Vanessa Joy

From dreamy Cadillacs to couples who are absolute goals, these wedding moments take timeless elegance to a whole new level.

I think most photographers spend a considerable amount of time going back and forth between b&w or color in editing. There's something so captivating about stripping away color to focus on the emotion, the contrast, and the story within each frame., but then something so bright and alive when you see the color. Here's a few of my favorite black and white photos from recent weddings I've photographed!

Villa Antonia is an absolute dream wedding venue in Texas. As an Italy-lover, I was floored to find this Tuscany in Texas spot in the heart of the Hill Country just north of Austin. Every corner is a photographer's paradise, making it one of my favorite spots to capture stunning wedding moments! ATX Wedding Photographer: @vanessajoy Texas Wedding Venue: @villa_antonia Wedding planners: @cordialhost @pearleventsaustin @betsyvillanueva @weddingdaygirl @ashleynicoleaffair Florists: @davidkuriodesigns @bouquetsofaustintx @visuallyrics.floral @ashleigh_downing @magness_morgan @chandlerolson7 @blakeolson7

An extravagant multi-tiered wedding cake stands tall, exuding luxury and elegance. The cake features alternating layers of white and gold, with the gold tiers shimmering in a metallic finish. Cascading down the side of the cake is an array of delicate white sugar flowers, adding a romantic and soft touch to the bold design. The cake is adorned with intricate details, including what appears to be a monogram or emblem on one of the white tiers. Surrounding the cake, a warm, golden ambiance is created by candlelight, visible in the background. The cake is placed on an ornate stand, likely in an upscale event venue. A text overlay on the image reads 'Wedding Cake Goals', emphasizing the aspirational nature of this magnificent confection.

A black and white intimate portrait of a bride and her maid of honor embracing in an emotional moment. The bride, dressed in an elegant lace wedding gown, is tearfully hugging her maid of honor, seeking comfort and support. Their embrace conveys a deep emotional connection and the profound significance of the wedding day. The maid of honor's comforting presence and understanding underscore the importance of cherished friendships and the meaningful bonds shared during such momentous occasions.

A close-up of a stunning bridal bouquet takes center stage in this elegant wedding-themed image. The bouquet is composed entirely of delicate pink orchids, creating a lush, romantic arrangement. The soft, pastel pink petals of the orchids blend together to form a rounded, full shape that is both classic and modern. In the background, partially visible, is the lower portion of a white wedding dress, suggesting the presence of a bride holding the bouquet. The dress fabric appears to be a flowing, luxurious material, likely satin or silk. At the top of the image, there's a text overlay that reads 'COLORFUL BRIDE BOUQUETS' in an elegant, serif font. The overall aesthetic is soft, feminine, and sophisticated, perfectly capturing the essence of a wedding day.

A romantic scene unfolds at what appears to be a wedding reception. The focal point is a couple seated at a table surrounded by lush floral arrangements, predominantly featuring white and pink roses. The couple is leaning in close, seemingly sharing an intimate moment. In the foreground, an elaborate flower display frames the view, creating a dreamy, romantic atmosphere. A text overlay at the top of the image reads 'Surprising my sweet couple with 10 of their wedding pictures while they eat dessert!' Another text overlay near the bottom asks 'Do you see this?!' The overall ambiance is one of celebration, love, and surprise, captured in a vertical video format typical of social media platforms.

A woman is posing on a beach, wearing a stunning white wedding dress with intricate lace detailing and sheer long sleeves. Her hair is long, curly, and voluminous, styled in a natural, free-flowing manner that complements her dress and the beach setting. The dress features a plunging neckline and delicate floral appliqués on the bodice and sleeves. The background shows a serene ocean view with a soft, pastel-colored sky, suggesting it's either sunrise or sunset. Text at the top of the image reads 'Tips For Choosing A Hairstyle That Complements Your Wedding Dress', indicating this is likely part of a bridal guide or wedding planning resource.

A close-up portrait of a bride on her wedding day, partially obscured by a white veil or curtain. She has dark hair and is smiling warmly, with her eyes closed in a serene expression. The bride is holding a beautiful, whimsical bouquet of wildflowers and garden-inspired blooms. The bouquet features a variety of flowers including white roses, pale pink roses, blue and purple flowers that could be anemones or cornflowers, and delicate greenery. The arrangement has a natural, slightly wild appearance, perfectly matching the 'garden-inspired wedding' theme mentioned in the overlaid text. The image has a soft, dreamy quality with muted colors and natural light, creating a romantic atmosphere.

