Maypole Studios

What can you say about a photographer who can do it all… ALOT! My wife and I love Bethany! Photographs last a lifetime, so selecting the right photographer to capture my special moments was crucial. I did alot of research on Maypole Studios. Everything that turned up, I liked! I knew Bethany was the one who was going to bring out the best in us and our photos. Bethany was caring, considerate, creative and attentive. She made us feel so comfortable it was like we had known her for years. Our session could not have gone any better. She was reasonably priced and even went out of her comfort zone to shoot by us in Carol Stream, which was awesome! I have to let the world know just how talented and friendly she is! Her work is flawless! She kept our session laid back and silly just as I hoped she would. It was very important that our two kitty fur children be very much involved. She was very patient with them and was able to get some beautiful shots once they warmed up to her. The quality of the pictures were absolutely brilliant, especially her ability to get the colors and lighting to perfection. As I sit here with all the photos in front of me, I am so thankful we chose Bethany to capture those moments. Memories that will last a lifetime! These pictures my wife and I will treasure! Bethany has a great eye and I would highly recommend her to other couples. She’s photography at its best!!! We are so grateful for you Bethany and hope to use you again in the future!
Meow Meow from Miss Shay and Princess Zoey :)
–Sarah and Cassie

The first thing I said to my husband when we woke up the morning after our wedding was «Hiring Bethany was without doubt the BEST decision we made in planning our wedding!». You get a lot of advice when planning a wedding, and I think one of the most helpful tips anyone ever gave me was to make sure you like your photographer on more than just a professional level because you spend a LOT of time with her/​him on on your wedding day. Bethany was so incredibly personable, patient, fun and calm on our big day… and that in turn kept me calm (or as calm as I could be ;) She is so genuine and easy to work with! On our December 5^th wedding, Bethany and her assistant were even generous enough to stay a little later than planned just to make sure we got all the shots we wanted. She did a BEAUTIFUL job with our engagement photos, and we cannot wait to see the wedding photos, which I know will be amazing! I look forward to a continued relationship with Bethany and will be recommending Maypole Studios to EVERYONE!

Stop researching photographers and hire Bethany NOW! ok but seriously — you won’t find a better one than her! Where do I even begin with trying to describe how amazing she is?
My husband and I met with several photographers throughout the process, but we sure saved the best for last. From the instant we sat down with her in her studio, we felt immediately comfortable with her. She has a way of making you feel like you’ve known her forever, which really allowed us to act natural around and with her. Having tons of photos taken of you & your significant other can be hard for some people (including my husband!), so hiring a photographer who puts you at ease is a must! Bethany did that and so much more. She took the time to get to know us and made us feel like we were the most important couple in the world. She is also the sweetest person you’ll ever meet, which makes it even more enjoyable to have her around all day on your wedding day! She was so patient with my parents and my in-​laws, making sure everyone was happy before she left. She also worked so well with our other vendors (some of whom were not easy to work with). It really was a pleasure to have her there all day!
On top of her being a doll to be around, her work is absolutely SPECTACULAR! The ability to capture real moments between couples is a rarity, and she does it all in the most beautifully creative way. Hiring her was by far the best decision we made. Thank you for everything, Bethany! You’re amazing!

Bethany is the absolute best. Hiring her as my wedding photographer was probably the best wedding related decision I made.
I first met her at her adorable studio in the city. She was so warm, friendly, and easy to talk to. She was so communicative and receptive to our ideas (we did not want cheesy wedding photos, nor did we want a ton of posed photos) and she listened but then also gave her advice. On the day of the wedding, she was so calm, attentive, and seemed truly excited to be there. She brought 2 associates with her who were also extremely friendly and personable. I haven’t received the pictures yet but I know they are going to be beautiful. I definitely plan on using Bethany for future events.

My wife and I used Bethany for our engagement and wedding photos this year. Bethany was absolutely a pleasure to work with, and completely professional as well. Her assistant John was awesome too! We cannot be happier with their hard work and how completely at ease they made us feel.

