best freakin' day ever
SAY NO TO RUN-OF-THE-MILL
SAY YES TO THE
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.
I truly believe how you get married matters
your real AF story teller
oh hey there, nice to meet you!
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 socially awkward when it comes to small talk, but fully invested in conversations of substance.
I'm a video gaming, Netflix-binging, nature-loving artist who resides in the sleepy little town of Adams, NY. I've been lucky enough to call northern New York my home for the last 25+ years, and I'll never get tired of exploring my home state.
I have an obsession with fair trade goods, the environment, Red Bull, and political activism. I'm married to my best friend, Kendell who makes the greatest Bonus Dad to my son, Colton.
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 together.
artist in residence,
Donna Marie
+ Bird Aficionado
+ INFJ | 5w4
+ Chicken Mama
33
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.
My Tiny House Rooster:
Kendell
my Forever Partner:
Fun Facts
+ 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, Darkest Dungeon
Read: Yes, I'm asexual.
No, I'm not broken.
Because Ace visibility is imperative
Human rights
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.
Diversity + Inclusivity
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.
Environmental Justice
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.
As an artist, the intersection between light and shadow is something that I navigate each time I pick up my camera. My art demonstrates that true beauty is rarely perfect, and that within shadows we capture a deeper story.
the play of shadows
Human connection is vital to the essence of humanity. Shared experiences create more than memories, they define a collective experience that we can tap into to recreate the moment and its emotions.
Human connection
There's something entirely ethereal about being completely surrounded by nature. It's humbling, grounding, and intricately emotional all at the same time.
Mother Nature
Things that inspire me + my art
Three words to describe my artistic style: moody, earthy, cinematic
+ Unobtrusive
+ Emotive
+ Narrative
+ Raw & Real
When you bring me along with you on your day, it's my goal to go unnoticed, but always there should you need me. Don't worry if you're not sure what to do in front of the camera. I'll pose, prompt, and guide you as needed. I won't leave you hanging.
My Photography Approach...
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 who has her bags packed and her passport ready. Whether you want to explore my home state, or take it worldwide, I'm down for the adventure. 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
quirky, nerdy couples!
calling all
I've been behind the camera professionally since 2016, but I first picked up a camera in 1997. I started with those disposable cameras, moved to film, and then moved to digital. I didn't take my business full time until 2020. 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 sure do! I graduated in the spring of 2021 from Capella University with my PhD in Psychological Research summa cum laude. The original life plan involved engaging in deeper research of human sexuality, but when the world shut down in 2020, I had to pivot. It was then that I took my small, part-time photography business full time, and focused only on weddings and elopements. So in essence, I still get to use my degree in developing a deeper understanding of the relationship you've created with your partner.
02. Wait. You have a phd?
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?
I get that asking a stranger you met online this question can be a bit uncomfortable. But, know that I am abso-fuckin-loutely 420 friendly. I won't smoke with you, cause I become hella forgetful when I smoke, but by all means enjoy your joint day to the fullest! (ayyyyy see what I did there? I'll see myself out.)
04. Are you 420 friendly?
There are so many caveats to this question that it's hard to give a definitive answer. I'm about capturing all the moments (including the those in-between ones) that happen on your wedding day in an unobtrusive way with a moody, earthy touch. I'm for the couples who want their portraits to reflect them and their connection. I seek to give you an emotionally driven visual story of your wedding day as well as unbridled support while you plan.
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?
— Kelly + Mike | A Lake Ontario Wedding
I cannot say enough wonderful things about our wedding day thanks to Donna. She felt like family the minute she walked in, and was able to create a fun, enjoyable relationship with our night while remaining completely professional. My husband and I hate having our pictures taken, and we cannot get over how many incredible photos Donna was able to capture of us truly enjoying ourselves with real smiles on our faces. Our entire wedding portfolio blew! us! away!
She felt like family the minute she walked in.
— Trinity + Ryan | A Cazenovia, NY Elopement
Donna Marie is not only an amazing photographer, but also a phenomenal human! Our wedding was very small and intimate, having Donna there felt so natural, like she was a part of the family. She is so knowledgeable and willing to help/support in the process, no matter what it is. She goes above and beyond the role of photographer. I am so happy we found her! We also received all of our pictures back the very next day, which was incredible. The photos speak for themselves, Donna is simply the best.
She goes above and beyond the role of photographer!
let's adventure together
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.
Where love stories are taking me
January // Las Vegas
March // Ireland, England, Scotland
July // Minneapolis
August // NYC
October // Salem
2024 travel Locations
April // Utah, Arizona, Las Vegas
August // Block Island
October // Scotland
2023 travel Locations
July // Iceland
If you're thinking about going on an adventure for your elopement and want a nerdy photog to tag along, I'm more than ready. Especially if you're headed to one of my bucket list locations.
+ Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
+ Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
+ La Push Beach, Washington
+ Machu Picchu, Peru
+ Las Vegas, Nevada
+ Death Valley National Park, Nevada
ya girl has her bags packed, and passport ready
Travel Bucket List
Let's travel together!
+ Manila, Philippines
+ The Dolomites, Italy
+ Mount Cook, New Zealand
+ Barcelona, Spain
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Landscapes
Interested in what I capture on my travels?
Take a gander at some of the amazing places I've been and the natural landscapes I've captured. Feel free to download them for personal use, or support a small, woman-owned business by ordering a few prints for your home.
