tory & drew
From the moment I met Tory and Drew, I knew they would be a dream to work with. Effortlessly cool and stylish while still being fun, warm-hearted, and laid-back people. Their wedding— inspired by italian gatherings, was a hybrid of chic classic style, autumnal bohemian touches, and playful industrial elements—felt like an organic extension of who they are as a couple.
The couple's ceremony was held at Loyola, a choice that was meaningful as the place their love first blossomed. They even got a chance to sneak in a moment and some portraits with their beloved dog before the ceremony. The magical bubble send-off after the vows was a playful, joyous experience for everyone.
The style for Tory and Drew's October wedding was flower-forward. Tory loved the work of florist La Fleur du Jour, and her team created spectacular ambiance, painting the venue with flowers and light. The highlight of the reception decor at the Evergreen Museum & Library was a lush floral chandelier. Suspended from the verdant branches, warm, glowing edison bulbs illuminated the amber glass table markers, wild floral arrangements, and exposed wood table below. (And of course, the couple hired a professional lighting company, something I always advise to help create the perfect atmosphere and ambiance.)
One of the best parts of the evening for the couple was Brian Kirk and the Jirks. The couple have been fans of the band since college, and at one point, Tory sang with the band to the crowd and her new husband, as they danced and swayed into the night.
Vendor Team:
Dress: Emmy Mae Bridal | Boutique: Lovely Bride
Invitations: Ink And Press Co | Tuxedo: Christopher Schafer Clothier
Floral: La Fleur Du Jour | Rings: Designs By Kamni
Accessories: Janice Tran, Something Bleu, Untamed Petals
Planner: East Made Event Co | Caterers: ROUGE, Sugar Bakers Cakes
Transportation: An Extraordinar Limousine Service
Music: Brian Kirk and the Jirks | Lighting: Event Dynamics
Furniture Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals
Chic meets romantic bohemian at this fall wedding at the Evergreen. Meticulously planned and styled by Eastmade Co.
BOHEMIAN INDUSTRIAL WEDDING AT THE EVERGREEN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
We're On the Cover!
Tory and Drew's gorgeous Evergreen Museum and Library wedding was featured in two recent Baltimore Weddings magazine issues, and the cover of the most recent fall/winter 2021! Take a peek here.
“The day you sent our photos to me, I sat in my living room and cried. It’s like you shoot glitter out of your camera. You felt like part of our story and made so much sense. You are our people.”
"It's like instead of photographing our wedding, you painted it.”
KELSEY + FOSTER
"I wanted a piece I could hang on our living room wall that would stop people in their tracks, draw them into the scene, and then leave them saying "wow that's you guys." Leah is an artist. She has an eye for beauty and originality that is profound. The tenderness and humanity of what she captured in our photo album is nothing short of extraordinary. Her work 100% speaks for itself, but the experience of working with Leah goes far beyond the masterpieces she creates."
“I searched high and low for Leah. I didn't just want a photographer. I wanted an artist.”
EMILY + DEVON
Every photo she took of my wedding was described by everyone as an “art piece” they would see in a magazine. Beyond her work, Leah made our day so happy and eased my stress. She made the day magical and fun with her warm soul!
“Beyond her work, Leah made our day so happy and eased my stress.”
sARA + AMIR
that's how much of a legend she is. Leah did our wedding in Sonoma. It's hard to articulate how much she means to us – but know that she exceeded every expectation we had and has become a lifelong confidant in the process. She gets that you want something different. She gets that you can't explain what that is. I trust her to chronicle the rest of my life! Every second of our time together was positive-- her energy is infectious and she captures moments that you don't even realize existed until you see them through her lens. Leah is the most talented photographer I have ever seen. Hire her! You'll never look back.
“I wanted to work with Leah before I was even engaged!”
Kelsey + Foster
I will openly admit that when my husband and I got the images back from Leah we cried re-living the day through her pictures. They are that incredible. Leah is super fun and can easily handle a large crowd. She will be out on the dance floor in-the-mix getting great photos, she clearly loves her job. Of all the vendors you hire, the photographer is the person you interact with the most, and Leah has such a bright and lovely way about her it was just like having another friend there.
“ She was able to capture the essence and the emotion of our wedding.”
