i enter every year with fear that it could be my last. not because i’m tired of it (far from it), but because i wake up in disbelief that i’m able to do this for a living. it’s a fiercely competitive industry that outdoes itself every season.

i value each and every person that works with me. i don’t care what you look like, what your wedding looks like, or where your wedding is located. commissioning a photographer takes trust, collaboration, and heart. if you’ve got that – you’re all set.

these images are as much the people in them as they are me, and i can’t thank everyone involved enough. i’m so grateful to be able to travel the world doing what i love, and 2024 took me to Las Vegas, Florence, Peru (thanks aftershoot!) Banff, London, West Virginia, St Croix, Texas, Toronto, San Diego, Up-State New York, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Poland, and of course NYC and Washington DC.

and… just a note about why i choose the photos that i post. every couple you see in wedding attire – that’s them on their actual wedding day!! with the real-life constraints of a wedding day upon us. believe me, i have thousands and thousands of beautiful moments of getting ready, ceremony, and receptions from every wedding i shoot. it’s just that… i prefer to show the times of the day when i’ve had the most creative control. where my vision comes through the strongest. i find when that resonants with potential future clients… they turn out to be the absolute best clients i could ever work for.

photographers… you can find deconstructions of images like these and more over on my patreon feed. many of these images from the year were a direct inspiration using a tool i built called, insight.

everything edited w/ my Imagen profile

Silhouettes of two people facing each other with a bright light source behind them, creating a circular lens flare effect in warm tones. A smiling man in a suit is playfully covering his eyes with hands adorned with intricate henna designs and a ring. A bride and groom walk hand in hand through a sunlit field of wildflowers, with mountains and a forest in the background. Two people stand against a brick wall. The person on the left is smiling, while the person on the right has one arm extended and is looking upward. Bushes are visible over the wall. Two silhouetted people standing against a colorful, blurred, and abstract background with sunlight. A man and woman walk on grass under a large yellow arch, engaging in conversation. A couple stands closely under autumn trees with orange leaves, looking at the woman's pregnant belly, on an outdoor urban walkway. Two men in suits stand closely, smiling at each other, with three lit wall sconces in the background casting warm light. Two people stand close together in a park during sunset, surrounded by trees and yellow foliage, with sunlight creating a warm glow. Two women with soft, warm lighting and bokeh effects on their faces. One is looking at the camera, while the other has her eyes closed. Person putting on blue glitter boot while surrounded by others in evening dresses. Another person stands nearby in gold shoes. Wooden floor visible. A man and a woman laugh together in a park with sunlight and blurred effects creating a golden halo around them. A man in a white tuxedo with a black bow tie stands in front of a patterned wall. His reflection is visible in a framed mirror to his right. A couple kisses outdoors, surrounded by greenery and sunlight, with small particles visible in the air.

A couple stands on an ornate balcony beneath a grand chandelier in an elegant, circular room with two statues. A couple shares an intimate moment outdoors, with soft sunlight and lens flare around them. Two people in suits outside during autumn, with sunlight creating vibrant lens flares and colorful effects around them. A couple stands on a staircase landing with a minimalist design, featuring glass railings and soft lighting. A couple stands on a bridge at dusk, facing each other, with blurred lights and trees in the background, creating a symmetrical reflection effect. Person hanging upside down with a zipper coat in front of a textured stone wall. A man and woman wearing a floral crown stand inside a wooden building, near a window with sunlight streaming in. A woman in a black and gray dress descends a wooden staircase, holding the railing.

