Top 5 Photographers in Virginia
From the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the historic streets of Richmond, Virginia's love stories deserve to be captured by nothing less than extraordinary talent. While countless photographers point their lenses at happy couples across the Commonwealth, a select few have mastered the delicate art of turning fleeting moments into timeless treasures. These visual storytellers don't just take pictures – they bottle lightning, preserving the tears, laughter, and tender glances that make each wedding uniquely beautiful.
Adam Barnes Photography
Adam Barnes is a storyteller with a camera, an artist who transforms fleeting moments into timeless heirlooms. Since founding Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography in 2003, he has seamlessly blended his background in counseling with his deep appreciation for human connection, crafting images that are as emotive as they are elegant. His approach is rooted in the belief that photography isn’t just about capturing what’s seen—but what’s felt.
A master of both film and digital mediums, Adam wields his Fuji GFX series to harness light in a way that feels almost painterly, elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary. His style? A sophisticated interplay of shadow, emotion, and authenticity—where technical precision meets the poetry of real life.
Audra Jones Photography
Audra Jones is an artist behind the lens, crafting wedding photography that feels intimate, romantic, and deeply personal. With a background in wedding editorial, she brings a trained eye for aesthetics and a natural instinct for capturing moments that matter. Her approach is both refined and heartfelt—blending fine art direction with a documentary style to create images that are not just beautiful, but meaningful.
Known for her soft, delicate portraiture, Audra gravitates toward quiet moments—fingertips grazing, a veil caught in the wind, the way light falls just right. Her work is a balance of composition and emotion, guiding couples through elegant yet natural poses while also stepping back to observe and capture the unscripted magic of the day. Every wedding she photographs is a reflection of the people in front of her lens, ensuring no two galleries ever feel the same.
Vicki Grafton Photography
Vicki Grafton doesn’t just photograph weddings—she curates luminous, evocative narratives that unfold like a timeless editorial. She has spent over a decade refining her craft, capturing weddings and elopements in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. From the golden dunes of Morocco to the sun-drenched villas of Tuscany, her work is a seamless blend of elegance and raw emotion, effortlessly balancing refined composition with the authenticity of the moment.
A master of light, Vicki’s signature style is soft, natural, and deeply emotive. Her approach is rooted in film photography, favoring the rich, organic textures and nuanced depth that only film can provide. Her presence behind the camera is as intentional as her work. With a calm, unobtrusive demeanor, she allows couples to fully immerse themselves in their celebration, confident that every fleeting glance, every quiet touch, and every beautifully imperfect detail will be preserved.
Marshall Arts Photography
Stacie Marshall of Marshall Arts Photography is crafting timeless heirlooms with an Emmy-winning storyteller’s touch. Her style is effortlessly classic and romantic, striking a perfect balance between documentary realism and organic, natural posing. She doesn’t just pose couples—she guides them into moments that feel genuine, ensuring that every image reflects their connection in a way that’s both elegant and true to life.
For Stacie, a wedding isn’t just an event—it’s a legacy in the making. She thrives on the energy and emotion of the day, taking pride in the fact that her images will become part of a family’s history. Her process starts the moment a couple inquires—she listens, envisions, and collaborates with planners to ensure every must-have moment is beautifully captured. With a limit of around 20 weddings per year, she gives each couple the dedicated, white-glove experience they deserve.
Nikki Santerre
With a heart rooted in nostalgia and a devotion to storytelling, Nikki Santerre approaches wedding photography as an art form that transcends the fleeting nature of a single day. A hybrid photographer with a deep love for film, Nikki has built a signature style that is luminous yet true to life, emotive yet refined. Her images have a distinct softness—like memories unfolding in real time—with a richness of texture that comes from blending mediums.
But beyond the artistry, what truly sets Nikki apart is her emotional intelligence. She has a rare ability to anticipate and understand the emotions of those around her, creating a space where vulnerability feels natural and joy comes effortlessly. She’s not just a photographer—she’s a calming presence, a guide, and sometimes, the quiet voice reminding couples to breathe and soak it all in.
Whether you're saying "I do" in a centuries-old chapel or beneath the canopy of Shenandoah's autumn leaves, these five photographers have proven time and again that they can rise to any occasion. Their portfolios speak volumes, but it's their ability to disappear into the background while capturing the foreground's magic that sets them apart. Your wedding day will pass in a blur of joy and emotion – but with any of these talented artists behind the lens, you'll have more than memories to hold onto. You'll have masterpieces.
