We may be Richmond wedding photographers but it is actually a rare occurrence for us to photograph weddings in our own city!! We photograph weddings all over the the state of Virginia and beyond, but if we’re being honest, when we DO get the chance to be in Richmond, it’s our favorite. We love capturing our KJ Couples in the place that we call home and highlighting everything that is beautiful about our city! Evan and Grace’s wedding day was not only gorgeous, it also showcased some of Richmond’s most historic landmarks!! Evan and Grace were married at St. John’s Church in Church Hill and had their reception at the Historic Jefferson Hotel!!
It was beautiful from beginning to end. Their friends drove and flew from many different states and even different countries! One of my favorite things about Evan and Grace is how loved they are by their friends! You could tell that everyone was ecstatic about being there to celebrate with them. They had ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen in their bridal party and even though everyone was from different parts of their life they all seemed like one big family because of their shared love for Evan and Grace. It made for a fun day full of entertainment and excitement.
Evan and Grace were married in one of the oldest and most historic churches in all of Richmond and then they had the most amazing party afterwards. The band, the decor, the food . . . everything was just perfect. As toasts were shared it was easy to see that Grace’s wedding was not the first time her parents had created an inviting space for their friends and family. Grace may have been an only child but the Merinar’s were parents to many. The maid and matron of honor shared stories of sleepovers and many memories of time spent with Grace’s family as they grew up. Our daughter is only two years old, but I can only assume that hearing Grace’s friends share about how much they loved being around her family had to be such a gift to Grace’s parents.
This beautiful day was the perfect way to get back into wedding season. We left our 3 week old at home for the day, and it was so good for us to work. As much as I missed the baby snuggles, this was a wonderful change of pace! We have looked forward to seeing Evan and Grace again ever since their engagement session in Colorado! Their day didn’t disappoint!!! You’ll see what I mean as you scroll through my favorites! Enjoy!
Planner | Elevated Events of Virginia
Ceremony Venue | St. John’s Church
Reception Venue + Caterer | The Jefferson Hotel
Cake | The Jefferson Hotel
Music | East Coast Entertainment
Flowers | I Do Flowers
Hair + Makeup Artist | Lou Stevens Glam Squad
Calligrapher | Ginny Rogan
Bride’s Dress | Urban Set Bride
Invitations | By Invitation Only
Check out Evan + Grace’s Engagement Session HERE!
This week, Michael is sitting down with me at the microphone to join me on the podcast! When we started our Acton Academy journey, we had big dreams and very little idea of the practical challenges that lay ahead. Today, in year three of running our own Acton Academy, Michael and I are thrilled to reflect on the incredible transformation we’ve seen in our learners, our community, and even our own perspectives on education.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Erica and Jon, two incredibly talented photographers and educators who have redefined their business and life by embracing change. From leaving a corporate career to transforming their wedding photography business into a thriving brand photography venture, their story is full of inspiration for anyone looking to take bold steps and live life on their own terms.
I run a Facebook group with over 20,000 photographers, and something I see constantly are people sharing their editing struggles, asking for critiques, or seeking advice on how to fix issues in Lightroom.
This is going to go down as the wedding day were we got lucky over and over again. Blair and Ashley heard that there was a chance of rain on their wedding day but we all wrote it off as nothing and kept moving on with all of our original plans.
In the fast-paced world we live in, finding purpose and intention in everyday life can feel like a distant goal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, a creative, or simply someone searching for more meaning, this probably resonates with you! If you’ve been a longtime follower of the Katelyn James podcast, you know it’s always been about authenticity, growth, and family. So, we wanted the podcast to represent just that. Welcome to Doing Life Differently!
If you’re looking to build a personal brand that genuinely connects with people, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or just someone looking for more purpose in life, I think these insights will resonate with you.