I am based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, but I am more than willing to travel anywhere and everywhere to meet your photographic needs. Anything over an hour drive will require a small travel fee (gas coverage) and anything beyond driving distance will require a travel quote. At the time of the inquiry I will put together a travel fee so that it can be approved and negotiated right away. I am passionate about traveling and meeting new people, so I do not limit myself to any location.
About Abbey
Hi! I’m Abbey and I believe in genuine connections, artful photography and working with people who aren’t afraid of being vulnerable.
My name is Abbey and I am so thankful you’re here. I’m a wedding photographer who’s home base is in Grand Rapids, MI but who lives and thrives off of traveling to new locations. I’ve been photographing weddings since 2010 and still can’t quite believe that I’m doing the job I dreamed of for so long.
It’s important to know that I’m also a perfectionist in all aspects of my life except when it comes to the subjects in my photographs. I love a good spreadsheet and feeling prepared before a wedding day, but when it comes to the photos I much prefer silly faces, when your wedding dress skims the freshly trimmed grass and a those little wispy hairs that blow in the wind. I adore photographing a home full of items and notes and “mess” that showcases the heart of the person who lives there. I love the things that make a boring photo look exciting and unique. And I love a photo that instead of being perfect – makes you feel like you were there.
It’s also wildly known that I prefer to look back on the past than forward into the future. I can sit in front of an old box of photographs for hours at a time, reading old notes from high school friends and watching every second of a home video – no matter how many times I’ve seen it. The past fascinates me – and it also creates a perfect little escape from reality. Since the future is completely out of my control – I’ve resorted to taking photographs and giving myself an outlet to escape to when things get too scary. How many times have you looked back at your parent or grandparent’s wedding albums and been given a tiny glimpse into a past that is a part of you? It’s hard to realize at the time – but these photos that you will get for your wedding will be the vehicle that your family uses to get a glimpse of what life was like for you.
I want to provide you with a window to what was. When things get hard and life changes and people go away and kids grow up – you will have this gift of photographs to use as a time machine. You will have these photos to sit in and get comfortable with – just like your favorite book.
So what’s it like? I’m going to ask you to share a bit of your soul with me. I’m going to ask you to drop some of your security blankets and get vulnerable. I’m going to ask you to show me what your relationships are like and what’s important to you. Because the real magic happens when collaboration is present. I’m going to encourage you, reassure you that your life today is perfect even with its imperfections and that your story deserves to be preserved and photographed. And it will be fun too, I promise. Because getting your photo taken is one of the most vulnerable and sometimes-semi-awkward things to do. But we’ll do it together – and in twenty years you’ll be glad you did. I can’t wait to meet you.
I was born in 1989 and came out as a very pale, Irish gal who loves the beach. I am probably wearing 100SPF in this photograph. And I probably still got sunburned. This photo could be taken today and it would literally look identical.
These are the kinds of photos that you cannot go through life without having – am I right? This is me and my brother Trevor being forced to smile in our matching snow suits I am sure. Like I said – it’s not perfect – but it’s completely hilarious.
I went to Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in Journalism and Dance in 2011. I learned a lot about story-telling and making connections these four years. I wouldn’t trade my four years in college for anything. Also, Go Green. (But also if you went to Michigan I am not biased and will still shoot the hell out of your wedding).
I went to prom with Jake (my husband) in 2008 and began what would be the first (and last) big relationship in my life. He’s the best.
Before anyone would hire me to take photos of them, I was stuck shooting self-portraits of Jake and myself. Lucky him! Featuring: my stuffed dog Mutsie, puppy stickers on my mini fridge and obviously a Jason Mraz poster.
After graduation in 2011, I moved to Wisconsin for a job doing graphic design. It was an incredible growing but sometimes lonely year for me. I met lifelong friends and really discovered that I wanted to be a photographer. I edited photos when my boss wasn’t looking.
I am REALLY into Harry Potter. Those books were a constant to my childhood and the movies for my years in college. I still read the series every year and a few years ago got my second tattoo – the last line of the last book. So please don’t hesitate to discuss theories, talk about Fantastic Beasts or any other magical topics with me.
