I’m Karly-

a Michigan Wedding Photographer who is

Inclusive + Intentional

Let’s make something great together.

woman holding camera looks over a castle wall on a cloudy day

Finding people to work with whose

values align with mine is so, so

important—so let’s talk about it.

Ideally, if you’re hitting that inquire button it’s because you truly feel aligned with the images you see here, and the values displayed in the stories those images tell. My hope is that, if you’re reading this, it’s because you have seen and love my work, and trust me to photograph you in a way that lets you be your happiest, most relaxed self. You get to do the easy part- relax and live life to the fullest! I’ll take it from there.

The importance of documenting you, your love and your family is not lost on me, and I want you to feel that throughout this entire process-- from the first inquiry email down to the last dance of the night on your wedding day. My job is so much more than framing a scene and clicking a button on my camera, and I’m consistently honored and humbled by everyone who chooses ME to be on this journey with them. I’m making art but I’m also making connections, and witnessing love at it’s most hopeful and climactic, but also the most quiet and understated. If you want to know if we are a good match to work together, keep reading :)

-Karly

close up of two girls smiling as they go in for a kiss

all love is welcome here.

LGBTQ+ couples, BIPOC couples, chosen families, neurodivergent folks—you’re not just “included” here, you’re centered. I believe in making images where you don’t have to explain yourself first.

Bride holding bouquet walks down set of stairs towards a riverbank

your story > the shot list

I won't turn your day into a photoshoot. You won’t hear me barking directions all day or making you fake-laugh for the 12th time. The best photos happen when you're allowed to just be, and that's the space I try to hold.

close up of a couple sharing an intimate moment in a meadow

your photos = an indie film

I’m drawn to emotion, grain, shadow, and intimacy. Whether you’re getting married in a backyard, a church, or the middle of nowhere, I want the photos to feel cinematic and true—not trendy.

two brides sharing a quiet moment together in pajamas in their hotel room on their wedding day

you’re a human being first.

You’re a person, with a story. And when you invite me in to witness that, I don’t take it lightly. I’m here to document with respect, care, and empathy—not to check off a list.

a couple poses for a photos on a the rocky shore of lake superior in Marquette Michigan

your story > accolades

I do not care about awards or algorithms or what something looks like. If its happening and you want me to photograph it in a human way, I’m honored and fulfilled just to be present and bear witness.

FAQs

My weddings don’t have any common threads as far as aesthetics or locations. I’ll happily photograph your wedding in a forest with just you and your partner, or in a church with 200 in attendance. The common thread in my weddings is my clients, who are aligned in values, not in aesthetics. If you want your images to feel cinematic, nostalgic and real, I’ll be a good fit.
It depends on the event or session but the answer is always ‘a lot’. My style is very documentary, so no matter what we are shooting, your images will read mostly like a story of the day. For weddings, this is usually about 100 photos per hour of coverage. For other session types, it’s usually 100-200 photos (unless otherwise stated).
For a wedding it will take about 4-6 weeks. For other session types, It’s 2-3 weeks. I know hard it can be to wait and I promise I’m also VERY excited to get those photos to you! I always do everything in my power to make it happen fast, without sacrificing any quality. If you need them back faster, please reach out to me and I can get them to you faster for a fee.
I thought you’d never ask! Also— If you book a wedding with me, all travel is included- no extra or surprise fees to worry about!
First of all— hello, hi IM SO HONORED! I’d love to work with you! You can start the process by clicking the “inquire” button at the top of any page on this site. After you fill out the contact form, I will get in touch with you and we can set up a zoom meeting to see if we are a good fit! If we decide to move forward, we’ll sign a contract and you’ll send me a deposit to hold your date. This deposit is not refundable and is 40% of your total fee. The remaining 60% will be split between 2 payments that occur 3 months and one month before the wedding. Once your deposit is paid, I am at your disposal for planning meetings, questions, brainstorms, chat sessions, etc! Anything you need between now (and even after your wedding ends) I am there for you!
This is probably my MOST frequently asked question. And I’m going to let you in on a secret. You ready? Almost every single person I have ever photographed has told me this. Look at all the pictures on this website and know that you are NOT different from any of them! None of them were models, none of them were confident in front of the camera, and if I’m being honest— that’s why I like doing what I do. I love being able to show you how beautiful and interesting and REAL you are, because all of that is magic. Your job is to show up, and trust that I’ve got the rest :)
Absolutely! While I prioritize letting you be fully present and living in the moment, I will guide you in some ways (this mostly looks like me finding the best light at any given moment lol), but there are some things that just cant help but be posed! You’ll still get portraits and group shots, but the real magic is in the observation of genuine interaction. I will NEVER tell you not to prioritize a certain shot on your wedding day and am always respectful of what you want (it’s your day!) but if you hire me, it’s because you value my emphasis on candids and are thinking very intentionally about the meaning of the day and how you want to experience it.
I do offer prints— and the good news is, you don’t have to buy a print package! Anything you could want is available in your online gallery upon delivery. You choose what you want, when you want it (order early and there’s a discount in it for you!)
Do it right now! My contact form is no-pressure and it’s the fastest way to find out if I’m available. Weddings can book up fast and it’s best to reserve your spot as soon as you can in case your date gets taken!

