Creative South Carolina Wedding Photographer | Maddie + Henry | Atalaya Castle Wedding

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 18:38:03 +0000

Blogging? Never Heard of Her.

So… turns out I’m a few years behind on blogging. Like, years. But hey, life happens when you’re shooting rad couples and editing until your eyes cross. This fall I’m finally dusting this blog off and throwing some fresh work up here.

First up: Maddie + Henry at Atalaya Castle in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. If you don’t know Atalaya, it’s basically a beachside castle straight out of your moody coastal daydreams. Crumbling stone walls, ocean air, Spanish moss… the kind of spot that makes being a South Carolina wedding photographer way too much fun.

South Carolina Wedding Photographer? Yes, Please.

I love shooting in South Carolina. Beach weddings, historic castles, salty breezes, Lowcountry vibes… it feels like home. It’s the sweet spot for anyone who thrives in chaos and humidity. (Hi, that’s me.)

Maddie + Henry’s Atalaya Party

Their day? A perfect mash up of coastal romance and rowdy celebration. The castle walls, the ocean right there, the whole “destination wedding but still feels like home” energy. Exactly the kind of wedding that reminds me why I drag my cameras through sand, sweat, and salt water.

And let’s talk about Atalaya Castle for a second. Built in the 1930s as a winter home for Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, it’s tucked inside Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet. The place feels equal parts historic landmark and secret hideout. Think arched stone doorways, palm-lined courtyards, iron gates, and the Atlantic just steps away. It’s moody, dramatic, and completely unlike any other wedding venue in South Carolina.

For Maddie and Henry, that meant a backdrop that looked cinematic without trying too hard. Every corner of Atalaya gives off creative inspiration, whether it’s the light slipping through the arches or the texture of the weathered brick. It’s the kind of venue where you can lean into all the raw, candid moments and know the setting will elevate the story.

Coming Up Next

This is just the start. I’ve got years of galleries waiting to hit the blog… South Carolina, Florida, all around Virginia, destination weddings, and all the messy, beautiful moments in between. Consider this the fall comeback tour.

If you’re planning a wedding in South Carolina (or anywhere really) dreaming of a castle vibe, or plotting a beachside rager, I’d love to tell your story. Bring me the weird, the wild, the wonderful… I’m here for it.

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DC Lifestyle Headshot Photographer | Portraits at Logan Circle

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 01:16:29 +0000

Rachel needed a few simple headshots for work and profile photos and good stuff… that were on the “classic traditional side” but maybe a little less stiff… so we took a few. Simple as that. Quick and painless. A thing I really love about being a DC lifestyle headshot photographer is that my clients all have really cool, really important jobs, but are always fun and down to earth and wonderful. Rachel was one of those people. She’s a journalist. And the coolest. DC always gets this stuffy, snobby stereotype… and I have to tell you, I’ve never encountered it. I’m sure it exists… but in the same way it exists other places. DC will always have a piece of my heart. (I’d be there every single week if I could… and not just for Caps games.) If you’re looking for headshots and want to help me prove DC is as cool as I think it is, you know where to find me. (Boo boring headshots.)

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Modern Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer | The Venue at Cahoon Wedding

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 18:05:09 +0000

Fawnne and Duck were my very first couple who’s wedding was affected by the shutdown. You might remember seeing their faces from their downtown Norfolk engagement session. Originally we were scheduled for March… right at the onset. I think we were only 48 hours away when the stay-at-home order came down… which I know was a tough pill to swallow at the time. We did managed to sneak it in when things seemed like they were opening back up in November of 2020 before the restrictions got locked back down with some extra precautions like masks and sanitizer stations.

Their day was full of love and so much happiness. I think the reality of being apart from everyone had snuck in already and the fact they had the chance to gather their favorite people and celebrate seemed to mean a lot to everyone in attendance.

If you’d like to see any extra photos their wedding was featured in Virginia Bride Magazine.

