Your wedding photographer is ready.
I’m ready to provide truly personalized wedding photographs for you. You want your wedding to be a celebration–not a photoshoot. Because while you want gorgeous photographs of you and your spouse, the wedding photos you will actually cherish most are the brief and candid interactions with friends and family that came from all over to celebrate you. I promise not to hold you captive for endless portraits, so you get to actually enjoy your time with these people.
Enjoy your wedding day, and get the privilege of forgetting about the details.
I take the stress out of timelines, shot lists, family formals, and wedding day minutia to create an experience you enjoy and photographs that are memorable. My hope is that you get to stay in the moment enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime day with your absolute favorite people. And afterwards, you have a wedding album that helps you relive that incredible day and tell those family stories for decades.
As a bonus, maybe we become friends, and we create some unique and personal artwork to hang in your home.
The Photography by Jo Wedding photography Experience
Wedding Photography
Your wedding is about you two, and I'm here to be an active supporter of that, even if it breaks every tradition in the book.
I give loads of time and attention to detail to each client. I believe your experience with your photographer impacts the way you will view and remember the images in the future. I want you to have only the best memories of this day. I work with limited couples who truly value intentional photography.
I celebrate this love and contentment you've found in each other. I want to know your unique story. I welcome you, no matter your size, shape, gender, religion, color, ethnicity, or past.
My Values and Approach to Wedding Photography
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Let's talk about what YOU need from your wedding photographer.
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You've thoroughly combed through my website, blog and Instagram feed and you like what you see. So the next step is setting up a time to chat to make sure we're the perfect fit for one another.
Grab a snack and glass of wine, and we'll meet up on zoom so I can hear all about your plans!
Let's imagine your wedding photographs!
STEP ONE
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You made the choice! You can reserve your date by signing a contract and paying a retainer. Once your date is officially reserved, I'll send over a few goodies to help you prepare for the big day. I'm happy to serve as a resource for vendor recommendations, timeline guidance and more!
and now the fun begins!
DATE SECURED
STEP TWO
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Engagement sessions can take place anywhere from immediately following a proposal to just a few days before the wedding. I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos.
let's get you comfortable in front of the camera
Engagement
STEP Three
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I check in about two months before the wedding to start chatting about timeline specifics, special details, family formal shot lists, special traditions and anything else we should know about your big day. You can reach out earlier about anything you need!
let's get organized for the big day!
WEDDING Prep
STEP FOUR
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It's finally here! The day the two of you say "I Do" and dance the night away surrounded by your family and friends. Just know I'm excited to celebrate and capture your wedding day. It's going to be awesome.
time to get married!
The BIG DAY
STEP FIVE
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You can expect your photos to be delivered via an online gallery within about 3-5 weeks of your wedding. At that time, we'll also send over details about preserving your images through prints and albums.
get the tissues ready
They're Here!
STEP SIX
THE WEDDING PHOTO PROCESS
madison at the mill
Ali & Rob
virginia country club
Jess & Brian
traditional indian ceremony
Dallas + Shruti
dulaney's overlook
David & Fabiola
long branch farm, virginia
EMily & Ron
historic birkby house, leesburg
BeckY & Will
EXPLORE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE wedding photo collections
Signature Wedding Galleries
Inn at meadowbrook, staunton, va
Corrie & Ryan
nellysford virginia
Caroline & West
shadow creek, leesburg virgnia
Allie & Pete
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On a beautiful and rainy May day, Allie and Pete tied the knot at Leesburg's Shadow Creek wedding and event venue. They went all out on their floral options, and threw such a fun party for their guests! Pete was such an expressive groom. I love how these photos show his excitement and emotion throughout the day.
WEDDING summary
shadow creek weddings, leesburg, virginia
Allie & Pete
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Caroline and West were married on their family farm in Nellysford, Virginia on the most gorgeous fall day. We had an absolutely brilliant sunset for golden hour portraits, complete with a horse and carriage to take them away! It was a gorgeous day. Caroline radiated joy, and her smile was so contagious. At the reception, West showed off his musical talents and this crew danced all night long.
WEDDING summary
private estate in nellysford, virginia in afton mountains
caroline & west
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I loved getting to photograph this precious cottage microwedding in Staunton. The Inn at Meadowcroft was the perfect setting for Corrie and Ryan's style, and perfectly intimate for their small party of family and friends. As I talked to both of them before their ceremony, they were so ready to be married they could hardly stand it! After a short engagement, they knew exactly what their hearts wanted. It was super sweet!
WEDDING summary
the inn at meadcroft, swoope virginia (staunton outskirts)
Corrie & Ryan
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Becky and Will had the unfortunate experience of changing their wedding date... a couple times! These sweet people finally got to tie the knot at the gorgeous Birkby House in downtown Leesburg in spring of 2021, with all their closest friends and family. The vows were so personal and touching. Bride, groom, and even the wedding party were wiping tears away.
