welcome
GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Before you ask, my last name is pronounced KOH-LOW-JAY. Don't feel bad, my own mother still has a hard time with it, and I've been married 12 years!
The long, broken road that led me to where I am today started with a 35mm SLR (film) camera and a high school dark room. I have been obsessed with photographing the people in my life ever since. My precious grandmother gifted me a Nikon digital camera kit for my wedding shower and a note that told me to "capture all the love I see" with it. That is what sealed the deal.
I would not be the photographer that I am or have the business that I do without countless hours of help from my husband Will and the forgiveness for missing soccer games and dance recitals by my son William and daughter Lily. When we have a rare weekend free together we love to spend it camping in the mountains or body surfing at the beach.
Amy went above and beyond for us. We were able to split up our photo time into a separate portrait session early in the wedding week in addition to the actual wedding photos. She was willing to travel to make that happen for us. She was super committed to helping us feel comfortable and our most beautiful and handsome! It was such a fun experience for my husband and I-- two people who are 100% not photogenic and hate taking photos. Felt like having a friend help us celebrate. But don't let that detract from Amy's level of professionalism and skill! It was so cool to watch her in her element. She caught almost everything on digital and film and was constantly metering the light. I was so impressed with her organization when it came to all the family group photos as well. It's only been a week since our wedding, but the few photos Amy has shown us are simply amazing. Natural, beautiful, fun, and true to us. We look like our best human selves, not wedding robots :)
- Anna & Daniel
Washington, DC
"I will start this review with a few of my favorite texts/comments/emails from friends: "Where did you find your photographer, those pictures are STUNNING?!", "Your photography is literally the best wedding photography I have ever seen", "can you please give me your photographer's info, I want to book her!". "Your wedding pictures look like something out of a magazine". Amy shot our wedding in June 2016, and then also followed up the day after with an EARLY AM morning after shoot. Pictures say a thousand words - and the pictures Amy took say a million. She captured our weekend perfectly, and went well above and beyond the call of duty. It is extremely apparent that photography and capturing people's 'special moments' is not just a job to Amy, but a true passion for her. "
- Amanda & Josh
Highlands, NC
Working with Amy is the best decision we made. We loved her use of film (there’s nothing like it) and immediately felt a sense of rapport after speaking with her.
My husband and I are not naturals in front of the camera, but Amy put us at ease from the beginning. Her welcome guide was incredibly helpful (I read it at least 10 times) and I knew what to plan for and expect for the session. Amy came up to New York for engagement photos---they brought so much energy we couldn’t help but smile and enjoy ourselves while we walked around Central Park! When those photos came back, I knew we made the right choice. Amy also shot my bridal portraits and I’m so glad we opted for that session. Not only did it free up time on the day of the wedding, but it was a great chance to do a dry run with the complete bridal look (and learn angles).
Our wedding photos were everything we hoped for and more. Amy and her team were great with kids, grandparents, and adults alike. Everyone in our bridal party enjoyed working with Amy and her team—they continue to comment on how wonderful they were to this day. The photos are timeless and captured the spirit of the day so well.
Amy is an amazing photographer and A TON of fun to work with. I will continue to shout Amy’s name from the rooftop and look for more excuses to work with her again.
- Courtney & Jack
New York, NY
"Amy is not only the most likable and easy going person I have ever met, but she is a very talented photographer. Amy was by far our best vendor for our wedding and throughout the wedding planning process! She was my go to person if I had any question about choosing other vendors, what I should wear to our engagement shoot, or finalizing our day of schedule! My entire family enjoyed working with Amy, and I even had friends comment on how terrific my photographer was at the wedding. Amy goes above and beyond what typical photographers do--she will bring that step ladder to make my mother in law pleased with her family portrait! Amy's photos are gorgeous, flattering and timeless. Her photos make you feel more beautiful than you ever have in your life. I highly recommend Amy as a photographer! Thank you Amy for all that you did for Tim and I!"
- Katie & Tim
Charlotte, NC
the process
we are here from day one
We aren't interested in showing up on your wedding day, clicking the shutter a few times at the most important moments and collecting a check. If I wanted a job on the sidelines of the action I would still be working for the government earning a salary from inside a cubicle.
We are active participants in your day from the moment you hire us. From the engagement session outfits, to sewing you into your gown...this is what we do and love every second of it. Loving your profession may sound like a foreign concept in this day and age but it is exactly what drives me to provide excellent service and timeless images for my clients. It's also how we gain at least a few new friends after every wedding!