A person stands against a textured wall with a rainbow-colored, triple-exposure effect, creating overlapping silhouettes in red, green, and blue hues. A man in a suit stands in front of a mountainous landscape, with an upside-down image of a woman above him. A man and woman standing in front of a textured, sunlit wall. Both wear glasses; the woman has blue-tinted hair. Silhouetted couple stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building at sunset. A woman and a man stand on a winding path through a natural, autumnal setting. The woman gazes directly at the camera, while the man faces sideways, slightly out of focus. Person leaning on a stair railing, viewed from above in a spiral staircase. Man in a wide-brimmed hat and glasses looks to the side, standing against a bright circular light in the background. A person stands at the top of a graffiti-lined stairway between two narrow buildings, with vines on the right wall and a multi-story building in view. Two people sit on woven lawn chairs facing a group of people gathered in an outdoor area. One person gestures while talking. Drinks are on the ground beside them. Two men in white tuxedos with colorful boutonnieres stand side by side. Their faces are partially obscured by a lamp. Person with long hair looks back over their shoulder, captured in soft golden light, with blurred fabric in the foreground. A couple stands in front of a modern building with glass and wooden elements. The bride is in a white dress and the groom in a blue suit. Bride and groom walking outside, viewed through the rear window of a vintage car. A couple in formal attire sits at a table, smiling. A person stands nearby, partially seen, holding a microphone. A floral centerpiece and glassware are on the table. Seven men in suits stand in sunlight in a forested area. Sun rays create a lens flare effect, casting long shadows on the grass. Two men in formal attire share a kiss in front of a glass wall, with plants and flower arrangements nearby. A couple embraces and leans in together on a quiet, tree-lined street. The woman has blue hair and a patterned sweater, and the man has glasses and a patterned shirt. Silhouettes of a family with two children stand facing each other in front of a large window, with a park visible outside. A bride and groom smile at each other outdoors, standing on fallen leaves with trees in the background. The bride gestures with her hands while the groom stands with a boutonniere on his tuxedo. A bridal party stands outdoors among greenery. The bride is in a white dress, surrounded by bridesmaids in dark green dresses and groomsmen in dark suits. A group of people dressed formally stand in a line outdoors, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves. A bride and groom embrace outdoors at night, dressed in formal attire, with illuminated foliage and a building in the background. A couple in formal attire stands facing each other under a vibrant, sunlit sky with trees in the background. A couple stands by a reflective body of water, with a tall monument visible in the background. The woman wears a floral dress, and the man is in a blue blazer. A couple walks hand-in-hand down a makeshift aisle outdoors, surrounded by clapping friends. The woman holds a bouquet. The setting is near the sea under a cloudy sky. Two men stand closely, smiling at each other outdoors, with a blurred background of sunlight and trees.

Two people standing outside, facing each other with smiles, touching each other's noses with their index fingers. A brick wall is in the background. A bride sits on a bench in the foreground, wearing a white dress. A groom in a blue suit stands against a wooden wall in the background. A man with long hair and a woman with tattoos embrace in a room. Light reflections create circular patterns around them. A couple smiles at each other surrounded by bubbles outdoors. The man is in a suit, the woman in a light-colored jacket. It's a sunny day. Two people stand against a wall with a colorful, blurred, multi-exposure effect. A couple in wedding attire stands in a sunlit forest, with sunlight streaming through the trees and illuminating the flowing dress.

