Why am I a Photographer?
family photography, wedding photography, documentary photographer, timeless photography, why I do what I do, meet your photographer, behind the lens, my photography journey Nicole Kilday family photography, wedding photography, documentary photographer, timeless photography, why I do what I do, meet your photographer, behind the lens, my photography journey Nicole Kilday

Why am I a Photographer?

There’s a reason I always reach for my camera—and it’s not just about creating beautiful images. Photography is how I connect, how I remember, and how I help others feel seen. In this post, I’m sharing the heart behind what I do: the personal moments, the big questions, and why documenting real, unscripted stories means everything to me.

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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