Rocio Pagoada Photography

didn't realize she would quickly become more than just our photographer. Rocio is now a true friend, and we would recommend her to any couple planning their wedding or any major life event they want beautifully captured. Rocio did our engagement photo shoot and was there for us on our wedding day. To call her a "photographer" doesn't even begin to do her justice—she is so much more than that. She went above and beyond by also stepping in as a wedding planner and day-of coordinator, making sure our timeline was perfect and that everything flowed smoothly. And the MVP goes to her too! Two days before the wedding, my now-husband managed to cut his nose playing with our puppy! We were in a bit of a panic, but Rocio was there with solutions. She recommended some quick makeup fixes, edited the gash out of the photos, and even followed up with scar cream suggestions. Talk about going above and beyond! Her attention to detail and eye for amazing photo opportunities are unmatched. On the way to our venue, Rocio spotted an incredible mural that we had to stop and take photos in front of, and they turned out to be some of our favorite shots from the day! Even though neither my husband nor I love being the center of attention, Rocio made us feel completely at ease. She has this way of making everyone—whether it's us, our family, or our friends—feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera, which allowed for some of the most authentic and beautiful photos. Rocio’s organization skills are top-notch, and she made her way through our long list of group shots so efficiently which meant my husband and I were able to enjoy our cocktail hour with our loved ones without feeling rushed. Throughout the day, Rocio's warmth and personality shone through. She's not just an incredible photographer, she's also kind, fun, and genuinely cares about her couples. Our guests adored her, and by the end of the night when we had to say goodbye, we didn’t want her to leave! It was clear that she wasn’t just doing a job—she was truly excited for us and invested in our happiness, and that energy is reflected in her work. The sneak peek photos we’ve seen so far are nothing short of magic—she has a way of capturing the joy and little moments that made our day so special. Her photos are vibrant, full of emotion, and tell the story of the day in such a beautiful way. We cannot wait to see the rest of the photos because we already know they’ll be perfection. Rocio's passion for her craft shines through in every shot, and we are forever grateful for the beautiful memories she’s given us. We will treasure these photos for the rest of our lives. We’re not just recommending Rocio to others; we’re already looking forward to having her capture our next big life event. If you're looking for a photographer who is not only talented but also a kind, caring soul who will be there for you every step of the way, here she is. Rocio, thank you for being a part of our happiest day and for giving us these priceless memories!

ade the entire process so easy. Her calming presence helped us feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. We couldn’t be happier with our experience!

. Rocio was so helpful during the planning process. She was so encouraging and patient. On the day of, she was my number one advocate. She made sure everything was on point. We love them. Highly recommend hiring them! Best decision we made...other than saying I do!! 10/10 🫶🏽🫶🏽💕💕💕 Book ASAP!!

However, not only did our photos come out PERFECT, Rocio was patient, she guided us and was pivotal in helping us ensure we had a beautiful day. I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am that she was not booked on our wedding day! I will look no further for a photographer for any future special events I have moving forward in life. She is the real deal!

ted in us. Rocio was instrumental in helping plan our wedding, as she also gave me suggestions on our day's schedule based on her experience as a wedding photographer. She was fun and professional the day of our wedding. My fiance and I are two improvisers, and the day of the wedding, Rocio was down to "yes and" our ideas and how the flow of the day turned out. I would highly recommend her to others!

od! Rocio takes her time to make sure every photo is the best possible lighting, angle and captures people in a way that really shows your personality. We received our edited photos so quickly and are already scheduling a follow up session for family photos with our fur baby!

ed all of our expectations. Her photos perfectly captured the energy and joy of our wedding day, and we couldn't be happier with how they turned out! Beyond her amazing photography skills, Rocio was also highly organized and adaptable. She handled unexpected challenges—like a rabbi running two hours late and an overzealous bridesmaid—with professionalism and grace. We also really appreciated how quickly she delivered our sneak peek photos—within just a couple of days instead of the week we expected! Everyone who has seen our photos has raved about them. Rocio truly knocked it out of the park. If you're looking for a photographer who is not only talented but also a pleasure to work with, Rocio is the one! — Noah & Cara

e with our pictures, she did an amazing job capturing our special day! She made us, our family, and our guests feel at ease! We recommend her to everyone! Please hire her! She will make your day unforgettable.

eful that we chose her as our photographer for our wedding! She was highly professional and answered all of my questions in a timely manner. And trust me when I say I had TONS of questions! The photos are something we can’t wait to share with family and friends! Can’t recommend her enough for any of your photo needs! She’s absolutely incredible!

