Society loves labeling women right from the moment they are born. Be it cute, pretty, bossy, complicated, emotional, sensitive… the list goes on! But despite being reduced to these labels and facing countless stereotypes and hurdles in their personal and professional lives, many women continue to break through the barriers and own their narratives. Let’s not forget some of the greatest photographers of all time are women. Annie Leibovitz, Berenice Abbott, Ellen von Unwerth, Julia Margaret Cameron – these are just some of the visionaries, artists, and storytellers who explored the canvas of photography and made it their own.
And among them are a special group of modern female wedding photographers who have mastered the art of finding and capturing love in all kinds of places. These superwomen wear different hats – from planners and guides to storytellers and friends. They capture the essence of love in a way that only they can. And we intend to be their cheerleaders – not just for Women’s History Month or International Women’s Day, but every single day! So join us as we celebrate these women who have told and continue to tell incredible stories through their art.
Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories: Featuring ShootDotEdit Customers
1. Brandi Salerno
Meet Brandi Salerno – a Texas wedding photographer, business owner, and supermom of two. This girl doesn’t shy away from dancing at wedding receptions or experimenting to get that perfect shot. With over 75+ weddings under her belt as a second shooter, followed by eight years of experience treading the solo route, Brandi is hands down one of the best wedding photographers out there.
But wait, there’s more! Apart from being an accomplished female photographer, she is also a mentor who shares her vast knowledge of the wedding business and photography through her course. And how can we forget her social media – seriously, she’s killing it! Brandi is definitely someone who does it all and does it all flawlessly!
It’s not just her clients who are raving all praises; she has also been featured in Junebug Weddings, Wedding Chicks, The Knot, and Wandering Weddings, earning her well-deserved recognition. And it goes without saying, we’re BIG fans too!
- Brandi’s Portfolio: Brandi Allyse Photo
- Brandi’s Social Media: Instagram
2. Breonna Wells
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @breonnawellsphotography“A true crime junkie who’s surviving on coffee.” That’s just a glimpse into Breonna’s world. But to truly justify her personality, we’ll say she wears many hats, from a military wife and a mom to an aspiring farmer. But at the heart of it all, she is a talented lifestyle wedding and portrait photographer and the powerhouse behind Breonna Wells Photography.
Based in New Hampshire, Breonna travels far and wide to capture beautiful and timeless memories. Having been in the business for over five years, she has shot weddings of all sizes and settings, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. And she doesn’t stop there! Breonna also specializes in maternity, and newborn photo shoots as well!
Being naturally good at organizing, Breonna doesn’t just photograph but also helps her clients actually follow the timeline they planned. Her ultimate goal is to own a wedding venue – a dream she’s determined to achieve!
Breonna’s passion for love is evident in her work, and her IG bio says it all – she is the photographer “for the wildly in love”.
- Breonna’s Portfolio: Breonna Wells Photography
- Breonna’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
3. Diane Clifford
Meet Diane, the go-getter and business owner of Diane Nicole Photography, based in the charming northern California town of Chico. Proudly hailing from the same town as Sierra Nevada Beer, Diane is a wanderer at heart. She lived in Florida for a while, learned to surf, and discovered her love for photography along the way.
Every time Diane captures a wedding, elopement, or engagement, she does it with her unique approach. She has a gift for spotting those in-between moments that tell a deeper tale. It’s those intimate stories, tender connections, loving gazes that Diane shines at documenting. Diane has been part of the wedding industry for over a decade – first as a caterer and now as a female photographer. She founded her business in 2010 and has followed her passion ever since.
Diane doesn’t see photography as a job. It’s a way of life for her. She’s always eager to capture those fragments that make life so special.
- Diane’s Portfolio: Diane Nicole Photography
- Diane’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
Related Read: Find Your Passion, & Go For It: Women’s History Month Feature With Diane Clifford
4. Erin Morrison
Erin Morrison, a Knoxville-based wedding and family photographer, is known for her energetic and passionate personality. She describes herself as “a walking contradiction, an introverted extrovert, and a Type A personality with a photographic creative streak”.
