• I know a lot of photographers care about the details. And I love a gorgeous reception as much as the next wedding vendor! But when it comes down to favorite photographs from any wedding day, for me it’s always the ones of people! My feed will always be predominately full of moments of joy, peace, laughter, and grace between individuals, because those are the sort of photographs I love filling my own home with! When it comes to shooting weddings, I’ve always said that I love people and marriage, and photography is simply the way I love people well and support their marriages. I’m a people person first, photographer second. And don’t get me wrong- I still shoot the details! I want my couples to have photographs of the personal mementos they carried with them on their day, and the darling touches their planners have worked so hard to incorporate throughout their wedding weekend. But the moments like this one will always, always reign supreme for me! The ones where Morgan looks back and sees the way her husband looked at her on Day 1 of their marriage. Where she can remember practicing their first dance on the steps of the Capitol building in the chill of that December afternoon, and how their families looked on from a distance. I hope Miles sees their clasped hands and is reminded of the gift it is to carry her heart, and the grace that it is to have found the one created for him, and him for her. I hope this photograph reminds them both of how good God is to have brought them together, and that this love is worth fighting for, protecting, honoring, and cherishing. So yes- let’s shoot the details. But let’s leave even more time for relaxed, unhurried portraits, so that you can fill the frames in your home with visual reminders of an enduring love worth fighting for.
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    I know a lot of photographers care about the details. And I love a gorgeous reception as much as the next wedding vendor! But when it comes down to favorite photographs from any wedding day, for me it’s always the ones of people! My feed will always be predominately full of moments of joy, peace, laughter, and grace between individuals, because those are the sort of photographs I love filling my own home with! When it comes to shooting weddings, I’ve always said that I love people and marriage, and photography is simply the way I love people well and support their marriages. I’m a people person first, photographer second. And don’t get me wrong- I still shoot the details! I want my couples to have photographs of the personal mementos they carried with them on their day, and the darling touches their planners have worked so hard to incorporate throughout their wedding weekend. But the moments like this one will always, always reign supreme for me! The ones where Morgan looks back and sees the way her husband looked at her on Day 1 of their marriage. Where she can remember practicing their first dance on the steps of the Capitol building in the chill of that December afternoon, and how their families looked on from a distance. I hope Miles sees their clasped hands and is reminded of the gift it is to carry her heart, and the grace that it is to have found the one created for him, and him for her. I hope this photograph reminds them both of how good God is to have brought them together, and that this love is worth fighting for, protecting, honoring, and cherishing. So yes- let’s shoot the details. But let’s leave even more time for relaxed, unhurried portraits, so that you can fill the frames in your home with visual reminders of an enduring love worth fighting for.
  • This photo doesn't match my feed at all, and I'm 💯okay with it. @peytonlilly you are PERFECTION. This ballerina is one of my favorite muses, and I jumped at the chance to shoot her in Arizona this past February!! It was a combination of so many things I *don't* normally do, like shooting... 1) on top of a mountain, 2) in the desert, 3) using a 70-200 zoom lens for portraits, and 4) alongside two other ballet photographers (@starkphotoproductions and @jpzimage!). So many different steps outside of my "I got this" zone, and I'm just in love with the result! Photographers, you've heard me say it a million times- personal work is a MUST. If you're only ever shooting for what you know works for your existing portfolio, you miss the opportunity to discover new techniques, inspiration, and points of view! Swipe right for my "go-to" type of shot- backlit, using film, with my Contax 645 + 80mm lens. It's a gorgeous shot, one I'm proud of for sure! But when we turned around and saw the cotton candy sky, we raced to the other side of the mountain (and far away from my usual comfort zone) to get the last bit of daylight the day had to offer. Frontlit, with a digital camera, and a zoom lens I [borderline] hate using. All for a shot that I cannot. get. enough of. So grateful that Chris and Juan were there to teach me something about getting outside of my default shooting mode! #abbygraceballerinas #ballerinasofinstagram
