The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Dakota, IL

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Dakota, IL

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163 Wedding Photographers in Dakota, IL

Photojournalistic
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Erik Anderson - Photography, LLC. 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I'm a 35-year-old husband to Samantha, our son Silas, daughter Fiona, and our wiggler companion Moxie. I've been a wedding photographer for 11 years, having photographed over 300 weddings and countless other sessions! My hobby is also my job, and you bet my wife loves that, haha. I am also a stay-at-home dad, a philatelist, a Lego freak, and a craft beer nerd, and we have an orange fridge, haha.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we first spoke with Erik, we knew he was the perfect photographer for our wedding. His friendly and passionate personality immediately put us at ease, and his professionalism shone through every step of the way. Erik's work is truly exceptional - the photos he captured are authentic, beautiful, expressive, emotive, and elegant. He had amazing ideas for poses and shots that resulted in stunning, one-of-a-kind images that we will cherish forever. Erik made our wedding day incredibly fun and joyful, keeping us laughing and smiling the entire time. His efficient and organized approach ensured the photo portion of the day went seamlessly. We are beyond thrilled with the work Erik did and cannot recommend him highly enough for any couple looking for a truly talented and wonderful wedding photographer. Erik was so great to work with right from the start. I could tell right off the bat just through email that he was so passionate about the work that he does. He also showed so much excitement to get the opportunity to capture our special day. He was very professional and thorough when communicating with us. Our engagement photo session was SO fun, and my husband and I both immediately felt comfortable with Erik. He is so friendly and so easy to work with. Getting pictures taken like that with a significant other can feel awkward, but Erik made it anything but that! It felt very natural and enjoyable, and it felt the exact same way on our wedding day. He took the time to get to know us and our vibe, and rolled with that when taking our pictures. All of our pictures capture our relationship and our love so well, and I’m so thankful we chose Erik! If you want beautiful pictures and some super fun photo sessions, book Erik as your photographer!
Hannah and J., 9 months ago
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Erin Henze Media 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hi, I’m Erin! In my free time you might find me reading a good book, going for a quick run, planning a trip or spending time with my friends and family. And, most of all, I love using my camera to capture the beauty of people and the world that we live in. I am deeply devoted to documenting all of the memories, moments and feelings that you deserve to have stored forever. There is so much power in visual storytelling, and I would love for the opportunity to help you tell yours! Whatever the occasion- from wedding celebrations & family photos to senior portraits and birthday parties- I’m here to capture it all.

Awarded Best of Zola
This is the second time we booked Erin Henze Media to take family photos. Impressed that I received a pre-shoot survey so I could share the specific type and style of photos we were looking for. Erin took AMAZING photos of my family. No easy feat when you are dealing with a 6YO, 4YO, and 2YO. :P The photos she took will be treasured by family and are ones that will be hanging on the wall for a lifetime.
Jorden S., 2 years ago
Chrissy Deming Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I'm Chrissy and I'm a documentary wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience who fully believes that your life deserves to be documented truthfully. My focus at your wedding isn't to steal you away from your family and friends for hours to make "art," but to empathically capture the moments and relationships present at your wedding. Your wedding photos are the single most important wedding investment you'll make. After the day is done and over, they will be what tethers you to your memories of your day. They will be the heirlooms you'll pass down to your grandchildren to hang on walls and sit on bedsides for generations to come.

We loved Chrissy! She was fun and easy to work with, and I loved that she provided color and black/white photos. She did everything on our list, and listened to our ideas as well. Nothing felt forced or over-posed, but she was great at guiding next moves when needed. Will definitely use again for future photos.
Eline O., 3 years ago
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Original Weddings Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Original Weddings Photo & Video is a team of EMMY award winning storytellers. Our photography and videography packages are tailored to you, customizable and perfect for every wedding. We offer engagement photography, wedding photos, highlight films, wedding coverage and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
We are so happy we booked Original Photos for our wedding!! We got our photos back so quickly and every single one is incredible!! I am especially thrilled with the editing style; it is exactly what I envisioned. We also had such a great experience with our photographers, especially Thuy, who went above and beyond, made us feel our best all night, and knew exactly what to tell us to do to get the perfect shot. She truly exceeded my expectations. Lastly, we love how easy the whole process was, with the client portal and how communicative the whole team has been.
Elle P., 8 months ago
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Once Like a Spark Wedding Co. 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,845
  • Serves Dakota, IL

