DC based film photographer shooting weddings in destinations worldwide

Black-and-white photograph of a woman with round glasses, holding a vintage camera near her face, with her head slightly tilted and lips slightly parted.
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Welcome to my secret wedding page. As the process is so intimate, I take on just a few weddings a year and prefer to work with couples who find me through trusted referral or intentional search. If you're reading this, I’m sure I’m already excited to work with you.

As a fashion photographer, I’m known for my ethereal, romantic, and emotive approach to analogue imagery & video. I’ve worked with clients like Vogue, Elle, & Harper’s Bazaar, and shot faces like Bella Hadid, Orion Carloto, Devon Lee Carlson, and Alex Consani. But I love shooting real moments most: your Mom’s hands on the edge of your veil, a tear sneakily brushed off your Dad’s face, a flower girl running freely and getting grass stains on her dress, the way your Grandpa still looks at your Grandma.

I shoot weddings with the same creative eye & attention to detail that I bring to magazine covers. Except I’m mindful that these are moments you can’t reshoot, and that makes them all the more magical. Think of me as your wedding’s artist in residence. I bring a deep curiosity, awe, and focus to your day, which I seek to preserve as the sacred alchemy it is: two souls & two families coming together, merging memory & legacy, in a moment of ecstatic joy that has been tenderly prepared for.

A collection of magazine and publication logos including The Anti-Bride, Vogue Arabia, L'Officiel, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Best of PhotoVogue.

I shoot primarily analogue, and I supervise the colors and tones in collaboration with preferred labs I’ve built relationships with for projects for Vogue & beyond. I believe film honors the moment with a slower, custom crafted physical process that gives your images an archival quality. I add digital coverage where the light or the schedule asks for it, so nothing important is missed.

Every collection can include a short film shot on Super 8 on a genuine 1960s movie camera: scored and delivered as a film you will watch at every anniversary. It is the part couples tell me they return to most.

You can read more about my approach here.

A sparkling large diamond wedding ring with gold band resting on top of an antique old-fashioned book with white and pink paper with the words "Someone to Love" written in cursive on it. At a vintage-inspired elegant wedding in Cape Cod
Groom in a black suit holds the veil next to the bride in a vintage white dress. They're standing together outdoors on a pathway outside the Luray Caverns at an unconventional fashion-forward wedding in Virginia. Shot on 35mm film
Close-up of a bride and groom holding hands during their wedding ceremony, with the bride smiling and wearing a white wedding dress, and the groom dressed in a dark suit with a floral boutonniere.
Close-up of bride and groom holding hands with a bouquet of mixed flowers and shadows on the bride's dress. Shot on 35mm film at a wedding in vancouver.
A bride with curly hair smiles and laughs while holding a cigarette. She is wearing a lace dress and a veil. shot at an arab wedding in shenandoah valley, virginia. Shot on 35mm film
A candle on a table with lit candles around it, creating shadows on the surface.
A man with reddish hair and mustache dressed in a dark suit and light patterned tie, wearing a flower boutonniere, stands in front of a bookshelf filled with books.
Various shoes and a hotel sheet with the words "The Hotel Chelsea" embroidered in orange, along with black lace clothing and a pair of sunglasses.
Group of bridesmaids in light blue dresses with large bows on the back, standing on a grassy field with trees in the background on a sunny day at a black-tie wedding in cape cod. Shot on 35mm film
An elderly man and woman, grandparents of the bride, hold hands and smile lovingly at each other outdoors at a large backyard wedding in massachusetts. Shot on 35mm film
man and woman sitting together at a dining table, smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a white shirt and tie, and the woman has curly hair and is wearing a necklace. There is a partially eaten cake on a white plate on the table, with a fork and
A woman in a white, ornate wedding dress holding a bouquet of colorful flowers, posing indoors near a window with green trees outside.
A woman in a white dress and black masquerade mask is holding hands with a man in a tuxedo and mask, while other men in tuxedos are nearby, on a stage with blue curtains.
A wedding party outdoors with the bride and groom kissing. Guests are celebrating, some holding blue floral bouquets, surrounded by trees with sunlight filtering through. Shot on 35mm film. cape cod black tie wedding
People holding glasses of white wine at a social event, dressed in formal and semi-formal attire.
Bride and groom in wedding attire holding lit candles in a dimly lit cave with candle holders and rock formations in the background. unconventional wedding at Luray caverns in shenandoah virginia. dmv wedding.Shot on 35mm film
Three women smiling and standing by a window, wearing dresses and a hanbok, in a warmly lit room.
Woman wearing a white satin dress holding a tray of assorted desserts, with a bed and grapes visible in the background.
A newlywed couple share an intimate moment outdoors during sunset, with trees and a house visible in the background. Shot on 35mm film. Cape cod wedding golden hour
Smiling bride in veil with bridesmaid in black hijab getting ready for wedding in shenandoah virginia. dmv. Shot on 35mm film
A bride and groom dancing in a living room with gray walls, artwork, and a window in the background. Shot on 35mm film. east coast wedding
A decorative table with a map and black lace doilies, lit candles, a bowl of green apples, and a pink velvet chair nearby.
Smiling man in a suit standing in a room with bookshelves, a lamp, and warm lighting.
A group of six people, including a woman in a white wedding dress and five women in colorful dresses, standing outdoors by trees during daylight. They are smiling and celebrating a joyful moment.
Groomsmen dressed in formal suits walking outdoors near a body of water, with trees and houses in the background on a sunny day. black tie wedding east coast beach Shot on 35mm film
A person wearing a black suit and white shirt holding a woman's hand. The woman is dressed in a white outfit, with dark hair, and is touching a table or surface. The background is dark and there is a person visible in the background on the right side
A woman in a black dress holding a silver tray of assorted appetizers and a glass of champagne.
People inside a warmly lit room, seen through a window of a wooden building, engaged in conversation, with flowers and a chandelier visible.
A group of people gathered outdoors under a large tree, celebrating a wedding. The bride and groom are in the center, smiling and holding flowers, surrounded by friends and family.
A garden scene with a wooden sign that reads 'Somewhere Else' and an arrow pointing to the left, surrounded by green plants and pink flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