A group of people stand together, framed by a circular art piece with geometric shapes in a modern indoor setting. Silhouetted man wearing a hat, with dramatic lighting creating a lens flare effect across the image. Two people stand apart in a spacious, modern interior with concrete walls. The man is in the foreground, wearing casual clothes, while the woman in the background leans against a wall. A man and woman walk hand in hand down an empty street, with buildings and autumn trees in the background. Woman sitting on stone steps in profile with another person lying down in an orange shirt, looking upward. Trees are in the background. Person with braided hair leans over a horizontal red bar against a tiled wall, wearing a dark jacket, looking contemplative. Person wearing a dark outfit stands in a small brick archway within a plain wall, looking forward. A woman holds a small, yellow knitted mouse by a string, hanging it in front of her face. The lighting is dim and moody. A woman with long hair leans against a wall in a softly lit room, looking toward the camera. A couple in traditional attire stands under a gazebo, surrounded by autumn trees. Hand holding a vintage postcard of a mountain and lake, aligned with the actual scenery. A couple in wedding attire sits on rocks by the lake. A man and woman stand closely together, framed by parted white curtains, looking directly at the camera. Bride in sunlight with veil draped over hair, looking down, wearing an off-the-shoulder dress. A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet and walks down an aisle lined with seated guests, accompanied by a man in a tuxedo. The setting is outdoors with string lights and greenery. A group of nine people sit and stand around a sofa, smiling. Cameras and a laptop are on the coffee table in front of them. A framed portrait is on the wall behind them. Person sitting on modern, floating wooden stairs in a softly lit room, wearing a sleeveless top, dark pants, and red shoes, with a neutral expression. Two men in white tuxedos sit on a sofa, smiling and petting a dog. They wear flower boutonnieres and are in a room with wall art and a decorative wheel. Bride in a white gown with a veil stands on a bridge, smiling with eyes closed. A groom in a gray suit stands behind her, looking to the side. Sunset in the background. Bride and groom smile and hold hands, walking down the aisle outdoors, surrounded by seated guests. Couple standing on a wooden boardwalk in a foggy park, surrounded by trees. The woman holds a bouquet of flowers. Two adults and three children stand against a stone wall. The shadow of a large sculpture creates a dramatic effect over the scene. A man and woman stand at the top of stone steps in front of a large building with a metal door and sculptures. Two people stand on different levels of a modern building, separated by a gray wall. A man and a woman, both wearing knit sweaters, lie on a wooden bench, smiling and looking in different directions. Three people in brightly colored sweaters and a black jacket stand closely together, peering through a perforated wooden panel. Woman in a red dress poses under cherry blossom trees while a man in sunglasses stands in the foreground. A man and a woman sit on a bench beside a brick and plaster wall, surrounded by green foliage and pink flowers. The woman wears a red dress; the man wears a striped shirt and white pants. Two people smiling and holding a bouquet of orange flowers outdoors. A couple stands in a lush forest with vibrant red and green foliage. The man wears a white suit and turban, while the woman is in a detailed pink and gold dress with a matching scarf. Silhouetted couple facing each other, surrounded by warm light, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. A man and a woman stand back-to-back under a bright fluorescent light in a dimly lit space. Two people stand apart in front of a cityscape background with bright lights and reflections. A group of 13 people posing together in a room with wooden flooring and a white wall. Some are standing, and others are sitting or kneeling. A man and a woman, dressed formally, stand close together under colorful, abstract lighting. A bride and groom stand together in a garden setting, with sunlight filtering through the trees in the background. A man and woman stand in front of a colorful radial striped background, slightly out of focus, facing each other. A couple stands side by side, dressed in wedding attire. The groom is in a dark suit, and the bride is in a white gown. They are under diagonal shadows against a red wooden background. A couple standing together; the man wears a red velvet suit and the woman wears a white dress with floral headpiece. Woman smiling while seated in a car, partially outside, with the car door open. Reflections of trees and buildings visible on the car windows. A pregnant woman in a red dress holds hands with a man in a black shirt. They walk along a modern, sunlit corridor. A bride in a white dress and a groom in a maroon suit with a bow tie are smiling at each other in front of a building with blue shingles. A bride and groom hold hands while standing on a grassy lawn, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves. Bride and groom stand closely under a red and blue light projection, casting