Alexis & Michael

This wedding is the first full-scale wedding I've ever photographed and I've been looking forward to it for months! I first met Alexis and Michael at their engagement session in June. Their devotion to one another was immediately apparent and they worked so well together. I'm excited to see where their forever journey takes them.

New Year’s Day—there is no better way to kick off 2026 than by celebrating the love between two people. It’s no secret that Alexis adores horses, so she asked my friend Bridgette, of Blaze Horse Photography, to capture her engagement photos last summer. Because Bridgette knew I wanted to branch out into this new genre, she encouraged Alexis to reach out to me about documenting their celebration.

When I tagged along for their shoot in June, I could tell they made a great team by the way they handled all the elements of the day. They were so easy-going, even when their hoofed friends decided to run off to a different pasture. Michael didn’t have much experience with horses before he met Alexis, and I love that he didn’t just join her life; he joined her world.

When I stepped into Cortland Mansion and saw their family and friends working together to make sure every detail fell perfectly into place, I knew this day would be a dream to document. Alexis’s personal touches filled the room. She designed elegant centerpieces that literally sparkled, and she adorned indoor trees with lights and glittery florals to warm up the space. The favors were a perfect choice: custom chocolates shaped like horseshoes—and they were adorable!

One of the most touching parts of the day was watching them steal a few minutes at dinner to read over the choreography for what turned out to be the sweetest first dance I’ve ever seen. The twirls, lifts, and twists made everyone smile and brought tears to my eyes. Imagine the fun they had practicing! Like I said, they make a great team.

Despite the freezing temperatures, they were willing to step outside for bridal portraits. Cortland is surrounded by tall green pines, but we stayed near the front doors because it was so chilly. At least the winter wind made the veil fly! I’m so thankful to my mentor, Bridgette, for facilitating this opportunity and for being the second shooter. Photography friendships are the best, as are friendships between horse people—if you know, you know!

Alexis and Michael—thank you for choosing me to capture this milestone. Here are some of my favorites from your gallery…