Weddings

Branden + Briana

A Grelen Market Wedding | Gordonsville, VA

filed in:

It’s hard to describe just how much we loved this day. It was authentic and genuine and full of the best kind of emotion! Branden was in tears a large majority of the day and it melted everyone’s heart. My favorite part of their ceremony was when the priest explained that Branden wasn’t crying just because Briana looked beautiful, he had seen her dressed up before! Branden was in tears because of what it meant for his bride to be walking down the aisle to him. She was coming to commit her life to him… for better or for worse… whatever happens… her love isn’t going to change. After being married almost 8 years and walking through some pretty hard seasons of life with Michael, it makes me realize just how powerful those vows are.

Every couple will have valleys in their marriage where they have to cling to one another and remember the promises that they made. It’s not always perfect and pretty, but it is beautiful. Branden watched Briana walk down the aisle knowing that he would never face life alone without his companion and best friend. It makes sense why the tears flowed freely!

Branden and Briana were married in Gordonsville, VA and it was an amazing day! I found willow trees, old barns, mountainous backdrops, and rolling hills to shoot in! It was a photographer’s dream!! These two newlyweds were the ones who asked ME if we could get on the UTV and drive through the property to find just one more portrait location! I happily agreed and the adventure was beyond worth it!! I’m in love with the portrait from that part of the day!

Not only did I love the sweet tears and the amazing portraits, I also loved seeing one of our past KJ Couples and their families! Linsey and Jason were married a few years ago and that’s when Branden and Briana started following along with our journey on Instagram! Years later it was their turn to be the bride and groom, and we were so honored that they chose us to capture it all!! We absolutely LOVE the Sledge family and it felt like one big reunion when we were back in their presence. We laughed, cried (well, I cried) and celebrated right alongside of them Saturday evening, and the joy was palpable!!

I can’t wait to share these images and allow you to get to know this incredible KJ Couple! I have dozens and dozens of favorites!!! Enjoy!

Dress Store | ANN’S BOUTIQUE

Florist | COLONIAL FLORIST 

Ceremony Venue | ST. ISIDORE THE FARMER CATHOLIC CHURCH

Reception Venue | THE MARKET AT GRELEN

Wedding Coordinator |HANNAH DUBIT

Hair | Cindy Rose

DJ | KING STUDIOS

Cake | SWEETHAUS

Catering | EXCHANGE EVENTS

Invitations | ETSY

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Composition Course Family SHoot

Composition at a Family Shoot with little kids!

As a professional photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless family portraits over the years. Each session presents a unique set of challenges, from managing energetic children to finding the perfect backdrops.

READ MORE
Youtube

As a photographer, I’ve often found myself in situations where the location seemed lackluster or uninspiring. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of the perfect setting, but the reality is that we don’t always have the luxury of shooting in the most visually stunning locations.

Sneak Peek Composition. Course
READ MORE

Creating Amazing Composition when you have a boring location

Youtube

The Smith Family Pharsalia Farm Family Portrait

We rescheduled this shoot with the Smith family once because of a threat of rain. It wasn’t a totally horrible forecast but if there’s one thing that I learned about Colleen when I photographed her wedding, it’s that she loves the GLOW!

READ MORE
Portraits

The Sledge & Hugo Family Legacy Family Portraits | Maymont Park

What’s better than doing a family session for one KJ couple? Photographing TWO and adding in Nonna and Grandpa!

READ MORE
Portraits

As a professional wedding photographer, I’ve encountered my fair share of editing challenges on the job.

LR Editing Nightmares
READ MORE

Wedding Photography Editing Nightmares and how to fix them!

Youtube
LIGHTROOM TIPS

5 Essential Lightroom Tips I can't edit without these!

Have you ever closed out of Lightroom unhappy with the end result?

READ MORE
Youtube

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 97,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

The KJ Learning roadmap

If you're a visual learner, this real-life, behind the scenes training was created just for you!

Create clients who can't help but rave about how you made them feel in front of your camera!

A 4-step educational preset process that will make Lightroom seem like a friend instead of a constant frustation.

The only thing you'll need as a beginner to kick start your photography journey.

The most popular, most transformational KJ Course of them all! Learn how to find great light in any location no matter how challenging!

The course that teaches photographers how to master Lightroom, find their unique style and trasnform their workflow!

Not only can artificial intelligence edit your images in minutes, it can now edit your work exactly the way KJ would if I was editing it myself!

Create polished, scroll-stopping images!  If you’re tired of “normal” and are ready to access the “Next Level”, this course was designed for you! 

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.