A woman with curly black hair wearing a wedding dress and veil, being prepared by a person behind her.

  • I’m currently based in Washington, DC, and I book world-wide. I love the adventure of capturing the energy of a new place. My collections include all-inclusive travel & accommodations.

  • Of course. Choosing a photographer is a big decision and I want you to be in the best position possible to know if we’ll have synergy. Scroll down for sample galleries. In addition, when you fill out the inquiry form, I'll send over wedding galleries that are related to the style of day you're going for.

  • Mostly, I pay attention. The photographs I care about happen intuitively and unexpectedly: your Dad telling a joke, a rare smile from your stern Aunt. When a portrait is called for, I make it the way I would on a fashion set: with a clear idea, careful instructions, and a collaborative spirit toward the people involved. I’m also all hands on deck in the way I would be on set: your bridesmaid has a tag on her dress? I’m on it. Your niece is fussy? I’m inviting her to play with my camera. You need a break? I have a glass of water for you and somewhere else to be for a moment.

  • Almost no one is, including many of the people I photograph for magazines. I tend to give you something fun to do rather than a pose to hold, and most of the day you will forget I'm there.

  • There are so many talented photographers, so I think it’s important you find the one you resonate with. I don’t come from a traditional wedding background. The bulk of my experience is editorial, with credits in Vogue , Harper's Bazaar, Elle and L'Officiel. This gives me a different perspective, and my images a distinct look. Your film is developed and scanned by the same labs I use for that work, and I supervise color and tone myself. This ensures you get carefully curated, archival quality imagery rather than a photo dump.

  • No. I shoot 35mm throughout and add digital coverage wherever light or pace calls for it: dim receptions, fast processionals, the dance floor. You receive one gallery, edited to be cohesive. My collections also include an assistant and/or second photographer who will ensure that no moment is missed.

  • Every day is different. I never put caps on my collections regardless of what you invest. Expect roughly 500-1000 images for a full day. I never leave out a frame of a moment that matters to you.

  • All my clients recieve a preview of 50+ images within 5 days. The full gallery will be returned to you within 6 weeks, and I offer the option for clients to pay for expedited film processing for faster returns.

  • Collections begin at $12k and are custom built around your day. Most couples invest around $18k for photography and Super 8 together. Travel and expenses are included in all packages.

  • You can start by filling out my inquiry form below to get in touch. A 50% retainer holds your date. Most couples write 12-18 months ahead, but availability is variable so I always welcome a last minute inquiry.