Originally from Illinois, Erin fell in love with photography after she was blown away by her own wedding photographers. With more than ten years of experience, she has photographed over 300 weddings and consumed over 1700 chai teas – a feat she’s proud of.
Rather than highly stylized and posed images, Erin, who specializes in natural light and documentary photography, enjoys capturing the raw emotions and rush of excitement during life’s significant milestones.
Erin is also a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and has photographed numerous weddings within the community. Her clients rave about her adaptability, knowledge, and flexibility in any shooting condition. Moreover, she is one of the few photographers authorized to shoot in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Erin has been voted one of Knoxville’s best female wedding photographers. Her philosophy is centered on capturing her clients’ personalities, even if that means embracing their goofy or silly side.
- Erin’s Portfolio: Erin Morrison Photography
- Erin’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
5. Kelly Wilde
Kelly Wilde is a Portland-based photographer who loves capturing authentic moments! With 20 years of experience, including 13 years of shooting weddings, Kelly is truly a seasoned pro. Whether it’s managing a ‘momzilla’, adjusting timelines, or making the most of unexpected weather – she’s got it covered.
Kelly’s approach to photography is honest and raw, focusing on humor, emotion, and the in-between moments that are often overlooked. She blends documentary and fine art photography to create images that tell a compelling story. And she’s also trained herself to be awesome at in-person sales.
From weddings to boudoirs, Kelly loves a good variety! And she’s always game to travel anywhere for that perfect shot. In whatever she does – her love candids shine through. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Green Wedding Shoes, Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, Off-Beat Bride, etc.
Beyond photography, Kelly loves all things paranormal, old-school indie rock, donuts, Arf and Barkley (her two dogs), her family, plastic cameras, cabins in the woods, collecting rocks – the list goes on.
Related Read: June Lion: An In-Person Sales Success Story
6. Melissa Fe Chapman
Melissa Fe Chapman is a SoCal and destination wedding photographer who loves going places and documenting priceless moments. She has been capturing love stories and creating magic with her camera since 2013. What’s more interesting is that she was always the one taking pictures of their friends and family – even though the dream of being a photographer was still a blur.
It all started in 2013 when she took maternity photos for her best friend. The experience ignited her passion for photography, and since then, she has built a successful business that captures the true meaning of love, life, family, and beauty through images.
Melissa takes pride in photographing the aspects of people’s lives that make them genuinely happy. Moreover, she celebrates love in all forms – making her photography brand all-inclusive.
- Melissa’s Portfolio: Melissa Fe Chapman Photography
- Melissa’s Social Media: Instagram
7. Sara France
In her two-decade-long stint as a photographer, Sara France of Sara France Photography has achieved so much. She’s an award-winning photographer and a Sony Alpha Female, who successfully runs three distinct photography brands, and her empire is still growing!
Sara has a long list of accomplishments to her name as one of the top female wedding photographers in the industry. One of her greatest honors is being named one of only five wedding photographers worldwide to be a Sony Artisan of Imagery. She is currently a mentor in Sony’s Alpha Female program, which supports women in the photography and videography fields.
Apple has also recognized Sara’s work as a wedding photographer, displaying several of her weddings in their stores and online. Despite all these accolades, Sara feels her greatest accomplishments are the thank-you letters and hugs from happy couples. For Sara, connecting with her clients is the most fulfilling part of her job.
Her passion for photography shines through her stunning work. Beyond photography, she’s a big-time gadget and technology enthusiast, so if you’re into gear talk, she’s all ears!
- Sara’s Portfolio: Sara France Photography
- Sara’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
Related Read: A Conversation With Sara France: A Sony Alpha Female, Successful Business Owner, & Photographer
8. Whitney Olson
Whitney Olson is a talented wedding and elopement photographer who resides in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina. With a free-spirited nature, Whitney finds joy in capturing epic love stories against the breathtaking mountain backdrop.