Let me start by saying if you don’t hire Bethany for your wedding, you are missing out! She was everything we wanted and more from a photographer. When we first found Bethany, she was slightly above our budget for a photographer which is why we were worried about signing at first. I can say without a doubt, she was worth every penny. Now that the event is over and I can reflect on each aspect of our time with her (our engagement shoot, our meetings with her, the day of) I would have honestly payed anything for her. She truly was my favorite part of my wedding.
Engagement Session:
Before the session she asked each of us to make a list of 10 things we like to do as individuals and 10 things we like to do together. I loved that she did that because it gave her a chance to understand us as individuals, and also get a picture of what we enjoyed as a couple. That helped her choose the perfect locations for us to shoot. The day we spent with her was so fun! She made us feel so comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. We were able to shoot at so many great places. Some more classic spots like Lake Michigan, and the Kinzie bridge, but also some unique spots like the patio at a New Leaf and under some rustic train tracks. She gave us the right amount of direction, but also let us just be free and us so she could capture the essence of who we were. The photos absolutely reflected that. We loved so many pictures. We thought maybe we would have 20 favorites, but we had almost 60 favorites!
Wedding Day:
It was so comforting having her there for every step. After doing the engagement session with her I felt like she knew us as individuals and as a couple so well that it felt so natural having her there the whole day. Obviously the wedding day can feel rushed with all the to do’s, but she really made sure to capture all aspects of the day. From the bridal suite at 11:00am all the way through desert at the reception she never stopped moving. My favorite part is that when the bridesmaids and I were doing our shoot she gave each bridesmaid a moment with me for individual photos. Again with the day being so busy, it just gave each of us time to stop and really enjoy the moment. She was also so flexible with family photos. Obviously there are a lot of people and a lot of different personalities and I loved how she made sure everyone was happy, but also got through them so efficiently. My photos from the wedding aren’t back yet, but I can say after getting our engagement photos I know we are going to be through the roof happy when we get our wedding photos back!
I want to also add that her personality is just so lovable! She has the sweetest smile and laugh and being around her would make anyone feel good! After our engagement shoot I was trying to convince my husband that we were her favorite couple she’s worked with. He patted me on the back, and let me think that :) Point being, she really made us feel special AND made us feel like she loved who we were as people.

As some other reviewers have said, stop reading now, book Bethany for your wedding, and then continue with everything else.
I don’t even know where to begin in describing how absolutely phenomenal Bethany is. Seriously. When looking for a wedding photographer, I emailed what felt like a million and interviewed many. As a crazy type A person, I wanted to make sure that I did my research. My husband hates taking pictures, and so his only request was that our photographer was «someone normal.» The second we met Bethany, we knew she was the one. We sat for hours chatting and having coffee, and my normally silent husband (then fiancée) actually talked! We both immediately felt comfortable and at-​ease, and honestly, that is one of the most important things you can have in a photographer.
Bethany went above and beyond to schedule our engagement sessions and seamlessly worked with us through crazy weather snafus. Right before the wedding, we realized the weather wasn’t going to hold up for outdoor pictures, and Bethany was immediately there to the rescue with ideas. She was always there, always responsive, and honestly became a good friend throughout the process.
But even above and beyond the fact that she is seriously the nicest person in the world, her photography is AMAZING. While we haven’t gotten the wedding pics yet, she was able to capture our relationship perfectly through our engagement pictures. She was able to draw out my shy, introverted, picture-​hating husband and capture his loving demeanor. She caught the moments that you wish someone could capture, and I will cherish our pictures forever.
The day of the wedding, she had a second photographer who went over to take pictures of the boys getting ready at our apartment, and they all loved him too. He was down to earth and relatable and it didn’t feel like you had a stranger there to just take pictures.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about Bethany. Originally, we were thinking of spending less on photography, and I am THRILLED that we decided to branch out. Our wedding would not have been the same without her, and all of our guests agree. She is seriously a gift to the wedding industry.

You would be dumb to look anywhere else for a photographer.
Bethany is so easy to get along with and makes you feel comfortable. She really knows the city like the back of her hand and knows of spots that I haven’t ever been to.
She is extremely professional, VERY ARTISTIC, and really knows how to capture people.
I cant say enough nice things about her!

Bethany and Maypole were the best decision we made when planning our April wedding. Through our interview process we were so impressed with everything about her and her work. She made the planning so easy and stress free.
When it came to the wedding day she and her assistant were exactly what you want in a photography team. And needless to say the pictures were awesome!!! We are so happy with how they turned out from the color, to the composition, to the amazing way they made me look awesome in every shot.
We will be using Bethany and Maypole for all of our photography needs in the future!

