Max & Abbey’s Cozy Backyard Michigan Wedding

Max and I go way back — first marketing jobs, the kind of early-career chaos that bonds people for life. So when he asked me to shoot his wedding, yeah, I said yes before he finished the sentence. And Abbey? One of the kindest humans I've ever been around. These two together just make sense.

Saugatuck has been a family tradition for years. Weekend trips, family reunions, the kind of place that works its way into your bones. So when it came time to pick a spot to get married, the answer was pretty obvious. They booked out the Black Barn Inn — a handful of cabins tucked together that basically exists for exactly this kind of thing. Small. Intimate. No ballroom, no chandelier, no 200-person seating chart. Just the people who matter most, a backyard, and a really killer taco truck.

Did I mention the taco truck? And the coffee bar? And the florals? They had all the stuff.

It was stupid hot. Like, aggressively hot. The kind of June heat that makes you question your life choices. Nobody cared. The first look between Max & Abbey was one of those moments where you forget you're working. Ceremony was short and sweet out on the Woodland Terrace, officiated by Max's brother Mike, and if there was a dry eye in the house I didn't see it.

One detail I keep coming back to: Abbey carried a locket on her bouquet with a photo of her grandmother inside. I don't know the full story but I didn't need to. You just know when something means something.

The reception was exactly what you'd want: Tacos, a coffee bar, beautiful florals everywhere, and the most laid-back crowd you've ever seen at a wedding. And then, toward the end of the night, Max pulled out a yo-yo.

I'm not joking. The man went full sicko mode. Tricks and everything. Apparently that's a thing he does. I did not see that coming and honestly it was perfect. Max’s brother Mike pulled up some amazing clips of Max as a kid going apeshit on the yo-yo and told me a fun story about how he used to busk on the street in St. Louis by showing off his moves. That was probably supposed to stay between us. Sorry Max.

Max, Abbey: thank you for having me. This one meant a lot. Wishing you both nothing but the best.

Greg & Maddie’s South City Shindig

Some weddings you show up to and do your job. Then there are weddings like Greg and Maddie's, where you show up, the sky opens up and absolutely soaks every outdoor plan you had, and somehow the whole thing ends up being one of the best days of the year.

Greg and Maddie are St. Louis people. Real ones. Their wedding was packed wall to wall with artists, musicians, and general St. Louis legends who clearly knew how to have a good time. These are my kinds of people.

The ceremony was at the Jewel Box in Forest Park, which is one of those spaces that doesn't need any help being beautiful. Maddie made almost every single decoration herself. She's a seamstress, so she also altered her own dresses, which is honestly one of the cooler things I've seen a bride do. The red satin heart she built for a photo op at the reception? Completely her idea and totally bespoke. Greg’s suit? Same deal baby. And to boot, all the groomsmen had these beautiful little broaches ranging from beetles to stags to cars. It was so cool!

It rained. A lot. Every single time we needed it not to. We had planned a big bubble exit outside, and the sky had opinions about that. So we did it inside instead, which ended up being pure chaos in the best possible way. Bubbles everywhere, everybody laughing, Maddie in her dress surrounded by people who love her. Way better than whatever the outside version would have been.

Between the ceremony and the reception we ended up in Benton Park, which is my neighborhood and one of my favorite places to shoot in the city. At some point Maddie needed a bathroom (we drank a lot of Stag) and the closest option was Joel's BP on the corner. The staff knew her and Greg by name. Obviously we took photos there. Some of my favorites from the whole day, honestly.

The reception was at the Broadway Athletic Club, a historic South City venue that has no business looking as good as it does. The night was exactly what you'd expect from this group: loud, warm, and a little unhinged. We smoked too many cigarettes, drank too many Stags, and I took way too many photos. No regrets on any of those.

Greg and Maddie are a match made in heaven. Getting to photograph their day, meet their families, and spend twelve hours with their people was a genuine gift. This is why I do this.

Living Room Jams & Backyard Brews: Greg & Maddie’s Engagement Shoot at Home

There’s something kind of magic about photographing people at home.
No location scouting, no timeline pressure—just two people, their space, and whatever weird, wonderful energy lives there.

For Greg and Maddie, that meant spinning records in the living room, throwing kebabs on the grill, hanging out with their cats, and sipping beers next to a concrete goose named Walter. Their South St. Louis engagement session wasn’t about the “perfect shot”—it was about documenting a slice of their real life. And honestly? That’s what made it perfect.