This is a poorly edited photo of me photographing my first wedding ever in the summer of 2011. I had one camera and one lens. If you were wondering, it miraculously went well. This was the summer of 2012. Honestly – even though it sounds dramatic – my life was forever changed.
On the snowiest of days in Rocky Mountain National Park, Jake made my jaw drop to the floor when he proposed and surprised the shit out of me. It was the best day! We look much more sure of ourselves in this photo than the earlier 2008 photo.
Even though I’m completely dependent on my husband Jake to kill spiders and change the mouse traps in our house – most of the time I’m a super independent woman. I travel solo a lot – so please don’t hesitate to ask me to take photos wherever you’re at. This photo was from an all girls surf trip to Nicaragua. It was life changing. You should all go do it.
In July of 2015 I married my best friend. He races cars, he changes my tires, he cooks the best fried chicken and he’s like a human space heater. Our smiles were so aggressive this day – because it was really one of the most fun days of our lives. Getting married myself completely re-shaped the way I treated wedding photography and I’d love to tell you more about that when we talk.
This is our dog-child McCoy. He has the biggest head and the weirdest mannerisms. He enjoys eating rotisserie chicken, peanut butter filled kongs and also has anxiety over the sound of women coughing. It’s truly weird and even the vet can’t figure it out.
My family means more to me than anything. Things haven’t always been easy – but we’re the strongest group I know. My brother is 27 and has autism. My parents are divorced – but have always taught me that you can still be an incredible parent even if you’re not together. The memories I have with these humans are my most cherished.
And here’s me today. I’m constantly trying to figure out and dissect what photos make me feel alive and what drives me to do this job. I’m always watching either Shameless, Game of Thrones or repeats of The Office. I’m really excited that one-piece bathing suits are in fashion again and I’m also embracing the high waisted mom jean trend. I love people and I truly honestly cannot wait to get to know you.
Pricing
It sounds cliche, and I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but besides your actual spouse the only thing that you get to take home from your wedding is your photos. So why not invest in something that has meaning, won’t go out of style and is such a blessing to your future family members. I’m not oblivious to the fact that good wedding photography comes at a price. But what you’re getting with me is more than just the final photos. It’s an ear if you need someone in the industry to listen, it’s someone who will make sure your hair looks hella good before you walk down the aisle and it’s someone who is going to be on top of every detail the day of the wedding.
Wedding coverage starts at $3500.
Portrait sessions start at $600.
Please inquire for detailed pricing and package information. Please use contact form or e-mail abbeymoorephoto@gmail.com. Located in Michigan and available for travel worldwide (for real – I even went to Austria this year for a wedding!)
Kind words from happy clients These words are real and I didn't even bribe them.
I’ve never paid for advertisements and I’ve never bribed any of these people to write me a review. If you care to see what any of my past clients have thought about my photos or my presence at their wedding, click one of the links below and read away!
Questions?
How far do you travel for sessions?
How many photos will I get in my package?
I will give you anywhere between 600 and 1000 photos of your wedding day. This all depends on the length of coverage. I promise it will be more than you know what to do with. For portrait sessions again it depends on the type of session and time – but it will always be more than you know what to do with.
How do I book a date with you?
When you book a wedding with me, you will send me a $1500 deposit. This deposit holds your spot and is non-refundable. The rest of the money will be paid a month before the wedding. You will also e-sign a contract as soon as I receive your verbal agreement. The most important step – is e-mailing me and filling out a contact form on my page!
If you are interested in just a portrait session – we will discuss availability as soon as you decide to move forward with pricing. Most portrait sessions are shot depending on the best light – which is usually the first two hours after sunrise or the two before sunset. Portrait sessions are also done on weekdays.
Do you take posed family photos on a wedding day?
Of course! These are super important. However – they can also be the most stressful time for you as a bride or groom. I try to limit the time frame on these for no more than 15 – 30 minutes. Typically these are limited to immediate family and grandparents and if it its necessary to take a large group photo – we will take care of that as well. I do not want you to have to maneuver through your 25 person family on your wedding day. Leave it up to me!
Can I put my photos on Facebook?
