My claims are bold, but I believe wedding photography can save marriages. I believe this because my own wedding photos saved my marriage. After this experience, I knew I had to change why I photograph weddings.
In 2017, my wife and I were experiencing a low in our marriage. We couldn’t stand to be in the same room together. We spoke with bitterness towards each other. We were miserable at best.
With our then three-year-old and 6-month-old, our marriage was hanging on by a thread so microscopic, if you could physically see our marriage, it would look like it was detached.
How in the world did we end up like this? It was just 3 short years ago, on October 25, that we were having the best day of our lives making vows to each other.
For better or worse, til death do we part.
For better or worse.
Clearly, we weren’t in the best of it. I’ll jump to the happy conclusion: we didn’t get divorced. Instead, our relationship got better, and we’re so thankful for that terrible time.
How did we make it?
With a little lot of help from God and our wedding photographs.
When we went to bed each night, hanging at the door was a photograph of our first dance. In our dining room, we had a 16×11 canvas hanging.
On our coffee table, our little self-insert album stuffed with 6x4s of our favorite images from our wedding. Everywhere we turned, our wedding photos reminded us of our vows.
For better or worse.
I believe wedding photography has the power to save marriages. And in an industry where only the good parts of marriage is discussed – calling it your most important day – the realness of life can be forgotten.
I’m here to tell you, that you are human. And in your marriage, you will experience humanity and all of the experiences that come with it. The love. The anger. The joy.
And when the day comes and things are hard, hold onto each other. Open your wedding album. And you will remember you have something worth fighting for.
Art is transformative – it inspires others to love, laugh, cry, create, and do. I believe when you have the right photographer to capture your wedding, you can transform your wedding into art. Inspiring you to love more deeply, cry empathetically, create intimacy, and do life together.
Your relationship is between you and your partner. I’m asking you to invite me into your life – for just a moment – to bottle up your love in the form of a photograph, without judgment.
Love who you love. Do what brings you joy.
Pizza and movie night with my wife and 3 children each Friday / 2 glasses of bourbon on a Saturday night paired with a Sumatra cigar / 5:00 am CrossFit / Listening to audiobooks / watching my wife’s Disney TikToks / obsessed with the colors brown and navy /
Hi there, friend. I will respond to emails during working hours Monday through Friday, 9 – 5 CST. My weekends are for time spent with family and friends when I’m not out photographing weddings. Sometimes it takes slightly longer for me to respond during periods of travel and scheduled sessions with my clients. I try my best to focus on my clients’ stories and experiences. I only accept 20 weddings each year in order to provide a unique experience for my clients. I’m thankful for your patience and understanding, and I promise to be in touch soon.
The first step to becoming a Collection Bride is to inquire with me about our availability for your wedding day and schedule a 15-minute alignment call.
It’s incredibly important that the brides I work with share the same values as Arkansas Wedding Collection, and that our visions align with each other.
Where do I start?! Derek truly was the perfect photographer for our vow renewal celebration! We are so happy to have such amazing photos to look back on and remember our special day. Derek is very detailed, personable, and extremely talented. One special moment we will always remember was Derek praying over our marriage with my husband and I after our reception. (All the tears!) We were blown away at his kindness and how genuine Derek truly is! You will NOT be disappointed booking Arkansas Wedding Collection for your wedding! Do it!!!
While originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I have come to love the great natural state of Arkansas and become an Arkansas Wedding Photographer! After all, what’s not to love? Arkansas offers the absolute best sports (Go Razorbacks!), scenic locations, and variety of looks. Arkansas, in my opinion, is the best place to plan a wedding. From mountainous elopements at Petit Jean State Park into classic weddings at Cold Springs Events Center, Arkansas truly is an amazing state for weddings. Check out these recent weddings!
