This is your story.
Tell it your way.
Portland Wedding Photographer | Molly J. Smith
You’re not planning a meaningful day (full of meaningful people) just to stand still and say cheese for a camera.
Which is great, because I’m not really about that either. You and I both know “posed and perfect” isn’t real life. And it sure as hell isn’t the way you want to remember today.
So let’s throw out all the old assumptions of what wedding photography should be — and what traditions a wedding should include — and instead focus on feeling, movement and connection. On you two and your community. All told with a mix of portraits and documentary-style candids to beautifully capture what this day means to you.
I’d be honored to be the PNW + Portland wedding photographer to tell that unforgettable story.
Here’s to weddings that go late into the night
To starlit dance floors and laughter all around
To great music and even better company
And to love. Love in every form. Love celebrated every day.
In a past life, I worked as a photojournalist
Today, I bring my decade of experience to document your wedding day
I’m forever searching out stories in the connections between people and the way they show their love.
No two weddings are exactly alike, so I tailor the photography experience to each and every couple I serve. My approach to your wedding photography is to listen first, so I understand the way you want to remember this one day, and then to work with you to make that become a reality.
All that means I’ll know exactly how to document your wedding as it naturally unfolds. And when those inevitable little hiccups pop up, I’ll be ready to calmly pivot and keep going — wild weather, unpredictable lighting, and drunk uncles be damned.
Riley & Alex - Portland, Oregon
“We are so lucky to have found Molly as our photographer. She came recommended by a journalist friend of mine because I was looking for someone who could shoot our day in a less staged, more candid, storytelling-like way. She absolutely delivered. She caught small and big moments and was somehow always at the right place at the right time. Our wedding party and families repeatedly commented on how much they appreciated Molly's work style. She is a joy to be around, and working with her was a real pleasure. Hire Molly!”
TAKE A WANDER THROUGH
my portfolio
Portraits
Feeling nervous about being photographed? Each and every one of these couples told me the same thing — that is, until we went out for their portrait session. Whether you want to capture some special moments together before the big day or just want to get the jitters out, a portrait session is a great way to make new memories together and document the magic of your daily lives.
Weddings
Sometimes the flower girl puts her face in the cake before you cut it, or it rains so hard the roof caves in and you just keep dancing (I’ve seen it all). Sometimes it’s just that quiet, knowing glance you share with your spouse at the altar just before the ‘I do’s’. Weddings are full of so many special moments — big, small, planned and unpredictable.
How this all works
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We’ll set a time to chat and get to know each other — if you’re in town, I’d love to grab tea or a gin & tonic (I am English, after all). If we click, I’ll jump into working with you and your vendor team to plan wedding photography that speaks to your needs. You can count on me to be a resource, a reliable presence, and a guide through the entire process.
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I’ll use easy prompts to guide you through the day, but I’m not about stiff poses. My focus is on documentary-style photography, and I’m looking for real moments. Your portraits are a small slice of time to simply be together outside the craziness (and fun) of your wedding celebration.
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I take pride in my craft and carefully, personally edit your images with an eye toward rich, true-to-life color. Within six weeks of your wedding day, I’ll share a curated collection of the very best images that tell your story as it naturally unfolded.
Ready to do this?
Bethany & Jordan - Portland, Oregon
“Molly was absolutely amazing. She was so professional and efficient and made our day stress free. We even finished photos before the ceremony early, giving us time to hang out with our favorite people and chill, which turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the day. She captured so many amazing moments, all while never making us feel like we were being followed around by someone with a camera. Her communication was on point and she was so easy to work with. By far our best vendor decision!”
Destination wedding?
My bag is already packed!
I’ve been so grateful to work as a photographer across the United States, Australia and Southeast Asia, and I’m always excited to discover new places. Even better if I can travel with my couples for their wildly cool weddings, like this dramatic sunset ceremony in Sedona with guests from four continents.
If you’re planning a destination wedding and looking for a candid, documentary-style approach, let’s connect.
Meme & Chris - Sedona, Arizona
“Molly is so multi-talented - great at everything from wrangling extended family and friend groups and getting gorgeous shots quickly without people getting distracted or bored, to capturing unposed, intimate moments and the unforgettable wild joy and abandon on the dance floor. Not to mention that she is just an incredibly delightful person who I think anyone would love having at their wedding, even if she wasn’t photographing.”