More than a decade ago, two sisters - knew there had to be a better way to allow talented photographers and videographers to focus on what they do best -- create gorgeous art -- while providing couples with better support in the planning process. Together, they created an all-inclusive, stress-free environment where couples can choose from talented local photographers and videographers and work with a small team of planning experts equipped and eager to make everything a success. With the pressure gone, you can truly enjoy your big day. Relax and rest assured that all the emotional and moments will be documented with unmatched quality.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Our photographer really took the time to connect with us, and we found that we shared a lot of common interests! She made us feel very comfortable, and completely followed our desires for candid and more relaxed photos. She was amazing at posing and directing us, as well as going with the flow and capturing what was happening in the moment. We couldn’t be more happy! We love all of the photos taken outside- our couples, wedding party, and golden hour photos feel so genuine and organic and I think that’s what our photographer really excelled in. Our golden hour photos specifically are very romantic and magical- definitely our favorites! I cannot give enough praise to the level of communication given during the planning process. Wedding planning is hard and it gets tricky to keep track of everything. From Darcy at the start getting us booked to Hannah throughout the planning process, I was so grateful for the texts and emails keeping me updated and on track. I am very grateful to have found OLAS, and have already recommended them to my friends getting married next year.”
Delany N., a year ago
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Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Dakota, IL

You're not just hiring a photographer—you're gaining a creative partner who’s with you from “yes” to “I do.” I’m Pedro, Creative Director of Albany Capture, and for over 12 years I’ve been documenting love stories through a style that blends photojournalism with fine art. Weddings are more than just events—they're a celebration of connection, and I’m passionate about preserving the real, fleeting moments that make your day unforgettable. To ensure we provide dedicated time and personalized recommendations for your wedding photography and videography needs, we now offer in-depth consultations for a nominal fee of $50.

Awarded Best of Zola
Pedro and his team did a FANTASTIC job with our wedding photos and they were an absolute joy to work with!! This started while planning for the wedding as Pedro was very flexible in setting up meetings where we discussed logistics and specific pictures we wanted captured the day of. He also recommended the Fragrance Garden at the Morton Arboretum for wedding photos, which turned out beautifully. On the day of the wedding, Pedro and his team were very thorough and captured all of the special moments of the day! They were positive, professional, and efficient in capturing photos for our large bridal party and family. Going with Albany Capture for our wedding photos was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions we made for the wedding. We also want to give a shout-out to Josh who actually captured our engagement photos and was one of the photographers on the wedding day too! He's an incredible photographer and it was quite special to have capture the entire journey!
Stephen O., 4 months ago
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Portraits By Sean 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,550
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer



I present fun, elegant, and exciting Wedding Photography for my clients. My style is photojournalistic; I feel it's the most effective way to tell a story. After all, there is so much happening on a wedding day. Between the ceremony, dancing, and endless extravaganzas, the most memorable moments will naturally occur.  My goal is to capture the emotions and memories of your day through my lens. These recollections are your forever keepsakes, a chapter of your life's story. Every image accounts for those who were by your side, delighted for you, and the next step in your journey. I appreciate you for giving me a few moments of your time.t

Awarded Best of Zola
Portraits By Sean was an exceptional choice for our wedding photography. They had great communication from start to finish, which made the planning process smooth and stress-free. They were extremely helpful in getting all the photos we wanted and more - Sean was very thorough, very prompt and very patient in capturing every moment. He arrived early and was extremely patient in making sure we got everything done that we wanted. We couldn't be happier with the quality of their work and the value they provided on our special day.
Corinne Z., a year ago
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VIDART 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

VIDART's chief photographer studied at Columbia for film and U of I for foreign languages and philosophy, and went to Loyola for graduate studies. He worked at Lyric Opera of Chicago filming operas before joining VIDART. He is the author of the college textbook Cinematography 101, and has worked with John de Lancie (Q in Star Trek: TNG) on the science documentary The Reality of Time. Michael has also worked on the sets of over a dozen other feature films. He has handled the photography and videography for several thousand weddings and events, including work for clients such as Microsoft, Amazon, Macy’s, Sysco and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
VIDART nailed it. I’ve seen friends get wedding photos that felt stiff or over-edited. Ours are the complete opposite. They’re natural, timeless, and beautiful. Best choice we made.
Jason F., 5 months ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,399
  • Serves Dakota, IL

