About me
Hi, my name is Svyat Bogdanov, but everyone knows me as Svat. I’ve been a professional photographer for over 10 years. I currently live in Chicago, but I also travel and photograph weddings all over the world.
Before becoming a photographer, I was a professional soccer player. Unfortunately, injuries cut my career short and prevented me from fulfilling my dream. During that difficult time, I realized how important it is to hold on to memories, especially when they’re captured in photographs. This realization led me to explore photography, as it aligned with my lifestyle and gave me a way to preserve unforgettable moments.
Now, after 10 years, I understand that photography gives me energy. I use that energy to inspire my couples and help them relive their emotions years later. It’s an honor for me to be part of one of the most important days of your life, and I always strive to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Why weddings?
I started out as a concert and event photographer, but a friend introduced me to wedding photography. That’s when I realized that weddings combine everything I love to capture—emotions, beautiful locations, and amazing people. With each wedding I shoot, I find myself more and more inspired. The dream of photographing weddings in every corner of the world has stayed with me throughout my career.
I approach each wedding with the mindset of how I’d want a photographer to document my day. This helps me fully understand how incredibly important and emotional this day is for every couple.
My Experience:
- Over 10 years as a professional wedding photographer, capturing weddings across the globe.
- Photographed over 300 weddings across different nationalities and cultures, gaining a deep appreciation for diversity and tradition.
- Concert and event photography experience allows me to quickly adapt and capture key moments with precision.
- Destination weddings and travel inspire me to see familiar locations in new ways, ensuring each wedding is captured with a fresh perspective.
- Skilled in shooting weddings of all sizes, from intimate elopements to large-scale celebrations.
- Expertise in working with natural light, low light, and indoor settings, ensuring high-quality images in any environment.
- Strong collaboration with wedding planners and vendors to ensure a seamless experience for couples.
- Proficient in editing and post-production, delivering timeless images with an elegant and editorial touch.
