Begin with the portraits you imagine: a wedding gown, hanbok, your own clothes, or a more relaxed look. Our Northbrook studio has a collection of gowns, hanbok, accessories, and different settings. You are welcome to bring your own clothing, too. We will review fit, available pieces, changes, and any wardrobe terms with you before the session.
See the Studio Soo wardrobe gallery
Couples & Weddings / Korean-Style Pre-Wedding
A day for the two of you,
and the photographs you'll keep.
Give your portraits their own day. Choose the clothes, studio setting, Chicago location, and photographs you want to keep.
Plan your portraitsChoose your looks
Selected photographs
Hair, makeup, and direction
There is space to get ready at the studio. If you would like professional hair and makeup on site, we can help you connect with Janice Cha or Cecilia Oh, subject to their availability and separate arrangements. You may also arrive ready or bring your own artist. During the portraits, we guide posing, expression, and how the two of you move together; you do not need to know what to do in front of the camera.
Studio, Chicago, or both
Photograph several looks in the studio, plan an outdoor location, or combine the two. We can help choose a Chicago setting that suits the photographs you want and map out travel, clothing changes, light, and the time each part needs. A combined day can take much of an afternoon even when the reserved photography time is shorter. We will confirm the itinerary, location requirements, coverage, and costs in your proposal.
What earlier couples noticed
In public Studio Soo reviews, one couple described how we helped turn a partly formed visual idea into a photograph plan. Another described feeling more comfortable in front of the camera after their engagement session. Those are individual experiences, and we will plan your photographs around your own priorities.
Read Studio Soo reviewsStories from the studio
These films show earlier Studio Soo couples and their experiences. They are examples of the work, not descriptions of a current gugwa package.
Watch film
Watch film
Photographs for the wedding and beyond
Couples may choose a portrait for an invitation, a wedding-day display, an album, or a print at home. We will talk through your selections, retouching, print and album options, and digital files, then confirm the deliverables for the session you book.
See an earlier wedding photo-table example
Thinking about a film, too?
If you want more than still portraits, describe the moving images you imagine when you inquire. A pre-wedding film and wedding-day coverage require different plans. We will check whether video production is available for your date and confirm its team, scope, sound, edit, and deliverables separately from the photographs.
Questions couples ask
Is this only for Korean couples?
No. Korean-style refers to the planned portrait experience, with time for styling, different looks, and directed photographs. We shape it around the two of you.
Can we photograph indoors and outdoors on the same day?
Yes, when the schedule and locations allow. Tell us which looks matter most. We will plan the route, travel, light, any location requirements, and the photography coverage before booking.
Do we need to bring a gown, hanbok, or a suit?
You can bring your own clothes. The studio also has wedding gowns and hanbok to discuss for studio portraits. We confirm sizes, available pieces, and what each person plans to wear before the session; please ask about menswear options rather than assuming a particular item is available.
Can hair and makeup happen at the studio?
Yes, by arrangement with an artist, or you may arrive ready. We can introduce Janice Cha and Cecilia Oh. Their availability and fees are separate and confirmed in advance.
Will you help us pose and choose locations?
Yes. We guide you during the session and can suggest settings based on the mood and photographs you want. The final route also depends on timing, access, weather, and any location rules.
How long should we set aside?
It depends on hair and makeup, the number of looks, and whether we travel to an outdoor location. A studio-and-city plan can occupy much of an afternoon. We will distinguish preparation and travel time from the photography hours you reserve.
Why plan portraits separately?
For some couples, the wedding day leaves little unhurried time for portraits together. A dedicated session gives you room to choose the clothes, setting, and images rather than fitting them into the celebration.
Read the story behind this tradition