WEDDING summary
historic birkby house, leesburg
Becky & Will
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Rain couldn't ruin this joyful wedding day! Emily and Ron have such sweet souls, incredible laughs, and exude joy. Their wedding was no different! With bright flowers and the brilliant landscaping around Long Branch, it set the tone for the beautiful day. A sudden downpour during the ceremony prompted a last minute location change. But that didn't impact the smiles! We still had explosions of laughter after the first kiss, and a brilliant sunset.
WEDDING summary
long branch farm wedding in Berryville, Virginia
Emily & Ron
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David and Fabiola's wedding was a high-energy, family-centric celebration! You could feel the support and admiration from the guests surround the couple and encourage them on this new journey. Dulaney's Overlook was the perfect setting, offering a stunning sunset for romantic newlywed portraits at the end of the day.
WEDDING summary
dulaney's overlook
David & Fabi
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Jessica and Brian are two of the most joyful people I've met. Brian is relentlessly goofy and silly, always making Jess laugh. Long after their wedding, I still love following along on Instagram as they prank each other, endure deployment, and raise their baby girl together. I know it's an older one and my work has improved, but I loved this day so much and want to feature it here!
WEDDING summary
virginia country club wedding
Jess & Brian
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Madison at the Mill in Orange, Virginia is a unique, modern wedding venue with industrial features and the coolest skylights over the ceremony space. Rob actually did a ton of the decorating, hand lettering, and even created their invitation suite. I've never had such a creative groom before! This DC couple was such a joy to work with, and even hired me back to photograph Ali's sister's wedding -- on their anniversary the next year!
WEDDING summary
madison at the mill modern wedding
Ali & rob
VIEW ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIALS
Emily and Ron
Leesburg, Virginia
If you are considering having Jo... DO IT! Jo is incredible at what she does! My now husband and I never kissed until our wedding day and she helped us feel comfortable with each other and have fun at the same time. She is so easy to work with, on time, super professional but not stiff. She is so relational and kind. Her quality of work is out of this world! Do it. Do it. DO IT! YOU WONT REGRET IT!
Wedding photography experience reviews
VIEW ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIALS
Ashley and aaron Calnek
Blacksburg, Virginia
WE LOVED HAVING JO AS OUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND GUEST AT OUR WEDDING. SHE REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO GET EVERY DETAIL. HER TALENT IS OBVIOUS IN THE PHOTOS.
Wedding photography experience reviews
VIEW ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIALS
Shawn and Bri Jordan
Frederick, Maryland
You will never find a better photographer. Jo is personable, friendly, and goes the extra mile. We were lucky enough to have her for both our engagement and wedding photos, and they are beyond perfection.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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Let's do this! Inquire below for detailed pricing and availability information.
ready for more info?
Finding your wedding vendors should feel like finding your dream team. They should be supportive, informative, and encouraging, in addition to being great at their profession. It's a special honor to be chosen to photograph each couple's union, and it's not lost on me what great trust these brides and grooms have in my ability to handle documenting their wedding day with care.
While wedding photography is a job to some, to me it is a life calling. There are wedding vendors who do their jobs, and there are wedding vendors who truly serve their clients. As your wedding photographer, I’ll start by giving you resources for mapping out the perfect stress-free timeline, finding other amazing vendors to support your vision, and planning an engagement session that will get you warmed up and ready for the camera on your wedding day. No two wedding days are the same, and I can't wait to hear about yours!
What makes me different from other Staunton Wedding Photographers?
I could have specialized in anything, but I chose wedding photography. Watching two families come together is unlike anything else. After dozens of weddings, I have come to love the emotion in the transitional moments and unexpected experiences of each wedding day. I used to look forward to sunset portraits with my clients the most.
But now, I love returning wedding photos filled with sweet looks between mother and son, bridesmaids wiping a tear away, the awe on a groom's face as he first sees his bride, and the giggling flower girl taking her dress for that first twirl. I will give you great portraits to hang on your walls too, but these unplanned and unposed memories are the moments that make your wedding unique and memorable. I focus my whole experience around making more time for that.
Whether you realize it yet or not, choosing a wedding photographer is a very personal choice. Staunton is full of talented wedding photographers, and our style, approach, perspective, and demeanor are all a little different. I created this page to tell you all about how I work and make sure that we're a great match. If not, many of these of photographers are great friends of mine, who I'd love to introduce to you!
What drew me in about wedding photography.
View an engagement session
How do you get beautiful, relaxed, natural looking wedding photos? You practice! Taking your engagement photos is an important part of the experience of preparing for your wedding day. That's why I include an engagement session with every single wedding.
I'll walk you through how to prepare, what to wear, hair and makeup providers if you want to go all out! And then you'll have these beautiful first family photos together to use at your wedding, in your home, or however you'd like. Most importantly, you'll get comfortable being in front of the camera, making your wedding portraits a breeze.
Engagement photos
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I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Pricing for wedding photography collections varies depending on your needs, and I customize options for all my couples. I photograph everything from tiny mountaintop elopements to 300-person multicultural, multi-day ballroom celebrations. Seven years’ experience has taught me to always start pricing with a conversation about what you need and what matters most to you. Weddings are personal. But an important reference point for you to know is that weddings begin at $4,200 and build from there. The average collection booked is about $5,400.
Investment
Wedding Photography Cost
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