eye, she was so supportive and patient with all my questions and worries. I am so happy we went with Rocio, the photos she captured mean so much to us and really captured the essence of the day. I cannot wait until we have another reason to use her again! Highly Recommend!

decided in Rocio. Her work really does speak for itself. My pictures could not be better. When I first consulted with her she was very transparent and willing to answer all of my questions. Overall I really wanted someone who was genuine and wanted to be there just as much as we did. She was perfect. Thank you Rocio!!

ul from the very first email and phone call. She gave us timeline ideas and helped us with ours, worked with our budget, and gave us the idea to do a first look, talked through it with us (I wasn't on board at first and now we are both so glad we did it!), and even gave us a few ideas on where to do the first look (December in Chicago can be challenging :)). She was very timely in responding to every email and question. Very professional, yet fun, and made the experience exciting by sending us a detailed wedding guide, poses to practice, and a wedding day questionnaire closer to the date. She's a photographer and so much more, as she's full of extremely helpful tips and tricks. The day of Rocio was on time, made everyone feel really comfortable, and added to the experience. During our first look, she gently guided us so we could get in the best poses, gave us things to think about or do to make us smile bigger or laugh. She checked in with us prior to our wedding date if it was okay if she got closer to us during specific parts of the ceremony, the ring exchange etc., and promised she wouldn't get in the way. I honestly didn't even see her! During the cocktail hour and reception she kept us on track. This is not what I would expect from a photographer, but SO grateful for it as we didn't have a planner. She would pop over to one of us and let us know what time it was and what was next on our timeline. She did it in a very kind, respectful, helpful way, and not at all in a way that made us feel rushed. She checked in with us before she left for the night to make sure we didn't want any last minute photos. Overall, the experience with Rocio was AMAZING and of course her photos did not disappoint! We got our sneak peak a few days earlier than she promised, and now we can't wait to see the entire portfolio of photos. I know they'll be amazing. I'm sure I am missing a few other awesome things to say about Rocio and our experience, but to sum it up... book her as your photographer you won't be disappointed!

eir photography, as we really wanted all the colors at Carnivale and the Fall Chicago scenary to really pop out and Rocio Pagoada truly fit that bill for us. From our initial connect, she helped us accomplish the vision we had for our forever photographs, while also guiding us along the way with her experience and suggestions. It's evident Rocio has worked a large number of weddings, as she has a defined work process and has guides and resources with invaluable information. I did not have a wedding planner, so when it came time to finalize the timeline details, she was instrumental to help me build a day of timeline that was detailed and precise, yet allowed flexibility. We received our sneak peaks about a week after our wedding and we are so ecstatic at how they turned out - we can't wait to receive the rest of the full portfolio! Rocio was a professional and great to work with, responds timely, and her prices are reasonable for Chicago based photographers. Thank you Rocio for being a positive factor to our most memorable and cherished day!

t of throughout our day to capture the most amazing photos. Rocio is a wonderful calm presence on the wedding day. She made us feel comfortable and had wonderful ideas for poses and shots. Rocio made herself available throughout the process leading up to the wedding and met with us to plan out exactly what we wanted. Having her vast knowledge in our planning process was so valuable. Rocio went the extra mile for us and was willing to do whatever it took to get the best shots to capture our special day, even getting in a tiny boat to get our photos from the water. She was so professional and kind. We did a ton of research and we feel her prices are more than reasonable for the quality she brings. We feel so lucky. Thank you for capturing our special day for us to look back on. If you want to be obsessed with your photos, hire Rocio!

e helped us finalize our day of schedule and figure out the timing of our events. She arrived early and was diligent about scoping out each photo spot. Having Rocio there felt like having another coordinator to help. She was calm, collected, flexible and kind. We absolutely loved how the pictures turned out and have received so many compliments. The way she captures color in her pictures made the florals and outfits look vibrant and the venue look incredible even on a rainy day. Her services are more than worth the reasonable pricing she charges. We love Rocio! 11/10 would recommend!

o photos and our wedding video far exceeded our expectations!! She was the “chosen one” from the very first conversation we had. Roció’s attention to detail, professionalism, and exceptional client experience made us feel like familia. MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS Roció + Rey!! ♥️

absolutely stunning, and we can’t wait to see our wedding photos. Thank you Rocio, the day would not have been the same without you ♥️ Allie & Scott

us out with tasks that were very much outside of her role as a photographer. She got our sneak peek pictures to us within a few days, and we were blown away by how amazing they look! She has a way of making you feel very comfortable during the most intimate moments of your life. All I can say is trust her - because even if the pose feels a little awkward, the result is going to be outstanding!!