Bridesmaids in blue gowns looking out the window before a wedding ceremony begins at an east coast cape cod black-tie large wedding. Shot on 35mm film.
A table set with a cake topped with strawberries and yellow flowers, a plate of cherries, a glass of rosé wine, and silverware, with pillows and greenery in the background. nikkah in mallorca. Shot on 35mm film
Close-up of a bride with dark hair and blue eyes wearing a white wedding dress and veil outdoors with blurred green trees in the background. Shot on 35mm film at east coast wedding
A champagne tower made of multiple stacked glasses, with a person pouring champagne into the top glass. The setup is on a white table with small lit candles and some snacks nearby.
Two women exchange a bouquet of orange flowers, one in a white wedding dress with a blue sash, and the other in a wedding gown, while several women observe in the background.
A woman in a green pleated dress sitting on a ledge beside a pool, with her reflection visible in the water. The background includes rocks and greenery. destination wedding nikkah Shot on 35mm film
A table illuminated by several tea candles, featuring a single lit tall candle, a glass bowl with fruit, and objects on a decorative tablecloth. In the background, there are chairs and sofa with fringed coverings.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow dress and heels is walking out in the rain holding a yellow raincoat over her head while a man holds an umbrella over her. They are outside near potted plants and trees, with the sun shining through the ba
A black-and-white photo of a woman with short hair holding a glass, making an expressive face at a backyard large wedding. Shot on 35mm film at an east coast wedding
Three women in elegant dresses smiling and looking at a small dog indoors near a window, with artwork on the wall.
Close-up of two elderly individuals holding hands, one wearing a dark suit and the other in a purple patterned jacket. grandparents at an east coast wedding. Shot on 35mm film
A man in a suit and tie, with a yellow flower boutonniere, sitting on a dark sofa next to a large yellow lampshade in a dimly lit room with bookshelves in the background.
A bride in a white strapless wedding dress, standing outdoors at golden hour in golden light. Shot on 35mm film at an east coast backyard wedding
A bride and groom dancing outdoors at their wedding ceremony, surrounded by trees and a large house in the background, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. east coast wedding Shot on 35mm film
A black and white photo of a rocky beach with a woman walking and two women sitting by the water. Sign reads "CASA MARO 310". mallorca destination wedding Shot on 35mm film
Bridesmaids in blue dresses standing and walking on grassy lawn in backyard at black tie estate wedding in cape cod. Shot on 35mm film
A smiling woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet of orange and green flowers in a room with a window showing trees outside.
bride being carried by groom in candid carefree moment. Shot on 35mm film at east coast wedding
A woman sitting on rocks outdoors, smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers, with two lambs near her and trees in the background. mallorca destination wedding Shot on 35mm film
A woman in a white dress wearing a black lace mask is standing at an indoor event, possibly a wedding or formal gathering, with a man in a black tuxedo holding her hand and another man playing a piano.
Small dog with black and brown coat wearing a white collar and yellow tag, walking on a wooden floor and pulling on a green leash, with a white dress in the background.
A man holding a young boy in his arms inside a room with a religious painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a crucifix on the wall in the background.
A person dressed in a black suit facing a mirror, reflecting a woman in a white hoodie and long white coat in a room with warm, yellow lighting.
A classic retro black and white photo of an older man with a cigar in his mouth at an outdoor backyard wedding. Shot on 35mm film
A wedding celebration taking place outdoorThe bride and groom are in the center, kissing, with the bride holding a bouquet of white flowers. brides maids and groomsmen are cheering and raising blue flower bouquets in celebration. Shot on 35mm film.
A small dish garnished with a bay leaf and pink flowers, a sharp kitchen knife with a black handle on a wooden cutting board, and a bowl of olive oil with herbs and rose petals, set on a white surface with a stone wall and green ivy in the background
Three women embracing and smiling in an indoor setting with a window in the background.
A table decorated with lit candles and glassware, with a large framed artwork on the wall above it, in a dimly lit room.
A bride and groom sitting in a church pew during a wedding ceremony, smiling, with brick walls and wooden pews in the background, and flowers in the foreground.

Get in touch

PLANNERS- INQUIRE HERE.

A man and woman dressed in formal attire, standing close together in dim lighting, with candles illuminating their faces, in what appears to be a cave or underground setting.
A woman in a white satin dress with a slit, holding a glass of wine, standing near a doorway in a dimly lit room decorated with candles and fruit.

Sample Galleries

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© Abigail Tulenko 

Additional Frequently asked questions can be found here.

studio@abigailtulenko.com

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