Megan Kelsey Logo

“The most beautiful part about your wedding day will be your story and your one-of-a-kind love for each other.”

MEET MEGAN

Hey friend! I’m so glad you’re here. Photography has been a huge part of my life for 12 years now…

When I was 16 years old, I fell in love with my best friend. We were juniors at our small, private Christian high school, where we sat next to each other in every class. I couldn’t believe I was dating Justin, the goofy guy who could always make me laugh but was the exact opposite of my quiet and studious personality. I’m a firm believer that opposites attract… we are living proof of that! Fast forward 13 years and here we are living out our beachside, Disney World passholder dreams, taking our spunky little toddler Heidi with us everywhere we go. 

Over the years, my business has evolved from shooting 35+ weddings a year to now shooting only a small handful annually for select couples I connect deeply with. I also shoot family vacation portraits, Christmas card photos, senior pictures… capturing different seasons of life for new and past clients is such a gift.

When I’m not editing pictures or shooting, you can find me curled up with a good book in our hammock or watching a documentary with a cup of tea. I could spend hours perusing the local antique shop or used bookstore, wandering the quaint streets of a historic city, or planning every detail of our next great adventure abroad.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that I love romance, pretty details, and elegantly styled wedding days… but most importantly, I love the story that becomes the foundation of a beautiful marriage. It’s been an honor to capture the beginning of that story for so many amazing couples and continue photographing the milesontes of their lives as the years go on. I am so excited and honored about the possibility of being a part of your own story.

INTERVIEW

If you could spend your weekend any way you want, what would you do?

“Grab breakfast at a beachside cafe and relax in the sand with my family.”

INTERVIEW

If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, which would it be?

“Anthropologie, Madewell, and Target, of course!”

INTERVIEW

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled?

“Portugal. the sea, the food, the people, the history. It’s magical.”

INTERVIEW

If you could spend an evening on Netflix, what would you watch?

“Probably a historical conspiracy theory documentary.”

INTERVIEW

Where would you shoot a wedding if it could be anywhere in the world? 

“Iceland… with night portraits under the northern lights!”

INTERVIEW

If you could meet any living person, who would it be?

“Iskra. I’d ask her for some outfit tips!”

INTERVIEW

What’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you?

“Hanging out with Taylor Swift backstage for my 18th birthday!”

INTERVIEW

What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?

“I wrote Justin a letter in 2011 and gave it to him on our wedding morning 5 years later.”

INTERVIEW

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“Homeowners with a fenced-in yard, a dog (or two) and kids of our own.”

OUR STORY

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We “don’t remember” when we met… because it was in daycare! I always said it was one of my greatest dreams to find a picture of the two of us as babies and the other day, it happened!!

OUR STORY

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Justin was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years. One of our first dates included a tour of the firehouse. It wasn’t complete until I tumbled down the slide from the 3rd story to the engine bay, shot out at the bottom and blasted right into the giant tire of the rescue engine. Good times.

OUR STOry

 

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Attending a private Christian school kindergarten through 12th grade meant we got to spend a lot of time together. We sat next to each other in every class from sophomore to senior year! We got in trouble more often than not for talking/giggling during lectures, and we got banned from sitting beside each other more than once. Oops.

 

OUR STORY

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While I lived on campus my freshman year at George Mason University, Justin stayed back home for community college. It was the only time in our relationship that we were “long distance,” and it was tough! I came home virtually every weekend, and I eventually moved back to commute to GMU instead. 

OUR STORY

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We got engaged at the “real” Cinderella’s castle in Bavaria, Germany and it was just as magical and romantic as you’d think. Granted, we were stranded by a blizzard in Iceland on our way over to Europe and arrived in Germany a full 48 hours late, missed our bus tour to the castle, and arrived at the ticket window with 30 seconds to spare before closing for the day. It’s the proposal story that almost didn’t happen!

OUR STORY

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Our dating anniversary is December 23rd, our engagement anniversary is December 20th, and Justin’s birthday is December 19th. When we picked our wedding date, we wanted it as far from December as possible! We love Christmastime and it will always be special to us… but it was that much more special to have a spring wedding and something new to celebrate every May! Our wedding anniversary is May 29th, 2016.

OUR STORY

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We got married at Big Spring Farm in Lexington, Virginia on the rainiest day imaginable. I remember sitting in the bridal suite watching the rain drops hit the water and thinking how calming and peaceful it was. Our wedding day was like a dream in every sense of the word. It was far from logistically or aesthetically “perfect,” but it was still the best day of our lives. I love reassuring my couples that regardless of the details, their wedding day will be the same for them!

 

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Start a non-profit for teens who have lost a parent.

I don’t know the details yet… but I know it’s going to happen!

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Go on an another overseas missions trip.

I volunteered in Haiti in 2013 and it was a life-changing experience!

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Have a chocolate croissant while watching the Eiffel Tower light up the night sky.

I’ve seen it from an airplane, but that doesn’t count 😉

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Submit a wedding to be published in Martha Stewart Weddings.

Or Brides, The Knot, Washingtonian Bride & Groom, Southern Weddings… etc.!

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Be invited as a keynote speaker to an educational conference.

I loved being a leader at the Delight & Be photography intensive and a panelist for the Creative at Heart Conference!

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Visit the castle where we got engaged in Bavaria…

…and stay overnight in one of the gingerbread houses! We love our German roots!

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Shoot a destination wedding in Europe.

France, Italy, Spain… I’m up for anything! As long as there’s killer views.

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Go to Brazil.

I’ve always dreamed of visiting the place where my dad grew up, seeing the falls, and meeting our sponsor child, Ana.

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Pose for a picture in front of the Hollywood sign.

I’d also love it if someone mistook me for Drew Barrymore. I’ve been working on my lines!

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Write a book.

Definitely non-fictional, but I’m still working on the story 😉

travels

I love to travel and my passport is ready for whatever adventure you have in mind! Planning a destination wedding? Get in touch!

Hover over the pins below to see where I’ve been so far:

International Wedding Photographer based in tampa Florida for the elegant, head-over-heels in love bride who loves romantic details & daring adventures

Copyright Megan Kelsey Photography 2023