The company has done over 400 weddings for the last 5 years, so we use these experiences to provide quality services. We also provide discount for Military/Veterans and teachers. For 2025, we have 140+ weddings booked in 37 different states. We offer both photo and video services. Quicker turnaround time compare to most companies. Our shooting style of is photojournalistic, natural & CINEMATIC. Our editing style is very easygoing & flexible. Our biggest markets are the following: FL, New England area, PA, IL, DMV area, Tri-State area, Southern CA, MI, OH, CO.

Awarded Best of Zola
Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film was an excellent choice for our wedding photography. Their communication throughout the process was thorough, quick, and easy, which put us at ease leading up to the big day. The quality of their work was truly outstanding - their youthful and creative style captured all the special moments of our wedding day in a beautiful and unique way. We are thrilled with the final photos and can't recommend Ledd Lens enough to any couple looking for talented, professional photographers who will deliver exceptional results.
Alexis C., a year ago
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The Still Life Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,450
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Jay & Nicole Vega decided to pursue a career together in the art of Photography. Met & married in Chicago in 2013, two people set out on a business venture of a lifetime. While Nicole is the main photographer of the company, we have also expanded and hired reliable, talented photographers to work along side with us, while still maintaining a small business feel.

Awarded Best of Zola
As a wedding planner, I have the privilege of working with many talented professionals—but The Still Life stands out as one of the most exceptional photographers I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. From the first email to the final image delivery, they were an absolute dream. Professional, calm under pressure, and incredibly attuned to the energy of the day, The Still Life brought a quiet confidence and refined artistic vision that made both the couple and the vendor team feel completely at ease. Their background gives their wedding work a distinctive edge—every frame feels intentional, intimate, and beautifully composed. They have an incredible ability to capture not just moments, but mood—the softness of a floral detail, the emotion in a glance, the quiet magic between all the big moments. Our couples & clients are always absolutely thrilled with the results, and the photos were nothing short of stunning. As a planner, I can also say they were a joy to work alongside: punctual, communicative, and incredibly respectful of the timeline and flow of the day. If you're a couple looking for timeless, artful imagery—or a fellow planner seeking a photographer who elevates every event they’re part of—I can’t recommend The Still Life highly enough. Truly one of the best. The Serendipity Collective Nikki M. Rodgers
Nikki R., a year ago
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Heather Christine Photo + Film 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hiii! I'm Heather Schoolcraft - owner & CEO! I'm a small town gal from WV who LOVES traveling and pops of color. I've designed my entire company around creating authentic + magical love stories. On your wedding day, our goal is to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and to focus on the raw + real moments on your day. Don't settle for less because you have to; let ME help you get the photos + video that you've always dreamed of.

Awarded Best of Zola
Heather and Andrew are just the best! Their communication is quick, clear and detailed. Heather makes sure to cover all bases and offers so many helpfully tips which is so nice when you have so many other things going on. We used them for our engagement photos and they were able to make a trip back out to us after we had to reschedule due to weather. The turnaround time for those photos was great and the quality of work was not compromised by how quickly we got them. For our wedding day they were able to catch all the best moments without making the day feel like it was all about photos. Both of their personalities are so kind and welcoming that they made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. We had so much fun with them and I would highly recommend working with them for your big day.
Nicole, 4 months ago
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Ali Cushing Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,750
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer

My name is Ali Cushing; a NY-based photographer working in a blended documentary and editorial approach, emphasized with a cinematic method, and a personalized, true to life editing style. I am honored to be entrusted with depicting genuine love, authentic characters, and immortalizing precious memories. I see beauty in the subtle details as much as the wide, epic scene, while I see glory in the mundane in-between moments as much as the heart thudding highs. I am adamant that everyone, of all genders and orientations, any ethnicity, culture, or faith, all shapes, ages, and abilities, are welcome and I’d be delighted to work with you.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we connected with Ali Cushing Photography, we knew we had found the perfect wedding photographer. Ali's communication was always timely, thorough, and friendly, putting us at ease throughout the entire planning process. Her work was truly amazing - she perfectly captured our vision and was able to fit so many beautiful, thoughtful, and personal photos into a short time frame without making us feel rushed. Ali was more than prepared on the day, even having extra bobby pins on hand to help bustle my dress. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured our wedding day timeline stayed perfectly on schedule. We are overjoyed with the final photos and cannot recommend Ali Cushing Photography highly enough.
Lexi K., a year ago
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Debra Aslanidis Photography 

