Capturing Love: The story of the dynamic married wedding photography team
- Chesapeake Bay Wedding Magazine
- 16 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Story by Lauren Barrett
As a 5-year-old girl, Ashlee Emerson always had a camera in her hand and her answer to what she wanted to be when she grew up was consistently a photographer. Years later she made her dreams come true.
For the past seven years, Ashlee has transformed her love of photography into a career and passion as a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Delaware with her company, Ashlee Emerson Photography (AEP).
“I love love and capturing memories. Both of those fall hand in hand with weddings,” Ashlee said when asked what inspires her to shoot weddings.
For a while, Ashlee embarked on this journey solo until her then-fiancé, Matt, came into the picture. At first, Matt tagged along to the weddings, helped carry the camera bags, and provided extra support. This arrangement allowed for the couple to be able to spend more time together as their respective jobs kept them busy.
Matt and Ashlee are no strangers to each other.
“We technically met when we were younger as I was friends with his sister, but we didn’t connect until we were in our 20s thanks to social media,” Ashlee said.
Their first date was a carnival, and they have made it a tradition to go back every year.
“Her ability to make people feel so comfortable around her and at ease is one of the things that initially drew me to her,” Matt reflected on Ashlee. “Conversations were effortless and flowed very easily.”
After years of Ashlee capturing love with her camera and Matt right by her side, the pair got their own love story. They were married in October of 2021 in a beautiful, romantic garden wedding at Mount Harmon Plantation.
“One of our favorite parts of our wedding was our first look. It was truly such a special private moment spent together away from the hustle and bustle of the day,” Ashlee recalled.
When asked for his advice for those who are looking to get married, Matt said, “Fall in love with your best friend (I know it sounds cliche), but your best friend is someone who you know is going to have your back and cheers for you on your great days. And picks you up on your bad days. One of my favorite pieces of advice I ever heard was: Understanding that marriage isn’t necessarily a “50/50 relationship.” Some days your partner may only be able to give you 25% and it’s up to you to give the other 75%. That’s just the way life works.”
They fell stride and stride with one another as a married couple. Ashlee continued to shoot weddings and Matt continued to follow her. Eventually, his curiosity energized Ashlee to teach him how to photograph, and one thing led to another.
A year and a half ago, they officially became a wife and husband team.
“It works out great so that he's with the groom and groomsmen and I'm with the bride and her girls,” Ashlee said. “Our favorite part of shooting weddings is seeing the bride and groom surrounded by the love and joy of their friends and family. There is nothing more magical.”
The duo relish in the extra time they get to spend together since both of their schedules can be crazy. Matt travels with Ashlee only on wedding days. Otherwise, Matt is a full-time fitness coach who has a passion for helping others achieve their goals.
In addition, Matt loves video games and the outdoors. Ashlee prefers reading to the TV. Together, however, the two have many shared interests. They have three pups that they love spending time with, and they both love to travel. Shooting weddings has taken them to many different places, and they always leap at the opportunity to travel to a new location. In fact, their website states, “If it's a place we've never been before, we might even shoot your wedding for free!”
When asked what their favorite destination is, Ashlee empathetically answered, “Hawaii.”
“And Matt would definitely say Disney,” she laughed. “We went for our honeymoon, and he's been hooked ever since.”
The couple has many exciting travel dates coming up for weddings. That’s one of the reasons why Ashlee finds so much joy in shooting them.
“They are always different in some aspect,” she said. “Each wedding is magical in its own way.”
They advised couples getting married to do the things you want to do and not let other people’s opinions influence you. After all, it is your special day.
As for finding the “perfect” photographer, Ashlee recommends doing your research not only on the photographers you’re looking into but wedding photography itself.
“Find what style suits you best, what investment you’re willing to make, and what you value most from your wedding day, and then start reaching out to photographers,” she said. “Find out their photography shooting style and see if you guys will be a good fit. I also always recommend calling them and having your engagement session with who you’re going to hire. It’s super important you like your wedding photographer as not only a photographer but a person as well since they spend the most time with you on your wedding day.”
It’s not every day people get to share their careers with their partners, but Ashlee and Matt made their dreams a reality. The couple are opposites and balance each other out.
“Matt is easygoing and a great people person,” Ashlee said. “They easily gravitate toward him.”
As for Ashlee, Matt’s favorite things about her are that she is driven and strong, and she inspires him to be the greatest version of himself.
“Her ability to go above and beyond for people who come to her in virtually all aspects of life: personal and professional is inspiring.”
For more information on Ashlee Emerson Photography, please visit https://www.ashleeemersonphotography.com/
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