15 Wedding Photographers to watch out for in 2013

I am so so so very excited to share this list with y'all. I've been working on it for a couple of months now and to be able to finally share it with everyone just makes me happy! Selecting photographers for this list was one of the hardest things I've had to do for LM. With submissions from over 150 different photographers, narrowing down to just 15 was tough. Photographers were selected based on their interaction with my team and I, the quality of submissions sent to us, overall quality of work based on their online portfolios, and their online presence. These are photographers my team and I felt were going to have a great 2013. Photographers with goals of doing something big in 2013. Photographers whom we wanted ALL of our readers to know about. We hope that you'll be keeping an eye on these 15 amazingly talented wedding photographers from all over the world just as we'll be. Without further adieu, let's meet the 15 wedding photographers that have been carefully handpicked by the team over at Le Magnifique - 15 wedding photographers to watch out for in 2013...

[Quick sidenote: If you recently got engaged and are looking for a wedding photographer, you cannot go wrong with any of these photographers. Seriously. Check them out and book them stat.]

>> Codrean Photography | Films:

What inspires you? I get a lot of inspiration from tumblr, fashion magazines, movies, television, art, fashion. Pretty much anything creative and artistic. I love bringing other forms of artistic interpretation into my photography.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I love being able to express my art through my job. It's great to be creative as a career and I love all the people I get to meet because of photography.

Five random facts about you: I love to break out into song and dance randomly (I'm a terrible episode of Glee on a daily basis) // I was born in Romania // I can listen to Lana Del Rey nonstop // I'm obsessed with dark chocolate with sea salt // I am a fantasy/sci-fi junkie.

Lidia Codrean

Chicago, Illinois

Website: codreanphotography.com

Blog: codreanphotography.blogspot.com

Email: lcphotography28@yahoo.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Illinois Wedding, Elk Grove Village Wedding

>> Ashleigh Jayne Photography:

What inspires you? People that have amazing talents inspire me... Anything fashion related. Colors... Traveling and being around other cultures....the mountains and scenery, of course.. Music... I love music. Mostly, my sweet husband and my precious family.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? The relationships I build with my couples. Having two people that start as clients, that turn into precious friends. THAT so very priceless to me. Mostly, the reality that I am capturing the most important moment in two peoples lives..trusting me to document this beautiful season so that one day, they can look back at these images.... and be taken back... taken back to that moment when nothing else in the world mattered...only the fullness their hearts felt at that very moment.

Five random facts about you: I'm a complete softy // I love everything about the 20's, 30's, and 40's. ESPECIALLY the music. I swear I was born in the wrong era // Traveling is my #1 passion in life // I play the piano // I absolutely hate flying.

Ashleigh Cormier

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Website: ashleighjayne.com

Blog: ashleighjayne.com

Email: contact@ashleighjayne.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Louisiana Wedding

>> Ashley Goodwin Photography:

What inspires you? More like what doesn't inspire me! I am easily excited by interesting mixes of color and texture. Bright, bold aesthetics with a youthful and feminine edge. Deliciously plated food. Tribal prints. Charming European street corners. The stories behind passersby. Laid-back, beachy towns with chipped paint and loads of character. The lull of the surf and company of an imaginative book. Anything gold, especially the light. the light. THE LIGHT!!! If my husband had a nickel for every time he heard that...

What do you enjoy most about what you do? There are many facets to a wedding day that allow me to whole heartedly enjoy what I do, but nothing means more than simply being there for a couple. Being not only a hired professional, but a Creative who takes their interests to heart. I love being able to help other people in any capacity that I can. Often my Brides feel like friends, and I want nothing but the best for them on their wedding day, and if that means sending for a glass of champagne because she looks like she could use a cocktail after family photos, well then I make sure it happens. But selfishly, I love to see creativity come to life. Lover of all things design, a wedding incorporates all things pretty and it excites me to be in the middle of it all.