When not running around with couples around fields and mountains, Whitney is a devoted mom of three boys and happily married to her soulmate. Her faith is integral to her life, and she embraces her imperfections, including her penchant for “swearing like a sailor”.
Whitney enjoys spending time with her family, sipping coffee, and binge-watching true crime shows while snacking on tacos smothered in hot sauce. While the Blue Ridge Mountains hold a special place in her heart, Whitney loves to explore and has traveled to six different countries.
Whitney’s life is wild and untamed, and she loves capturing the same kind of energy in the love stories she tells through her photography. She is the perfect third wheel to capture the crazy and beautiful in every love story.
- Whitney’s Portfolio: Olson Design Photography
- Whitney’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
9. Stephanie Heymann
Stephanie is an Arizona-based female wedding photographer passionate about capturing authentic emotions. Her motto is all about finding the perfect light to highlight the joy in life’s simplest moments.
She fell in love with photography at an early age when her father introduced her to his Canon 35mm film camera. Since then, Stephanie has dedicated countless hours to mastering her craft in film and digital realms. A lot of those hours have also gone into Stephanie offering incomparable customer service to her couples.
Fueled by equal parts coffee and creativity, Stephanie spends her days taking care of her team and nights in front of the computer. For her, photography is not just a job but a passion that allows her to freeze life’s cherished memories that last a lifetime.
- Stephanie’s Portfolio: Stephanie Heymann Photography
- Stephanie’s Social Media: Instagram
Suggested Read: Stephanie Heymann Photography: Succeeding & Sustaining Through Referrals
10. Kristen Lenox
Once a geriatric nurse, Kristen Lenox is now a master of all things light and airy! A lover of bright wedding photos, she is one of the female wedding photographers who has nailed timeless candids and authentic portraits. But Kristen is way more than just a skilled photographer. She values being an attentive, quick-to-respond, and well-organized photographer. Kristen and her team value authenticity and love getting to know couples, embracing all the little quirks that make them unique. And she’s one of the few wedding photographers who run away from perfectionism.
We don’t just love her for her art, we also love her for the kind of human being she is. In a competitive industry, Kristen is one of those professionals who looks out for her peers too. Moreover, she’s funny, she’s humble, she knows exactly what she wants, and she’s always chasing after the real moments, even if that means capturing ‘imperfections’.
- Kristen’s Portfolio: K. Lenox Photography
- Kristen’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
Suggested Read: K. Lenox Photography: Real, Raw, Romantic
11. Laura Brown
Laura Brown is a midwest girl who now calls the Dallas suburbs home. She loves her bourbon and anything spicy. But when she’s not in Texas, she can be found in the mountains, where she’s most at peace.
Laura and her husband got married in Asheville, NC; her photographer was her fairy godmother who made all her wedding dreams come true. This is where she had her first real-life interaction with wedding photography. She bought her first camera and started capturing nature’s beauty while traveling. Laura finally decided to pursue wedding photography as a career and create meaningful magic for other couples.
Today, Laura is living her dream, capturing gorgeous wedding photos with a timeless feel.
- Laura’s Portfolio: Parker Grey Photo
- Laura’s Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Further Read: Going Against The Grain In Wedding Photography
Amplifying Women’s Voices
Photography is an art form that allows us to freeze precious moments in time. As we recognize and honor women who tell our stories, it is essential to acknowledge the immense contributions of female photographers in shaping the field of wedding photography.
We applaud their remarkable achievements and pledge to support and encourage them in their endeavors. Let us create a more inclusive and diverse space where every talented photographer, regardless of gender, can thrive and succeed. So here’s to the women who capture our memories and tell our stories through their lenses – we salute you, thank you, and celebrate you. And, we are SO grateful to be connected to you. May you continue to inspire and empower!
Celebrating Women’s History Month!
At ShootDotEdit, we share stories highlighting dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. And the stories of these remarkable female wedding photographers perfectly embody those values. In addition to sharing stories, we aim to help the photography community by offering photo editing services designed to take the hassle out of post-production. If you want to learn more about our pricing plans, check them out now.
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