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    This photo doesn't match my feed at all, and I'm 💯okay with it. @peytonlilly you are PERFECTION. This ballerina is one of my favorite muses, and I jumped at the chance to shoot her in Arizona this past February!! It was a combination of so many things I *don't* normally do, like shooting... 1) on top of a mountain, 2) in the desert, 3) using a 70-200 zoom lens for portraits, and 4) alongside two other ballet photographers (@starkphotoproductions and @jpzimage!). So many different steps outside of my "I got this" zone, and I'm just in love with the result! Photographers, you've heard me say it a million times- personal work is a MUST. If you're only ever shooting for what you know works for your existing portfolio, you miss the opportunity to discover new techniques, inspiration, and points of view! Swipe right for my "go-to" type of shot- backlit, using film, with my Contax 645 + 80mm lens. It's a gorgeous shot, one I'm proud of for sure! But when we turned around and saw the cotton candy sky, we raced to the other side of the mountain (and far away from my usual comfort zone) to get the last bit of daylight the day had to offer. Frontlit, with a digital camera, and a zoom lens I [borderline] hate using. All for a shot that I cannot. get. enough of. So grateful that Chris and Juan were there to teach me something about getting outside of my default shooting mode! #abbygraceballerinas #ballerinasofinstagram
  • "Um...I'm just a little worried about the fact that my house isn't 'photo-worthy'..." 😬 It's the #1 most-voiced concern I hear from my branding clients. Fun fact- I didn't want to have my own branding portraits taken in our old house, either! We ended up shooting mine at a location @sarahbradshawphoto recommended from VRBO, and then I found the location pictured above for Sarah's shoot on AirBnb. 🤫 About 50% of my branding clients opt to shoot somewhere other than home, whether that's in a killer hotel suite, AirBnb, a venue, a friend's home, or somewhere else. The two most important things in choosing a space are 1️⃣ that it feels on-brand for you, and 2️⃣ that it has good light. We can make it look and feel like home with the personal props you bring along- I've been known to completely rearrange a space to make it work for a branding session so that it doesn't feel like we staged your shoot in a hotel room. We don't have to shoot at home for your portraits to feel authentic, but the space does need to feel like YOU! • Got any questions about choosing a spot for your brand portraits? Drop ‘em in a comment below! #abbygracebrandportraits
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    "Um...I'm just a little worried about the fact that my house isn't 'photo-worthy'..." 😬 It's the #1 most-voiced concern I hear from my branding clients. Fun fact- I didn't want to have my own branding portraits taken in our old house, either! We ended up shooting mine at a location @sarahbradshawphoto recommended from VRBO, and then I found the location pictured above for Sarah's shoot on AirBnb. 🤫 About 50% of my branding clients opt to shoot somewhere other than home, whether that's in a killer hotel suite, AirBnb, a venue, a friend's home, or somewhere else. The two most important things in choosing a space are 1️⃣ that it feels on-brand for you, and 2️⃣ that it has good light. We can make it look and feel like home with the personal props you bring along- I've been known to completely rearrange a space to make it work for a branding session so that it doesn't feel like we staged your shoot in a hotel room. We don't have to shoot at home for your portraits to feel authentic, but the space does need to feel like YOU! • Got any questions about choosing a spot for your brand portraits? Drop ‘em in a comment below! #abbygracebrandportraits
  • When life throws you a pandemic, you plan a microwedding. And when it drizzles during your reception on the pier, you throw up a clear umbrella and dance anyways. Ellington & Josh, you're adorable, and somehow, the rain made your wedding day feel all the more intimate!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ •⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With @sbcreative_, @galialahav, @lucyblackent, @crimsoncloverfloral
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    When life throws you a pandemic, you plan a microwedding. And when it drizzles during your reception on the pier, you throw up a clear umbrella and dance anyways. Ellington & Josh, you're adorable, and somehow, the rain made your wedding day feel all the more intimate!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ •⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With @sbcreative_, @galialahav, @lucyblackent, @crimsoncloverfloral