Five random facts about you: I hum when I concentrate. Nothing like a pretty Cinderella hum, more like a herd of bumblebees. Worst part is, I have no idea // With the generous help of my parents I owned and operated a local storefront from the age of 13-16. It was called "Mommalouz: Clothes, Gifts, and Stuff" // If I could spend my life traveling the world with just a backpack, my husband, and my dogs, I would // I eat my nachos with cottage cheese. It's delicious // I'm a book hoarder. And possibly a jewelry hoarder, too.

Ashley Goodwin Woods

Honolulu, Hawai'i

Website: AshleyGoodwinPhotography.com

Blog: AshleyGoodwinBlog.com

Email: ashley@ashleygoodwinphotography.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: North Carolina Wedding

>> Closer to Love Photography & Design:

What inspires you? Above all else, God inspires us to capture His beauty through love, people, moments, and every day simple things. We firmly believe that we have been entrusted with such a BIG gift from our Heavenly Father through the art of Photography, and it is our duty, obligation and calling to present that gift to the best it could possibly be!

What do you enjoy most about what you do? That's a tough question because we enjoy every aspect of Photography! If we had to narrow it down to our top three, we would have to say: 1. Meeting/interacting and becoming friends with our clients. It's so fun meeting a complete stranger and then becoming great friends with them even after their Wedding Day has passed. 2. We LOVE seeing the responses from our Brides and Grooms when they see the photos that we captured for the very first time. They are priceless! 3. We truly enjoy the aspect of pushing ourselves in striving to do something bigger and better than the previous time. It makes our job so much fun, interesting and rewarding! It is our desire to push ourselves creatively and artistically to as far as we can go.

Five random facts about you: We are the Anchor family:) We love Anchors and our family and friends know that if they want to get us a meaningful gift, anything with an Anchor will be a huge success:) // Natalia is a certified Barista! She just achieved a dream of hers this past Fall and creates delicious cappuccinos for our friends, family, and our lovely clients. // We have a beautiful little girl whose name is Saylah. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us! // We are a simple family that loves morning bike-rides and reading books with our toddler! // We are believers, dreamers, and risk-takers whose entire Hope and Trust is in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ :)

Sammy & Natalia Cosa

Fullerton, California

Website: closertolovephotography.com

Blog: closertoloveblog.com

Email: closertolovephotography@yahoo.com

Facebook

Features: La Jolla Wedding, Newport Beach Wedding, SoCal E-Session, Los Angeles Wedding

>> Kristen Booth Photography:

What inspires you? I am inspired by Fairytales, castles, and romance. I love anything dreamy and magical!

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I love taking everyday scenes and real people, and creating something magic. I love that photography gives me the power to show only what I want to and take places that people might pass by every day and never notice....and turn them into something out of a storybook! Someone once called me the "Fairy Godmother of photography" and it was the best compliment I've ever received!

Five random facts about you: Rabbits are my favorite animal // I have a fantasy of shooting a session in crazy dense fog // Most people think I'm older than I am. I am actually 22 // I treat my dog like he's a child // I'm overdressed 90% of the time. The other 10%, I'm in yoga pants.

Kristen Booth

Rancho Cucamonga, California

Website: kristenbooth.net

Blog: kristenboothblog.net

Email: Kristen@kristenbooth.net

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: San Diego E-Session, Big Bear Lake E-Session, Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard Wedding, 
Ireland Inspiration Shoot, SoCal Wedding, SoCal E-Session

>> Bethany Carlson Photography:

What inspires you? I am most inspired by traveling the world. I started my business when I was living abroad in Asia. At that time, I was overwhelmed with capturing everything and everyone I could. Capturing culture through the lens is exhilarating. Since becoming a photographer, I find inspiration in the most random of things in the world. I see the world in a novel way and I notice things that I never noticed before. Images of war, peace, poverty, riches, joy, grief, etc speak to me in ways that it didn't before I was a photographer.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I am able to see God's Glory in people, in couples, in travel, etc. I am able to see His purpose in relationships and in nature. I love walking away from a wedding or session knowing that God ordained that to occur, and I was the one who was blessed to have captured it. It is truly an honor to photograph the world in which He is Sovereign over. Being a witness to His Glory through the camera brings me joy beyond anything else. And the whole self-employment thing rocks too.

