Chris Withers Photography

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Chris Withers Photography Chris & Jessica, Springfield, IL based photography team. Weddings, seniors, families, events, and professional portraits. Message us to get started.
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We take a limited number of bookings each year. Professional Photographer

I am a very imaginative person. I like to collaborate with my clients to make the best work possible. I have never enjoyed putting a limitation on my ability with photography.

It was pitch black outside when I took this. Would you have guessed?No golden hour, no soft window light, nothing to wor...
10/22/2026

It was pitch black outside when I took this. Would you have guessed?

No golden hour, no soft window light, nothing to work with but a dark room and a really beautiful chandelier. So I set up one studio flash outside and blasted it straight through that center window.

The trick was getting the angle just right so the light would catch the chandelier above her and make every crystal glow, while she stayed a complete silhouette framed in the glass. It took a few tries to dial it in, but once it lined up, the whole room changed.

From there I took it into black and white and spent time in the edit bringing out the haze, the chandelier detail, and those tall library windows so it feels like a still from an old film.

This is exactly why I love capturing weddings. A wedding day is full of these little creative moments just waiting to happen, and finding them honestly brings me so much joy. My favorite couples are the ones who love to explore, try something new, and let their day tell the true story of who they are.

Jessica and I are now booking weddings for 2027 and 2028. If you're open to a little adventure, a lot of creativity, plenty of joy, and telling your story without limits, we'd love to hear it and maybe even be the ones to capture your day. Send us a message anytime. ❤️

What's the first thing your eye went to, her or the chandelier? 👇

10/14/2026

Hello Springfield,

We are looking for some male and female models between the ages 21-30 for upcoming styled shoots in November.

I wish I had found the time to share this sooner. And I wish I had a little more time to put together the kind of post t...
10/12/2026

I wish I had found the time to share this sooner. And I wish I had a little more time to put together the kind of post this moment deserves. But life has been moving at a pretty incredible pace lately, with one project after another.

Some moments are simply too special to leave waiting for the perfect words or the perfect time. Sometimes, you just have to stop for a moment, embrace the chaos, and share a little of the magic while it's still fresh in your heart.

Picture this. It's your wedding day at Chapter II Events, and here's what I see. 🤍

It starts in front of a tall gold mirror. Soft light, a little hairspray in the air, and that nervous, giddy smile you just can't hide as you get ready for this day.

Then comes the staircase. Iron railings, polished steps, and "Chapter II" shadows faintly written on the wall like the building knew you were coming. I'll admit I fell a little in love with that staircase shot.

Then the library. Walls of old books, windows that stretch almost to the ceiling, and chandeliers so big you'll find yourself lost staring into them. It's the kind of room where you can stand still in a window and become a silhouette, or spin until your dress turns into a garden.

Then the bar, a portrait that surprised me the whole day. Arches, rich wood, crystal pendant lights, and a little bit of old Hollywood mystery. Lounge across it, stand right on top of it, or lean in for a quiet moment with your person. This room just gets it.

And when the sun goes down, the front of the building glows, and you get to walk that lit path with your veil catching the night air like it's part of the celebration.

That's what I went there to learn. I've got couples booked here in 2027 and 2028, and I wanted to know every corner, every window, and every pocket of light long before their day arrives. So we spent the day exploring with four incredible models, plus Trinity Agans and her amazing makeup skills. And my wife Jessica Withers and her new company Anchor & Vine Hair Studio were right by my side, capturing behind the scenes video and portraits along the way. Such a talented team backing me.

What I loved most is how this place already shows you where the magic is. Instead of overpowering the chandeliers and the window light, we shaped our studio lighting around them, so every image keeps that warm, timeless glow. Add in the history in those walls and the textures you just can't fake, and honestly, I didn't want to leave.

Thank you to GOWNS Bridal and Formal Boutique in Springfield for gowns that took our breath away (that watercolor floral ballgown!! 😍) and to The Flower Factor for those deep burgundy and blush bouquets that cascaded through every frame. And to our models Kate No Spades McKenzie Moon Sundberg Dakota Cashen Marissa Emery, you were pure delight to work with. I hope to do so again.

Planning a wedding? Walk the stairs. Stand under the chandeliers. Then come find me, because I already know exactly where I'd take you. 📸 I'm booking both years now, and I'd love to hear your story.

Your Chapter II starts here. 💍

Swipe through and tell me: which room would you pick for your first look? 👇

10/12/2026

I am grateful to have been a part of the Vested Interest in Canines 2027 calendar. I had a lot of fun with Troy Kissel and his canine during this photoshoot. I am really grateful for the level of protection they provide for these dogs.

I wanted to take a moment to dedicate this photograph to Sarah and Jacob, who were married yesterday at Washington Park ...
10/11/2026

I wanted to take a moment to dedicate this photograph to Sarah and Jacob, who were married yesterday at Washington Park here in Springfield, Illinois.

