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Alison Mae Stevenson

@alisonmaephotography

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Moment focused wedding photos
Calm guidance with a dash of humor
Husband + Wife team
Indy + CHI 📍

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This isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about feeling like yourself and having fun! Working with us means we keep things easy and light so you can stay in the moment with the people you love. When you’re not thinking about how you look or what to do next, you get to actually be present, and that’s when the photos start to feel less like something on a check list and more like a memory.

#chicagoweddingphotographer #indianapolisweddingphotographer #midwestweddingphotographer by @alisonmaephotography

Just outside Washington, DC, where winding roads take you past rolling pastures, little antique shops, and a handwritten sign that reads “Old Cat Crossing,” you'll find Goodstone Inn tucked into the Virginia countryside.

We were here to photograph Evann and Aidan's wedding on a chilly, rainy early fall day, but we couldn't help taking a little time to appreciate the place itself, too. There is so much charm tucked into every corner of Goodstone, and when it comes to telling a story, we've always believed the little things matter just as much as the big ones.

Venue | @goodstoneinn
Planning & Coordination | @protea_event_planner
Photography | @alisonmaephotography
Florals | @petalburst_florals
Cake | @Danascakeshoppe
Beauty | @Captivatingcomplexion
Live Painter | @Spencergraceartspace
Music | @atokastringquartet by @alisonmaephotography

What a privilege it is to do this job.

Avery and Sam's wedding at Deer Path Inn was such a lovely reminder of just how much this work means to us. These two have known each other since eighth grade. Eighth grade! Getting to see Avery as a bride, marrying someone who has known her through so many different chapters of life, was pretty incredible. And after all the time and love they'd poured into planning their wedding, with the help of the wonderful Katie of @olivefineweddings, watching them let go of the details and simply enjoy being married, surrounded by the people who know them best, was something really special.

I think that's why this job has become so much more than photography for us. We get to know our couples, hear about their lives, their families, and all the little things that matter to them. And then we're right there on one of the most personal days of their lives. We're carrying dresses, fixing veils, solving little problems, joking with dads, and pinning boutonnieres back on when they inevitably fall off. We're photographers, yes, but we're also people who genuinely care about the people in front of our cameras.

Avery and I giggled our way through most of her wedding day, and I'll always treasure that. These are the little things that make this job so personal to me.

Avery and Sam, getting to know you both and being there for your wedding was such a gift. Thank you for trusting us, for letting us in, and for reminding me just how much I love what we do.

Couple | @avehansen and Sam
Venue | @deerpathinn
Planning | @olivefineweddings
Photography | @alisonmaephotography
Videography | @wholeheartvideo
Rentals | @aposhproduction, bbjlinen, @hallsrental
Floral | @thistleandplume
Beauty | @colette.anomaliebeauty and @josedeleonartistry
Stationery | @emeryanndesign
Music | @standingroomonlymusic
Cake | @ecbg_studio
Rehearsal | @lecolonial_restaurants
Dress | @mirazwillinger
Custom earrings | @lauren_Mackenzie_jewelry
Rings | @tiffanyandco by @alisonmaephotography

Let's talk engagement sessions!

I think one of the best parts of planning an engagement session is getting to know a little more about the two of you. Maybe you have a favorite coffee shop, a neighborhood you love wandering around together, or a place you've always wanted to visit. I want to hear about it!

I have a rather lengthy list of locations I love (shocking, I know), but I really enjoy finding ways to make each session personal. We'll talk through ideas, outfits, and all the little details together. And please don't feel like you need to come to me with a fully formed plan. I'm more than happy to dream something up with you!

And honestly, some of my favorite sessions have started with a couple saying, "Okay, this might sound weird, but..." Please tell me your weird ideas. I love those! by @alisonmaephotography

A few things you should know about us before hiring us.

We're Alison and Zach! We're married, we're best friends, and we photograph weddings together. I consider myself Type A-. Organized enough to understand the spreadsheet girlies, but creative enough to leave room for a little magic. Zach is much better at living in the moment, and I love that about him! I think we bring out the best in each other, both in life and in our work.

We believe your wedding should feel like a wedding, not a photoshoot with a ceremony squeezed in somewhere. Don't get us wrong, we LOVE a beautiful portrait. But we also want you to have a drink with your friends, hug your grandma, and enjoy the party you worked so hard to plan. We'll keep track of the photographs. You get to lose track of time.

