Best of 2024
A roundup post of some of my favorite images of the year

2024 was QUITE the year! It was my first year photographing couples as a married person myself. And you might be thinking, Leah how is that relevant? But truly, after planning and experiencing my own wedding I photograph weddings completely different. I have so much more appreciation and empathy for folks planning a wedding (it’s tough!!) But also I now get it. My wedding day was the best day of my life. I’ve heard brides and grooms say the same thing and never really believed them until experiencing it myself. The care and attention, the importance of folks wedding days were never more evident to me than in 2024– and I think that was reflected in my work. I really zeroed in on candid moments, authentic connections and photographing in a way that will make my couples relieve the way their day felt. 2024 was the year of documenting the way the day felt not just how it looked.

So now without further ado let’s take a look back on 2024 for my annual “Best Of” photography post!

And if you’re looking for a wedding photographer to capture your wedding or elopement in 2025, shoot me a message. You never know, you might find yourself in next years blog post!

Weddings & Elopements

The Portrait Session

I’m starting this post off with the bangers. I know that’s not chronological, but who cares. These are the portrait session photos– usually taken in 20-30 minutes around sunset.

This year was all about short and sweet sessions so my couples could get back in with their guests! (If you haven’t read about my 20 minute portrait session, give it a read here!) And during their portrait session time we were all about creating a fun and easing going environment so my couples could just relax and enjoy some time with their new husband/wife.

Getting Ready & Details

In 2024 I saw a resurgence of detail photos, however they were done a little differently. Rather than just a flatlay lying lifelessly on the floor, we captured the surroundings and brought the details to life– think harsh lighting coming in from a window, rings on your hand or resting on a sentimental item.

Getting ready coverage was again super popular. Almost all of my couples requested me there in the morning while they were getting ready and hanging out with their loved ones. Getting ready was more candid than ever last year and I was such a fan but I did see a trend of requesting more editorial shots sprinkled throughout the morning. I really enjoyed capturing getting ready in a way that felt genuine and authentic while still capturing some glamorous and unique shots for my couples.

Here are a few of my favorite detail and getting ready photos from 2024.

The First Looks

This year ALL my couples did a first look except ONE (and absolutely no shame to the one couple– they opted for a first touch and it was perfect).

First looks this year incorporated private vows more than ever. I’d like to think a huge part of that was me telling people it was my favorite part of my wedding. But it just created such an intimate moment beyond just seeing each other and then moving on to portraits. Big big fan.

As always I am absolutely team do whatever you want, but if you’re still on the fence about whether a first look is right for you, check out this blog post!

The Ceremony

Ceremonies this year struck a perfect chord between sentimental and lighthearted and fun. I saw lots of pups included in the ceremony, lots of surprise ring bearers (more on that in my 2025 wedding trends post!) and unique unity ceremonies.

Wedding Parties

Had some super fun wedding parties in 2024! Some were massive, others were small, some weddings didn’t even have a wedding party! But all the folks I photographed were so fun, patient and welcoming.

Family Photos

Family photos were something I paid extra care to after having my own wedding, it was so important to me to have great photos with my family, so I wanted to give that to my couples as well. My favorite family photos from 2024 were the moments in between the formal photos, the sweet looks and funny pictures– I think those really captured my couple’s families.

Reception

Dances, toasts, cake cutting, etc. My couples in 2024 nixed everything that didn’t feel like them, which lent to beautiful, authentic receptions that truly captured their essence.

Dance Floor

This year was some of my most sparse dance floor coverage, most of my couples opted for an hour or less of dance floor coverage, which honestly was a perfect amount of time to capture some fun moments and then let my couples and their guests actually just enjoy the dance floor.

In between moments

In between moments are some of my favorite things to capture throughout a wedding day, small touches, quick glances– these little moments tell a big part of my couples story. These moments are transition pieces and often tell the quieter parts of the day. Want to read more about my philosophy on in-betweens and candids, check out this post!

Family moments

So many heartfelt and sweet little family moments this year. My couples had such an amazing connection with their closest people. There was really a sense of community at all the weddings I photographed. Here are some of those little moments that had a big impact.

Goofy moments

My couples are folks that don’t take themselves too seriously. They are all about laughing and having a great time at their wedding. From shots (and shot-skis) to impromptu snowball fights to cardboard cutouts of a grooms face to grandpas stealing cookies from the dessert table–  here are some of my favorite moments that had me giggling behind the camera.

Portrait Sessions

Weddings and elopements are my main bread and butter, but I couldn’t do a wrap up post without posting a few of my favorite portrait sessions. 2024 was the year of senior photos, which I absolutely loved and cannot wait for more in 2025! But there were also tons of engagements and one or two family sessions.

Some favorite behind the scenes photos <3

I try to take a selfie of some kind with every wedding couple. It doesn’t always happen with how busy and fast paced wedding days are, but here are some of my favorites from when I’ve actually remembered.

And that’s a wrap on 2024! Truly would not have been such an incredible year if it weren’t for all my amazing couples. Thank you all for being so rad, welcoming and unequivocally you.

Here’s to 2025!

And if you’re looking for a wedding photographer to capture your wedding or elopement in 2025, shoot me a message. You never know, you might find yourself in next years blog post!