It is important to understand that I do not take being a wedding photographer lightly. Every person that chooses me, is choosing the person responsible for memorializing the first day of the rest of their life with the person they will grow old with. These photos will be hanging on the walls of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I take that responsibility extremely seriously and have invested years into learning and growing as a photographer as well as invested in the absolute best and most reliable equipment, insurance, assistants and second-shooters to match my skill and protect your memories.
My 10 years of background in the legal system may have been lackluster in terms of joy -- but I did learn quite a bit by way of best practices!
the collections
CUSTOM COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
12 Hours of coverage
2 Hour Engagement Session or Rehearsal Coverage
Second Photographer
Heirloom Wedding Album
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution
images for printing
8 Hours of coverage
Second Photographer
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution
images for printing
COLLECTION ONE
COLLECTION THREE
$8,500
$5,600
10 Hours of coverage
2 Hour Engagement Session or Rehearsal Coverage
Second Photographer
Online viewing/ordering gallery with high resolution
images for printing
COLLECTION TWO
$7,000
A LA CARTE
Hourly Coverage - $650/hour
Portrait Session - $950
Custom packages are available upon request
***Travel fees included for NC & SC destinations. Additional fees may apply to locations outside of our homebase. Ask for details.
Intimate Affairs
When the experience still matters but the timeline is minimal
Your wedding doesn't have to be a 12 hour celebration for it to be important to us.
We believe that even a brief celebration can be done well and deserves visual heirlooms to remember it by. We are happy to craft an intimate collection to fit the exact size of your event.
3 hour minimum on weekdays
4 hour minimum on weekends & holidays
Packages begin at $2000 and are built to suit your event
PRICING
heirloom albums
Handcrafted Albums are the perfect way to remember your wedding day
Your wedding photos do not belong on a USB or external hard drive. Photos are meant to be printed and shared with the people you love. We take pride in offering only the best printed products and albums to help you remember the moments you shared on your wedding day.
20 page 10x10 album
Linen: $950 for Linen
Leather: $1150
Additional 2-page Spread: $50
There are many design options available, each album is personally designed and expertly hand-crafted to ensure a fine heirloom quality.
PRICING
(8x8, 20 pages)
Linen: $450 each for Linen
Leather: $700 each
Additional 2-page Spread: $40 each
DUPLICATE PARENT ALBUMS
engagement sessions
we believe in taking the time to get to know you and allowing you to get to know us.
Our goal is to walk into your wedding day, give you a hug and get to work. The time we spend together during the engagement session allows us to do that. We learn how you interact and what makes each of you laugh. You learn what we mean when we tell you to snuggle into each other. The camera learns your angles.
Our engagement sessions are two hours in length at one or two locations, usually within a short drive from each other. The first two hours of daylight or the last two hours of daylight are when we schedule each session usually on a weekday if possible. We will help you choose locations that mean something to you and advise you on clothing selection that will allow us to produce jaw-dropping photos for you to share with your family and friends.
Engagement sessions are available within a wedding photography package and a la carte.
The fee is $950 and includes your images. Destination engagement sessions will be charged an additional travel & lodging fee according to location.
Our wedding is not in Charlotte, do you travel?
Yes! Whether we are traveling to you or with you, we've been lucky enough to photograph weddings all over. Send us more information on your travel plans and we will send you over a custom wedding collection to suit your needs.
faq
Will we get a print release for our photos after the wedding?
Yes! Upon receiving your image gallery you will be able to download, share and print the hi-resolution images immediately. We only ask that you credit AMY KOLO when you start sharing with everyone so we can photograph more of your awesome friends!
faq
What is your turnaround time ?
You will see a selection of your images in the days following your session/wedding and then the big reveal happens between 3-4 weeks after when your gallery arrives and you run to the nearest computer to relive it all over again (at least this is how I imagine it).
faq
Do you shoot film or digital?
Both. We shoot on whatever medium will make your day look and feel absolutely flawless. Whatever we choose will be based on the lighting, weather and flow of your day to ensure your images are of the highest quality.
faq
Thank you so much for spending your time getting to know a little bit about me and my business. I can't wait to get to know more about you! Getting to know people and become a part of their story is why I love this life and why I continue to to fight for my art! The next step is to set up a time to chat! You can reach me directly at
AMY@AMYKOLO.COM
