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
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
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.
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.
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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.