colorful shadows on the wall behind them. A couple with colorful hair faces each other closely, smiling. The woman has vibrant pink and purple hair. The man has long brown hair. A wrought iron fence and greenery are visible in the background. A group of twenty people posing together in front of a brick building with green shutters and a porch. They are smiling and making various hand gestures. A couple stands holding hands outside. The building behind them is orange and black with a potted plant and a small pink skeleton decoration on an air conditioning unit above. A person with a ponytail is seen in profile against an orange wall, with their shadow cast clearly on the wall. A couple kisses on the dance floor at an event, surrounded by colorful lights and a live band in the background. A couple holds hands and smiles at each other while standing against a large wooden door on a busy street with blurred pedestrians passing by. Bridal portrait featuring a woman in a lace wedding dress, partially obscured by soft, colorful light. A couple leans against a stone wall, reflected in a glass surface. The woman is pregnant and wearing a red dress; the man wears a dark shirt and pants. The sky is overcast. Two men in suits kissing outdoors, surrounded by autumn foliage. Person outdoors, wearing a red jacket, holding sunglasses in one hand, with a blurred background and sunlight. A couple poses at night. The man wears glasses and a velvet suit with a bow tie. The woman, in a white dress, wears a floral crown. Blurred lights create a warm, dreamy background. Two people stand holding hands outdoors in front of colorful autumn foliage, wearing formal jackets. A couple in wedding attire stands closely together behind green plant leaves, with a textured wall in the background. A man and woman stand under an umbrella in front of a wall with ivy. The woman is laughing and pointing at the man. Woman with red lipstick and gold necklace peers through blurred white and green foliage, creating an artistic effect. A couple embraces in a grassy forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees, with part of a wooden structure in the foreground. A smiling couple in white shirts stands outdoors, with the man pointing forward. The background is a blend of green foliage and a misty overlay. A woman with long hair in a black lace dress hugs a young girl in a white dress, set outdoors with blurred greenery and lights in the background. A group of eight people in colorful outfits stand closely together by a reflective water surface, surrounded by greenery. A couple shares ice cream at an outdoor table in front of a gelateria, under a sign reading "Gelateria Home Made." They smile, enjoying their treat. A woman in a green top leans against a wall, looking forward, while a man stands in the foreground, slightly out of focus, in a narrow street. Two people in white suits hold hands in a park with greenery and a rainbow in the background. Two people holding hands, walking on a rural road lined with trees, under a cloudy sky. A bride and groom smile as they walk down the aisle outdoors, surrounded by seated guests and a wedding party. A couple stands closely outdoors, smiling. The woman holds her dress over her pregnant belly. Lush green trees are in the background, and there is a cloud reflection on the right side. A woman in a flowing dark blue dress with gold patterns is dancing outdoors surrounded by lush green trees. A couple sits on the steps of a brick building, surrounded by green foliage. The woman wears a black dress and the man a white shirt. Bride and groom stand on rocky shoreline by a turquoise lake, surrounded by pine trees, with a mountain peak in the background. A couple in wedding attire smiles at each other under leafy green trees. The groom wears a blue suit; the bride is in a white dress. A couple stands close, smiling at each other, partially obscured by large green leaves in the foreground. A person with tattoos covers their face with one hand, showing a ring, while another person stands in the background among greenery. A woman in a floral gown stands on grass, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. Bride in a floral gown stands on a green hill, looking over her shoulder. A man in a green suit with a flower boutonniere is in the foreground, slightly out of focus. Bride and groom embrace in a lush garden with leafy arches and sunlight filtering through the trees. A small ladybug sits on an outstretched finger with a blurred green background. Couple standing and embracing, framed by large green leaves in the foreground. Family of five walking hand in hand under tree canopy in autumn. A couple stands closely, smiling, in front of large metal circular sculptures with trees in the background. A couple embraces and smiles at each other under cherry blossom trees near a body of water, seen through a blurred foreground element. Two people stand behind a framed glass structure in a lush greenhouse, surrounded by various plants and greenery. A family of five, with three children, sits on a circular stone bench in front of a large indoor tree, against a modern stone wall backdrop. A couple stands outdoors, dressed formally; the man wears a tuxedo and the woman wears an off-shoulder dress. Dappled sunlight falls on them.