Thank you for capturing our special day. Looking forward to working with you again. Thanks for being awesome.

acias Rocio

uly captured the sweet and fun moments of this day, and I even get to see special moments in these photos that I missed as a busy bride day-off. Ray’s video work is phenomenal—you definitely want to book a video package! Also, Rocio and Ray are the chill vibes you need on your wedding day—I am not very into being the center of attention as a bride and I super appreciated being able to disappear into fun spots throughout our venue with them on the insane day. BOOK THEM!

st a few days before our planned date and she happily changed dates& location to accommodate us. We brought our 15 month old with us, Rocio was happy to help us keep her calm during the photos. She let us choose two different locations for our photos which I thought was very kind. We felt relaxed during the whole process (first time professional photos for my husband and I). The photos turned out beautiful. We were trying to pick out a few to print and frame, we literally cannot decide because they are all perfect. I cannot recommend Rocio enough. If you are looking for a photographer, this is your lady!!

could not have been more impressed. She is incredibly organized, professional, and hella talented. We were so happy with her vision from the get go that we actually booked our wedding date around her availability. She was available through the whole process and gave advice on other vendors along the way. You won't be disappointed in going with her!

d so much fun during our photo shoot. Thank you so much Rocio for making us feel ourselves and taking amazing photos of us.

s es lo que nos va quedar para toda la vida ademas de organizarnos para que no llegaramos tarde y darnos consejos para que saliera todo como salio simplemente perfecto ✔️ Gracias Rocio excelente servicio ! Today I received the photos of my wedding and I am fascinated Rocio has an incredible talent they are simply beautiful wow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was worth every dollar that we invested because the photos are what we will have for a lifetime in addition to organizing ourselves to that we wouldn't be late and give us advice so that everything turned out just perfect ✔️ Thank you Rocio exelente service

we had seen -- but of course, they are. She has a fantastic eye, coupled with professional editing skills. You'd also think we had a team of photographers covering our event based on how she managed to capture everything. We could not be happier with our photos and are so grateful to Rocio for being there on our wedding day.

t time I looked on her website) that makes your photos really stand out, and she encourages you to try different poses and props while shooting - she wants you to have fun without it being too corny. She also handled our big loud families very well and both she and Rey were great about getting into it on the dancing floor to get some good shots. Rocio was always detailed and through in our conversations which I really appreciated too. We love our wedding photos and we can't wait to get them framed for our living room. Thank you again Rocio!

during our recent engagement picture session. We are so happy with the end results, and can’t wait for her to photograph our wedding as well!

t know I needed on the busiest day of my life, lol! We chose Rocio because of how unique and colorful her shots are and we were so thrilled with how everything turned out. Loved all of her shot ideas. My husband and I are both a little camera-shy, but you would never know it based on Rocio's instructions and her ability to click the shutter at *just* the right moment. She truly is gifted. She's the one you want!

tself, but her attention to and understanding of the detail of her clients’ character, personality, and personal story shines through beautifully in the final product. If you’re looking for stunning, genuine, story-telling photography that you can cherish forever, Rocio is without a doubt the best for you. We can’t wait to work with her again in the future!

to reschedule our wedding during covid, and she was very reassuring and helpful throughout the process. Not only is Rocio incredibly professional (she got through all of our staged portraits so quickly!), she is also a kind and warm person, and you can tell that she really cares about her clients. The care that she puts into her craft showed through in our engagement photos and the sneak peek she sent after the wedding and we can't wait to see the rest of our wedding photos!

een us. I am so happy I have such stunning photos to look back on for years to come. Thank you, Rocio, for capturing the most beautiful memories!

uled with us when it started raining a little while in. She took us to two locations that we LOVED and were so colorful and fun. We do not live in Charlotte and she researched and found exactly what we wanted. She captured our wedding beautifully as well. She was so calm and comforting the entire day and had so many creative ideas on where to go that photographed so well! We cannot say enough about her and are so grateful that we had her capture our special day and gained a friend in her as well! THANK YOU!

to overcome to get to our wedding day, I feel like I've needed this amount of time to catch my breath and reflect on it all!! With all of the things that didn't happen due to COVID, the one perfect thing that went according to plan was having Rocio as our wedding photographer!! From start to finish, Rocio was so flexible and easy to work with, despite being in the midst of a pandemic, and she was more than willing to make last minute changes to our contract due to shifts in our wedding plans! I literally have looked at our wedding pictures and have watched our beautiful wedding video at least once per month since May 2020, Rocio did an incredible job of capturing the pure and joyful emotions from our wedding day, despite it not being the wedding we had hoped for, but the intimacy and love of our families and between my husband and I shined through every single picture!! I truly cherish our wedding pictures and video, they will be keepsakes in our family for years to come, we truly can't thank Rocio enough for sharing one of the most memorable days of our lives, and preserving every last detail for us!!!