VENDOR LOVE
Wedding Planning: Morlina Events
Event Venue: The Venue at Cahoon
Officiant: Rev. Tony Hash
Bridal Gown and Accessories: Milk and Honey Bride
Bridal Jewelry: Paris by Debra Moreland
Heels: Badgley Mischka
Custom Converse: Poshed Designs
Bride’s Reception Attire: Traviann Vann Bridal
Hair: Edrika Sealey at CSE Salon and Shalleen Jones at Style Queen Beauty
Bridesmaids Hair: Sherika Henderson at The Hair Speaks
Beauty: Rated Pretty Girl Makeup Artistry
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Miguel’s Formal Wear
Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Flowers and Decor: Vivid Expressions
Papergoods: PaperDolls Design and Invitation Soiree
Cake: Silver Spoon Bakery
DJ: Don Taylor
MC: Nina C. Brewton
Dance Lessons: 757 Dance Studio
Mirror Photobooth: Astro Entertainment
Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting Design
Favors: Nerissa Rhodes at Unique Sweets
Video: Viz-Ink Weddings
Catering: Creative Catering of Virginia
Second Shooter: Misty Prewitt

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Norfolk Freemason District Engagement Session

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 16:18:54 +0000

The pandemic was tricky enough for planning a wedding. Add in military deployments to try and work around and Zach and Tara might win the gold medal for wedding rescheduling. Before their wedding, though, came their Norfolk Freemason District engagement session. We met up in the freemason district, strolled past the battleship Wisconsin (to honor Zach being in the Navy) and then headed over to the Chrysler Museum… where their wedding was supposed to be taking place. (Hint: Covid and the Navy had other ideas… but it turned out perfect at Four Eleven York. You’ll see in a future blog post.)

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ELT Livestream Dream Team | Virginia Beach Concert Photographer

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 15:54:43 +0000

Remember when we could only have 10 people in the same place at the same time? I would like to not remember it, actually… but there are a few shining moments that came out of seeing people pull together to make things happen. Restaurants had to adjust… and we all know the events industry went off the deep end… but live music also pretty much went out the door. I did purchase my fair share of live streams from bands I love… but local musicians were sort of lost to figure things out their own. I was lucky enough to get the tippy tap to be part of the Livestream Dream Team for Everybody Loves Tequila (who have since retired from live shows… and I’m still sad about it). It was thanks to locations like Sk8 House and Chichos (go there… get the spicy sauce) and some pretty smart friends of mine that these guys got to play some live music for people… even if it was over a computer screen. We wound up doing two different ones during the lockdown but since I’m catching up on blogs, I figure I’d just put them all in one post.

Round one was at Sk8 House in VB. They got to play under giant disco balls… ok, yes please. And Micah put skates on at one point… I would have broken my ankle.

Round two at Chicho’s in strawbridge. Go there. Or any Chicho’s. Like a real VB local… its been my favorite forever. They even have a pretty great gluten free option now that I have to eat that… if you want my secret order- gluten free crust, spicy sauce, spicy sausage, ricotta. You’re welcome.

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Modern Richmond Documentary Wedding Photographer | The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing Multicultural Wedding

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 14:13:58 +0000

Covid weddings were… WILD and inspiring and joyful and a sign of the times. The good news: occasionally, when restrictions let up a little… they got to happen and being a modern Richmond documentary wedding photographer came in handy. (Yeah, I’m a little behind on blogging.) I got to practice that whole let things happen, be a fly on the wall photo-ninja thing I love so much. The photos will always represent exactly what was happening at the time. Dance floors were a little less crowded. Custom face masks were made and worn. I had to take a few extra steps back from people. What it didn’t change? People like Eric and Julie still got married… and they got to do it with a few of the people that meant the most to them. (This was during the 30 people limit.) They got to involve aspects that were important to both of them… a wedding in a Catholic church at St. Patrick’s in Church Hill and a traditional Korean tea pouring during the reception at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing.