Two people embrace and look at each other on a waterfront at dusk, with a lit-up bridge and city skyline in the background. Two people with colorful hair look outside through a rain-specked window, appearing thoughtful. Two men in suits and sunglasses stand apart against a sunlit brick wall with large shadows cast by nearby structures. Four men in matching dark suits, white shirts, and bow ties stand outdoors, each wearing a boutonniere. One man stands slightly ahead, smiling, with the others in a relaxed stance. A bride and groom stand holding hands outdoors near a bare tree, with an old brick building in the background. A couple embraces in a city street with tall buildings and a bright sunburst overhead. Person playing drums on a dimly lit stage, surrounded by cymbals and drum kits. Five men in suits and ties stand together outdoors, smiling and laughing. Sunlight creates a red lens flare across the image. A couple holding hands walks by a pond with their reflection visible, surrounded by blooming trees and yellow flowers under an overcast sky. A woman with braided hair stands in front of a textured blue and beige wall, looking over her shoulder with her hands behind her back. A bride and groom kiss, framed by a circular wooden opening. A couple in wedding attire stands in front of a rustic wooden church, with their reflection visible in a body of water below. A couple stands close, forehead to forehead, beside a calm body of water with visible ripples. A man in a floral shirt and bright shorts stands in a lake, while a woman in a sparkly dress and headpiece gestures nearby. Scenic landscape with hills and cloudy sky in the background. A couple in formal attire stands against a rocky mountain backdrop with the sun shining brightly overhead. Two people kissing each other while holding hands on their faces, with an American flag and a blue wall in the background. They are wearing white attire. A couple in formal attire walks through a sunlit forest clearing, with a mountainous backdrop. A couple in wedding attire smiles happily outdoors. The groom wears a navy suit with a boutonniere, and the bride in a white dress has henna on her hand. They are surrounded by greenery. Two people standing back to back with the sun shining brightly between them, surrounded by a partly cloudy sky and distant buildings. A couple stands on a grassy hill under a partly cloudy sky, with a faint rainbow reflected below them. A man in an orange shirt and a woman in a dress stand apart, facing each other, against a large black wall. A bride and groom stand together on a sidewalk, holding hands, in front of a large brick building with sunlight casting a shadow. A woman in a black dress leans against a geometric blue structure outdoors on a sunny day, with autumn trees in the background. A person in a black dress stands confidently with arms raised, leaning against a modern glass structure, reflecting sunlight. A woman in a dark dress stands near a wall, looking at the camera. A man in a white shirt and light pants sits in the background, looking towards the street. Woman with tattoos and a man in black stand apart in front of a stone wall. A man and woman stand near a body of water, smiling and holding hands. The woman has visible tattoos on her arms. The image is in black and white. A man in formal attire with a bow tie stands in front of a geometric, reflective backdrop, looking to the side. The image is in black and white with light reflections around him. Two people in formal attire stand on a balcony, facing opposite directions, under a cloudy sky. The balcony features intricate woodwork. Bride in a wedding dress laughs while holding a wine glass next to a woman in a formal gown, both seated inside a limousine. Two men in suits stand facing each other in a formal room with shelves and a large window. One adjusts the other's tie. The scene is captured in black and white. A man and a woman stand on opposite sides of a reflective surface, facing opposite directions, in a monochrome setting. A woman and a man share a lighthearted moment, laughing together in a park. Black and white photo with trees in the background. Silhouette of a couple standing under a bridge, surrounded by reflective water and trees, creating a serene atmosphere. Two men in suits standing back-to-back against ornate double doors. Both wear floral ties, one holds sunglasses. Black and white image. A woman in a white dress stands close to a man in a beige suit with a flower boutonniere, against a coastal background. A couple stands holding hands, silhouetted against a modern glass building with warm sunlight and soft bokeh lights in the foreground. Silhouette of a couple facing each other under an archway with a bright background, captured through a reflective surface creating a symmetrical effect. Silhouetted couple facing each other, surrounded by a colorful, swirling pattern with trees visible through the center. Silhouettes of a man and woman facing each other with a cosmic, starry background effect. Two people stand back-to-back between two tall buildings. The sun shines brightly at the top center of the image. Silhouetted couple kissing against a sunset backdrop, surrounded by trees and a crescent moon in the sky. Bride and groom stand under two leafless trees at night, with focused lighting illuminating them against a dark background. Silhouettes of a couple facing each other against a dark background with a rainbow-like light arc at the bottom. A couple in formal attire stands against a modern, angular white building at night, with dramatic lighting highlighting their presence.

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Sam Hurd

Sam Hurd

Photographer
DC/NYC/Anywhere

Starting as a political news and celebrity portrait photographer in DC, Sam was instantly drawn to wedding photography as a space to promote more inventive ideas. Sam’s focus is on photographic techniques that are deceptively simple but have the potential to transform difficult or uninspiring shooting environments into one-of-a-kind opportunities for every photo made.

Most reviews, technical write-ups, and other photo nerd content is posted first, and exclusively, over on his patreon.