My story

Photography has always been a part of my life. In high school I was selected to participate in a summer program for young photographers at UNC's School of Journalism. At Appalachian State University, I earned my English Lit degree with a minor in Technical Photography. Then while living in Vancouver, British Columbia, I furthered my studies at Focal Point Visual Arts Center and had the amazing experience of studying under world renowned photographers James Emler, Kaj R. Svensson, Ian McGuffie, and Alex Waterhouse-Hayward.  

I've enjoyed running my photography studio for almost 20 years while photographing weddings, fine art, portraiture, and fashion. My eye leans toward the story of the moment, not contrived or overproduced.

Since then I’ve moved on from running a studio. Now I have more time to read, write, and work on a novel that I began the tiny spark of an outline for back in college. This journey of writing and rewriting never stops, the creative expression being something of a mystery.

My work has been featured in People Magazine, Oprah Magazine and Network, The Today Show, Huffington Post, Martha Stewart, Southern Weddings Magazine, Weddings Unveiled, Weddings Magazine, The Knot, ESPN The Magazine, and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style.

All photos on this site were taken by Martha Manning.