We created this image after dark at the Pavilion, and I wanted to share a little of the thought behind it. We used a couple of lights, one behind them to help separate them from the darkness and another bringing a little light toward the front. We also arranged their letters on the stairs below them, giving the photograph a personal detail that belonged to the two of them.

I backed up quite a ways to get this perspective. I wanted to include the space around them and let the stairs and surrounding trees give the image its depth. Those trees were beautiful, almost as if they were meant to frame Sarah and Jacob on this particular evening. Together with the light, they made the setting feel even more romantic.

This is a part of photography I really enjoy: taking the time to see what’s possible in a place, experimenting with the light, and bringing those ideas together into a photograph a couple can keep from their wedding day. It’s especially meaningful knowing that, years from now, this image can bring them back to an evening we were fortunate enough to share with them.

Sarah and Jacob, thank you for allowing us to capture your day. I wish you both a happy, wonderful marriage, with plenty of laughter, love that continues to grow, and amazing memories made along the way. I hope you’ll always find reasons to enjoy each other’s company, through the exciting chapters and the ordinary days in between.

And to my wife, Jessica, and our assistant, Jordan, thank you for helping me capture this day and bring these ideas to life. I had a blast working with both of you. Getting to experiment, create, and enjoy the process together made this photograph even more special to me.

Congratulations, Sarah and Jacob. ❤️

Washington Park Botanical Garden Springfield Park District

What photo would you recreate if you could?We recreated a photo of my niece and nephews from several years ago, and I wa...
10/11/2026

What photo would you recreate if you could?

We recreated a photo of my niece and nephews from several years ago, and I wasn’t ready for how much they’ve grown.

Today felt like a good day to look back and look ahead at the same time.

Years ago I took a photo of my niece and nephews, and recently, we got them back together to recreate it. Same pose and every little detail we could remember. Putting the two images side by side hit me harder than I expected. They're still the same kids I've always known, but they're taller now, more confident, more themselves. It's one of those changes you don't really notice while you're living it, and then one picture sets it right in front of you.

That got me thinking this could become something bigger. I'd love to start a portrait series recreating old photos with families and individuals here in Springfield. Maybe it's your kids lined up on the porch steps, a snapshot from your engagement, a goofy picture with your siblings from twenty years ago, or a family photo you'd love to see next to who you all are today. It doesn't matter if I took the original or if it's been sitting in a shoebox since the '90s. If there's a photo that means something to you, I'd be honored to help you bring it back to life.

If you've got one in mind, reach out to me. I'd love to sit down and hear the story behind it, because that story is what makes it worth recreating, and then we can figure out together how to do it in a way that feels true to you. Sometimes looking back at where we've been is the best way to see where we're headed.

And a special shout out to Carter, Titan, and Genesis. Getting to watch the three of you grow up has been one of the real joys of my life, and I'm so proud of the amazing things you're doing. Our vacations together are some of my favorite memories, and this year meant even more to me. Watching you take an interest in photography, the world I've loved for so long, means more than I can really put into words. Thanks for humoring your uncle and standing in the exact same spots all these years later. I can't wait to see who you become, and I hope I'm behind the camera supporting you for every bit of it.

Jessica Withers Laura Pickard

10/03/2026

Hello my wife,

I got something special for you on your birthday...

Before anything else, I want to thank everyone who took the time to send a birthday video for Jessica. You stopped what you were doing, thought about her, and shared something from your heart. That means a lot to me. If you sent a video and don’t see it in the finished film, please know it wasn’t intentional. I did my best to gather everything, and I’m grateful for every person who helped make this special.

Today is my wife’s birthday. I wanted to give her something she could come back to whenever she needs to hear a familiar voice, see a friendly face, or remember how many people are glad she is in their lives. There is something powerful about hearing people say, in their own words, what you mean to them. I wanted her to have that.

Jessica, being your husband means I get to see so much more than what fits into a photograph or a birthday post. I see the effort behind your progress. I see the moments when you question yourself, and the courage it takes to try anyway. This year, especially, I’ve watched you work through challenges, trust yourself more, and make room for things you want for your life.

I hope you give yourself credit for all of that. I’m proud of what you’re accomplishing, and I’m proud of the steps you took when you weren’t yet sure where they would lead.

We’ve spent so much of our life together capturing other people’s memories. Today, I wanted to make one for you. Something you can keep, watch again years from now, and hear all these voices reminding you that you matter.

I hope today is full of the things you love. I hope you laugh, feel celebrated, and let yourself enjoy the love people are sending your way. And I hope, when you watch this, you see a little of what I get to see every day: a woman I love deeply and feel blessed to share my life with.

Happy birthday, sweetheart. I’m grateful I get to spend today beside you.

You are loved, today and through everything that comes after.

