READING TIME: 4 min 26 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/01/2025
UPDATED: 03/01/2025
Some photographers capture images; others tell stories. For Audra Jones, photography is more than a profession—it’s a poetic expression of love, light, and human connection. With a background in wedding editorial and a passion for storytelling, Audra approaches her work with an eye for the delicate, quiet moments that often go unnoticed. Her work is a reflection of the raw and real emotions that define a wedding day, woven into an artistic masterpiece.
Audra’s path into photography was anything but conventional. "My journey into photography all started with a love of writing poetry and reading," she shares. "Although I had always had a passion for storytelling and felt a deep sense that I was supposed to create things that move people in some way, photography wasn't something I ever considered for myself as a career until I was working in publishing as a weddings editor for an online wedding publication."
Her immersion in the world of weddings gave her a newfound appreciation for the power of images. "It was there that I fell deeply in love with the power of photographs, discovered I had an eye for images, and started to explore it as a creative outlet." A photography class intended to strengthen her editorial skills ended up changing the course of her career. "It was during that class that I realized that I wanted to tell stories through images, not just through words."
A few years later, she left her editorial career behind to pursue photography full-time. "That background in wedding editorial and as a writer has been such a gift for me as a photographer—not only do I have a ton of expertise about weddings, but I am also a natural storyteller."
Soft, delicate, and filled with emotion—Audra’s photography style is deeply personal and poetic. "I treat my photos like little poems—I hope that each one brings joy or makes you stop for just a little while and marvel at the fiercely imperfect magic of love and life."
Her approach blends fine art direction with documentary storytelling, ensuring that each couple’s love story is captured authentically. "I combine fine art direction with a documentary approach so that I can guide my couples through naturally posed portraits but also observe and capture the small, organic moments that are meaningful and one of a kind."
Her ability to tailor her approach to each couple is what makes her work so special. "Every single wedding day is different, and I tailor my approach to best reflect the humans in front of my camera and what my couple has shared is important to them."
For Audra, her camera is more than just a tool—it’s an extension of her artistic vision. "My soulmate in camera form is the Fujifilm GFX with the Mitakon 65mm (a lens that I manually focus). This is the camera you'll most often see me with, but my kit also includes several other Fujifilm cameras, Sony cameras, and a variety of 35mm analog film cameras."
She also enjoys experimenting with different mediums to create tangible memories. "I'm also a big fan of recording little videos with toy cameras for a vintage, home-movie feel and capturing highlights of the day on Polaroids for a tangible memento I can leave with my couples at the end of the wedding day."
While digital photography is her primary medium, film holds a special place in her process. "There are just some moments that only feel right to capture on film."
Audra’s perfectionism shines through in her editing. "As a perfectionist to the core, I curate, crop, and edit every single image by hand." Her editing philosophy is rooted in authenticity. "My aim with my edits is to enhance the image while honoring the day itself, from the light to the colors in the environment and details to the skin tones of the humans in front of my camera."
Classic and true-to-life tones are her signature. "My goal is that the images pull you back into that moment, and I find that classic, truer-to-life tones that give a nod to film photographs allow me to do that in a way that feels genuine and will stand the test of trends and time."
For Audra, photography is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about the people and their stories. "The people and the stories. Working with others—to make them feel beautiful and loved and honored—and to tell their stories is so rewarding and the driving force behind my passion for what I do."
She sees her work as a means of helping people appreciate themselves. "Whether I'm capturing a wedding day or shooting a boudoir session in my studio, I want my clients to see themselves as art, to romanticize the small things, to feel seen."
Audra believes that communication and trust are key to creating beautiful wedding images. "One of the first questions I ask my couples is to imagine their final gallery of images and to share with me what that looks or feels like. I love asking this question because it allows me to dig deep on what they value and what type of images they gravitate toward."
She also encourages couples to embrace their natural selves. "No two couples are the same, and I want to draw on the organic nature of who they are, whether they show love through soft touches or roasting each other with jokes."
She advises couples to focus on what truly matters. "Really lean into what's meaningful to you. It's so easy to get caught up in trends and what everyone else is doing, but I'm always reminding the couples I work with that it's their wedding day, and it can look any way they want."
Audra thrives on adventure, and destination weddings are an exciting part of her work. "Destination weddings are such a fun, inspiring part of my work. While I always love to capture a wedding locally, traveling to a new location always inspires new levels of creativity for me."
She embraces weddings in any location but has a few favorites. "I'm excited to document stories anywhere in the world, but Europe, Mexico, and new states are particular favorites."
At the heart of Audra’s work is a deep appreciation for the human experience. Her journey from writer to photographer is a testament to her passion for storytelling in all forms. Whether through poetry, images, or the in-between moments of a wedding day, she continues to create magic—one frame at a time.
