Aislinn is our fearless leader! She founded AKW in 2008, from a laptop at her kitchen table, with only a love of photography and weddings and a whole lot of determination. She drinks her coffee black, never turns on the radio, and graduated from Yale with a degree in English. Her lipstick is always red, doesn’t sleep past 7am ever, is most comfortable winging it, and will never ever turn down a slice of pizza (extra cheese).⁠

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU END UP IN PENSACOLA?
I’m originally from New York City, but I did most of my growing up in Texas, so my answer depends on whether I want to be Southern or Northeastern! In truth (and if we’re going to speak in stereotypes), I’m a little bit of both. I talk fast like a New Yorker but say “y’all” like I was born to it.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER?
When I was a kid, I was always the one with the camera. In 8th grade, I remember going to Washington, DC with my school for a four-day trip, and coming home with 13 rolls of film. In college, I always carried a camera and I have the evidence to prove it. It wasn’t until 2008, when my husband gifted me with a “real” camera and suggested I consider pursuing photography, that my childhood hobby became a feasible career path – and I haven’t looked back since.

SECRET TALENT?
I can recite all 50 states, in alphabetical order, in 16 seconds. I can also find anything on the internet in under a minute, and pretend that my laundry doesn’t need to be done for an infinite amount of time.

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING DAY?
I love the gowning. The moment when the bride slips on her dress signals a change in tone – the emotion intensifies and it feels like a mini-crescendo, as though all of the planning was leading up, in part, to transforming a woman into a BRIDE.  This is 100% true for grooms as well – I adore the moment when you look in the mirror and realize you’re about to get MARRIED.

DREAM WEDDING LOCATION (TO PHOTOGRAPH)?
We’re pretty lucky to live on Florida’s Emerald Coast, which is a bucket-list destination for so many photographers around the world. I love the opportunity to document weddings in locations very different from Florida – send me to the mountains, give me snow, or maybe a villa in Tuscany?

DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY (PETS, KIDS, ETC).
I’m incredibly fortunate to be married to a man I fell in love with in college, and we have two pretty amazing kids. Our son is 17 and loves skateboarding, surfing and video games. Our daughter is 13 and wants to be either an artist or a soldier, so cheers to keeping your options open!

FUNNIEST STORY FROM A PAST WEDDING?
In 15 years of photographing weddings, I have seen some THINGS. Most of them can’t be published here, but maybe I’ll write a book when I retire (names changed, of course!).

FAVORITE WEDDING DETAIL?
Lighting! String up market lights or white twinkle lights – twice as many as you think you will need. They make the background of every photo look magical.

YOUR MOST OVERUSED PHRASE?
“…at the end of the day…”

WEIRDEST JOB YOU EVER HAD?
This is a toss-up. I worked as a tap dance instructor for a time, and in college I got an internship at a publishing company in NYC only to walk in on the first day and realize that the books this company published were very, um, adult (cough, cough). Oops.

BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?
Our team is composed of humans who are just really, really, GOOD PEOPLE. There is tons of talent in the room, and everyone brings their own flair to the studio – but at the end of the day (see, I told you!), everyone is moral, ethical, kind, and drama-free. And I love that.

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?
Give yourself the freedom to obsess over every detail, but in return promise yourself that on your actual wedding day, you will let everything go. At that point, what can be planned will have already been planned (and if it isn’t, then it’s not that important). You are surrounded with people who love you and want to support you – let them worry about why Aunt Sally is late. Smile, laugh at the things that go wrong (because they will make the best stories later), and do your best to be kind to everyone around you. Also, wear a long veil and pretty shoes to make your photographer happy!

Meet Tiffany! She has been a pineapple for almost four years (what?!), has a knack for seeing the quiet moment within a big scene, and will giggle like a 4-year-old if you give her funny socks. Her obsession with red lipstick rivals Aislinn’s, she changes her hair every four months, and all of her cats have multiple names. She travels with a minimum of two beverages and four meals, all neatly tucked in reusable Tupperware containers, will feed you a snack if you are cranky, and keeps everyone else in the studio on task and in line.⁠

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU END UP IN PENSACOLA?

I was born in Fort Walton Beach, grew up in Reno, NV, and eventually moved back to the Gulf Coast for good in 2000 (that makes me a local, right?). Truthfully, I miss the northern Nevada/California area often, but Pensacola has become home – our little slice of paradise is pretty special!

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF AKP?

A bit accidentally! I owned my own photography company from 2008 to 2016 and my desire to continue on path as a business owner was beginning to wane in 2015, but I still loved being a professional photographer. While scrolling my Facebook feed in late 2015, I saw that the company was hiring a full time associate photographer and was interested then, but waited too long to inquire and the opportunity passed. Fast forward a year and I knew I was nearing the point of moving on from my company, though I did not yet know what that meant. To my utter shock, while doing the daily Facebook feed scroll one morning I saw (quite unexpectedly!) that AKP was again looking to add a full-time associate photographer to the team. I emailed immediately (without even running it past my husband first, oops!), we scheduled a breakfast meeting (because breakfast is clearly the best meal of the day), bonded over a shared love of orange tabby cats, and the rest is history!

