There are moments in every creative journey that feel like a turning point. The kind you know you’ll look back on years later and recognize as a milestone. For me, being featured in Southern Bride Magazine was one of those moments. See the Issue Here
This wasn’t just another styled shoot or publication. It was the culmination of years of hard work, self-belief, and an unforgettable experience that pushed me creatively and personally. Today I want to share the story behind the feature, what it meant to me, and why it will always stand as one of the most meaningful chapters in my photography career.
The Southern Bride Feature
The styled shoot took place in Greece, a breathtaking five-day trip to Santorini that I’ll never forget. Our editorial was inspired by the idea of breaking tradition. We reimagined a pre-wedding morning where a couple chooses to spend intentional, quiet time together before the whirlwind of their wedding day.
Set against the iconic Skaros Rock and the Agios Nikolaos Monastery, the imagery captured stillness, intimacy, and a love story told in hushed tones rather than grand gestures. Skaros Rock itself, once a medieval stronghold, became the perfect metaphor for letting go of outdated expectations and embracing something fresh and deeply personal.
Every detail of the shoot carried meaning. The bride’s gown featured an open back and breathable fabrics, designed for movement and comfort under the Santorini heat. Her soft, natural styling focused on luminous skin rather than heavy makeup. The simplicity made everything feel elevated yet approachable, proving that beauty often lies in quiet moments.
Seeing these images grace the pages of Southern Bride was surreal. This was my first national publication, a milestone I had dreamed of but wasn’t sure when, or if, it would happen. To have it be this shoot, in this place, with this vision, felt like the universe’s way of telling me to keep going.
Why does Southern Bride’s publishing hold meaning?
While the final images looked effortless, the trip itself was anything but. The fires in Greece had just started before we landed, and by the time we arrived, everything felt uncertain. We spent over nine hours stuck in the Athens airport, exhausted and anxious, wondering if we would even make it to the Airbnb. When I finally left, our accommodations had to change last minute because of the fires.
It was stressful and disorienting. Add to that the emotional weight of being away from home and from my dad during a difficult season, and there were moments where I questioned whether the sacrifices were worth it.
After more and more hiccups with flights, and loosing a shoe…yes, my shoe broke the moment we got there.But finally I got to see exactly where we were. Standing on the cliffs of Santorini, camera in hand, I felt a deep sense of peace. The scenery was so breathtaking that even the simplest setup became cinematic. Santorini itself was a dream, the kind of place that makes you pause, breathe deeply, and recognize the privilege of capturing love stories in such extraordinary backdrops.
When I think about this shoot, I don’t just see images. I see resilience. I see proof that beauty can be born out of chaos, that art can flourish even when the circumstances are imperfect. And I see the culmination of years of pushing myself to pursue not just weddings, but luxury wedding experiences that tell stories with depth and artistry.
This wasn’t just another publication. This was the biggest milestone of my career to date. It represented the kind of work I want to keep creating, elevated and intentional and deeply human.
A Personal Reflection
The day I found out about the Southern Bride feature is a memory I’ll never forget. It was two months after losing my dad, and I was sitting at my desk catching up on paperwork when the email came through. I immediately started to cry. It was one of those moments where joy and grief coexist, where you wish the person you love most could be there to see what you’ve accomplished.
I immediately called my husband, freaking out. For me, this wasn’t just professional recognition. It was a reminder that the sacrifices, the long hours, and the moments of doubt weren’t in vain. It gave meaning to the struggle and affirmed that I belonged exactly where I was.
This shoot also taught me something invaluable about myself. That I can create high-quality art quickly, efficiently, and under pressure. In the world of weddings, where timelines are tight and unexpected challenges pop up constantly, that ability is priceless. Santorini gave me confidence that I could balance artistry with precision, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Believing in Yourself
If there’s one thing I hope couples and fellow photographers take away from this story, it’s this. You have to believe in yourself before anyone else will. For years, I felt like I was working hard in the shadows, creating from a place of passion but wondering if anyone outside my circle would ever notice. Truthfully, a lot of days I still do.
Being featured in Southern Bride is proof that those quiet seasons of faithfulness matter. Even when it feels like no one is paying attention, the work you do is building toward something bigger.
To the photographer who feels like giving up, keep going. The couple planning a wedding that doesn’t look like anyone else’s, lean into it. To anyone chasing a dream, trust that one day, the right people will notice. And when they do, all the long nights, sacrifices, and doubts will feel worth it.
Luxury wedding photography isn’t about grandeur alone. It’s about capturing those fleeting, intimate moments, the soft smiles, the quiet pauses, the breath before the day begins. It’s about honoring love stories in ways that feel authentic and unforgettable.
My hope is that couples who see this feature will be inspired not just by the stunning backdrops of Santorini but by the idea that their wedding experience can reflect who they truly are. That photography can be more than posed portraits, it can be art that tells their story, their way.
Just a few of the vendors: Venetsanos Winery | RedBoxDays | BreeAnna Hilsenrath | Santorini Events
In conclusion, being featured in Southern Bride is an honor I’ll carry with me always. It represents not just my artistry, but the journey it took to get here, the challenges, the lessons, and the moments of grace that shaped me along the way.
As I look forward to the weddings and stories still to come, I do so with gratitude and excitement. Because if this experience has taught me anything, it’s that beauty exists in both the planned and the unexpected, in the grand and the simple, in the quiet and the chaotic.
And as your wedding photographer, I would be honored to capture the story thats waiting to be told. Contact us
Our Southern Bride Feature: Florida Luxury Wedding Photography
We’re a husband and wife team based in Pensacola, Florida, capturing weddings along the coast and across the country. With a steady hand and an open heart, Eddie and I document what can’t be posed—the glances, the gut laughs, the quiet, in-between moments that often go unnoticed.
As a published photographer, I blend an editorial eye with emotional honesty, crafting every frame with care, artistry, and deep respect for the story unfolding in front of us. Together, we bring calm energy, connection, and a shared love for creating images that feel like art—and like home.
Meet Autumn & Eddie
ROOTED IN REAL COLOR AND inspired BY FILM
