Ellie Mckinney

PHOTOGRAPHER & EDUCATOR

Kick off your shoes and pop that bubbly, because it’s time to get to know your wedding photographer! I’m Ellie and I’m thrilled that you’ve found your way here.

Through a style that marries rich, bold tones with gentle highlights, I fill galleries with images that earnestly document moments while ensuring you look your absolute best. I am passionate about capturing the true meaning behind delicate details and allowing emotional scenes to unfold sincerely.

And by blending a spirit of adventure with your elegant celebration, you’ll always receive images that are spontaneous, dynamic, and absolutely glowing with romance.

Forget about perfection-- Let’s transform realness into art.

let's daydream together

FOR WILD-HEARTED + TIMELESS ELEGANCE.

I can’t wait to hear your proposal story, imagine your wedding day in your dream venue, and build a custom photography experience that will preserve every special moment.

Let’s turn the best day of your life into art you’ll treasure forever.

John

Raleigh — North Carolina

Where do I even begin?! We found Ellie and thought her photos were stunning. She quickly replied to an inquiry email and she seemed genuinely excited to potentially shoot our engagement photos, but you can only infer so much from email correspondence. Ellie asks questions about who you are, what you love, your style, and ultimately what YOU want for your photos. She came up with great location options in Raleigh for our shoot.

The day of our shoot, we finally met Ellie in person, and she was even sweeter than she was via phone or email! She is a master at her craft and gave us so much direction while enjoying the moments with us. We shot at two locations and had a quick wardrobe change in between. She made it completely seamless and fully enjoyable even when we felt like we didn’t know what we were doing (and even though it was 92 degrees out). When we got our full gallery a few weeks later, WOW. She did an absolutely stunning job and we could not have been happier!! The photos were perfect and our expectations were exceeded in the extreme!

Ellie is such a kind, genuine and hard working person and we are thankful we got to know her better during the photography process. Having a photographer that you click with and who prioritizes your wants is very rare, and that’s what we got with Ellie. We would (and do) recommend her to anyone! A dream come true.

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When I’m not kicking it with couples, you can probably spot me out adventuring with our St. Bernese pup named Beau, scouring West Elm for the perfect furniture to go in our century-old home (ask me about the wild remodel, because I never get tired of talking about it!), or planning my next adventure abroad with my husband and little boy.

My husband and I are forever chasing the best new restaurant and trying to perfect our homemade whiskey sour recipe!

But more than anything, my little fam and I are a crew of explorers who treasure every moment -- big or small -- that we get to spend together.

Scroll for adventures captured.

t.

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You're busy with life's to-dos and don't have the time to add more to your plate. This is where I come in!

I'm a huge believer that planning time for all of the images you've dreamed of can make for a seamless celebration. Not only do I help you to create a timeline, I guide you through events as they happen on your big day. You'll be able to enjoy creating your own memories as I document them.

Every step along the way, I'll be here to help you plan a seamless celebration!

ON THE BLOG:

TOP WEDDING TIMELINE DOs + DONTs

COMING SOON...

You're busy with life's to-dos and don't have the time to add more to your plate. This is where I come in!

I'm a huge believer that planning time for all of the images you've dreamed of can make for a seamless celebration. Not only do I help you to create a timeline, I guide you through events as they happen on your big day. You'll be able to enjoy creating your own memories as I document them.

Every step along the way, I'll be here to help you plan a seamless celebration!

ON THE BLOG:

TOP WEDDING TIMELINE DOs + DONTs

COMING SOON...

THE CREW

DARRYL

TAYLOR

MAGGIE

Business Partner

Tech Wizard & Forever Date

Associate Photographer

This talented photographer is my partner-in-crime and close family friend. We launched into this world of creative solopreneurship together, and I’m grateful beyond words that we did! We've created a podcast for creatives together and continue to work weddings by each others side!.

Last but never, ever least, my husband is the one who consistently inspires me to follow through on all of my big ideas...while also teaching unruly memory cards a lesson. You can even spot him helping me with weddings occasionally! What would I do without him?

This clever and artistic soul is my right-hand woman on a wedding day! She’s known for finding documentary moments to capture and for bringing her own unique artistic talent. (She's my detail shot queen.) I can’t wait to introduce her to you!

COLLECTIVELY ELEVATING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

I can’t wait to hear your proposal story, imagine your wedding day in your dream venue, and build a custom photography experience that will preserve every special moment. Let’s turn the best day of your life into art you’ll treasure forever. And let’s do it in a way that is uniquely you.

Talk soon!

Ellie