more than just photos
this is your story
love
around here we're all about
the business of romance, capturing unforgettable moments, and over-delivering on customer service
what sets me apart?
I bring multiple photographers to every wedding. This allows me to capture your day, in its entirety, from every angle. My team will not miss a detail or a moment. We pride ourselves in capturing moments that you don’t even realize are happening.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
when working with Magnolia West
• Wedding days go by fast! I carve out INTENTIONAL TIME during your day for multiple sets of bride and groom photos, so you can take time to relax, soak it all in and enjoy quiet moments together.
• I quickly get to know your family and friends, so I'm able to capture GENUINE MOMENTS of your favorite people.
• I will design and create HEIRLOOM ART that will decorate your home, last a lifetime and be passed down to your kids and grandkids.
• No super cheesy prom poses here! I will guide and direct your movements so that you have a day full of BEAUTIFULLY COMPOSED PHOTOGRAPHS. Our team is also skilled in capturing the CANDID IN-BETWEEN MOMENTS.
• I live and breathe weddings, and I am here to be YOUR GUIDE! Need venue suggestions or vendor referrals? I've got you covered! I'll even send you a complimentary sample timeline and shot list for your wedding day after our consult!
my process
how it works
01
02
03
get in touch
Whether you have questions or you're ready to book your date, fill out the contact form. Typical response time is less than 24 hours.
INITIAL MEETING
We'll set up a phone call, coffee or Zoom date to connect. We'll get to know eachother, go over your wedding plans so far, discuss your vision for your photography, and together, we'll create a custom package that meets your needs.
After our consult, if we're a good fit and decide to move forward, I will send over an electronic contract, detailed invoice and questionnaire. A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your wedding date.
BOOKING
04
engagement shoot
As soon as we're OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL, we'll get your engagement shoot on the calendar and start brainstorming outfit and location ideas!
Turn around time: 1 week
05
wedding planning
It is my absolute joy to help you in any way I can. From helping you source the perfect ring box to creating your timeline, from shared Pinterest boards to vendor recommendations, I'm here for you every step of the way!
As part of your experience with me, you will receive unlimited access to me.
06
wedding day
It's time to relax and enjoy your day! I will coordinate with your planner and all of your vendors to make sure your day runs smoothly.
My team and I will be there every step of the way with you capturing all your biggest moments, even the ones you don’t see. We use a mix of both candid and styled photos to tell the complete story of your day.
07
Gallery delivered
All wedding packages include an online gallery, with unlimited downloads, to share with friends and family, an online store to order heirloom quality prints and products.
Turn around time: 4-6 weeks
08
heirloom wedding album
When your gallery is delivered, you will make your album selects, and a digital proof book will be sent for your approval.
Turn around time: 4-6 weeks after approval
THE IMPORTANCE OF
Engagement Sessions
I include engagement photos in most of my packages for good reason. They are important!
An engagement session is the perfect opportunity for us to get to know eachother, for you to learn how I work, and get out all the awkward poses and nervous jitters before your wedding day. These sessions are meant to be fun! I want you both to feel confident, comfortable and learn which poses are authentic to you. When your wedding day rolls around you will feel like pros because you had the engagement session to practice.
These photos will also give you an opportunity to have beautiful, professional photos not in your wedding attire. Many couples use photos for a custom guest book (yes, I offer those), save-the-dates or photos on the backside of thier wedding invitation. Some even display their engagement photos around their wedding venue as decorations.
Destination wedding couples, I haven't forgotten about you! We will schedule a portrait session upon your arrival. For destination weddings, I also offer mini sessions for your guests.
testimonials
megan K.
Please get Ariel for your wedding if you are blessed with the opportunity! Not only is she amazing at her job, she is such a kind person and made every aspect of it so easy for me. I feel so awkward in front of the camera and she made it feel effortless for me and my husband. She provided me with tips for the engagement and wedding day shoots, a day-of timeline, texted me updates and exciting countdown pictures, and even went to the venue a few days before during the hours of our wedding to get an idea of picture locations and best lighting. We got perfect pictures within the next fews days as a sample and the rest a few weeks after. Ariel captured how much fun we had and the details of our bridal party and venue. She brought on additional assistants that were just as great, friendly, and they made a perfect team. If you don't believe me, she was also featured in California Wedding Day Magazine for Best of 2022!! It's so great to work with people that you would actually want to be friends with and I 100% agree!! Ariel, Thank you for everything!!
testimonials
sara m.