  • There is a HUGE difference between a branding shoot and head shots! Brand portraits are a much deeper dive into your business and what sets it apart, depicting what you do in a way that speaks directly to WHO you do it for. Head shots are generally just portraits of you cheesing at the camera, where my branding portraits are collection of traditional portraits, lifestyle images, and detail photos that SHOW, rather than tell, your audience what sets you apart. What makes you memorable, remarkable. For example, @lindleybattlephotography is a wedding photographer, yes. But rather than simply shooting a bunch of photos of her holding a camera (simple head shots), we went *way* deeper- Lindley is a wedding photographer for sophisticated brides with discerning taste, who love fashion and have an eye for chic detail. So we selected backdrops, wardrobe, and props that would resonate with her ideal client's lifestyle, and the sort of vibe they're looking for in their photographer. I wanted every single one of her portraits to not just show WHAT she does, but WHO she does it for, and the sort of panache she brings to the table as an artist. 💥This💥 is what I mean on my website when I say "the world doesn't need more photos of you smiling at a laptop." A collection of generic photos of you + a MacBook Pro... it doesn't tell your audience anything about what you do, how you do it, or who you do it for- it's selling you way too short! Lindley + a laptop doesn't tell you anything about how much FUN she is, or how she has this amazing collection of designer shoes, or the fact that she's an animal lover. Lindley + a laptop doesn't show off her chic style, or that she's a red wine lover, or that Washington DC is her favorite city. There's more to her brand story than just the tools she uses on the job! And I'm guessing there's more to your brand story, too. See the full shoot on my blog- link in bio! #abbygracebrandportraits #brandphotographer #brandphotography
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    There is a HUGE difference between a branding shoot and head shots! Brand portraits are a much deeper dive into your business and what sets it apart, depicting what you do in a way that speaks directly to WHO you do it for. Head shots are generally just portraits of you cheesing at the camera, where my branding portraits are collection of traditional portraits, lifestyle images, and detail photos that SHOW, rather than tell, your audience what sets you apart. What makes you memorable, remarkable. For example, @lindleybattlephotography is a wedding photographer, yes. But rather than simply shooting a bunch of photos of her holding a camera (simple head shots), we went *way* deeper- Lindley is a wedding photographer for sophisticated brides with discerning taste, who love fashion and have an eye for chic detail. So we selected backdrops, wardrobe, and props that would resonate with her ideal client's lifestyle, and the sort of vibe they're looking for in their photographer. I wanted every single one of her portraits to not just show WHAT she does, but WHO she does it for, and the sort of panache she brings to the table as an artist. 💥This💥 is what I mean on my website when I say "the world doesn't need more photos of you smiling at a laptop." A collection of generic photos of you + a MacBook Pro... it doesn't tell your audience anything about what you do, how you do it, or who you do it for- it's selling you way too short! Lindley + a laptop doesn't tell you anything about how much FUN she is, or how she has this amazing collection of designer shoes, or the fact that she's an animal lover. Lindley + a laptop doesn't show off her chic style, or that she's a red wine lover, or that Washington DC is her favorite city. There's more to her brand story than just the tools she uses on the job! And I'm guessing there's more to your brand story, too. See the full shoot on my blog- link in bio! #abbygracebrandportraits #brandphotographer #brandphotography
  • How has it already been a full year since Jordan & Kyle's exquisite wedding day?! Due to Covid, the print publication their wedding was due to be featured in was cancelled, so I think it's high time we share a few peeks into their gorgeous day. Working with @elleellinghausdesign was an absolute dream, and the team they put together was second to none! I’m *obsessed* with the custom taps they dreamed up for cocktail hour!! Gorgeous bride & groom- @jordanahinke & @khinks10 Design & coordination- @elleellinghausdesign Venue- Kirkland Manor Florals- @myflowerbox Beauty- @amiedeckerbeauty Dress- @annebarge Groom- @theblacktux Video- @joshgoodencinema Rentals- @whitegloverentals Music- Millennium