Always your husband,
Chris

Jessica Withers Anchor & Vine Hair Studio

09/30/2026

Springfield, you looked pretty amazing Tuesday night. 🎈📸

I'll be honest, I almost didn't make it. Parking was a challenge, and for a minute there I really thought I was going to miss the whole thing. I was literally walking up right as it was starting, hauling a wagon full of gear, while my wife was in her car on the opposite end trying to meet up with me somewhere in the middle. 😅

This was my first time at the Night Glow Festival at Erin's Pavilion Southwind Park, and I only had about 30 minutes to shoot. I wish I'd had more time, but I did what I could, and I'm so glad I didn't miss it entirely. There's just something about watching those balloons light up against the night sky that never gets old.

What stuck with me most was the sense of community out there. You could really feel it. I found myself wishing I could stop and ask people how they were enjoying the evening and what it meant to them. I would've loved to capture some of those stories on film. Next time, for sure.

I put together a little highlight film so you can come along with me and see the night through my lens. Whether you were out there with us or couldn't make it, I hope this gives you a little taste of why I love this hometown of ours so much.

A big thank you to the Springfield Park District, the balloon crews, and everyone who worked so hard to make this night happen. You all knocked it out of the park!

And next year? I'm showing up early, parking and all, ready to soak it in and capture even more of these beautiful moments.

Were you there? I'd love to hear what your favorite part was, so drop it in the comments! 👇

Filmed and photographed by Chris Withers Photography & Film

What a fun group we had so far this year for homecoming! Excited to see what is to come!I have some updates for my local...
09/28/2026

What a fun group we had so far this year for homecoming! Excited to see what is to come!

I have some updates for my locals on something new I am doing. Who do you know?

🍂📸 HOMECOMING CASTING CALL 📸🍂
📍 Springfield, IL area

Homecoming season is almost here, and I've got something really special planned! 🎉

I'm looking for a group of fun, creative, and passionate students heading to homecoming this year to be part of a one-of-a-kind portrait series. We're talking bold, creative portraits that go way beyond your typical phone snaps, plus some behind-the-scenes content so you can be a part of how it all comes together. ✨

I'll be selecting a small group based on a few different factors, so if you're interested, don't wait!

👉 Want in? Comment "HOMECOMING" below along with:
✔️ Your school
✔️ Your homecoming date
✔️ A simple recent photo

👉 Know someone who'd be perfect for this? Tag them in the comments and give them a shout out! 🙌

Parents, feel free to comment on behalf of your student too! 💛

Can't wait to see who's in! 💃🕺



Special thank you to Peyton and Maxwell for joining us for their homecoming portraits.

#217

Dear Friends,I've started this letter probably a dozen times now, trying to find the right way to say this. So I'll just...
09/23/2026

Dear Friends,

I've started this letter probably a dozen times now, trying to find the right way to say this. So I'll just say it plainly.

This has been one of the hardest seasons of my life, and I don't say that lightly. Somewhere in the middle of it, my wife decided to finally go after something she's dreamed about for years and start her own business. Watching her do that, watching her be brave enough to bet on herself, has been one of the proudest things I've witnessed in our marriage. If you're ever in need of something magical done with your hair, I can't recommend her more. Her business is Anchor & Vine Hair Studio. She is truly one of the most kind, talented and passionate people in the area. Please go book and show your support as she embarks on this new path. You won't regret it.

But her stepping into that dream has also meant that the person who has quietly held so much of our life and our business together has had less time to hold it, and I've felt that in every corner of my days.

At the same time, people I love have been walking through health struggles none of us saw coming, and this turned into one of the busiest photo seasons I have ever had. I'm grateful for that busyness in a way that's hard to explain, because it means so many of you trusted me with your families, your milestones, your faces at their most unguarded. But gratitude and exhaustion can live in the same season, and honestly, they have.

Somewhere in all of it, I've had calls I didn't return quickly enough, galleries that took longer than I promised, and emails that sat in my inbox longer than they should have. If that was you, I'm sorry, and I'm also deeply thankful you stayed. You didn't just wait on a business. You waited on me, as a person trying to hold together a marriage, a family, and a passion for photography I still love more than almost anything.

I'm working on bringing in help now, not because I want to do less, but because I want to be fully present for the part I never want to give up, which is photographing and editing the moments you trust me to keep. In the meantime, I'm putting in long days shooting and late nights editing to make sure what lands in your hands still meets the standard you've come to expect from me. I don't take that trust lightly, and I never want busyness to be the reason it feels less sacred.

So if you're still waiting on me, please know you haven't been forgotten. It just means I am working hard to get a quality that meets my standards. And if you've already heard from me later than you should have, thank you for the grace you gave me anyway. This season has stretched me in ways I didn't expect, but it's also made me stronger and, I think, better at running this business I love. I'm just deeply grateful it included you, your trust and your friendship.

With appreciation and gratitude,
Chris Withers
Chris Withers Photography

Address

2160 S 6th Street, Ste G
Springfield, IL
62703

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12176387579

Website

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