The image displays an elegant wedding invitation suite adorned with various natural elements and mementos from the couple's special day. At the center, a deep green envelope with calligraphic white lettering reveals the names 'Ashleigh Downing' and 'Morgan Magness', along with the wedding date of '10.21.23'. Surrounding the invitation are wooden table numbers, wax seals, rings, a wooden display box, and dried floral arrangements, all arranged artfully on a white backdrop. A small photograph nestled among the elements captures the couple strolling hand-in-hand, radiating joy and love. The warm, earthy tones and natural textures evoke a rustic, romantic ambiance, creating a visually stunning representation of the couple's forthcoming nuptials.

What are yours? Wedding photography has been my bread and butter for so long, but I’ve evolved over the years. I used to do weddings where I only give digital files, now I insist on being a part of the creative process through the art of printing the story. I used to watermark my photos (and freak out about being tagged and credited), but now I don’t (though I still love a tag ❤️). I’ve always booked hours consecutively - and that has cost me a few jobs for sure, but I’m ok with that because I wasn’t the right fit for them and every couple deserves to have the right photographer. What are your nonnegotiables or things that have changed throughout your time as a wedding photographer? Photographer @vanessajoy Bts: @thewisteriajade Venue @thompson_atx Dress @naamanavipurdesigner Bride @lore.varga Groom @abyonausar Makeup @gabriellejbeauty Hair @gatheredbeautybygabrielle Production @_lauren_field

A dreamy and elegant image promoting a luxury wedding workshop. In the foreground, a soft-focus, blurred figure of a woman with long, dark hair is visible, creating a romantic and ethereal ambiance. The background is dominated by a stunning arrangement of delicate pink and white roses, accompanied by lush greenery, cascading in a lush, natural composition. The text 'RISE Luxury Wedding Workshop' is prominently displayed in a stylish, elegant font, suggesting an upscale and refined event. The overall aesthetic exudes sophistication, femininity, and a celebration of the luxurious aspects of wedding photography and planning.

The image displays information about a photographer named Vanessa Joy, who has been recognized as one of the top 20 photographers in New York and among the top 100 photographers on the Wezoree platform. The image features a large circular portrait of Vanessa Joy, a woman with long, dark hair, wearing a black V-neck top. In the background, there are two smaller images: one showing a blonde woman in a lace dress, presumably a bride, and another showing the exterior of a building with columns and steps, likely a wedding venue. The text mentions that Vanessa Joy specializes in luxury wedding, branding, and portrait photography. The overall design has a clean and elegant aesthetic.

Do you think photography is dead or dying? Are they just stupid photos? i’ve been a photographer for over 20 years and I have seen Photography especially wedding and portrait photography go through so many photography changes and trends. But I do think Photography is here to stay, wedding certainly aren’t going anywhere and corporate photography for large and small businesses as well as headshot photography is always going to be in demand. It’s been an amazing week here at @thephotocreatorsconference - can’t wait until next year!

Are you an anti-bride? Check out the way Danielle posed for her wedding photos giving off the antibride vibes. ATX Wedding Photographer: @vanessajoy // HAMU: @angelica_pavlovaa // Texas Wedding venue: @prospecthousetx // Florals: @lemonleafflorist // Videography: @cloudcraftstudios // Rentals: @beelavishvintage // Wedding planner: @middletoneventsco // Catering: @sohocateringandconsulting // DJ-Music: @hyperhythm // Getaway Car: @atxclassiccars // Austin Bride: @danielle.pierce22 and Groom: @jsteele2234

A young couple is standing on a balcony or terrace, embracing and sharing a playful, flirtatious moment. The man is wearing a white button-up shirt and khaki pants, while the woman is dressed in a form-fitting beige dress with a high slit that reveals her toned legs. They are both laughing and gazing into each other's eyes with a sense of joy and intimacy. The scenic backdrop features a lush, green landscape and a serene body of water in the distance, suggesting a picturesque location like a hilltop or coastal resort. The image conveys a sense of romance, adventure, and carefree happiness.

A smiling young woman with long, wavy brown hair poses for a portrait against a blurred blue and green background, suggestive of a tropical setting with palm fronds or foliage. She is wearing a loose-fitting, floral-patterned blouse or top with a plunging neckline that reveals some cleavage. Her makeup is natural, highlighting her warm and friendly expression.

A large and luxurious mansion with a white exterior and black roof is shown. The front of the mansion features a grand entrance with a circular driveway and ornamental landscaping. A group of well-dressed people, likely guests, are gathered in front of the main entrance, posing for a photograph. The meticulously manicured grounds surrounding the mansion include lush green lawns, neatly trimmed shrubs, and a decorative floral arrangement in the shape of a heart. The image exudes a sense of opulence and grandeur, suggesting a lavish event or celebration taking place at this magnificent estate.