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    How has it already been a full year since Jordan & Kyle's exquisite wedding day?! Due to Covid, the print publication their wedding was due to be featured in was cancelled, so I think it's high time we share a few peeks into their gorgeous day. Working with @elleellinghausdesign was an absolute dream, and the team they put together was second to none! I’m *obsessed* with the custom taps they dreamed up for cocktail hour!! Gorgeous bride & groom- @jordanahinke & @khinks10 Design & coordination- @elleellinghausdesign Venue- Kirkland Manor Florals- @myflowerbox Beauty- @amiedeckerbeauty Dress- @annebarge Groom- @theblacktux Video- @joshgoodencinema Rentals- @whitegloverentals Music- Millennium
  • Closing tiiiime! (Singing this ALL day!) I've dropped a couple hints over the last few weeks, and today we officially close on our new home, a 150-year-old farmhouse I've loved for more than two decades!! You've seen this house several times on my feed (swipe!): our finalization announcement was taken out front, my brother and sister-in-law were married here at the beginning of quarantine, I took a self-portrait in the front yard last summer, we've taken both Christmas card portraits AND head shots here, and hosted three workshop styled shoots on the property of this gorgeous white farmhouse with a green tin roof. My parents bought the house five years ago and it's been a JOY to see them live in the home I had loved looking at every time we drove by when I was a kid. Seeing them so happy inside its walls was literally the best scenario in my mind...until we started house hunting and they brought up the possibility of selling it to us (they’ve since settled into another gorgeous Victorian home a few blocks away!). It still doesn't feel real- we moved in a month ago and walking around the creaky hardwood floors is a thrill. Sitting on the wraparound porch in the evenings, pulling weeds from the garden as Felix digs in the dirt (this kid LOVES dirt), and talking about which projects we want to do first (we have so many!)... it's a dream come true. I can't believe this is home!! You'll be seeing a LOT more of this house in the future- I can't wait to share the updates and renovations we have planned!! (And a big, big thank you to my sweet friend @mhim_13 for coming over last night to take this first photo- we love you so much Marina!)
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    Closing tiiiime! (Singing this ALL day!) I've dropped a couple hints over the last few weeks, and today we officially close on our new home, a 150-year-old farmhouse I've loved for more than two decades!! You've seen this house several times on my feed (swipe!): our finalization announcement was taken out front, my brother and sister-in-law were married here at the beginning of quarantine, I took a self-portrait in the front yard last summer, we've taken both Christmas card portraits AND head shots here, and hosted three workshop styled shoots on the property of this gorgeous white farmhouse with a green tin roof. My parents bought the house five years ago and it's been a JOY to see them live in the home I had loved looking at every time we drove by when I was a kid. Seeing them so happy inside its walls was literally the best scenario in my mind...until we started house hunting and they brought up the possibility of selling it to us (they’ve since settled into another gorgeous Victorian home a few blocks away!). It still doesn't feel real- we moved in a month ago and walking around the creaky hardwood floors is a thrill. Sitting on the wraparound porch in the evenings, pulling weeds from the garden as Felix digs in the dirt (this kid LOVES dirt), and talking about which projects we want to do first (we have so many!)... it's a dream come true. I can't believe this is home!! You'll be seeing a LOT more of this house in the future- I can't wait to share the updates and renovations we have planned!! (And a big, big thank you to my sweet friend @mhim_13 for coming over last night to take this first photo- we love you so much Marina!)
  • Throwback to September 2016 when I ran into @kristenboothphotog at Château de Versailles (like- WHAT? How small is this world?!) and we decided to shoot honeymoon portraits for her and Andrew the following morning. God bless these two for being willing to get up so early for that unforgettable autumn sunrise, and especially Andrew, who did so while battling food poisoning! If that's not love, I don't know what is.
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    Throwback to September 2016 when I ran into @kristenboothphotog at Château de Versailles (like- WHAT? How small is this world?!) and we decided to shoot honeymoon portraits for her and Andrew the following morning. God bless these two for being willing to get up so early for that unforgettable autumn sunrise, and especially Andrew, who did so while battling food poisoning! If that's not love, I don't know what is.