Greg and Maddie had just moved into their new home in South City, and it already had that lived-in love vibe—plants in the window, records by the speaker, cats roaming the halls. The goal wasn’t to create something polished. It was to document what their life actually looks like right now.

We kicked things off in their living room with a soundtrack that set the tone: Tom Waits, The Band, and (a personal fav) Labi Siffre. I barely gave direction—they just curled up on the couch like they normally would, and we let the music do its thing.

We also bonded over their Ikea lamp in the corner. It just so happens I have the same one. I feel honored to have shown them how it turns on and off, since they never figured it out on their own, hahahaha.

Their two cats made themselves known immediately, popping into frame with the confidence only cats possess. Maddie and Greg didn’t miss a beat—they were laughing, cuddling, letting the chaos unfold in the best way.

The two of them started to prep lunch in the kitchen, and then things moved outside. He fired up the grill for a stack of chicken and steak kebabs, and Maddie rolled in wearing a vintage Buick hat and some badass shades. I was obsessed. The whole vibe just screamed, “We’re here to chill and look good doing it.”

We set up a little vignette in the backyard with lawn chairs, a cooler full of beers, a couple of plastic flamingos, and the star of the show: Walter—their loyal, concrete goose companion who’s followed Greg across the Midwest. Walter now stands guard outside their South City crib like the legend he is.

It wasn’t just a setup for photos. It was them. Honest and weird and full of personality.

Once the food was ready, we moved back into the kitchen. No formal dining table shots—just the three of us sitting on the floor, eating kebabs and chatting about what’s next for them. The light was soft, the mood was warm, and the vibe couldn’t have been more natural.

These in-between moments—post-lunch laughs, crumbs on the floor, cats circling for scraps—they’re the ones that make me feel whole.

Do you want your engagement photos to feel more like a good hang and less like a photo shoot?
Let’s make that happen.

📍 Based in St. Louis — happy to travel
📸 Photos and video with zero stress, 100% you
🐾 Cats and concrete geese welcome

Zachary & Georgia’s At-Home Engagement Shoot Proved That Chill Wins Every Time

It doesn’t take a Pinterest board or a mountain view to tell a real story.
Sometimes all you need is a couch, some sushi, a freezing backyard, and two people madly in love.

That’s exactly how Zachary and Georgia’s engagement session unfolded in O’Fallon, Illinois — no stress, no pressure, just them being exactly who they are, in a place that felt like home (because, well, it was).

Tthese kinds of sessions are my bread and butter. The ones where you can forget the stiff poses and just lean into the chaos and comfort of everyday life. This shoot? 10/10 on that scale.

Look at that rawwwwwwk

We shot at Zack’s parents’ place in O’Fallon, IL, where I was greeted with warmth, smiles, and—possibly the best part—a meatloaf sandwich with enough horseradish to quickly add some hair to your chest. A strong start.

Before we even picked up a camera, we set the mood with some Chris Stapleton and The Steel Drivers playing in the background. It’s crazy what a couple of tunes will do to a photoshoot. It’s so much easier to get into a flow and it’s why I always ask my couples what they’ve been jamming to recently. It’s cliche to say that “I listen to a little bit of everything”, but I think it rings especially true for me. I will (and have) jammed to everything from John Denver to Knocked Loose with my couples and I love seeing where their tastes take us.

We kicked things off in the living room, aka the sacred couch space. This is where Zachary and Georgia spend most of their downtime, so it felt like the most honest place to begin.

Pro move (or not): I stood on their coffee table to get that overhead shot and very nearly became a cautionary tale for photographers everywhere. Thankfully, I didn’t eat shit—just some wobbly balancing and a few blurry photos. Thankfully I am insured lmfao.

Also worth noting: the family cat decided to pop into frame now and then. I think he’s waiting for his own gallery delivery. His time will come.

Next, we moved into the kitchen where things got cozy real quick. One of their favorite date night activities is making (and devouring) sushi together, so we let that be the vibe.

No fake setups. No awkward posing. Just real interactions—laughing, sharing bites, sneaking kisses, and moving around like no one was watching. This is the kind of stuff that actually matters when you look back on your engagement photos years later.