Please do! With proper credit of course. I ask that you please mention in the caption who took the photo or just simply tag my Facebook page or Instagram account. My business has only succeeded through word of mouth. By tagging my business in your profile photo you are supporting me more than you even know! Also – please don’t put one of those hella-ugly Instagram filters over the photo. I’ll cry inside.
How long until I can see my photos?
For weddings, your photos will be available 6-8 weeks after the event. It takes a long time to edit hundreds of photos and ensure that they look absolutely perfect. Once they are complete I will send you the link to your gallery and send them immediately. For other sessions, you can assume a shorter time period … something more like four weeks!
What is a “first look” and should we consider doing one?
A “first look” is seeing your fiancée before the ceremony and shooting your portrait session. It’s absolutely wonderful because you are freshly ready and everything is perfect. You also get to schedule how much time is set for the shoot instead of only having what time is left over after the rest of the formals. That way, after your wedding ceremony, there is nothing left to worry about except going to the reception and having a blast. If you want to see some examples, please inquire and I will show you some that I promise will change your mind. I can also promise you that at my wedding my first look was equally as special as walking down the aisle. In fact – I still cried like a baby walking down the aisle.
Why is your largest wedding package only 10 hours?
Sometimes (okay – most times) weddings run off schedule. I want to ensure that you don’t need to be stressed on your wedding day – and I don’t want you to ever feel like you need to cram everything in before 7:00pm and I walk out the door. The reason I love weddings is that I love to tell stories – and that story starts when your Mom is helping you put on your wedding dress – and ends when your friends are drunk dancing with your Grandma. Typically this time frame ends up being no more than 10 hours – but we will work together to create a timeline and a time frame that suits both of our needs. Plus – don’t you want to dance with me at your wedding? My favorite song is Footloose.
What is your approach to photographing a wedding?
I think my overall approach has two aspects to it. The first, being photojournalistic. My background is in journalism (I graduated with a journalism degree and worked with newspapers for awhile). So for every single aspect of your day EXCEPT formal portraits, I am the fly on the wall running around your wedding like a madwoman capturing everything. My goal is to catch the moments that you might not notice because the day is such a whirlwind. Things like the details, the faces of your family members when you walk down the aisle, hugs between friends, etc.
However, when it comes time to formal portraits, I do pride myself in knowing how to work with people to make them comfortable and give them images where they believe they look fabulous. Not everyone knows what to do in front of the camera, and my goal is to help you feel your best and look your best to achieve some amazing art. While still catching the candid in between moments and the mistakes that end up being my favorite photos.
Do you work with a specific shot list or a description of photos that I am looking for?
My hope is that you hire me because you like my work. That being said, it also means that you fit with my style of shooting and you do not micromanage everything I do. I always ask that brides and grooms send me a list of family formals they would like, but after that, my photos are the most successful if there is a trust between us that you know I will capture what needs to be captured.
How do I prepare for working with you?
Just be open to everything. Know that I will ask you to share a little bit of your soul to me – because that’s where the magic happens. You might feel uncomfortable at times – but I’m not doing it unless it’s necessary. Be ready to be yourself. Whether that is goofy, quiet, serene or a little insane – that is all okay to me. I can’t wait to meet your true self.
The best part about being in this business for several years has been the opportunities to teach others. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the guiding hands of others before me. I teach one-on-one mentor sessions to newer photographers all of the time – and would love to get to know you! To find out more information – click here.
I also offer group Fearless Sessions that are perfect for bachelorette parties or any other get together with your best gals. Fill out an inquiry and ask for information on special group pricing! Also subscribe here to get the latest information on the next group session!
I’m also a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan. My BFF Bri and I have started a Grey’s Anatomy podcast this year (yup – we are that serious) called The On-Call Room. We’ve started the series from the beginning and are rewatching and commenting on each one. Each episode is a little bit of Grey’s and a lot about real life. You can find us on iTunes here!
Let's Chat
Please fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Feel free to send an e-mail to abbeymoorephoto@gmail.com if there is a problem!
Sign Up for my Email Updates
Let’s hang out in your inbox! Sign up to be the first to know about special deals, group Fearless Sessions, and my travel adventures. If you’re looking to build your business, sign up for news on mentor sessions, workshops and more tips that I’m ramping up to share!
