(If my dream clients wrote a blog post, it might sound like this. Not a real couple, but a very real reflection of the kind of experience I aim to give.)
We weren’t just looking for a photographer.
We were looking for someone we could trust—someone who would make our wedding feel like us.
That might sound small, but when you’re planning something as big and personal as a wedding, it’s everything.
From the beginning, we didn’t want just pretty pictures (though trust me, we got those, too). We wanted to feel seen. We wanted to remember how it felt to be surrounded by our people, to be present, and to be ourselves.
We wanted someone who could see the story happening in the in-between.
And from the very first email, Kendra just… got it.
Here’s what it felt like to work with her…
Warm. Safe. Intentional.
She wasn’t pushy. She didn’t hand us a pricing sheet, rush to the next inquiry, and call it a day. She asked questions that no one else asked—things like:
- “What are you most excited about for your wedding day?”
- “What about my work caught your eye?”
- “Is there anything, big or small, that you know you want photographed?”
She wasn’t just trying to book us or lock us in. She was truly trying to understand us.
The planning process felt calm (even when the rest didn’t)
Kendra checked in when it mattered and gave us space when we needed it. We never felt overwhelmed or like we had to “keep up.” Her communication was so thoughtful and so clear that we always knew what to expect.
When we got her final prep email a few weeks before the wedding—with our balance info, optional add-ons, and a questionnaire that felt more like a letter from a friend—we took a deep breath and exhaled.
Even our moms noticed.
At one point, mine scrolled through Kendra’s timeline notes, looked up from her laptop and whispered, “Okay. She’s got this.” That was all I needed.
On the wedding weekend she was everywhere and nowhere at once.
She arrived early, checked in with us, and quietly moved into position. You know how some photographers are loud, intense, and totally obvious? Not Kendra. She was present but not overbearing. Helpful but not hovering. Warm, relaxed, and completely dialed in.
She kept us on time without rushing us. She stepped in when hair and makeup ran behind, and she made sure we got moments together just the two of us. She gave us time for quiet moments, time to breathe, time to be with each other—not just for the shot, but because she knew we’d need it.
And then the images came.
In the sneak peek she sent just two weeks later, we saw things we hadn’t even realized she captured. The moment my dad blinked back tears during our first dance. The secret handshake we’ve done since college. My niece dancing with my grandmother, just off to the side of the dance floor.
These were our moments. And Kendra caught them naturally.
It’s the after that surprised us most.
There’s a difference between looking at a gallery and reliving a day. With Kendra’s images, we did the latter. It wasn’t just, “Oh yeah, that happened.” It was feeling it all over again…in the best way.
The full gallery didn’t feel overwhelming. It felt like a story—one we could hold in our hands and pass down.
If you’re wondering how you know when you’ve found the right photographer… this might help
We were the couple who wanted to laugh more than we posed. Who cared more about our people than our place settings. Who weren’t trying to go viral. We were trying to feel present.
Kendra made sure we did.
She documented the big moments and the in-between ones. The hugs that lasted a little longer. The deep breaths before the ceremony. The crooked boutonniere my brother tried to fix three times. She caught it all, and never once made us feel like we had to “perform” for her lens.
And she did it with so much kindness, grace, and confidence that we felt completely taken care of… without even having to ask.
If you’re planning your wedding right now and feel like everyone’s shouting timelines and trends at you, here’s our advice:
Choose someone who doesn’t just show up, but shows up for you.
Someone who knows the photos are important, but the experience matters, too.
Kendra was our calm in the chaos
She gave us room to be ourselves and photos that reflect the heart of who we are—not just the details of the day. The photos show our story, not someone else’s idea of perfect.
If you’re planning your wedding and you want someone who will bring professionalism, artistry, and real joy into the process… someone who will take care of your people as well as she takes care of you… talk to Kendra.
xo,
A Kendra Martin Photography Couple
