A serene lakeside scene featuring a family enjoying a sunny day at Lake Lure, with lush greenery and calm waters in the background.
A serene lakeside scene featuring a family enjoying a sunny day at Lake Lure, with lush greenery and calm waters in the background.

Western NC Wedding & Elopement Photographer

Experience Matters
20 Years, 400+ Weddings, 5-Star Google rating, Featured on The Knot

my goal

to capture the real moments of your day
hugs, tears, laughter, and most importantly, the love

my style

a perfect mix of documentary storytelling, candid moments, and natural poses with true-to-color images

you'll receive

a beautiful, heartfelt gallery that tells your love story


KIND WORDS
"Since our 2nd wedding anniversary is coming up, I took the time to bring out our wedding photos. Seeing Tonya's work made me smile. The pictures are simply amazing. They captured every moment and take me back as if it was yesterday. Thank you!!!"

- Jeannie G.
KIND WORDS
"I cannot say enough good things about Tonya! She was such a pleasure to work with, and I absolutely LOVE my pictures! She captured every moment and allowed me to relive our wedding day through our beautiful gallery. She was so patient with my family and wedding guests. She was very quick to respond to any questions I had leading up to the wedding, and was very organized throughout the process. Her communication took the stress off and I had complete confidence in her, and would recommend her to any bride!"

- Rebecca S.
KIND WORDS
"I hired Tonya for our engagement and wedding photos. We received our photo gallery back in under 3 weeks and had over 500 photos! They were all creative and beautiful. Also, Tonya is such a sweet person to work with, she made myself and my husband feel so comfortable from the very first meeting. The price was well below what I would have expected to pay for such beautiful pictures! I can't say thank you enough!"

- Jaclyn S
KIND WORDS
"Tonya did an awesome job photographing our Asheville wedding. She is extremely friendly and patient and did a great job capturing our day! We wanted fun images captured in a downtown setting and she completely got what we wanted. We definitely recommend Tonya for anyone needing a great photographer near Asheville and beyond!"

- Sarah S.
Lake Lure NC wedding and elopement photographer

FAQ

What is your experience as a wedding photographer?

It all started when I helped plan and photograph a friend’s wedding in 2004. I was obsessed with everything from the details to the closeness of family. I spent the next year learning everything I could about wedding planning, timelines, indoor lighting, posing, editing software, so much! I also worked with a few coordinators and seasoned photographers who took me under their wing and helped answer all my questions and allowed me to second shoot with them (Thank you! You know who you are!) My first paid wedding was in 2005, and by 2008, I was shooting weddings full time, sometimes 2-3 per weekend. Since 2005, I have shot close to 400 weddings.

What is your shooting style?

I consider my style to be a mix of documentary (candids) and naturally posed. My photos have been described as emotional, candid, vivid, real and timeless. I deliver a beautiful gallery that is true to color, true to life, and true to you. 

Do you travel?

Absolutely. I prefer to travel about an hour from 28139. When my schedule allows, I occasionally will travel outside this area. There are no travel fees to Asheville, Black Mountain, Hendersonville, Lake Lure, Marion, Tryon and other surrounding areas. If you are more than one hour away, I’ll be happy to give a travel quote, just reach out!

Do you have back-up gear?

Yes, always! I shoot with two professional Nikon camera bodies and multiple lenses. I’m a planner by nature so I’m ready to go the night before. My gear and myself are fully insured as well.

Do you bring a second shooter with you?

Most of the time, I work solo, as I find that one photographer is ideal for capturing a seamless, cohesive story. This approach lets me fully focus on your day, manage the flow, and ensure every image meets the high standard I’d expect for myself. However, for weddings with multiple locations, or a large wedding party, an additional photographer can be helpful. In those cases, I collaborate with talented and experienced photographers whose expertise matches my own, ensuring you receive the best coverage possible.

Do you book more than one wedding per day?

No, I only book one wedding per day, and usually one per weekend these days. This not only allows me to focus on your day, but it gives us the opportunity to add more hours of coverage if you decide to do so. This is also how I can deliver your wedding in 3 weeks or less!

Do you edit our wedding photos?

Yes! I hand edit each and every photo delivered to you, as needed. This usually means cropping, color correction, removing blemishes for closeups and smoothing skin if needed. I’m a true to color photographer and prefer skin tones to be real life. Removing things from the background and heavy editing is not included. Once your gallery is delivered and if you have editing requests, reach out and I’ll get a quote to you for those. 

Do you have a replacement wedding photographer in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?

First, in 400 weddings I’ve never missed one! However, life happens so planning for that is smart in my opinion. So yes, I have a network of experienced wedding photographers I can call upon if needed. 

How soon after our wedding will our photos be ready?

Within 24 hours of your wedding, I’ll send a few preview images.  Your password protected photo gallery will be ready within 3 weeks of your wedding. 

What is the process from start to finish?

Once you inquire through my contact form below, I’ll confirm availability and send a welcome email. We’ll arrange a meet and greet—either in person or over the phone—to discuss the details of your day, your timeline, vision, and coverage needs. Next, I’ll send over a customized quote. Once you’ve accepted the quote, I’ll set up a client portal where you can sign the contract, pay the deposit, and complete a questionnaire that lets me get to know you and your vision. After your wedding, a few previews will be sent within 24 hours so you can relive your day right away! Your photo gallery will be ready within three weeks, available for viewing, downloading, and ordering prints and albums. Your gallery is live for 6 months. 

A small retainer holds your date, with the remaining balance due the day of your session, or one week prior to elopement or wedding. 

I look forward to connecting with you!

Let's connect

I work with a select number of couples to fulfill my promise of high-quality photos and fast turnaround times. If you believe we might be the perfect fit for each other, I would love to hear from you! Please fill out the inquiry form below. I’ll get back to you within one business day!

A woman and man sharing a kiss outdoors, dressed in wedding attire, with trees in the background.