Travel is so important to me; not just to capture weddings, but to grow as a photographer and person.

Dave at Stonehenge after telling me "you were right, this is kind of overrated."

Me extremely happy at Stonehenge despite being bloated, dehydrated and exhausted after an 8 hour flight

We paid 60 pounds so Dave could get this picture of him crushing Stonehenge.

Dave at the Pen Y Bont Hotel in Snowdonia, Wales

Sheep on top of a mountain on our way to Brecon (I took this from the car)

I grew up in Saline, MI and Brecon Wales is Saline's sister city. I've been there twice now and it's the best.

Fair that happens every year downtown Brecon

Sunset behind the Castle Hotel (view from the river)

Dave on the Journey up Corn Du, Brecon Beacons

On the top of Corn Du looking at Pen Y Fan

Dave in Front of Pen Y Fan (the highest mountain in South Wales)

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (120mm holga shot)

Wedding guests at Mountain Lodge in Teton Village, Wyoming

Cockspur Lighthouse, Tybee Island, Georgia

Tom + Jordon, One day married :) London UK

The moon over the beach at Tybee Island, Georgia

View from my hotel in Tybee Island, Georgia

Horse and Carriage downtown Savannah, GA

Mud Volcano, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Buffalo in the morning sun in Yellowstone NP, WY

Buffalo in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Grand Prismatic, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

At the top of the Sandias, Albuquerque, NM

two little girls wearing matching dresses cry while holding eggo waffles

Some more personal Stuff:

My love of photos no doubt stems from my own history in pictures—

My dad took so many photos of me and my sisters as kids and I feel so lucky to have these images to look back on. It reminds me of things I would have otherwise forgotten. It reminds me of moments that maybe weren’t the kind you’d write in a biography but definitely the kind you would write in a journal. The kind you look back on and laugh or cry because the moment strikes something in you. One of my favorite pictures of me and my sister when we were kids is this picture of us holding burnt Eggo waffles and crying as we fight for space in front the door to the upstairs. The amount of times I have howled with laughter looking at this, I couldn’t tell you. The best part about this picture is that I never would have remembered this moment if not for this photo, because in every other photo in the sequence, we are smiling at each other. I love it because it’s so us. It’s so sisters.

And that’s what I want to do for you with my photography—

I want to help you remember everything, especially the small,

quiet moments that you wouldn’t necessarily put on your greatest hits,

but that hits you with emotion even decades later.

Here’s the thing about me:

If you need to know what kind of person I am, here’s a story for you:

When I was six years old, my soccer coach was handing out ribbons at the end of the season to all the players on the team. Everyone was getting ones that said really encouraging things like ‘Fastest Runner,’ ‘Defender of the Year,’ ‘Goal Scoring Champion’ etc.

When it was my turn, my coach said “I want to give Karly the Bread Award.” And I was crushed. I wanted MVP. I wanted Fastest Runner. I wanted everyone to know how great I was. Inside my head, my world began to crumble because I think I’m hot stuff and this dude was just like “idk she likes carbs I guess.”

But he went on to explain that I didn’t earn this award by throwing back baguettes on the sidelines. It was because, he said, “Karly always rises to the occasion, doing whatever necessary, whenever it is needed.” (My dad had to explain the joke to me later because six year old Karly was like I LITERALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH BREAD). The award was actually perfect for me because he was right; you need me to play goalie? Let me grab my gloves. No subs for the whole game? I’ll run my buns off (get it? like bread). Need me to eat bread on the sideline? Thought you’d never ask! (No one ever did ask). That kind of dedication to teamwork and getting the job has served me well in every class or job that I’ve ever had in my life, and that includes my job as a a photographer.

Anyway, all of this to say- I’m the person you want around on your wedding day.

I’m a sniper from the side. I’m a shark and a mirrorball. I’m thinking every possible scenario through before it happens, I’m standing in the middle of a river (I’ve actually done this), I’m scanning the room for moments that need to be documented, I’m holding my camera at ready for a smile or a tear and I’m getting all of it. I’m practicing constant, never-ceasing vigilance. I don’t think that REAL, genuine wedding day photos are born from the direction of a photographer, but they are born from the photographers ability to be where they need to even without planning. There are times when I will help with poses and prompts, and I’ll always point you towards the best lighting, but the real magic is found in YOU and in the small moments of your day that aren’t planned or scripted. Wherever you are, I’ll be there. Whatever you want for your day, I’ll make it happen.