Northwest Illinois based wedding, elopement, and lifestyle photographer.

Answers to Nicole, Cole, or Bill // Feral with a side of dog hair // Boy gang mom // Proud wife // Professional Photographer of all the small joys, weddings & elopements & Crying is in my job description

Nicole Kilday, Northwestern IL Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Photography has been a generational gift. From birth to my chosen career, I’m not sure if I can remember a moment in life where a camera wasn’t present. My dad grew up with a homemade dark room in the basement, taking photographs with my grandfather and learning the ropes. I grew up with boxes of film camera gear; some, almost as old as my dad, while simultaneously sitting in his lap learning photoshop. We were a ‘never leave the camera behind’ sort of family.

Outside of my photography profession, I’m a full-time mom to my wild-childs Declan, Dayton and our furry German Shepherds, and wife to my amazing husband, Kyle. I’m a sucker for Sunday morning sunshine spilling in the windows while we’re all cozied up in bed, a fully packed house & messes made with love after a big family dinner, and the way a long road trip reminds you how soft the wheat fields look on a breezy day that you just want to take a nap in. Most days my mouth could make a sailor blush, but my eyes are never dry of empathetic tears on any given day. Cheese & German Shepherds are my love languages. 

Photography has been a way to bring my homemade happiness to life, while also feeding my obsessively nostalgic heart. Photography serves as a reminder of my purpose and the driving factor to remember all of life’s small & beautifully chaotic moments. What started out as a 2016 Christmas photo shared on Facebook, grew into this chosen passion career. So here I am, 8 years later (circa 2024) - thriving with my best friend by my side, creating purposeful art that echoes all of my clients' own memories. Forever grateful to my special someone in Heaven who shared his passion of photography with each generation. It led me to so much love & friendship.

Xoxo, Nicole

A family of three standing outdoors in a grassy field at sunset. The father and mother are holding their young son between them, all smiling and looking at each other lovingly. The father is wearing a black t-shirt and tan pants, while the mother is in a white patterned dress and black boots.
A young boy is holding a butterfly on his hand, smiling and looking happily at the butterfly.
A newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket with colorful handprints, held up against a bright window.
5.31.2025 - Dan & Breanne-1.jpg

My Journey

2016 - Nicole Kilday Photography was born after sharing my family Christmas photos on social media; followed by my inbox blowing up with requests for photos.

2019 - Photography became my full time job, primarily focusing on wedding and elopement photography.

2025 - Nicole Kilday Photography is reborn. A way to realign my creativity as it coincides with my personal life; allowing me to pour from a full cup into my art

2022 - My photography partner in crime & best friend, Ashley Bowling and I joined forces to create My Whole Heart Collective, a team of photographers & collaborative community for creatives. We operated as partners from 2022, to 2025.

2020 - My first full year would be impacted by the pandemic, but would allow for slow time to continue to learn, build, and create, ultimately kicking my career into high gear

2021 - With the help of my family, friends, and associate photographers, NKP photographed 42 weddings from May 15th - Oct. 30th.

Follow along,

Like the Fourth of July 💥
Out of office 7.1-7.6.2025, be back soon 🫶🇺🇸 📷 @sbtribune - Michael Clubb
Forever & ever grateful for the humans my career & passion brings into my life 🥹
I blinked & it was 12 years later. I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing you while walking down the aisle - the nerves of all eyes on us dissipated & all of the sudden I was underwater. All I could see & hear was you. It was alwa
The weight of a tiny hand on your shoulder, the way a summer field smells just before sunset, the quiet giggle tucked into your neck, & summertime sunshine. #FamilyPhotographyIllinois #McHenryPhotographer #NostalgicPhotography #NicoleKildayPhoto
It’s not about the swing. It never was. We had one shopping trip—just the two of us—in six and a half months. Since baby brother arrived, our moments alone have been rare, quiet, golden. He picked out a swing that day, nestled betw
It’s 90° in Illinois today, and all I can think about is this. The sun-drenched skin, bare feet in the sand, wind-tangled hair, and that carefree kind of love that just feels like summer. No expectations, no perfect poses—just the k
For the 2026 wedding season, I’m heading in a new direction—one that honors not just my creative heartbeat, but yours too. Since 2016, I’ve had the honor of documenting love in all its forms, but this next chapter? It’s slower

In the end, we all end up stories.

Your story deserves to be remembered.

In the end, we all end up stories. Your story deserves to be remembered.

Inquire

For magic

Yay! I’m so happy you’re here. Whether you’re here to find the photographer addition to your wedding day team or to invite me into your bubble with your loves by your side, I cannot wait to see the magic we create together.

Nicole Kilday

Please be sure to add info.nkphoto@gmail.com to your email address contacts. 

If you don’t hear back from me within 72 hours, be sure to check your spam/junk folder. If you can’t find my response there, be sure to reach out via direct email.