turning love stories into art

AS FEATURED IN

Photographer Carmela Joy Best Wedding Photographers in Arizona 2024 award

For couples who want artful, documentary storytelling with an editorial edge

Bride and groom at a Tuscany Italy Wedding venue posing for their destination wedding photographer

Artful, honest storytelling for destination weddings around the world.

my approach

Your wedding isn’t just a series of posed moments - it’s a collection of fleeting, beautiful, in-between memories you’ll want to hold onto forever. I specialize in capturing those: the hand squeeze before you walk down the aisle, your grandma’s teary-eyed hug, the wild dance floor moment you’ll never fully remember but will always be glad you have a photo of.

I want your photos to feel - to transport you right back to the joy, the quiet pauses, the tears, and the laughter. Not just how your wedding looked, but exactly why you chose each other.

My style blends documentary storytelling with editorial portraiture. Think: artful, magazine-worthy images that still feel like you. I believe the best photos happen when you feel seen, celebrated, and completely yourself - which is why I take time to truly get to know you before your day.

Whether you’re exchanging vows on a cliffside in Italy, an oceanside villa in Spain, or beneath the stars in Iceland, I’ll be there capturing the real, the artful, and the moments that matter most.

Meet Carmela

Welcome and thank you for stopping by! I'm Carmela - an editorial and documentary-style wedding photographer based in Arizona, but traveling wherever your love story takes you. I’m drawn to couples who care about more than just the pretty details. The ones who want a marriage even more beautiful than their wedding day, but still know how to throw a killer party.

My work is inspired by genuine connection, those fleeting, unscripted moments, and creating artful images that feel like you. I believe your wedding day isn’t a show - it’s a collection of meaningful, heart-filled moments that deserve to be remembered as they were.

I feel endlessly grateful to travel for this work, telling love stories against some of the most breathtaking backdrops in the world. From sun-soaked villas in Italy to intimate garden gatherings in France, it’s a true honor every time I get invited into a couple’s story.

If you're dreaming up something intentional, heartfelt, and a little bit editorial, I’d love to be a part of it.

Turning Love Stories Into Art

Turning Love Stories Into Art

see my packages

Weddings

Your love story deserves an unforgettable setting and a destination wedding is the perfect way to turn your celebration into the ultimate experience for you and your guest. Whether you're exchanging vows in a European castle or atop a scenic mountain in Greece, I’ll be there to document every moment of your perfect day. My destination wedding packages are tailored with care to capture the energy and intimacy of your day, whether it's a multi-day adventure with your favorite people or a private elopement that’s just for the two of you. Wherever your story takes you, I’m here to help you remember not just how it looked, but how it felt to be a part of it.

Intimate.

Joyful.

Heartfelt.

Intimate. Joyful. Heartfelt.

READY TO WORK TOGETHER?

We might be a good fit if…..

  • You value connection, trust your people, and want to be fully present on your wedding day.

  • You feel connected to my work and love everything about my style.

  • You don't care about traditions and want to make your day unique to you.

  • You love to travel, explore new places, and dream of a wedding that feels like you.

  • You could see us staying friends long after the last song plays.

  • You’re drawn to honest, effortless, artful photos over anything too stiff or staged.

Sound like you? I’d love to meet you! Use the link below to get in touch!