4.8

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,600
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer

We’re Debra & Jeremy, a husband-and-wife wedding photography duo capturing love stories with heart, intention, and a whole lot of soul. Our approach blends documentary moments with gentle guidance, so your photos feel natural, emotional, and unmistakably you. From quiet, intimate glances to joyful, unscripted laughter, we focus on the moments you’ll feel just as much years from now. If you value connection, authenticity, and images that tell a story—not just pose for one—we might be the perfect fit.

Awarded Best of Zola
They did the photography for our wedding and reception. Our pics are beautiful! Way beyond our expectations! They are super easy to work with and we had some of our photos the very next day:) My husband and I had waited a very long time for our day and they captured it perfectly. Beyond blessed. Highly recommend.
Angela F., a year ago
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JZ Studio Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL

JZ Studio Photography is a wedding and Portrait photography company based in Chicago, that services Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and anywhere our couples may take us within US and Canada. At JZ Studio Photography, the team will create an amazing photographic experience for you on your wedding day, by capturing all of the most intimate and romantic moments through their camera lenses from beginning to end and compile the story for you.

Awarded Best of Zola
I would recommend JZ Studio Photography to anyone getting married! Phillip was very professional and communicative and was able to get through posed pictures very quickly and efficiently, and he was incredible at blending into the crowd for the rest of the day so we could feel present at our wedding, and not feel like we were at a photoshoot. We are very happy with our experience with JZ Photography.
Cassidy T., 2 years ago
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Piero Pierrot Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hey! I'm Piero, I've been a wedding photographer for 7 years now, I'll make sure that all your favorite moments throughout your wedding are captured, literally all. You'll see me moving around from side to side, capturing those good shots... from the getting ready shots to the moment you dropped the shoes to keep dancin'. We'll meet thru video or in person, and talk about those details. Chat soon!!

Awarded Best of Zola
5 stars! We hired Piero for our wedding, and he gave us beautiful photos! Very dependable, reliable, professional, and genuinely a good person. He cares about his work and makes sure that you are happy with the service. I got so many compliments on my photos, and several guests were amazed by Piero because of how helpful and amazing he was.
Victoria W., 7 months ago
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Jessica Max 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Big fan of dive bars, staring at the stars, forever searching for the best french fries, a blissfully cold Diet Coke, and a true midwestern why fly it's only 15 hours. You'll find me often traveling, spending time in nature, collecting rocks and shopping for vintage t-shirts. I love carefree messy in between moments, photographing my daily life on polaroids and film. I've lived a lot of places (Arizona, Arkansas, and Puerto Rico to name a few!) and have so many places that I treasure and feel at home.

Awarded Best of Zola
Jessica was absolutely incredible as our wedding photographer. From start to finish, she was so communicative, professional, and genuinely fun to work with—exactly the kind of energy you want on your wedding day. She made us feel completely comfortable, kept everything running smoothly, and captured every moment so beautifully and naturally. Our photos turned out better than we could have ever imagined. We truly would not recommend anyone else—Jessica is the best decision we made for our wedding.
Chantal, 2 months ago
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NATIONWIDE Spectacular Photographer - A Better DJ and Photographer -HAS PHOTOGRAPHERS IN YOUR AREA! 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $599
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Looking for top-level budget friendly local photographer? We proudly hold a 100% 5-star rating from over 17,000 weddings nationwide, making us a trusted choice for capturing your special moments. Why spend thousands when you can get exceptional quality for much less? Our wedding photography begins at $499. We specialize in natural-color photography and provide a custom online album to easily share your memories with family and friends, and we offer wholesale prices on professional prints as well! . We also provide local DJs and video services with budget-friendly packages to complete your celebration.

