BEHIND THE LENSE OF A PROFESIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
LaVance Walker began photography/videography in 2017. He began as a portrait photographer, shooting graduations and birthdays. He then transitioned into photographing events and weddings. He specializes in wedding photography and events. LaVance founded Walking Visions in 2020 (in the midst of the pandemic).
LaVance loves candid shots. He loves the smiles and laughter that comes from his clients. You will often hear him say, "Let's get it!" as a form of excitement. He provides music during his shoots and encourages his clients to bring friends to, "Gas them up." He loves to make connections with his clients. Some clients have become friends. Please know that he values questions, so please ask him or his staff any questions you may have.
LaVance grew up in the North side of Chicago (East Rogers Park & Evanston). He is a double alumni of Illinois State University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry. He is passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ. He loves reading and advocating about Christian theology, equity concerns, and many philosophical topics. LaVance loves spoken word poetry, traveling, and spending time with his family.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN CHICAGO
I approach every wedding and event with a deep commitment to telling the story as it truly unfolds, honest, unscripted, and full of life. My photography style is best described as documentary wedding photography, blended with photojournalistic storytelling. I’m not just capturing images, I’m preserving the rhythm, emotion, and flow of your day exactly as it happened.
I believe your wedding should be remembered in a way that feels real. Not staged. Not forced. But true to you. That means I focus on capturing moments as they naturally unfold, allowing you to be fully present while I document everything with intention and care. When you look back at your photos, you won’t just see what happened—you’ll feel it again.
To bring that story to life, I intentionally capture your day through a variety of perspectives:
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Wide, scene-setting images that show the full environment, energy, and atmosphere
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Zoomed-in, intimate moments that capture emotion, connection, and detail
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Multiple angles to give depth and dimension to every moment
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Dynamic lighting approaches that reflect the true mood of each scene
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Candid, in-between moments that often mean the most
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Detail shots that highlight the elements you carefully chose
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Full-scene storytelling that connects each moment from beginning to end
Nothing is flat. Nothing is random. Every image plays a role in telling your story completely.
My goal is simple: to document your wedding in a way that feels authentic, immersive, and timeless—so when you revisit your photos, you don’t just remember the day… you experience it all over again.
Education at the Core of the Craft
At my core, I am an educator who happens to work in higher education full time, and that lens shapes everything I do creatively. My pricing model reflects that reality. Because I am not dependent on photography or event services as my sole source of income, I intentionally keep my rates reasonable and accessible without compromising quality. This allows me to serve individuals, families, students, organizations, and communities who deserve high-level experiences but may be priced out of the traditional market. I believe access matters. High-quality photography, professional event coverage, and engaging experiences like photo booths should not be limited to those with the largest budgets. My work is driven by impact over profit, and my goal is always to meet people where they are while delivering excellence that feels intentional, polished, and meaningful.
Building Community Through Creativity and Mentorship
Creativity has always been one of the ways I build community, especially within education. I regularly blend my photography and photo booth services into college environments, using visual storytelling as a tool to support student engagement, campus programming, and professional development. Beyond the work itself, I am deeply committed to mentorship. I train aspiring photographers, creatives, and college students who are exploring photography as both a skill and a potential career path. I also help connect creatives across Chicago, creating pathways for collaboration, networking, and growth. I value knowledge sharing, integrity, and collective progress. Whether I am behind the camera, teaching a workshop, or advising a student, my work is rooted in service—helping others develop confidence, competence, and a clear sense of their creative voice while contributing something meaningful to the communities we serve.
Aesthetics, Perspective, and the Human Experience
I am deeply drawn to aesthetics—backgrounds, textures, light, and the subtle details that give an image its depth and soul. I love placing clients in environments that feel intentional and visually rich, whether that means textured walls, unexpected architectural elements, or spaces that tell a story on their own. When I shoot, I rarely stay in one position. I move high, low, wide, and close because perspective shapes meaning, and that’s how my mind naturally works. I also play with lighting on purpose. A strong photograph should never feel flat; it should have dimension, contrast, and emotion. Beyond the technical skill, my approach is rooted in empathy and understanding. I engage with clients, talk with them, and create space for them to feel comfortable and seen. That comfort translates into confidence, and confidence translates into powerful images. This comes directly from my values—community, inclusion, and respect for people’s stories. I bring my full self into every shoot, shaped by real trials, real growth, and the steady support of my family, especially my older sisters, who helped ground me, challenge me, and remind me who I am. That foundation shows up in my work through intentional care, authenticity, and images that feel honest, elevated, and human.
An Invitation to Experience the Work
Everything I do—education, creativity, community, and storytelling—comes together in the work you see throughout this site. My specialty is weddings and events, with my primary services centered around 360 booth and photo booth experiences designed to elevate celebrations, corporate functions, and campus events across Chicago. I also offer wedding and engagement photography, corporate and branding photography, and graduation photography, all approached with the same level of care, intention, and professionalism. As a Chicago event photographer, my goal is to create experiences that feel seamless, engaging, and memorable while capturing moments that matter. If you are looking for Chicago wedding photographer, event photography, or high-quality photo booth and 360 booth services in Chicago, I invite you to explore the work and see how my approach, values, and creative perspective align with your vision.
Whenever you search "professional wedding and event photographer near me", and I pop up, understand that it’s because I am doing the work. I’m consistently showing up, capturing real moments, and delivering for every client I serve. I don’t take that visibility lightly. It represents trust, consistency, and commitment to the craft.
I also believe in community. I have photographers I collaborate with, and I appreciate every single one of them. This isn’t a space I walk alone. We learn from each other, support each other, and grow together so we can all serve our clients at a higher level.
As a small Black-owned business, I take pride in what I’ve built and what I continue to build. My work is also includes creating opportunities, uplifting others, and making an impact through both my art and my presence. Every booking, every connection, and every story captured is part of something bigger than just a photo.