I’m Donna Marie—the introverted, hella awkward + nerdy, all about the vibes and adventure(ish) soul that you can typically find behind the camera (rather than in front of it). I'm here to serve + empower all the introverted, awkward in-front-of-the-lens, adventure(ish) couples who want to have an authentic, non-traditional wedding experience across upstate and northern New York.
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+ Bird Aficionado
+ INFJ | 5w4
+ Chicken Mama
32
Number of Kirby plushies in my office:
Ya girl is Educated:
1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice
Movie:
Red Bull
Drink:
Enchiladas
Food:
Jane Austen
Author:
††† (Crosses)
Band:
Iceland
Country:
favoRites:
plants
My Rooster
traveling
Gaming*
Darcy
Mr.
Tiny House Rooster:
Kendell
my Forever Partner:
+ Kirby Obsessed
+ Gaming nerd
+ sailor moon fan
+ Houseplant Lover
+ Nap taker
+ Ethical Consumer
+ Horror game
Enthusiast
* - Games I'll always return to: Fallout New Vegas, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Minecraft, Bloodborne
I am a firm supporter in LGBTQIA+ rights and any discrimination is not tolerated. When you’re with me, you’re in a safe space. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Your sexual orientation is valid. Your gender expression is valid. All of my preferred vendors are also LGBTQIA+ friendly/inclusive—bigotry can’t sit with us.
Real couples are more than the white-washed, cisgendered, traditional couples you all too often see in wedding publications. The wedding industry isn’t always welcoming to those who stand outside of heteronormative expectations—I’m here for you. Straight-passing or not, conventional or otherwise, your love story is welcome here.
Protecting the environment is reflected in my business and personal life with informed consumerism, Leave No Trace ethical practices, carbon neutral travel practices, and ethical living. Also, 5% of your package is donated to The National Audubon Society—because let's be real, I love birds and you should too.
I've been behind the camera professionally since 2016. But I didn't take my business full time until 2020. Right when the shut down happened, all my plans for involvement in academia went up in smoke. I had been doing photography part time for several years, and took it as a sign to dive in head first into my small business. Now I'm lucky enough to do something that I love as "work." I can't really call it work, because I really freakin' love what I do.
01. How long have you been photographing Weddings + Elopements?
I'm a Nikon girl through and through. Ever since I picked up my first DSLR in 2009. I currently run two Nikon Z7ii bodies and a wide array of both prime and zoom lenses. I do use off camera flash (OCF) for certain situations, but I don't run flash a majority of the time. This is because I strongly prefer natural lighting and the moodiness it lends to my editing style.
02. What gear do you use?
Within 24 hours of your elopement/wedding/session, you'll receive an email from me with a link to your sneak peek gallery. Once your full gallery is complete, you'll get another email letting you know it's ready for viewing and download. The gallery is hosted online and will remain live for 1 year from your event date.
03. How do you deliver our Gallery?
Real talk, having your portraits in print form is powerful. It's the ultimate form for the art that we've created together. That being said, I do not push you to buy prints. It feels salesy and I'm not a sales person. Your gallery will have an integrated shop feature where you can choose what prints you'd like at your discretion. You also receive a print release from me should you like to print through other print services.
04. Do you offer prints, albums, or canvases?
There are so many caveats to this question that it's hard to give a definitive answer.
I'm about capturing all the moments that happen on your wedding day between you and your partner in an unobtrusive way with a moody, earthy touch. I'm for the couples who want their portraits to reflect them and their connection.
05. Why should we choose you?
Okay, so maybe this isn't an actual question I get asked often. But, really, it should be.
The Dilophosaurus is my favorite. They were so grossly misrepresented in Jurassic Park . They did not have neck frills, nor spit venom. And they were significantly larger than a golden retriever (they were actually over 20ft tall!).
06. What's your favorite dinosaur?
What matters most are the emotions you experience as your wedding day unfolds. Whether that be in a place with easy to reach epic views, or any place or location that embodies who you are as a couple. I’m your go-to gal when you decide to take back control of your wedding day.
Raw
Real
EMOTIVE
NARRATIVE
unobtrusive
IMPERFECTLY PERFECT
If you're unashamedly quirky, nerdy, and love all thing eclectic—I'm ready to be your go-to gal! I’m the kind of person who wears mismatched socks, needs a paper planner to feel like an adult, and who’s favorite animal is: Bird (yep. ALL of them.) Want to make my day? Gift me a feather you found that I don’t already have in my feather collection.
I’m an adventure(ish) gal with an adventurous soul. I’ve lived in northern New York for the last 20 years and I’ll never get tired of exploring the state I get to call home. I’m all about the views that are easy to reach and still take your breath away. If you’re here to hire me for your chicken wedding (yes, just like dogs who get married)—we need to talk, like, yesterday. ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᴵ’ᵐ ʲᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ
Dream Destination
Machu Picchu, Peru
Because Ace visibility is imperative
Currently Listening
currently playing
Tag along
If you have the travel bug like I do and you find yourself in one of these places at the same time, let's link up! There are ZERO travel fees to worry about when we're in the same location at the same time.
January // Las Vegas
March // Ireland, England, Scotland
June // Minneapolis
July // Iceland
October // Salem