My Photography Approach: Calm Presence, Anticipated Moments & Honest Documentation
For couples who crave autheticity
If you’re here, you might be searching for something that feels different. Maybe you typed something like “documentary wedding photographer in Charlotte” or “calm film wedding photographer who won’t make us pose all day.” If so — you’re in the right place.
Because that’s exactly how I approach weddings: with quiet observation, calm presence, and a deep appreciation for the fleeting, honest, in-between moments that truly tell the story of your day.
Thoughtful guidance that honors who you are
Many of my clients say they chose me because of my calm energy. I’m not a hype girl. I won’t shout directions or put on a show. Instead, I blend in. I move with ease and confidence, gently guiding only when needed.
But when I do offer direction — it’s intentional. With a background in art direction and nearly a decade of experience observing how people move, touch, and express love — I know how to step in with clarity, not chaos. I’m decisive and succinct when you need support, offering just enough guidance to help you settle into the moment naturally.
Often, my direction is based on what I’ve observed in you: the way you tuck hair behind your partner’s ear, how your hands rest on each other’s backs, the way you lean in when you laugh. My goal is always the same — for the final image to feel like you. Never forced. Never generic. Just deeply, beautifully yours.
Anticipation comes with experience — and intention
After photographing weddings for over 8 years, there’s a rhythm I’ve come to know deeply — the subtle cues, the unscripted pauses, the undercurrents of emotion that swell before a big moment.
I’ve learned to sense the hush in a room before a parent walks in for a first look. I know to linger just a second longer as the bride and her father share a look before walking down the aisle. I’m already focused on the groom’s parents during the vows — because I’ve seen how often they’re the ones wiping away quiet tears.
These are the moments that can’t be recreated. And because I’ve spent years learning how to anticipate them, I don’t miss them.
Moving through your day calmly and decisively
It’s incredibly important to me that your people feel at ease around me. That your parents trust me. That your best friend feels seen. That the flower girl forgets I’m holding a camera.
To do that, I make it a priority to get to know the people closest to you. I learn names. I remember dynamics. I read the room. And I treat your family like my own — with kindness, care, and respect.
I've always been a bit of a social chameleon — able to connect easily with all kinds of personalities. Whether your grandma is traditional and emotional, or your sister is cracking jokes the whole time, I adapt. I blend in. I find the rhythm of your people so I can document them authentically, without ever disrupting the flow.
I shoot film
There’s something about medium format film that digital just can’t replicate. It’s slower. More intentional. Rich with softness, grain, and glow.
Shooting both film and digital allows me to capture your wedding day in a way that feels layered, textured, timeless — and real. Not overly edited. Not overly posed. Just you, as you are.
A calm presence you can trust
Many of my clients say they chose me because of my calm energy. I’m not a hype girl. I won’t shout directions or put on a show. Instead, I blend in. I move with ease and confidence, gently guiding when needed.
For people who don’t love being the center of attention (but do want stunning, emotional, magazine-worthy images), this approach is everything.
For the romantic realists, the deep feelers, and the art lovers
You’re my people if:
You want your images to feel authentic, not performative
You value photography and want your wedding photos to feel like heirlooms
You want to be fully present with your people — not stuck in 2 hours of posed portraits
You’re drawn to storytelling, texture, light, and soul
You love the imperfection of real moments more than the perfection of trends
If that sounds like you, let’s talk
If you’ve read this and are intrigued, I’d love to chat further. I offer destination and local North Carolina wedding photography for couples seeking more than just pretty pictures — but instead, honest and poetic documentation of love, connection, and the people who matter most.