AVA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Charleston Wedding Photographer

Describe your style: Light and airy film photography.

Favorite Charleston venue to shoot: They all have their unique beauty. To pick one is really hard!! Middleton's terraced view overlooking the river is hard to beat. Lowndes Grove's waterfront setting and gorgeous indoor space is amazing as well. The Gadsden House is the most amazing downtown location for sure. It photographs so well inside and out. It's perfect for any time of the year, rain or shine.

Favorite moment you've captured: Every single first look is so exciting, whether it is prior to the ceremony or as the bride walks down the aisle. That moment is always the highlight of the day.

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What do you love most about being a photographer? Getting to preserve a monumental day in a couple's lives and knowing that not only them, but their kids and grandkids will enjoy the pictures for decades to come.

Film or digital? Both
Favorite Lowcountry ceremony spot? Anywhere in Charleston. This town offers it all.

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Favorite spot for engagements bridal: Lowndes Grove or the Gadsden House. For bridal portraits we need to preserve the cleanliness of the dress. So dry locations are a must. Both of these spaces have amazing interiors that protect the dress rain or shine!

Tips for scheduling your engagement session: Downtown Charleston is great when the temperatures are mild between late October to mid-April. Beaches are great when it is a little bit warmer between May and September. And spring is a great time for plantations when everything is in bloom. Generally speaking, mid-July through mid-September is really warm here in the Lowcountry, and it is hurricane season. So if you’re coming from out of town without much last-minute flexibility, you might want to avoid scheduling your session during this time.

Tips to ensure you schedule plenty of time for pictures on your big day:

Schedule hair and makeup so that everyone is completed 1 hour prior to the bride getting into her dress.

Have all personal details including invitation suite together in one location and ready to be photographed when the photographer arrives.
Work with your photographer directly on a detailed photography timeline and shot list in advance of the wedding day. Please don’t delegate this part of the planning process to anyone else. Most couples are apprehensive about being photographed and are unsure of what to expect. So getting to have direct conversations with your photographer will help build a trusting relationship so that you have full confidence in their artistic judgment. Their experiences with 100’s of weddings will help you design a photography timeline that keeps things efficient without making you feel stressed or rushed. You may also have random fears or concerns that your photographer can work through to find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.
Also, each couple is different. So planning a shotlist and photography timeline together is your opportunity to get in sync with your photographer. This ensures that they can make your personal wedding photography dreams come true.

One (or two) details every bride should splurge on that will have a big impact on her wedding day. The bride’s bouquet should be spectacular, and I love how streaming ribbons add a romantic touch!

Any other tips you'd like to share:

Have a full invitation suite and personal details to photograph. If you want your wedding published in a magazine, this will be required. Splurge on a ring box, vow books, have a calligrapher address your envelopes, vintage stamps, etc. Anything personal like this is a keepsake you can treasure and also makes your wedding day unique.
A lot of thought goes into bridesmaids dresses, but don’t forget your groomsmen. So many times rental suits don’t fit properly. Have everyone try on their suits prior to the day to ensure they have the correct sizes.
Also, I personally think purchasing a suit and having it tailored is also an amazing option and won’t cost much more than a rental.
I also love recommended color palettes for guest attire. At the very least, ask anyone in who will be in formal photos to stay within your wedding color palette. This makes for such beautiful formal photos.