Here's how this one started:

Ashley typed a very specific request into an AI search engine. Not "wedding photographer near me." This:

"Find me a wedding photographer that is in the Maryland or surrounding area whose style is more documentary, unposed, and highly skilled. We are getting married on NYE in the dark, so high proficiency for low lighting required."

So, there is a lot of controversy over AI, I get that, but... This is kind of amazing, right? How else could we have been connected if it weren't for this query? I mean, there's a chance, but a slim one.


Black and white photo of a couple sharing a romantic moment leaning against a metal farm gate in a rural field.

We spent a good portion of the shoot just exploring the grounds before we decided to head into the pasture to include Ashley's horses, Aurora and Fireball.


You may think that a large mammal such as myself would be super comfortable around horses, and I am, kinda... but when you spend your life being the largest animal in the area, it is very obvious when you are suddenly not as big as you think you are. It's cool, though, I am a professional. I did my job and did not let that wariness interfere with my work. I think the results should be obvious. Heck, I even got down on the ground to get a few worm's-eye images as I normally do. This time though, I was VERY cautious about where I was lying down.

A woman lovingly kisses a smiling man on the cheek outdoors in a black and white romantic couple photo.
Black and white photo of a couple walking hand in hand down a tree-lined path, smiling at each other.
A happy couple embraces and laughs together outdoors on a green farm with white fences and a barn in the background.
Couple walking hand in hand down a tree-lined path, smiling at each other, woman in white dress and boots.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a green hillside, framed by lush tree branches against a cloudy sky.
A smiling couple leans on a metal gate in a lush green field, posing for an outdoor engagement photo.

So, in case you are wondering whether the whole AI connection thing worked out.

Here is what Ashley had to say 😊

Omg Joel!!! These photos are so beautiful. You actually captured US. They are so much more than I ever expected!!! Thank you so much!
Bride and groom stand together watching horses graze on a lush green farm field with a white fence.
Bride in white dress smiling at a dark horse in a rustic barn setting.
Close-up of a couple holding hands near a fence, woman wearing a ring and bracelet.
Smiling blonde woman petting a dark horse in a stable, enjoying a friendly interaction at an equestrian facility.
Silhouette of a romantic couple embracing against a dramatic sunset sky with glowing orange and purple clouds.
Woman riding a brown horse across a lush green field under a cloudy sky.
Silhouette of a romantic couple embracing at twilight with a colorful sunset sky and dark foreground grass.
Bride in white gown sits atop a dark horse beside a chestnut horse as groom holds her dress in a green field.
Black and white photo of a bride on horseback with groom standing beside her in a field.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss over a dark horse in a lush green field during an outdoor engagement session.
Bride in white gown rides dark horse as groom walks beside her with brown horse in green field.
Couple sitting on a colorful blanket in green grass, smiling at each other during an outdoor engagement photo session.
Happy couple embracing in a green pasture with two horses grazing behind them at golden hour.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple walking hand in hand with a horse in a scenic pasture.
A man and woman smile at each other beside a horse stable in a black and white farm photo.
Smiling couple posing together near a white fence on a farm, woman leaning affectionately against mans shoulder.
Man petting a dark horse in a field while a woman stands nearby in a black and white outdoor photo.
Black and white photo of a blonde woman tenderly kissing a dark horse on the nose outdoors.
A couple shares a romantic kiss in a green field surrounded by horses on a cloudy day.
Woman in white dress on dark horse holds polo mallet while man stands beside her in green field.
Black and white photo of a laughing couple with a dark horse in a field.
Black and white photo of a laughing couple sitting together in a grassy field at dusk.
A smiling blonde woman in a white dress sits on a dark horse beside a man in a gray polo and jeans on a green farm.
Couple in casual and white dress walking with brown and black horses across a lush green field.
Couple embracing in a green field with horses grazing near a white fence.
Couple standing together by rustic metal farm gate on green countryside, sharing a romantic moment outdoors.
Bride in white dress sitting on dark horse while groom holds golf club in green pasture with white fence.
Woman smiling while adjusting a dark horse's bridle up close in a barn.
Couple smiling while petting a dark horse in a green field with a brown horse nearby.
Couple walking hand in hand through a green field toward a beautiful sunset near a white fence.

If you're just stumbling across my work for the first time, take a look around. Photography is more than a creative outlet, and more than just a business, for me. It's how I connect to the world and let the world connect with itself. Making images builds relationships and lets me tell stories that might otherwise go untold. I want to string lives and stories together, bringing people closer and helping them understand each other.