EMMA + TOM
She will distill what makes you unique and through seeming alchemy generate not just incredible images, but an experience that is magical. After finding your narrative, she will create the world you have only glimpsed in your dreams. Her work is art. You and everyone else will love to look at it for that reason. More than that, she is an incredible person and you too will find yourself transformed by the process.
“If art transforms, then working with Leah is just that--transformative. ”
Genevieve + shaughn
How do I get my wedding published like Tory and Drew?
I have one simple motto for taking family photos, and that is - so long as the scenery and light are beautiful, to keep it as simple as possible. If you're doing your portraits in advance of your ceremony, we have more leeway in the choice of locations, but if you're doing your portraits after the ceremony, we don't want to move too far from the ceremony location. That's also the best way to ensure we can gather all of the family members in a timely manner.
Where do you recommend taking our family portraits?
I recommend a minimum of thirty minutes but up to an hour for the the couple. There are definitely circumstances where you'd want to add more time, including when it's really hot or really cold outside - then we have time to freshen up between shots. When you'd like to travel to another location (especially in the city), and when you're really excited about creative portraits or want to be published. The more time I have for those, the better the outcome.
How long should we plan to take couple portraits?
Over 12 years of wedding photography had enabled me to develop my own process to get to know you and your tastes, and really get to the heart of what matters to you in your wedding photography. We chat, we share Pinterest boards, I have fun questionnaires for you. This is really one of the most important parts of our relationship, so I love lingering with you and finding out who you are and what you really love.
How do you tailor your approach to our tastes and style?
I've noticed couples who have first looks often have a better wedding day experience than those who don't. Here are some reasons I suggest doing a first look: So you look your freshest for photos, doing group photos before the ceremony means you get most of the formalities out of the way before the cocktail hour, and for stressed or anxious clients, seeing each other is often a great way to relax and enjoy the day.
Should we do a first look?
A FEW OF OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Editors are always looking for unique and special details. Outlets like Harper's Bazaar look for fashion moments - Martha Stewart: exceptional detail styling and classic imagery. I aim to shoot publication-worthy imagery for every wedding. While not all weddings are accepted by editors, here are some things you can do to increase your likelihood of publication:
1) Let me know you want to be published in advance, and send me style boards and plans so I can pull props or hire a production assistant if needed.
2) Hire excellent vendors. This one is very important - take a look at this vendor list. All of these companies are artists and can give you the best guidance on how to create a truly spectacular and magazine-worthy event. And of all of these vendors, I can't stress enough the importance of an incredible planner like Eastmade, whose industry connections, insights on trends, discerning tastes and styling will elevate your event.
2) Add an extra half hour to an hour to your schedule for detail styling.
3) Ask your florist for a florist's bouquet for detail styling in the morning.
4) Think about how moments throughout the day can be aesthetically special on camera.
5) Be aware of decor trends and avoid the overdone.
6) Not everything has to be special, you can focus your efforts on a few really unique design elements, but overall, remember to stick to a strong, cohesive theme.
7) Remove tags from your accessories and bring a nice hangar, and any matching ribbon, fabric, or dishes that will bring the design of your day into your styling.
8) Fashion and accessories matter. Select clothing and accessories that are truly unique or reflect the "now" in fashion and taste.
Lighting is EVERYTHING in photography, and selecting the right lighting can mean the difference between a black hole and a night in Paris. You can create amazing atmosphere with clusters of candles or faux candles with the "flame" that flickers in the wind. Uplighting, cafe or party light strings, and table or cake, or other vignette spotlights can also make a major difference to the ambiance of your wedding and photos.
What do you recommend for lighting for our wedding?
MY APPROACH
Simplicity, fun, and ease are at the heart of what we do together. I use my signature editorial and cinematic style to capture your raw and candid moments and to create effortless, guided portraits which bring out the beauty and dignity in my clients. Our time will be refreshing and light, allowing you to revel in the joy of your wedding day without spilling a drop of champagne.
I'm a Washington DC-based editorial wedding photographer and travel worldwide for commissions. I was raised abroad as diplomat's daughter and see myself as an ambassador of life. I share deep passion for the world we live in. I am deeply excited to learn about you and finally to capturing the electricity, beauty, and raw connection of your wedding day.