We take our work seriously, but ourselves? Not so much. We genuinely love getting to know our couples, learning what makes them laugh, and understanding who matters most to them. We want to make beautiful photographs, of course, but we also want you to look back at them and remember how it all felt. by @alisonmaephotography

I've always been a firm believer in a little romance and a lot of good architecture. So.. here's both of those things because why not?

@villadelbalbianello @amv_retreats @amv_weddings @thegardenoflove.it @tablesetrentals @thestudiocomo @astrid_flint @nicolaopoku @fashionartwise @moniquelhuillier @moniquelhuillierbride @white_house_bride @botiasaccessories by @alisonmaephotography

She grew up in Winnetka. He grew up two towns over in Wilmette. Their friends introduced them before high school, there was a New Year’s kiss sophomore year, and then life took the scenic route.

College. A dinner to “catch up” years later. More dinners. More weekends. A move to LA. And eventually, the realization that even from 2,000 miles away, they were still each other’s person.

So for their engagement photos, we came back to the shores of Lake Michigan, right near where so much of their story began. And today, all these years later, Avery and Sam are getting married back on the North Shore.

This little corner of Illinois just keeps finding ways to write itself into their story and we can't wait to capture it! by @alisonmaephotography

Some favorite detail shots from this year✨ by @alisonmaephotography

A wedding day, Chicago style. 🌭

Nicole + Brett started with a rooftop first touch overlooking the Chicago skyline, got married at St. Clement in Lincoln Park, took wedding photos at North Pond, and celebrated at Salvatore’s, where Nicole’s uncle was married years before.
And naturally, the night ended with Chicago-style hot dogs.

Nicole + Brett, we couldn’t adore you more if we tried.

Venue | @salvatoreschicago
Planning | @myrtle.sage.events
Photography | @Alisonmaephotography
Floral | @floralwondersevents
Beauty | @bridal_brigade
Music | The business (not on instagram)
Cake | @bittersweetpastryshop
Transportation | @chicagocloud9limos
Dress | @vollesbridal
Tuxedo | @theblacktux by @alisonmaephotography

The room, mid-dinner. And then, a little rewind.

Kara and her mom designed every bit of this together. Chandeliers for warm, dazzling light. Lush roses everywhere. Sleek black flatware to keep things interesting.

A very good reminder that setting the table is really about who gets to gather around it.

Photography | @alisonmaephotography
Venue | @planterraconservatory
Floral | @kristengvy
Music | @lufruentertainment, @saxappealmusic
Live Painter | @Juliamcnallyart
Dress | @sarehnouri @kleinfeldbridal
Video | @parker_durand001
Beauty | @themakeuploft, @angelakiryakos
Bakery | @christines_cakes_and_pastries by @alisonmaephotography

She’s beauty, she’s Grace. What a gift to have been her wedding photographer.

Venue | @omniseverinweddingsandevents
Planning | @lisavanhorton_weddings
Florist | @graceful_hands_floral
Photography | @alisonmaephotography
Music | Kirkwood String Quartet, @synthesisentertainment DJ Steve
Beauty | @facesbylizzie and @bighairlove3
Ice Sculpture | Hernandez Ice Sculptors
Photobooth | @photobooth.indy
Cake | @sweetescapecakeco

Indianapolis wedding photographer by @alisonmaephotography

Raindrops clung to the ivy crawling up the walls of Monte Bello Estate. Frogs tucked themselves between the stones around the lily pond and the rain washed everything into a dozen shades of bright green. Inside, hundreds of candles flickered against deep red florals.

It rained all day. Well, almost. The rain stopped exactly once, right in time for Gaby and Jack’s first look. It was the kind of wedding magic you can never plan for but are always grateful when it shows up.

By dinner, the rain had become part of the story. Another detail of the day, right alongside Gaby’s pearl-covered shoes, Jack’s Rolex and the sound of 250 of their favorite people filling the room.

These two met as freshmen in 2014, became best friends first, fell in love later, and now share a life in Chicago with two cats and their beloved dog Enzo.

Twelve years later, they married their best friend as rain fell outside. And then threw one heck of a party.

Venue | @montebello.estate
Planning | @stunningandbrilliantevents
Photography | @alisonmaephotography
Videography | @wildwedefilmco
Floral | @bellafloraweddings
Beauty | @windycityglam
Music | @impulsedjs
Photobooth | @fotioco
Cake | by @alisonmaephotography