Five random facts about you: I love iced cappuccinos despite Starbucks denying its existence // My friends call me the crazy cat lady // I've traveled to 16 countries but sad it hasn't been 66 // My dream job is to be a zookeeper. Or Celine Dion // I'm a sucker for classical music & Jane Austen novels.

Bethany Carlson-Kennedy

San Francisco, California

Website: bethanycarlson.com

Blog: bethanycarlson.com/blog

Email: bethany@bethanycarlson.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Outdoor Wedding, San Diego E-Session, Downton Abbey Inspirational Shoot, San Francisco E-Session   

>> K. Lindmeier Photography:

What inspires you? Besides fabulous locations and great colors, I really feel the people that I’m photographing inspire me. Once I’ve met with my couples a couple of times and have had some great conversation with them, I can really start to understand their love for each. This helps me to visualize their style and so I can photograph them in way that shows the viewer how in love they are with each other.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? The best part of my job is when someone calls me to tell me how in love they are with their photos. When I photograph I photograph for my clients so when someone tells me that they can’t stop looking at their photos, I know I did something right! That’s the best part about my job!

Five random facts about you: I love the beach. One day I’m going to live there! // I can’t cook worth a darn… // surprisingly, I really don’t enjoy love stories // I have a brindle Boston terrier named Millie // Fall is my favorite time of year!

Kelly Lindmeier

Gresham, Oregon

Website: klindmeierphotography.com

Blog: klindmeierphotography.wordpress.com

Email: k.lindmeierphotography@gmail.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Longhorn Ranch Inspirational Shoot, Zenith Vineyard Bridal Shoot

>> Laura Nelson Photography:

What inspires you? Light. When I see beautiful warm light I get all fluttery. Love. Those sweet moments between lovers, a look, a touch. Creation. Everyday I am in awe of the beauty of our world and it's a continual inspiration to me.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? It's hard to pick just one thing! I love having a way to express my creativity and being able to share what I am passionate about with other people is an amazing feeling!

Five random facts about you: Going through car washes is a sure way to cheer me up // my favorite TV show of all time is Friends // I married my high school sweet heart // I have pinners wrist // I still love fairytales, they are the best stories of all!

Laura Nelson

Medford, Oregon

Website: lauranelsonphotography.com

Blog: lauranelsonphotography.com

Email: lauranelsonphotography@gmail.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Anniversary Session, Oregon E-Session 

>> Michelle Boyd Photography:

What inspires you? Anything that brings beauty and loveliness into the world inspires me! Beautiful florals (peonies and ranunculus, anyone??), film photography, laughter, handwritten letters... PARIS. Always and forever, Paris. Oh and yummy, artfully prepared food... preferably something with lots of butter :)

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I LOVE that my job is to get to know beautiful people and their stories... and then getting to tell these amazing stories about beautiful people to the world. It is an honor to be with them on one of the most intimate days of their lives. I love showing ladies how beautiful (and gentlemen how dapper) they truly are.

Five random facts about you: I realized I officially collect Anthropologie mugs. What started as an interest is now a love affair // I'm married to the best man God ever made // I make a mean gumbo, thanks to my fabulous Cajun grandma // I've watched the first 2 seasons of Downton Abbey at least 4 times through. Don't judge // Our child is a golden doodle pup :) And we spoil her!

Michelle Boyd

Austin, Texas

Website: michelleboydphotography.com

Blog: michelleboydphotography.com/blog

Email: michelle@michelleboydphotography.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Texas Wedding

>> Brett Hickman Photographers:

What inspires you? A lot inspires me. Music is one of my biggest inspirations. I’ll often listen to music on the way to a wedding or shoot and it will carry me right into a particular mood where I begin to imagine the day in my head--the possible opportunities for the perfect photo of certain expressions and moments, etc. My second biggest inspiration is my Family. Like most of us out there, families go through a lot together. I am extremely close with my family and constantly draw inspiration from my wife, my siblings, nieces and nephews.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? The most powerful stories seem to emerge from love, relationships and family. A great way to tell those stories is through a series of images. That’s precisely where I come in. I have the greatest job in the world – a photographer that gets to cultivate capture, and retell stories of those who love each other. That's what I enjoy most about being a fine art wedding and portrait photographer.