It felt less like work and more like documenting a moment in time they’re already living. My favorite kind of photography.

Getting to eat some of the sushi was also a plus. Thanks Georgia <3

Did I mention it was absolutely freezing that day? Because yeah—frigid.

Still, we weren’t going to pass up the backyard, even if our fingers were turning colors. We hustled, we posed (casually), and we got what we needed in under 10 minutes.

And honestly? Some of the most connected, beautiful moments happened out there—wrapped up in jackets, cuddling for warmth, and not giving a single care about the weather. Just being present.

Thinking About Doing an At-Home Engagement Shoot?

You don’t need perfect light, a sprawling view, or a Pinterest dream board. You just need each other.

Zachary and Georgia didn’t need a dramatic location or fancy wardrobe changes. They just needed to be in their element. Comfortable. Seen. Together.

These at-home engagement sessions have a special kind of intimacy that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else. You can almost feel the comfort in the photos. That’s the goal every time—less stress, more story.

Let’s hang, hit play on your favorite playlist, and tell your story—exactly how it is.

📍 Based in St. Louis & always down for a road trip
📷 Specializing in wedding, video, and engagement sessions that feel real
🍻 Bonus points if beer or pets are involved

• What should we wear for an at-home engagement shoot?

  I literally do not care. Stick with what makes you feel like you. Comfy clothes > matching outfits. Layers and textures photograph great! That said, it totally depends on the two of you. Some couples love to dress up for the occasion. Once you have an idea of the vibe you want to show I am more than happy to provide advice on colors that go together, layers and textures that pop, etc.

• Can we include pets in our engagement photos?

  1000% yes. Please. Cats, dogs, lizards, fish, etc. let me pet your little fella.

• How long does an at-home shoot take?

  This one took about an hour and a half. Long enough to relax, short enough to stay fun.

• Do you travel outside of St. Louis, Missouri?

  All the time! I’m based in STL but always open to travel for rad couples and cool stories.

From the Mat to Matrimony: Max and Taylor’s St. Louis Wedding

It’s a bright Saturday in St. Louis, where two souls with a passion for Jiu Jitsu tied the knot in the most meaningful places they could think of. That’s exactly how Max and Taylor Choriev chose to celebrate their wedding on August 10th, turning an ordinary day into something extraordinary. Max, and Taylor brought their love story to life in a way that was as unique as their journey together.

These two met at a Jiu Jitsu gym in Michigan and quickly realized that they were destined for more than just sparring on the mats. Within a few months, they were officially married, but this day was all about celebrating that union with the people they loved and in places that held deep meaning to them. As a wedding photographer who’s always down for a little adventure, I was thrilled to capture every raw and heartfelt moment of their day, alongside their videographer, Nathan. Let’s dive into the adventure we embarked on around St. Louis, for what I could only consider to be one of the coolest photoshoots I’ve done to date.

Our day started at the Central Library in downtown St. Louis, a place where knowledge meets history, much like Max and Taylor’s relationship. We started off outside of the library, enjoying the pleasant weather (not featured: 90’s R&B blasting on my speaker). As we made our way inside, we wandered through the grand halls and up to the top floor, we had the chance to really get to know each other. The Central Library, with its ornate architecture and quiet charm, provided the perfect backdrop for some posed & candid shots.. There was something almost poetic about Max pretending to read a book while Taylor, the true reader of the two, watched with a smile. The library’s atmosphere was one of warmth and welcome, and the strangers we encountered couldn’t help but share in the joy of the newlyweds.

We made our way across town to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Here, nature took center stage. We strolled through the Linnean House, a lush greenhouse filled with gorgeous palms and other exotic plants. Taylor, looking radiant in one of her carefully chosen dresses, was particularly proud of her thrifting abilities—not just for her outfits but for the decorations, Max’s shoes, and other details she’d curated for the day. The calm weather and serene surroundings gave us the perfect opportunity to capture some truly beautiful moments. As we made our way towards the Tower Grove House, the couple’s love for each other and for the natural world around them was evident in every step.

