We were lucky to catch up with Maloos Khonsarian recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maloos, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
How I Found My Purpose Through Documentary Wedding Photography:
As a Chicago wedding photographer, my journey didn’t begin with lavish venues or grand ceremonies. It began quietly—on a Thanksgiving Day—with a family gathering that would forever shape my understanding of photography and purpose.
A few years ago, someone asked me to photograph her family on Thanksgiving. Her grandmother was battling cancer, and she wanted to preserve memories of her—surrounded by children, grandchildren, and all the love in that room. It wasn’t about staged smiles or perfect lighting. It was about presence, connection, and capturing those fleeting in-between moments. I spent the entire afternoon documenting their interactions, their quiet tears, heartfelt embraces, and bursts of laughter—telling the story of that day through my lens.
As you can imagine, those images became priceless for the family.
That experience was a turning point. It was the first time I realized how powerful documentary-style photography could be—not just in capturing moments, but in preserving meaning. That was the moment I fell in love with lifestyle photography, storytelling photography, and ultimately, documentary wedding photography.
Today, I specialize in telling authentic stories through my work as a Chicago wedding photographer. I aim to capture what’s real: not just the posed portraits, but the glances, gestures, and raw emotion that people often don’t realize are happening. Because those are the moments that make us feel something. Those are the ones we pass down.
The existential psychiatrist Irvin Yalom wrote that humanity’s deepest fear is death—and that in response, we seek immortality through the things we create: books, gardens, children. In a way, photography is my attempt at immortality. It’s how I help people stay alive in each other’s memories. And maybe that’s why this work brings me so much joy—it gives meaning to my own life, too.
When I think about a family cherishing their grandparents’ wedding photographs decades from now, it fills me with a deep sense of purpose. Through documentary wedding photography, I don’t just take pictures. I help preserve legacy, love, and connection—one story at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a Chicago-based wedding photographer with a passion for storytelling through images—specifically, documentary wedding photography. My work blends the emotional depth of real moments with the visual sensitivity shaped by my background in classic art. Artists like William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Gustav Klimt have long inspired me. Bouguereau’s attention to form and detail and Klimt’s bold simplicity both influence how I “paint with light” using my camera.
I moved from San Francisco to Chicago in 2016 and immediately fell in love with this city. (Yes—even the cold! Fewer reptiles, more hot cocoa. I’ll take it.) Now, I live here with my son, who once told me he wanted to be an artist—and that might’ve been the best sentence I’ve ever heard.
When I’m not photographing weddings, families, or branding sessions, I’m either cooking something delicious (with saffron, generously), or pouring my creative energy into my second business—an artistic side hustle inspired by Persian design. It’s another outlet that connects me to my roots and lets me create heirloom-quality functional art.
As a wedding photographer, what excites me most is the connection. I don’t care if your wedding is in the grandest venue in the Chicagoland area or your own backyard. Once I feel that soul-level connection with a couple, I’m all in. I believe the best images come from trust, comfort, and shared energy—and that’s what I strive to create in every session.
If you’re looking for a Chicago wedding photographer who values genuine emotion, artistic storytelling, and intentional, documentary-style imagery—you’re in the right place. And if you’re curious about my side hustle, feel free to check it out too. I love sharing all sides of my creative world.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three Qualities That Shaped My Journey
Looking back, three things have been most impactful in shaping my path as an artist, storyteller, and Chicago wedding photographer:
1. Empathy
The ability to deeply feel and connect with others has been the core of my work. Whether I’m documenting a wedding or a quiet family moment, empathy allows me to anticipate emotions, recognize unspoken interactions, and preserve moments that truly matter. For those starting out, I’d say—don’t just focus on what’s happening in front of your lens. Pay attention to how people feel. That’s where the magic is.
2. Artistic Curiosity
My background in classic art gave me an eye for light, form, and composition. But more than that, it taught me to observe. I studied masters like Bouguereau and Klimt not just for technique, but for intention. My advice? Study art, not just photography. Expand your visual vocabulary—it’ll elevate your storytelling.
3. Adaptability
Running a creative business, especially in an ever-changing industry like wedding photography, requires flexibility. I’ve learned to wear many hats: photographer, editor, marketer, even therapist sometimes! If you’re just beginning your journey, stay open. Learn how to pivot gracefully. Every challenge is a chance to grow—not just as an artist, but as a human being.
Ultimately, this journey is about more than taking beautiful photos. It’s about building trust, telling stories with heart, and staying curious—every step of the way.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are people who are unapologetically themselves. They don’t put on a show for others or follow traditions just for the sake of appearances. They love each other freely and honestly—and that openness shows in every glance, every laugh, every tear.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I thrive when I’m given the freedom to observe and capture whatever is raw, real, and worth remembering. The couples I connect with the most trust me to tell their story authentically, without needing everything to be perfectly posed or scripted.
Whether their wedding takes place in a grand venue or in their own backyard, what matters most is that they’re present with each other. That’s where the beauty is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maloosphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maloosphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maloosphotography/
Image Credits
All taken by myself, Maloos Khonsarian
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