Five random facts about you: HAHAHA! What to reveal and what not to reveal! ☺. Here’s 5 random things about me: I love frozen yogurt. I eat it way too often. Most the time it coincides with a Jacuzzi dip as well! // My favorite film directors are Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan // My wife and I once traveled all the way to Chicago to see Dave Matthews Band for one night then flew home // My idea of a vacation is a cool, wet and naturally beautiful place – Alaska for example. My wife couldn’t be more different as she wants warm tropical climates // I used to shoot documentaries in conjunction with the National Aids Fund. We won best short film documentary at the Hollywood International Film Festival.

Brett Hickman

Irvine, California

Website: bretthickman.com

Blog: bretthickman.com

Email: brett@bretthickman.com

Facebook

Features: Green Gables Estate Wedding, SoCal E-Session, Paint Fight E-Session, SoCal Styled E-Session, St. Lucia Wedding   

>> Catarina Zimbarra Photography:

What inspires you? Mostly love. I live among people in love. In love with their stories, smiles and truthfulness. It’s so funny when I'm at a wedding and I realize I’m doing amazing photos due to my state of mind and my passion for their story. And I’m happy because they’re happy. So, definitely, my clients are my inspiration and real life itself.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I enjoy seeing what people usually don't see. Thinking about every detail and emotion gives you a perspective about a wedding and life itself. So at the end you'll have photos that make everyone stop and stare, laugh, smile and breathe-deep - the ones that make you thrilled. Make others happy is the most rewarding feeling as a person and a photographer.

Five random facts about you: Besides my family and my precious little girl, I love: Coffee with Pão de ló (A typical Portuguese cake made with lots of eggs) // Travel (new cultures and meeting new people) // Sew and make craft things for my home and daughter // All day at the beach with a book and no camera :) // My Yoga "time"

Catarina Zimbarra

Lisbon, Portugal

Website: catarinazimbarra.com

Blog: blog.catarinazimbarra.com

Email: weddings@catarinazimbarra.com

Facebook

Features: Grande Real Villa Italia Wedding, Lake Styled E-Session, Portugal Wedding

>> Daniel Cruz Photography:

What inspires you? I've thought about how to answer this for a while, and in doing this I have learned a bit about myself: Struggle inspires me. When I graduated high school I had aspirations to be a surgeon, an engineer, and then an Air Force pilot. A surgeon because I realized that I had immense care for others, an engineer because they made good money, and an Air Force pilot because I wanted to do something honorable. Throughout college I reached breaking points for each when I realized those people were not me. I had a hard time finding who I was because I always worried about what other people thought. I wanted to be everything that I thought was great at the time. I struggled to pay for college and everything seemed out of place. I made a decision to follow my heart. That, and seeing my father get laid off from work after 25yrs of dedication was too real for me. I saw the strongest person I know struggle to get sleep for months because his options were running out. I knew that I wanted to work for myself and control my destiny so to speak. Everything I've been through has been a precursor to me pursuing photography, and attempting to add beauty to the world. There's so much more to this that I can say, but these things can only be covered with a fire and a warm beverage in hand. I thank God for getting me through everything and giving me strength and so much more to continue.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? There's a feeling that I get when I see my bride and groom during the ceremony. At this point I already shot their engagement, and from that time to the wedding I develop a friendship with my clients. There's a connection in combination with emotion that I hold on to. And by extension of that, the best feeling is when my clients turn into friends. I love photographing beautiful souls.

Five random facts about you: I'm left handed // My best friend Sarina is a beautiful soul // I'm the only boy of 4 kids // I'm a musician //I love soccer.

