pronouns: SHE/HER/Hers

My love for photography started in 5th grade. I did a photography summer camp with those disposable cameras we all knew and loved in 2003. I still remember clear as day how 5th-grade me felt as I looked through that lens. I was fascinated by how objects and people appeared in photographs depending on how you framed it -- the curve of a bench when you get the angle just right, the smile of a friend when you catch them mid-laugh, or the sky when the light was just peeking through the clouds.

When I was in middle school, all of my besties joined together and bought me a point-and-shoot digital camera. To this day, that is by far the best gift I ever received. I cried grateful tears -- it was something I wanted more than anything. I used that little digital camera to document anything and everything, using my friends as models any moment they were willing. In high school, that point-and-shoot got upgraded to a professional-level camera and my love for documenting people grew. I kept photographing through out high school and into my adult life. I shot my first wedding for a friend in 2017 and was immediately hooked. I remember thinking that night, "I want to do this for the rest of my life." The rest is history.

I entered the wedding photography industry because I never wanted any couple to feel like their love isn't worth celebrating. I know firsthand what it feels like to be discriminated against because of your sexuality, and let me tell you, it's shitty. You deserve to be unconditionally loved and celebrated on your wedding day and I'm here to do just that. Whether you have the most supportive family in the world or not one of them is planning to come to your wedding, whether your wedding budget is $10k or $100k, whether you’re queer or straight, you deserve to be unconditionally loved, accepted, and celebrated on your wedding day. I'm here for all of the sweet moments that comprise this day of joy -- whether you choose to elope in your favorite city or have a bangin' party in a Chicago venue with 500 of your closest friends.
I celebrate you through the way I photograph you. With all of my heart and soul invested in you and your story.

YOUR ICONIC LOVE STORY IS AT THE HEART OF ALL THAT I DO.

I’m Tawny, aN LGBTQ+ WEDDING & Elopement photographer ready to document your legacy.

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If I am booked for your date, you can still have the Tawny Ballard Photography experience and be a part of my crew! My associate photographer can photograph your day, especially if you're having a wedding in my beloved previous city of St. Louis. We both have a similar styles of shooting and Rebecca will make you feel as comfortable as I would on your day! I still do all of the communication with you, prepare you for your big day, and edit your photos in my signature editing style. Rebecca will be your number one supporter and photograph on the day of your wedding!



"Hi, I'm Rebecca! (she/her) I'm a wedding and portrait photographer from St. Louis. I'm a laid-back animal mom to two precious adopted pups, a sassy kitty, and quite a few chickens. My goal during each wedding is not only to document the day's many special moments, but also to remind you and your partner to step back from the chaos, breathe, and simply enjoy each moment with each other. Photographing weddings brings me such joy, and it's always an honor being able to be a part of a couple's celebration and capturing the moments that will bring back happy memories for years to come."

my SWEET associate Photographer and the program

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Meet Rebecca

I have my Masters in Communication from Illinois State University, and wrote my final work on Beyonce's Lemonade. I'm that Beyonce obsessed.

fun fact 01

My favorite part of my couples' weddings are the speeches. Throughout the process, I grow to care about and love them. Hearing their friends and family talk about their love for them and give them advice for the future always makes me tear up a little bit.

fun fact 02

My perfect day would be to take a plane to a new city, explore local shops, eat good food and drink good beer at local restaurants, and end the day with a concert of one of my favorite artists.

fun fact 03

my photography style can be summed up in four words...

I have always been an artist - from drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and graphic design - I have dabbled in nearly every medium, but none holds my heart quite like photography. The ability to tell a story the way I see it through each click of the shutter charms me. I live with my cat, Piper, on the north side of Chicago. Gossip Girl is my not-so-secret guilty pleasure. The drama, the outfits, the New York City backdrop, Chuck Bass - I love it all! When not working, you'll find me traveling, eating at one of the many delicious Chicago restaurants still on my must-try list, trying out new cocktail recipes, binging Netflix on the couch, or catching a late night drag show with my best friends. 

I'm inspired by urban architecture, my latest trip to somewhere new, patterns of light and shadows, high-fashion magazines, and the moments I see sparked between people every day. Never awkward or forced, my artful, yet timeless approach will give you chic and cinematic portraits and candids that will hold their power for years to come.

I take a journalistic, documentary approach to photograph your wedding day because it's filled with moments of joy, love, and sweetness that you can never get back. Photographs help you re-live those precious wedding day memories over and over.

photos
for all
lovers.

EDITORIAL

SOULFUL

INCLUSIVE

DOCUMENTARY

view my PORTfolio

who i love to serve

LGBTQ+ LOVERS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
WHO WILL SUPPORT THEM AND DOCUMENT THEIR DREAM DAY

Passionate AND Fun ENGAGED COUPLES LOOKING TO FREEZE THEIR SWEET MOMENTS IN TIME FROM THEIR WEDDING DAY

BADASS COUPLES WHO WANT TO ELOPE IN THEIR FAVORITE CITY and have gorgeous photos to SHOW FOR IT

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travel schedule

Having a destination wedding or elopement? My bags are packed & I'm ready.

APRIL 14th-18th -

JUNE 1ST-2ND -

TORONTO, CA

SYLVANIA, OH

APRIL 26TH-29TH -

2024 Travel

LAS VEGAS, NV

Your wedding will bring out all of your raw, real emotions that you'll want to remember for years to come.
It all starts with your trust— I take care of the rest.

SOMETIMES THE BEST COUPLES ARE A PLANE RIDE AWAY
 
— COUNT ME IN.

OCT 24TH-26TH -

MISSOURI, USA