks for following along through all the different seasons of life and business. I’m feeling especially grateful for this one. 🥲🩵

06/07/2026

Apparently when you spend years cheersing desserts together, you also cheers your wedding cake.

10/10 relationship tradition.
No notes. ❤️

05/19/2026

Im pretty sure my insta is shadow banned (and has been since a very specific date cough cough), so I think that means I can just share whatever kind of photography on here I want that makes me happy. So here’s Autocamp Yosemite on film. I think every day I dream about being back in Yosemite at some point during the 24 hour period; it’s def one of my favorite places ever.

05/19/2026

Joshua tree: the prettiest place, the happiest memories, and a great place to stare up at the stars ⭐️🥲! I think every memory I’ve had in this park has been 10/10, with lots and lots of different friends. So much so that I constantly choose to come back here when I have any sort of availability for a short trip. Small park, but great feels. Who wants to go with me next? 🥰

05/18/2026

Some black and white film to start off a Monday 🖤🎞️. It’s thunder storming here like crazy and our back yard is so flooded, which is always a little chaotic with 5 dogs. Wish me luck that they don’t destroy the whole house today because they’re bursting at the seams with energy 😂!!! chicagoweddingphotographer

05/17/2026

I’ve had quite a few emails lately saying “I know you probably don’t photograph families anymore, but could we hire you?”. YES! I do still photograph families, I just have been so bad at posting for awhileeeeee now. I have tons of work I haven’t even posted anywhere and I promise I will get to blogging and posting on here again (I just feel like this app got kinda not fun when it went to all reels). I’ve been enjoying time outside of burying my head in a phone with work 😂. I’m already editing so much of my day on my computer, it has been so nice to be outside with my AirPod in and no phone anywhere to be found. But I promise I’ll post again so people know I’m still out here workin 📸!!! 🫶🏼😋