VENDOR LOVE
Wedding Planning and Coordination: Jian Zapata
Bridal Attire: Melissa Sweet at David’s Bridal
Bridal Accessories: Badgley Mischka and Olive + Piper
Bridesmaid Attire: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: J. Crew
Rings: Diamonds Direct
Hair: Seven Hill Studios
Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Floral Design: Black Creek Flowers
Reception Location and Catering: The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing
DJ: DJMinWah
Dessert: WPA Bakery
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals of Virginia

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Norfolk Neon District Portrait Session | Hampton Roads Anniversary Portraits | Misty + Chris

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 21:35:00 +0000

I see your engagement sessions and raise you a Norfolk Neon District portrait session for your anniversary. Misty and Chris are two of my favorite people (a bunch of you might recognize Misty from second shooting your wedding or all of the photos I take of her for Misty Saves the Day sometimes). If there was anyone who knows you don’t need a reason for photos… it’s Misty. She preaches it on her own when she’s moonlighting as a photographer within her company. It didn’t take TOO much convincing that they two of them should get some updated photos together… and an anniversary made for the perfect (unneeded) excuse. They let me pick the spots and I just picked things that felt like the two of them and things they love. They didn’t know where we were headed, or what we were doing, and trusted me to pick spots that made sense. We started in the Neon District in downtown Norfolk, swung by Hund’s because they’re bike nerds, and followed it up with Skinnie’s because they’re even bigger vinyl nerds. (Ask them about their collection.) And because the light was going to be justttttt right when we finished those things up, and because it’s me… I dragged them up to the top of my favorite Norfolk parking garage to end our session. It was a perfect mash up of all things mistyandchris. (All one word.)

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Classic Virginia Private Home Wedding | Modern Fredericksburg Wedding Photographer | Annie and Neil

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:01:57 +0000

The pandemic was tough. Weddings during the pandemic were WILD… people definitely pivoted and made things happen as best they could. Annie and Neil had planned a big shindig at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond and swapped to a smaller classic Virginia wedding almost a year later at Annie’s parents’ home where I got the tappity tap to be a modern fredericksburg wedding photographer. (I love Fredericksburg.) They tossed most of their plans and focused on planning something timeless and classic, while focusing on having a really great time. With Covid limiting the dance floor situation, Annie and Neil decided to incorporate where they met and had the guests participate in Trivia during the reception. (Who doesn’t love trivia? Ok, well, I guess this is just my way of telling you I really love trivia. And I make a great addition to any trivia team. Just sayin’.)

Vendor Love
Wedding Planning/Coordination: The Bride’s very wonderful Mother
Venue: Private Home
Bride’s Attire: Anne Barge at Annalise Bridal Boutique
Alterations: Seams Alterations
Bridal Accessories: Family Jewelry and Badgley Mishka
Bridesmaid Attire: Amsale at Bella Bridesmaids
Wedding Rings: Richmond Jeweler
Hair: Anne Levy, APL Studios
Makeup: Nicole Laughlin
Officiant: Aunt of the Bride, Judge Georgia Sutton Buchanan
Ceremony Musician: Matty Metcalfe
Floral Design: Flowers Make Scents
Trivia during the Reception: Trivia Kings
Catering: White House Catering
Wedding Cake: The Icing Cakes
Transportation: Belman Limo
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: The Lighting Professors
Papergoods: Crane and Co at Kimmans Co.
Rehearsal Dinner: La Petite Auberge and Billiken’s Smokehouse

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Union Market DC Engagement Session | Erica + Alex

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 17:38:21 +0000

True Statement: I love a building and a wall and a mural maybe more than anything. I will take all of the photos in park and on the beach and anywhere great… but give me a grungy wall and a shady alley and I am in my photo happy place. Erica and Alex wanted photos at Union Market and Logan Circle… and they pretty much handed me my favorite spots in all of DC. Yes, please. Here are a few of my favorites from their Union Market DC Engagement Session.

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Meridian House Engagement Session | Rachel + Robert

valeerriiee@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:51:13 +0000

I met Rachel and Robert in DC for their Meridian House Engagement Session. These two were getting ready to move back home from DC and wanted to make sure we got a little piece of their life in DC in their session. They were coming back for their wedding, but we wanted to sneak these in while they were still DC residents. Rachel had worked for Meridian House so it was a perfect little piece to the puzzle. Here are a few of my favorites from their session. (Be on the lookout for their wedding images!)

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