The final stop on our expedition was Tower Grove Park. As we walked through the park, Taylor shared with me the significance of certain Uzbeki and Muslim traditions and her experience as a Revert, one who coverts to Islam oftentimes from another faith. This wasn’t just a wedding shoot; it was a celebration of who they are and where they come from as well. It was also here that I met the newest members of their family—two adorable French bulldogs named Buddha and Lilo. With the dogs by their side and the support of their family and friends, Max and Taylor’s bond felt even more profound.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without a stop at the old Carondelet School. One of the most beautiful parts of the day was the Kelin Salom ceremony, a traditional Uzbeki practice where the bride greets the groom’s family, relatives, and guests by bowing low at the waist. This gesture of respect and humility is met with gifts and congratulations, symbolizing the bride’s integration into her new family. Taylor embraced this tradition wholeheartedly, performing the ceremony with grace and sincerity.

As Taylor bowed to each family member, the room was filled with a sense of unity and warmth. The smiles, laughter, and affectionate words exchanged during the Kelin Salom were a testament to the strong bonds that Max and Taylor had formed, not just with each other, but with their families. It was a moment where tradition met modern love, blending the old with the new in a way that felt both timeless and fresh.

Following the Kelin Salom, the celebrations began in earnest. The food was delicious—a spread that reflected both their Uzbeki heritage and their American life. The company was lively, with conversations flowing freely and toasts being raised to the newlyweds. It was clear that this was a night to remember, not just for Max and Taylor, but for everyone who had the privilege of sharing in their joy.

As we were heading to my car, Max’s brother walked with me and began sharing a story that I hadn’t heard before. He told me about the significance of the Carondelet School—how, when their family first immigrated from Uzbekistan, this building was one of the first places they visited in St. Louis. It’s where they received their papers and shots, marking the start of their new life in America.

Hearing this story, it all clicked. This wasn’t just another wedding location—it was a full-circle moment. Max was returning to this place, not as a newcomer, but as a husband, celebrating his marriage. The Carondelet School stands as a powerful symbol of their family’s journey—one of hope, resilience, and love. Capturing these moments here turned our photo session into something far deeper, a reflection on the paths that brought them to this day.

Max and Taylor’s wedding is more than a celebration—it’s a journey through their past, present, and future. From the historic Central Library to the serene Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the deeply significant Carondelet School, every moment adds to their unique story. Capturing their wedding day was a true honor.

If you’re looking for a St. Louis wedding photographer who’s all about capturing the real, raw moments that make your day unique, I’m here for it. Let’s create something unforgettable together.

Livin’ Room Wedding

Howdy partners…

Picture this: a cozy living room filled with the laughter and love of your nearest and dearest (accompanied by a few stellar tunes by the Arctic Monkeys). That's exactly how Chelsea and Cory decided to throw down on their special day, which they sure as shit decided to do their way. I had the absolutely wild pleasure of capturing every raw and heartfelt moment.

Let me set the scene for you. Chelsea and Cory, two rad souls madly in love, decided to forego the traditional wedding day for something much more intimate. With just their best bud Garrett officiating and our good friend Dylan manning Chelsea and Cory’s beloved Super 8 camera (as well as a last minute cameo by Chelsea’s brother, but we’ll save that story for another time), we hit play on their oddly shaped portable speaker and got the show on the road. 

As a former crusty bassist for a local punk band turned wedding photographer (yeah, you read that right), I've seen my fair share of wild shit. Chelsea and I go way back – she used to be the photographer for my band back in the day. She got me my first big kid job out of college. She’s stuck her neck out for me more often than most of those related to me by blood. Cory was one of the first friends that I made in the corporate world (and he is the furthest thing from the corporate joe you’re thinking of in your head).  Man, who would've thought we'd end up here, huh? Armed with my trusty little Fuji camera  and my Yashica EM medium format camera, I was on a mission to capture the goods for my friends. No stiff poses or forced smiles, just two dorks in their living room trying their absolute best not to cry while reading their vows from their field notes notebooks.

After the heartfelt ceremony, Chelsea, Cory, and I headed to the seafood joint Bristols in Creve Coeur to rendezvous with friends and family. Surrounded by those they cherished the most, they laughed, cried, and toasted to their future like the rockstars they are.

Chelsea and Cory's living room wedding was a big ol' middle finger to tradition and a celebration of love in its purest form. As their wedding photographer, I feel so delighted to have been a part of their special day and to have captured it in all its raw and unfiltered glory. If you're looking for a photographer who gives zero fucks about convention and knows how to capture the real shit, let me know! Let's make some magic together.