Awarded Best of Zola
Their staff was prompt, professional, involved! Our pictures are top of the line! The DJ was great got people up dancing in the sweltering weather!
Barbara B., 2 years ago
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Visil Photography & Video 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,250
  • Serves Dakota, IL

I’m Victor, a Chicago wedding photographer and filmmaker who understands how quickly the day moves. Having experienced weddings both behind the camera and as a groom, I guide couples with a calm, intentional approach so they can stay present and fully experience their day while their story is preserved authentically. I serve couples across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and destinations worldwide.

Awarded Best of Zola
Visil Photography provided amazing photography services for our wedding day. Victor was extremely respectful, informative, and positive in all of our communications leading up to the big event. On the wedding day itself, he was passionate about capturing all of those special moments we had envisioned. Victor has a gift for engaging with people and making them feel comfortable in front of the camera. He circulated seamlessly among our guests and captured countless touching interactions. My husband and I could not be happier with the beautiful, artistic photos Victor delivered. They will allow us to re-live our special day for years to come. I would highly recommend Visil Photography for any couple looking for a talented photographer who can beautifully document their wedding memories. Victor was a joy to work with!
Krystal Z., 2 years ago
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Mae Krell Photo 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $8,500
  • Serves Dakota, IL

Hi! My name is Mae, and I live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend, our two dogs Apollo and Bia, her cat Gigi and my lizard, Basil! I’ve always been passionate about capturing moments as authentically and magically as possible, and as i’ve settled more into this career path, I love that i’ve landed in a place where I have the privilege to capture and preserve people’s love stories. Weddings and elopements are so distinctly and uniquely human, and it’s truly the biggest honor to be trusted to document them.

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a great experience with Mae! She made us feel so comfortable throughout the whole shoot and made sure we got a bunch of great photos in some gorgeous locations. Post-shoot she put in so much effort editing our photos to make sure they were perfect once they were turned around to us which didn't take long at all. Highly highly recommend Mae for any photoshoot needs you might have!
Claire F., a year ago
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Focused On Life Photography LLC 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Dakota, IL
  • Offer

Hi! I'm Brayley, owner of Focused On Life Photography LLC, a Full-Time, Published, Destination Wedding + Lifestyle Photography business, & I would LOVE to be your wedding photographer! Since 2023, we at FLP LLC have been focused on capturing all of life's precious milestones in a natural, earthy, classic & candid style. From your first inquiry, to your wedding day, & to hopefully many more milestones in the future, we are here to make your photography dream a reality in a way that feels authentic to you. With us, you don't need to worry about things like how to pose -- all you need to do on your day is smile & relax! We'll take it from there.

Awarded Best of Zola
Brayley was hands down the easiest and one of the best hires for our wedding. I found her through the Zola website as a photographer with five stars. I reached out, and she got back to me immediately. Her communication skills were top-notch, and I hired her that same day. My fiancé and I live in the Carolinas, and despite the three-hour time difference, we always felt in the loop, heard, and understood. From the first email to the wedding day, she was amazing. Now let's get to the important stuff... the wedding day. She was incredible. She got all the shots I wanted and then some. We were able to get all the photos done in a timely manner so that we could get back to the party and enjoy ourselves. Brayley captured both staged photos and the best candids. We cannot wait to get the rest of our album back. If you're thinking about hiring Brayley... DO IT!
Kendall M., 2 years ago
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Jana Blue Photography (Photo + Film) 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Dakota, IL

My name is Jana Blue and I've been photographing weddings for 12 years. I'm consistent not in a trend of photos or style, but emotions. Each wedding and couples are so unique and my work follows that. In my career I've photographed both big production weddings and also intimate DIY ones. I've photographed informal engagements and elopements/weddings in a desert in Chile, in the mountains of Zion, in a beach in Croatia, in an ancient church in Greece and in forests in Brazil. I work with all different budgets and needs from my brides. I'm a preferred vendor of Chicago First Lady Boat, so I do weddings on the boat during the summer.

Awarded Best of Zola
She’s simply the best photographer you’ll ever meet, blending creativity with flawless technique. She dives into your story, captures your essence, and brings it to life in every shot. Everything feels natural, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Honestly, I could write a book about it, but this is something you have to experience for yourself. One thing’s certain: she will absolutely blow your mind.
Felipe L., 7 months ago