Real Weddings, Advice, & Inspiration

Catalyst Wedding Company highlights weddings by and for game-changers. We seek to amplify and empower voices and viewpoints that are usually missing from the Wedding Industrial Complex. We're a community of badass wedding professionals who love all things funky, fresh, diverse, unique, and personality-driven; we convene twice yearly for (un)convention, a collaborative workshop, styled shoot, and dinner party. We're also the publishers of Catalyst Wedding Mag, a resource for couples looking for inspiration and affirmation that doing things differently in wedding-world is not only ok, it's wonderful!

While wedding websites and blogs are a great destination for inspiration, wedding photographers are the original sources for beautiful wedding images, most of which are never published on blogs, in magazines, or on websites. If you are looking for original, nontraditional, and diverse wedding inspiration — or just a daily dose of love — then do yourself a favor and follow these talented artists:

1. Imani Fine Art Photography | @imaniphotoco | Richmond, VA

shae and Melissa's wedding photos by Imani Fine Art Photography

Nadiya is intentional and selective about the couples she works with, resulting in a portfolio of diverse, down-to-earth, kind people.

2. Rachel Joy Barehl | @racheljoybarehl | Columbus, OH

Family portraits Columbus Ohio Wedding Photographer Rachel Joy Barehl

Engagement session by Columbus Ohio Wedding Photographer Rachel Joy Barehl

Rachel has been a long-time friend and role model. Her portfolio is filled with real joy emanating from couples of all ages and sizes, diverse families, and her own sweet homestead.

3. Kelley Raye | @kelleyraye_ | Atlanta, GA

Wedding Photos by Atlanta Georgia Photographer Kelley Raye

Kelley's portfolio is full of sunshine and strong women. She truly weaves her social justice values into her work and elevates women.

4. Michelle Terris | @mterrisphoto | Los Angeles, CA

Photo by Los Angeles Fashion and Lifestyle Photographer Michelle Terris

While Michelle isn't exactly a wedding photographer, her Instagram feed will provide you with SO. MUCH. INSPIRATION. She shot the fashion-forward cover of Volume Three, so trust us, her Instagram is a gift.

5. Jamie Thrower | @studioxiiiphotography | Oakland, CA

Engagement session by queer Oakland, California photographer Jamie Thrower of Studio XIII Photography

Jamie is a queer photographer who captures the love of beautiful queer couples and families.

6. Nessa Kessinger | @nessakphotography | Washington, DC

Jess and Karolyn's Wedding photos by Washington, DC, photographer Nessa K Photography

Nessa's images have a fine art edge that transforms beautiful couples into works of art.

7. Jamie Allio | @jamieallio_ | Phoenix, AZ

Wedding photos by Phoenix, Arizona Photographer Jamie Allio

If you're a couple that's a bit edgy, you will feel right at home with Jamie's artistic interpretations of love.

8. Carly Romeo | @carlyromeoandco | Richmond, VA

Wedding photos by Richmond, VA Photographer Carly Romeo

Carly is the co-founder of Catalyst, and she is also a talented feminist photographer who doesn't believe in posing, gender roles, or airbrushing clients.