Welcome, welcome! You have just landed on the Laura McMullin Photography Blog – the best place to find alternative wedding photography inspiration, funky portraits, and fun-loving photos to celebrate every season of life. 

My name is Laura. I am an Annapolis-based alternative wedding and portrait photographer. I’m here to tell authentic stories through striking visuals. Do you love bright colors? Do you love fun fashion? Do you love living large and laughing loud? 

You’re in the right place. 

 At my core, I am a storyteller. I want to capture the raw beauty of the human experience in every season of life… but mostly weddings. 

Why?

Because weddings are one of the most full, emotional, exciting days in your entire life. And I don’t want you to miss a moment of it.

What is an Alternative Wedding Photographer? 

I’ve been throwing the term” alternative wedding photographer” out there a lot in this blog. But what does that mean? 

Essentially, it means that when we work together, you’re not getting cookie-cutter photos. 

I consider myself an alternative wedding photographer because I’m not interested in picture perfect. I am dedicated to real. The tears as you walk down the aisle. The smiling-so-hard-your-face-hurts. The way you scream-sing the lyrics to your favorite song while you tear up the dance floor. 

Think nontraditional. Quirky. Creative. Out-of-the-box. Unconventional. 

You’ll still get formal photos with your wedding party and family (if you want them!). You’ll still get portraits with your partner. They’ll just be ten times cooler than you were expecting. 

Because here’s the thing… I don’t want you to be aware of the camera on your wedding day. I want you to be fully immersed in the moment. And I want you to have fun! If you have a funky idea for your wedding photos, I want to hear it. 

I’ve had couples race down hotel hallways in luggage carts. I’ve had the entire wedding party jump into the pool during the reception. I’ve had couples ditch their own reception to take photos in a mid-century modern movie theatre down the street. 

This is your wedding. You get to define what “normal” is! 

This is why I consider myself an alternative wedding photographer, or a “non-wedding photographer” wedding photographer. Because I’m not just about the wedding. I’m about you. Your weirdness. Your nerdy references. Your favorite colors. Your funky hats. 

Whatever makes you and your partner smile is what you’ll want to remember in your wedding photos. 

Why Choose an Alternative Wedding Photographer 

So, why would a self-acclaimed untraditional wedding photographer be the best choice for your wedding? 

Well, chances are, you landed on this blog because you’re an untraditional couple. You don’t fit in the “made for TV” mold and you want to work with a wedding photographer who understands and respects that. 

You might have different priorities than most couples. You might have some off-the-beaten-path interests, beliefs, or hobbies that you want to be represented during your wedding. 

I get it! 

I’ve shot weddings in churches because that is what felt most authentic to the couple. 

But I’ve also shot weddings in parks, gardens, living rooms, courthouses, national parks, bars, and more. 

There is no “right way” to do a wedding. Tradition be damned, this is YOUR day. You should get to marry who you want, when you want, wherever you want. And I will be right there with you to make sure you have a way to look back and reminisce on the best day ever.

How To Know If We’re A Good Fit 

So, you’ve made it this far. That probably means you’re into the funky, alternative, untraditional wedding vibe. Good! That’s the first step to knowing we’ll be a good fit. 

The truth is, alternative wedding photography isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But it only matters if it’s yours. 

The same goes for your wedding photographer! 

Honestly, I don’t care if Great Aunt Gurtude thinks I’m weird. I can live with that. I just need to make sure that you and I are on the same page about a few very important things: 

1. You are a compassionate human who values love and kindness first.

As a wedding photographer, I’m in the business of love, meaning I do not tolerate hate in any capacity. 

Here at Laura McMullin Photography, we believe that: 

Love is Love, Black Lives Matter, No human is illegal, Reproductive rights are human rights, Kindness is everything 

We don’t need to agree on everything. But we do need to respect each other and create a safe, welcoming environment. 

2. You love thinking outside the box. 

We kinda established this one already, but it’s worth saying again. Embrace the out of the ordinary. Embrace color, creativity, and what makes your love unique! 

Don’t limit your wedding photos to what you’ve seen on Pinterest. If there’s something you’ve wanted to try, a pose you think would look cool, or an outfit that you’ve been dying to wear, your wedding is the perfect excuse. 

No one needs to wear a white gown. No one needs to dress formally. You can do whatever you want! 

As a lover of the quirky and weird, I will be cheering you on the whole time. In fact, I’ll even suggest some crazy, spur-of-the-moment photo ideas if you’re up for it! My whole goal is to make sure you have a great time and can look back at your wedding gallery and smile. 

(Pssst. If you need inspiration, I wrote a whole blog post on creative engagement shoot ideas that can totally be used for weddings, too! Read it here.)

3. You want your wedding photos to be FUN. 

The best part about this one is that “fun” looks different for everyone! What do you and your partner have the most fun doing? Are you guys LARPers? Do you both love fashion and want to feel like the hottest runway models as you walk down the aisle? Are you gamers? Readers? Lovers of karaoke? Movie buffs? 

We can incorporate all the little things you love into your wedding photos. And you know what? We can have fun with it! 

Your wedding doesn’t need to feel like a performance. It can just be you and your person celebrating your love and commitment. It can be some friends and family gathering for a bonfire. It can be a big-ass party with your crazy extended family and an open bar. 

What excites you? What possibilities have you explored and then discarded because they were too “out there?” 

Well, bestie, I have good news for you. I live “out there.” I am SO ready to pull out all the stops to make your wedding as fun and memorable as possible. 

Is Alternative Wedding Photography The Best Thing Ever? I Think So, Too.

So, if you are a kind and compassionate human who loves to think outside the box and wants fun wedding photos… we might just be a perfect fit. 

I want to meet you. Like, for real, I think we could be best friends. And if not, we could at least be an ideal wedding photographer-client pairing. 

If you think alternative wedding photography is the best option for your wedding, we need to connect! Fill out the form and tell me allllll about your wedding ideas! I cannot wait to make them come to life with you! 

Click here to contact me and get this party started!

Laura