Why make portraits
before the wedding?

In many Korean wedding experiences, the ceremony and reception move quickly, leaving less room for a long portrait session on the day itself. Couples therefore often plan studio portraits beforehand. They may dress formally, change into hanbok or another look, and spend time making photographs together. Each wedding is different; this is one reason the separate portrait tradition matters to many couples.

At gugwa, the photographs can stay in our Northbrook studio or continue at a planned Chicago location. We can discuss gowns and hanbok from the studio wardrobe, your own clothes, hair and makeup at the studio by separate arrangement, and the setting for each look. We guide posing as we photograph, then help you decide which images to finish for an invitation, a wedding display, an album, or a print at home.

Tell us whether you want a formal portrait, a more relaxed photograph together, a particular Chicago place, or all of these. You can come before or after the wedding. We will build a realistic plan for the time, locations, preparation, and finished photographs you want.