With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Charleston-based photographer ALEX THORNTON brings a calm, thoughtful presence to every wedding she documents. Known for her refined yet heartfelt style, Alex captures love stories on film with an artful balance of editorial polish and genuine emotion. Rooted in a desire for her couples to feel seen, celebrated, and completely themselves, her imagery is timeless—filled with honest moments, beautiful light, and meaningful details that allow you to relive your wedding weekend for years to come.
WHAT LED YOU TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, AND HOW DID YOUR CAREER BEGIN?
To be transparent, I had a really terrible job for a while after college that made me seriously consider what I should be doing with my life. The big, wonderful, amazing silver lining is that it led me to photography! My great-grandmother was a professional artist and photographer and I’d never really considered it as a career until my husband and I had an anniversary session done. Throughout our session I was watching the person behind the camera and thinking, “I could do this!” I saved up for some equipment, and the rest is history! That was 14 years ago and I’m insanely grateful to get to do this for a living.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE, AND WHAT SETS YOU APART?
My photography style revolves around good, good light because I shoot a ton of film. (I know! It’s so expensive! I can’t help it!) Thankfully, Charleston has no shortage of sunshine and makes that super easy. There are so many incredible photographers and I’m grateful that we all have our own strengths. I would say what sets me apart is that all I want to do, all day every day, is laugh. It’s simple and may be silly, but it’s the truth. The feedback I get is that my sweet couples are never expecting to have as much fun during their engagement session and wedding as we have together. Okay I’m done talking about myself now!
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO CAPTURING A WEDDING DAY? DO YOU PREFER A MORE STRUCTURED OR MORE CANDID STYLE?
I prefer candid and that comprises probably 90% of a wedding gallery, but we have to make space for structure. Nobody wants family photos to take an hour because the person behind the camera can’t get it done.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES WHEN CHOOSING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Choose a person you can be around (and enjoy being around!) for an entire day, and someone whose photographs you can envision on your walls for…ever!
“Choose a person you can be around (and enjoy being around!) for an entire day, and someone whose photographs you can envision on your walls for… ever!”
WHAT’S ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE WEDDINGS YOU’VE EVER PHOTOGRAPHED, AND WHY?
That’s THE hardest question! Any wedding where the couple lets their day be an extension of their personality is a wedding that’s going to stay with me until my time on earth is done.
Are you a courteous, traditional couple? I see you rocking that receiving line and loving it. Are you rockstars in your dreams and the first to pick up the mic for karaoke? You know I love to see you crowd surf from the stage at your reception. Are you fluff-parents? I love your dog as a ring bearer! Wedding day moments and details are important because they are an extension of YOU, and capturing the things that make a wedding day yours are unforgettable.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BEYOND WEDDINGS? ANY PERSONAL PROJECTS OR CREATIVE INFLUENCES?
I write haikus in my spare time! A lot of them. Seriously. Most of them are about Southern breakfast foods, and the rest are about my kids.
IF YOU COULD GIVE COUPLES ONE TIP FOR FEELING COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Relax and let your photographer do the heavy lifting of thinking about what to do in front of the camera.
WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP?
Contax 645, Fujifilm GFX, various Nikons for receptions, one million flashes, and half a dozen silly little 35mm film cameras that are just fun as heck to use throughout the day. Oh, and a drone for aerial shots!
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WEDDING TO SHOOT—STYLE, LOCATION AND OVERALL VIBE?
I’m not even sure I can do that! Every wedding I get to photograph has something that surprises me (in a good way!) that I could have never thought of on my own. As long as there’s *some* good light and people in love, we’re golden.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF?
Shark tooth hunting at Folly Beach. Don’t tell anyone!
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM DESTINATION WEDDING TO PHOTOGRAPH—WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Oh, Italy. I just need to see it with my own eyes and can’t imagine how it would feel to capture a wedding there. One day!
WHEN YOU’RE NOT BEHIND THE CAMERA, HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?
Oh my word, I have three tiny people that follow me around all day and ask for drink refills, snacks, playground visits, to sit on the floor and join them in their imaginary worlds, and so much more. Perry (5), Dorsey (3), and Marie (8 months) are the most perfect, chaotic, precious, wild humans and I wouldn’t change a thing about getting to be with them the majority of the time, and doing my dream job with the rest of it.
