I’ve been fortunate enough to be friends with Ashley for more than 12 years since we met during a semester abroad in Rome, Italy. When I departed for that trip I had no idea that it would change my life and career path. I picked up a camera while I was there and haven’t put one down since thanks to people like Ashley who encouraged me along the way. When she asked me to photograph her and Richie’s Madison at the Mill wedding I was honored to do so. Richie waited for Ashley while she explored the world and even traveled great distances to see her so before I ever met him I had an immense amount of respect for him. Having only drank a couple beers with him, I can’t think of a better person for one of my oldest friends.
They got married in a small town called Orange, Virginia outside of Richmond. On my way to RVA I flew through Chicago and picked up Travis on the way to complete the team. We arrived in time to spend some time with their families at the rehearsal dinner and even snuck in a quick stop at a few tasty Richmond breweries.
When I arrived at Madison at the Mill on the wedding morning it didn’t take long for the girls to pop the champagne and get the party started. Down the street, Travis walked in the door to a similar scene as Richie and the groomsmen were drinking beers and getting dressed. I jammed out all morning to some early 2000s hip hop with the ladies before Ashley and I ventured down the street for first look. Travis and I scouted a couple locations nearby the day before that worked out great for a few portraits. The challenge was keeping Ashley warm in the chilly fall weather and constantly removing the leaves off of her high heels. The fall colors disappear much earlier in Colorado so it was a treat to photograph such vibrant trees in November.
Ashley’s father, Jerry, walked her down the aisle before officiating the ceremony with her stepmother, Jean. Richie’s family is from Brazil so his Aunt read a poem in Portuguese before Ashley’s mother read the same in English. It was great to see Ashley and Richie make the ceremony their own and include their family as part of the process.
The remodeled loft space that Madison at the Mill provides is gorgeous for a reception. We snuck outside for a few more quick portraits in the golden light before the party got started. Richie helped curate a fantastic play list that kept people on the dance floor all night long.
I love what I do and it means so much more when I can capture memories for friends on a day they’ll never forget. It was an absolute pleasure to photograph their Madison at the Mill wedding.