We absolutely loved working with Ariel. She is so kind, personable, and truly talented. She understood my vision for our wedding photos and went above and beyond my expectations! The day of our wedding was so special and Ariel captured every aspect of it so beautifully. She made us feel at ease throughout the whole day, which was a huge load off our shoulders. I’m so grateful she was a part of our special day!
testimonials
natalie of madhappie inc.
I’m an event planner and I had the absolute pleasure of working with Ariel for a wedding in March of 2023. She was professional and beyond talented in her craft. The bride & groom were so happy with the photos. I would definitely recommend her for any event and I’m looking forward to working with her again!
testimonials
Kelcey k.
Magnolia West! Ariel was a breath of fresh air to work with. From the moment we met, I knew she was the one we wanted to work with. She took the time to meet with us and go through ALL our questions (photography and non photography wedding questions). She went above and beyond with scouting out the best time (lighting) and location for our intimate pictures and bridal party pictures. Her vision was on point! Her execution/direction the day of was perfect! She made sure we got everything we wanted and more! She captured so many wonderful moments and I couldn't be more grateful. She was always super easy going and extremely helpful. I could not imagine using anyone else! Thank you Ariel for capturing everything and more on our wedding day!!!!
testimonials
sophia d.
Ariel is a pleasure to work with. She is both professional and personal with a side of southern charm. I was so impressed by the way she was able to get us to open up! We were smiling and laughing through the whole session, that ease came across in all of our photos too. I feel like Ariel was able to truly capture who we are in our photos. She easily bends her process so we have both photojournalist quality images and candid portraiture. Through Ariel's lense we captured memories that will last the test of time. I would 10/10 recommend Ariel!
testimonials
kathleen a.
What a privilege it was to have Ariel photograph my beautiful wedding. The pictures are stunning. She is extremely personable, friendly and well organized. The word professional doesn't describe how truly personable she really is.
If you want an amazing experience, Ariel's your girl!
testimonials
ELIZABETH S.
Ariel is amazing! From our initial inquiry she was quick to respond, organized and gave us everything we needed to know. She helped explain the entire process and gave us recommendations along the way. Not to mention she is so sweet and makes you feel very comfortable behind the camera. We will definitely be recommending her to anyone interested in engagement and wedding shoots!
2025 BOOKS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN!!
* * *
Now accepting wildly in love couples, looking for a wedding photographer in Savannah & Los Angeles! Send me a note to see if your date is available! Don't delay! I typically book a year in advance.
save your date
Send it
Please email me at ariel@magnoliawestphotography.com if 1) you have any issues submitting the contact form,
2) you have not received a response within 24 hours, or 3) you are looking to collab.
Your once-in-a-lifetime love deserves a photographer who can capture the heart and soul of your connection. It all starts with a conversation. To get in touch, fill out the form below.
My typical response time is within 24 hours.
Your once-in-a-lifetime love deserves a photographer who can capture the heart and soul of your connection. It all starts with a conversation. To get in touch, fill out the form below.
My typical response time is within 24 hours.
INQUIRE
Frequently Asked Questions
next page
If you book ME (Ariel) you will get ME! I will be there thru every step of your journey. I will photograph your engagement shoot thru the grand exit on your wedding day! However, if you book one of my associate photographers, I will not be present on your wedding day, but I will be your point of contact throughout the entire wedding planning process and I will shoot your engagement photos.
WILL YOU BE OUR ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHER?
I almost always lean towards YES. Having a second photographer allows me to capture two different angles and two different perspectives at the same time. A second photographer also allows me flexibility in the timeline, so we are never rushed. I carefully select my second shooters. Their photography and artistic style is always similar and/or complimentary to mine.
do i need two photographers on my wedding day?
and who will the second photographer be?
next page
I will meet you just before golden hour at the location of your choice. We'll put on a Spotify playlist, and I'll photograph you and your babe in the most beautiful light. Don't forget to bring an extra outfit for multiple looks!
Engagement sessions last up to 1.5 hours.
What should we expect for our engagement session?
YES! But travel fees may apply. Inquire to find out if your destination is on my bucket list!
Travel fees do not apply for Los Angeles County, Ventura County or Savannah, GA.
Do you travel for weddings and engagements?
I understand that weddings are expensive. If you have a specific budget in mind, please share it with me up front to determine if we are a good fit. While I require a deposit up front to reserve your date, I am happy to negotiate a payment plan that works for you.
Do you give discounts?
No, but I hightly recommend it. My computer is calibrated with my professional print lab. They do an amazing job and create heirloom quality prints and products.