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Authentic and Timeless Hudson Valley Weddings

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Packages for your most important memories, beautifully preserved

With me as your photographer you will....


document your wedding memories for a lifetime. I will listen to you and observe. Your story is my focus, my passion, and my honor to photograph. Your photos will not fit the latest trend, they will be shared with your grandkids on your 50th wedding anniversary. You will have a documentarian with you all day, so that no moment is missed.

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Attention to detail

& emphatic approach

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Pre-wedding

education

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Collaborative timeline building & organization

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Bespoke digital album

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Check out this blog for my scoop on the awesome Barn at Villa Venezia!

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Looking for magical prep locations? Take a look a these options!

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Hi, I’m Matthew!

Your wedding photographer and storyteller


I am a hiker, teacher, naturalist, observer, creator, and listener. Today my official job titles are “educator” and “wedding photographer,” but really, my jobs are about service. Before a wedding, I serve you by offering education on the easiest, most enjoyable, and most efficient ways to plan their day. During a wedding day, I serve you first by being a steadfast, calm presence. Then, I document your most important moments and create lasting memories.


The core qualities that I bring to a wedding day are patience, experience, active listening, keen observation, and empathetic responses. I want to get to know my couples, not just by the box they fit in or the person they show to the world, but for who they really are deep down.

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"He has a background in nature photography and the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley is really pronounced in our photos."

What sets me apart

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Commitment to service

I am committed to serving your needs the way YOU need. Ultimately, your day should be about you, not a photo list or my portfolio! If spending time with your partner is the most important priority for you, I will help you schedule your wedding accordingly.


I initially developed my passion for service volunteering for two years in Honduras. That eye-opening experience made me who I am. Today, I am committed to serving you by facilitating and documenting your best day.

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Experience with weddings

I have seen it all in almost 10 years of wedding photography. In all the wedding days that I have been a part of, I have acted as a facilitator and problem solver.


I have documented wedding days during a fire alarm, in dark reception halls, during epic storms, on days where nobody arrived on time, in all situations imaginable.


Each time, beautiful memories were documented!

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My years as an educator

You have most likely never planned a wedding. You probably have no idea how much time to expect in each portion of the day.


I will provide you with my expert wedding planning education, resources, and sample timelines so that your wedding preparations are organized, seamless, less daunting, and more enjoyable! Take the mystery out of this huge decision.

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At home in nature

I am constantly chasing light across natural landscapes. I marvel at the wonders around us, and am most centered in the moment while outdoors. I will use these skills to highlight place, time, and landscape with your wedding photography.


Photography is about all the senses, and your senses are intricately tied to memory. When we document place and landscape in a scene, I create photos that evoke all the senses. In decades to come, the images of your wedding setting will evoke memories of your best day.

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I'm Batman

One piece of feedback I consistently hear from couples is that I captured all the special moments of their day, and that they had no idea I was there. They also love looking through their album and seeing moments that they weren't even aware were happening in all the busy-ness.


I pride myself on fading into the background and documenting all your meaningful memories. I'll be there every step of the way, you just might not notice me!

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Patience and calm

Families love me at weddings, and that's because, during all the craziness and commotion, I keep my cool. Uncle Bob went missing? Don't worry, I already have someone tracking him down. Your family is hard to wrangle? I've got this...I am the oldest of five, in a family of 30+ cousins, and have been wrangling them for years.


During your wedding day you need someone who is on your side, whose only priority is your enjoyment, happiness, and memories in mind. Let me organize, wrangle family, and deal with the craziness. You just enjoy.

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How the process works

 

Your wedding photography needs and plans are unique. We will discuss and honor your wedding day vision while building your package and wedding day timeline. Here is a typical yearly schedule for you to see what my process is like and what to expect in the months leading up to your big day.

I. Initial Inquiry

You saw my work and made your initial inquiry—Thank you! We'll be in touch shortly and schedule your first call.

2. Schedule a Call

Within a couple of days we will schedule a call to get to know each other a little better. We will discuss your vision for your wedding and any specific requests you may have. We will design your quote and package around your specific needs.

3. Invoice and Contract

After our initial call, I will send you a quote and contract. If you make the (excellent) decision to book, the signed contract and a 30% booking fee will hold your date. Keep an eye out for a Welcome email that will include sample timelines, preferred vendors, add-ons, and more!

4. Engagement Session

Approximately 6 months before your wedding we will discuss your engagement session. You will receive your edited engagement photos within a couple of weeks, in time to send out your Save the Dates (usually 4-6 months before your wedding).

5. Final Questionnaire

Throughout your planning process we will be in touch as needed to help you plan your day. Then, one month before your wedding, you will receive your Final Questionnaire. I will use this information to construct your timeline and photo combinations.

6. Timeline Call

About two weeks before your wedding day we will have our final call. During that call we will discuss your photo timeline and go over details like:

  • Specific photo locations, timing, and venue requirements
  • Family and wedding party names and photo combinations
  • Personalized requests and ideas

7. Finalized Wedding Day Timeline

The night of our final call, I will send you the finalized timeline and photo list for you to review. If you see changes you would like to make, you can comment on or edit the document.

8. YOU GET MARRIED!!

9. Your memories arrive

You will receive your personalized online photo gallery 6-8 weeks after your wedding!

Best of Zola 2025
The Knot Best of Weddings - 2025 Pick Matthew Rigby Photography
Matthew Rigby Photography