Daniel Cruz

Hesperia, California

Website: DanielCruzPhoto.com

Blog: DanielCruzBlog.com

Email: daniel@danielcruzphoto.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Lake Arrowhead Wedding, Elegant Inspiration Shoot 

>> Valentina Glidden Photography:

What inspires you? What inspires me the most is my relationship with my husband, Matt. I often draw from it when shooting couples. I am also inspired by nature, the people in my life who love me, beautiful photography, good movies, inspiring books and meditating on the Word of God.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I absolutely love being able to photograph people on one of the best days of their lives. I make it a point to get to know my couples during the engagement process so that we aren't strangers on their wedding day. My clients are people I sincerely care about, and that makes it so much sweeter and special for me to be a part of their day! Becoming friends with them is an extra added bonus, which I absolutely love!

Five random facts about you: I take way too many photos of my pup // I was born in Colombia and learned English for the first time when I moved to the States at the age of 12 // When I love a song, I will listen to it about 100 times until I am sick and tired of it // I am a recovering night owl, but I often slip into my old ways // I am pretty sure I could live off cookie dough, fruits and coffee alone.

Valentina Glidden 

Pasadena, California

Website: valentinaglidden.com

Blog: blog.valentinaglidden.com

Email: info@valentinaglidden.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Valentina Glidden is running with Team Vision to help change lives in Africa. $50 provides clean water for 1 person for a generation. I've already purchased a t-shirt to help support her, but if you'd like to donate and help her reach her goal, it would mean a lot to her! Visit her page to donate. 

Features: Rainy Day E-Session, Serendipity Wedding, SoCal E-Session, Romantic Styled Bridal Shoot, Vintage Styled Shoot

>> Ashley Therese Photography:

What inspires you? The beauty of life that lies within the details... that is what inspires me. The moments in life that manifest in the form of a groom squeezing his bride’s hand after their first kiss, the first snowfall of the year, the moving lyrics of a song, the waves crashing against the sandy shore, the look on a mother’s face as her daughter takes her first steps, the heartfelt thanks expressed in a card, a bride’s slow exhale as she adjusts her veil before walking down the aisle or the second the sunrise peaks over the treetops. It’s life manifesting in the details so beautifully. 

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I feel so blessed to wake up and do what I love each day. Connecting and really building relationships with my couples is one of the things I love most about being a wedding photographer. Each couple inspires me in their own way, and for that I will always be grateful. Knowing their stories as individuals and as a couple provides me a unique perspective as I capture the biggest day of their special love story.

Five random facts about you:  I eat a Peppermint Patty every.single.day // I met my hubby through Match.com! // Clowns. I dislike them. A lot. // I heart watching detective shows and COPS episodes // I have an adorable dog, Remington, who receives more birthdays presents from my family then my husband and I do combined for ours.

Ashley Therese Poisella

Fairfield County, Conneticut

Website: ashleytheresephotography.com

Blog: ashleytheresephotography.com

Email: ashley@ashleytheresephotography.com

Twitter  //  Facebook

Features: Connecticut Wedding

>> Megan Pomeroy Photography:

What inspires you? I am most inspired by life, beauty, love, happiness, soft and dreamy light, and other artists.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? What I love most about what I do is creating! I also love that photography makes me come alive, it's one of my most favorite things to do and to get to do this for my career is pretty amazing if you ask me! I also really love working in an industry with the opportunity to meet and be around so many other incredible artists. I love seeing the world through the eyes of others - what a gift!

Five random facts about you: I love to dress up and am a definitely a girly-girl, but also really at home in a t-shirt and jeans //  I secretly want to be an actress // I am an introvert and really like being by myself // If there is a to-do list in front of me, I am unstoppable // I'm pretty adventurous and love to be outdoors.

Megan Pomeroy

Lincoln, Nebraska

Website: meganpomeroyphotography.com

Blog: meganpomeroyphotography.com/blog

Email: meganpomeroyphoto@gmail.com
Facebook

Features: Anniversary Shoot Part 1 / Part 2, Styled Shoot, Warmth of Summer Shoot

Nominate Le Magnifique for Bride Tide's Top 100 Wedding Blogs