ch step of the way she helped us decide locations for the photo shoot and even wardrobe choices! You truly feel Rocio is there to get the best photos and make you feel comfortable sharing your love for your partner in the engagement shots. Highly recommend her for the experience and the fun!

nsummate professional, who takes the time to capture the special moments that characterize the occasion. She provides ample attention to details and capturing nuance, telling a story with her pictures. Due to her phenomenal work, Rocio will remain our premier choice in meeting our future family photography needs. Thanks Rocio!

vous going into our wedding that COVID would put a damper on the types of photos we’d be able to take, but Rocio was incredibly creative and we were able to capture all the types of photos we had envisioned and more. She was great at directing us for group photos so that everyone was on the same page and it truly shows in the photos we have received. She went above and beyond to make sure that we got photos with all of our family members and friends. She was able to work with our schedule so well that we didn’t miss a single moment, even amidst the chaos of us simultaneously getting ready in different locations on the morning of the wedding. She truly exceeded our expectations, ESPECIALLY when you factor in the fact that we had a “Covid-wedding”. I can truly say that when I look back at our photos from that day, I will remember every magical detail thanks to our incredible photographer!

that made our day so special and captured so many beautiful moments.

ography and this isn’t work, it’s ART! We have so many amazing photos to remember our wedding day, it’s hard to pick which ones to print because there are so many BEAUTIFUL photos! She was personable and helpful at all times throughout the initial consultation, engagement session, wedding shower, and our wedding day! It felt like hanging out with a good friend. She was efficient with time, making everyone feel relaxed and everyone in our family loved her. We definitely want her to continue capturing our family for future events and important milestones. Thanks to her we have timeless photos that help us relive our day time and time again.

the wedding photographer have portfolios reflecting their ability to shoot only white people, to our dismay. Rocio's ability to take photos that make people of all skin tones look their best is really important to us. What happened in the end was that our wedding was eventually scrapped because of the pandemic, which forced the rescheduling and eventual cancellation of our planned wedding. Rocio was extremely patient and kind to us for a long time as we worked through this, and we were really happy to have her come shoot photos of us in the three-person exchange of vows we managed to have instead. And the shots look so great! We had fun in a time when there generally wasn't a lot of fun to be had, and Rocio is a big part of the reason why. If we had to do it all over again, Rocio is who we would pick to go through this with. We can't speak to her ability to work with the wide range of people we had hoped to have her shoot, but we have a strong feeling that she'd be great. If we ever get to have the huge anniversary party our would-be wedding guests are telling us to have, we will happily work with her.

iend and it was confirmed during our wedding day as she captured every single detail of our special day. She is very talented, passionate and kind-hearted. It’s hard to express in words how amazing she is as a person and photographer but I will definitely say, if you need a wedding photographer, hire her and see for yourself.

tive. I'd recommend her to photograph your wedding regardless of location, but if you are in Chicago I cannot endorse her enough. I'm really attached to my neighborhood and she did a great job of suggesting locations that produced photos that captured the spirit of the wedding and my deep affection for the city. On the day we had discussed certain areas near my house to photograph, but she showed up with a new suggestion that I never would have thought of that was both beautiful and closer to my house than what I had planned on initially. She also suggested doing a set of photos in the bar me and my husband frequently visit with friends and those photos are my favorites. More than being an excellent photographer she was also really helpful in planning the day. I shared my day of schedule with her months before the wedding and she gave me great tips on how much time to budget for certain aspects of the day (particularly getting ready) to ensure that our day was as low stress as possible. I really credit her for the entire day going smoothly because she brought her expansive experience photographing weddings to ensure that we laid the day out in a way that was as least stressful as possible. Thank you so much Rocio! *We've only received the sneak peak but they were so good I couldn't help myself but write this review a little early.

uldn’t have been worried at all! She made them happen and so much more. If you looking for a wedding photographer look no further!

personable; it was like I knew her for years. Then we took our engagement photos and they were awesome!!! She seemed to have visions as we were walking and talking and would yell out STOP this is a perfect shot LOL. Who would have thought leaning on our black SUV in our football Jersey would be out favorite picture; she did. She will be our photographer for life, we even booked her for our family reunion.

ore our wedding day to prepare and plan. It was very important to her that we get the most out of our experience with her! I would recommend her to anyone!!!