We are so happy that we chose Bethany as our photographer for engagement photos. We LOVE every photo she took for us and so do our friends and family. She is very good at catching beautiful moments with great detail. It was such a pleasant experience to spend a day with her too. She is very genuine, easy going and patient. She is the BEST!

Uch, Bethany. I don’t even know where to begin — she is the best! First off, her photos are amazing. She captures such great, real moments, while making everyone look stunning. I don’t think she is even capable of taking a cheesy picture… which is impressive when you’re shooting an engagement session. But besides being a great artist, Bethany is someone you want to be around and have at your wedding. She is kind, easy going and seems genuinely interested in the events that are happening. She’s really busy (probably because she’s so great), so sometimes she does not get back to you right away, but don’t worry! She will never leave you hanging and always sticks to her commitments. I plan on hiring Bethany for all matter of life events in my future.

Bethany was great! She was flexible with time and really cares about the quality of her work. We couldn’t have been more happy with how our wedding photos came out. Thanks Bethany!

First off, this review is slightly overdue! I have become a real slacker bride!
we just sent out our Save the Dates and the picture that graced them was taken by Ms. Bethany! The picture is us in front on the Chicago Theater and is STUNNING!
It was a pleasure working with Bethany. She made us feel beyond comfortable, which for me a important, not a big fan of being in front of the camera. It never felt like we were being rushed and she was so easy to get along with.
The pictures truly came out amazing. I could not be happier with them! I would highly recommend Maypole Studios!

Let me just say — If I could give Bethany and her team at Maypole Studios a thousand stars, I would. I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for wedding photos that are so much more than just photos!!!
The whole experience with Bethany was positive, comfortable, and professional from beginning to end. We had to find a photographer in the Chicago area last minute after our original plans fell through. We are so thankful that she was able to accommodate us! All of our expectations were completely blown away. You will be very hard pressed to find another photography studio that produces such amazing work and provides such a great experience at this price point. Also Bethany’s personality is so lovable and down-​to-​earth — she is so easy to work with. Also, her passion for her art is no secret, and she is completely in love with what she does. Forget about awkward staged-​looking photos. You will not get those here. When you get your photos, you will see natural, fun, captivating photos that will truly move you when you look at them. Also, she and her team went above and beyond to work with us and make sure every detail was covered. Bethany also helped us a lot with finding the perfect place for photos between the wedding itself and the reception. We now have photos that are so beautiful, and we will truly cherish them forever.
I mean this is as good as it gets. I do not know what else to say besides this — If you are reading this review, it is time to stop looking!!!

If you are on the hunt for absolutely beautiful photos that not only look stunning, but can actually make you FEEL the emotions of your big day, then let me do a favor and tell you to look no further — Maypole Studios is exactly what you are looking for!
I did extensive research in looking for our photographer as I knew this was something that I wanted to be picky about. I had in mind exactly what I was looking for: I wanted to have all the classic photos, but with more of an artistic flair — stunning compositions, and great candid moments. As soon as we found Bethany, we knew right away she was the perfect fit and we could not be happier with the results. She went above and beyond our expectations and created not only stunning wedding photos, but some beautiful pieces of art — which is shocking, considering how clumsy both of us are… She even made us an animated GIF which is incredible!!! We were told by so many people that we had the best wedding photos they had ever seen — hands down. Everytime I go through our photos (yes, which is often) I get to really relive the day since the photos are so much more than posed portraits — they offer so much emotion and in-​the-​moment candidness that I can’t help but gush all over again.
But enough about the photos, let’s talk about Bethany. On our first meeting, she said something that really stuck with us. She said, «Now, I am not saying you should choose me by saying this but just keep in mind that you spend your entire wedding day with your photographer, so make sure you get along.» This is so true! For anyone who has ever stood up in a wedding before, the photographer is usually a total buzzkill who causes a lot of moans and groans and rolled eyes. Bethany and Jamie, on the other hand, were AWESOME! Not only did Bethany help me put my veil on in a moment of distress, she kept us on schedule and kept me calm. They kept the energy lively and were happy to go along with some of our crazy ideas — groomsmen with tuxes and zubaz, harlem shake gif (sans some articles of clothing) — and they just laughed and kept it light and fun. Bethany was such a pleasure that one of my bridesmaids went out and immediately booked her for their upcoming wedding! Enough said right there :)
I hope you get to enjoy your photos and working with Maypole Studios as much as we did :)

Where to start? I could gush on and on about how amazing Bethany is, but I will try to keep it concise. Bethany was the photographer for a wedding that I was a bridesmaid in so I got to observe her style in-​person before meeting with her to discuss our own wedding. I had seen her website, so I knew that her work was beautiful, but seeing her in action is what really sealed the deal for us. Bethany is unbelievably professional, talented and easy-​going. She is able to take charge of a large wedding party or family and get everyone to do what they need to be doing to get the best shots.
After meeting with Bethany one on one for a drink and to discuss package options, my fiancé and I decided immediately that there was no need to meet with any other photographers, we were sold on Bethany. I did quite a bit of research on photography pricing before setting up a meeting with Bethany and I found her prices to be extremely reasonable, especially for the quality product that you receive.
Bethany included an engagement photo session as part of our package. We weren’t originally sure we wanted to do it (we were worried it would be corny), but we decided to go with it since it was included. We were so happy that we did. Bethany was happy to personalize our locations to make sure that we got exactly what we wanted and we ended up with beautiful pictures that we were able to use for our save the dates, etc.
On the day we were scheduled to do our engagement session, Bethany had a horrible flu. It was going to be very difficult for us to reschedule this date with her and I selfishly asked her if we could do the shoot anyway. Despite being miserably sick, Bethany headed out in to the cold Chicago winter to take beautiful pictures of us, always with a huge smile on her face despite the fact that I know she was miserably sick. She never rushed us, suggested additional locations and even offered to do another session with us in the summer once the weather warmed up. It was clear that Bethany’s main objective was the quality of her work and making sure that we were satisfied. We never, ever felt that she was holding us to a time period.
On the day of our wedding, Bethany and Jaime (her second photographer), could not have been better to work with. Talk about divide and conquer– Jaime photographed that guys while they were getting ready while Bethany photographed the girls. We found that Bethany always had creative suggestions for where to snap photos that we never would have thought of. She clearly knows the city well and has taken note of all of the great little nooks and crannies for photo opportunities that we never would have known about. During the wedding, every time I turned around, Bethany was capturing what was going on, and always in a way that she did not interrupt the vibe of what was happening.
In addition to being unbelievably talented and professional, Bethany is one cool chick. We enjoyed getting to know Bethany so much and found her to be so much fun to be around. I highly, highly recommend Maypole Studios!

This review is LONG overdue.
Please know that I could go on and on about how wonderful Bethany is, but I will keep this short and sweet. The photographs became my absolute favorite thing about my May 2012 wedding thanks to Bethany. She was so fun and easy to work with and really went above and beyond during the entire process. The morning of my wedding, I was frazzled, as (I assume?) most brides tend to be. However, once Bethany arrived, she helped calm me down and gently guided me through the morning. I have received countless compliments on the photos and looking at them reminds me just how special the day was. PLEASE do yourself a favor and choose Bethany!!!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Maypole Studios! We saw Bethany’s work early on in our search, per our wedding planner’s recommendation, and had no trouble making our decision. Not only are her photographs beautiful and creative, but Bethany is a pleasure to be around. She captures the moments of a big event in a way that is truly stunning, yet subtle and natural. She is easy to work with, very flexible and completely understands her clients’ needs. She and Jamie were both fabulous on our actual wedding day, keeping things moving along smoothly and capturing all of the photos we’d wanted. Bethany also suggested wonderful locations for our engagement shoot and pre-​ceremony photos. Many, many thanks for capturing our relationship and big day so beautifully!

My husband and I hired Maypole Studios to photograph our wedding and rehearsal dinner in September 2012. Bethany did an incredible job. She is professional, very easy to work with, and her effervescent personality brought out the most beautiful, genuine smiles in the pictures of our friends and family. I would recommend her to anyone looking for perfect photos. We will definitely be working with her again for family photos in the future.

My wife and I got married in October of 2012 and were very fortunate to have Bethany as our photographer.
We met 6 other photographers with similar experience prior to deciding to go with her, as we wanted to make sure we choose the best available option for us. Based on sample photos, experience, equipment, cost, etc, Bethany turned out to be our top choice easily! She was very friendly, positive, accommodating and professional AT ALL TIMES. We loved the fact that she was so passionate about her work!
On the day of the wedding she also brought an extra photographer who helped her very well, so essentially we felt like we were getting 2 for the price of 1!
You never want to be disappointed with the memories of your special day and using Bethany can GUARANTEE you will be satisfied. She is the type of photographer that you want to have on your wedding day!