FAVORITE FOODS?

I LOVE food and will try just about anything! It would in fact, be easier to list the things I don’t care for (if I never have to eat another canned beet again!) That said, most days my palate leans strongly in the direction of Latin and Asian flavors.

DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY (PETS, KIDS, ETC).

I adore huge family gatherings (which might be a big part of the reason I love weddings so much!), but my own family is quite small. My husband and I have three cats, Punkin (my best buddy), Baby Kitty (aka, Sweet Pea, who never really got a name), and Ellie (the three-legged wonder cat!). Like most moms, I have plenty of pictures of them on my phone and I will gladly show them to you, whether you ask or not!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

Reading, cooking (and EATING), working out, fitness nutrition, gardening, drinking wine in my garden, DISNEY WORLD TRIPS!! My interests are varied and my dedication to them ebbs, and flows, but these are the hobbies that have remained pretty constant over the years and the ones I can talk your ear off about!

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY IF YOU’RE NOT SHOOTING A WEDDING.

It depends on the time of year. A Saturday off in the spring or summer time means finding a way to be outside most of the day. Brunch on a sunny patio with friends or a lazy day spent at the beach are my go-to activities. A free fall or winter Saturday means pajamas all day, brewing full pots of coffee to leisurely enjoy (probably with a little Bailey’s snuck in there), and taking my time cooking something delicious for my family!

FUNNIEST STORY FROM A PAST WEDDING?

Wedding days tend to move at a dizzying pace, and your photographer is often “on” for hours at a time. We love capturing every moment, but it can mean breaks are often few and far between. Generally speaking I try to carve out at least a few minutes at every wedding prior to the ceremony to eat something, rehydrate, and take a quick restroom break, as once the ceremony begins it can be HOURS before I’ll again have the opportunity to do any of those things. Several years into my wedding photography career, having followed that formula for some time, I took my customary pre-ceremony break and then positioned myself at the front of the church in anticipation of the bride’s entrance. Immediately following the ceremony we did a slew of family portraits (all eyes on me), couples portraits (full attention on me), and the usual reception events (fortunately, no eyes on me). As I mentioned above, HOURS had gone by since the ceremony and as I got in place for cake cutting I realized that my pants were unzipped. This was immediately followed by the realization that they had been unzipped for the duration of the ceremony (the one where I stood at the front of the church facing ALL of the guests), the family portraits (where all focus was on me), and the first several hours of the reception. NO ONE TOLD ME MY ZIPPER WAS UNDONE!! I was absolutely mortified, but at least it now makes for a good story! And I now I wear leggings.

FAVORITE WEDDING DETAIL?

I love a gorgeous paper suite, the fabulous shoes you splurged on, and a showstopper bouquet, but the details that are personal and perhaps not the most obvious are my favorite. Maybe it is the bit of lace from your mom’s wedding dress wrapped around the stems of your bouquet, the inscription in your soon-to-be husband’s wedding band, or the pearls your grandmother wore on HER wedding day. Hearing the stories behind those details will forever be the ones I love the most!

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO SHOOT WEDDINGS?

When describing why I love what I do, I have often said, “we don’t save lives, but we do document them, and that is pretty significant too.” Photographs and the stories attached to them are the way future generations know who we are. Preserving that history is incredibly important and something I am grateful to be able to do for our clients. Plus, if you have to work for a living, spending the BEST DAY EVER with people isn’t a bad way to do it!

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY.

Meticulous. Nurturing. Thoughtful.

YOUR MOST OVERUSED PHRASE?

“AMAAAAAAAAZING!!” Or, “awwwwwwww, buddy.” Cats, dogs, and adorable small children are all referred to as, “buddies.” Really, ask the rest of our team.

DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?

Booplesnoot. Unless someone puts the scissors back in the wrong place. Then I am a Spiky Floof.

BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?

Working with smart, talented, kind people who love what they do is AMAZING!! We have an incredible team who show up every single day for our clients and each other. They make me better as a photographer, coworker, and human. What more could I possibly ask for?

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Don’t worry about the things you think you SHOULD do and focus instead on the things that are important to the two of you. Not a fan of cake, but love doughnuts? Do that doughnut tower in place of a cake you don’t really want in the first place! Your family and friends love you for YOU, and will be just as excited to celebrate, so make it personal, make it weird, make it the day YOU’VE been dreaming of and don’t worry about the rest!

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF AKP?

I originally started as a client using AKP for some headshots and then after spending some time learning about photography in school, I began working as a second shooter in hopes of making my way onto the team. When they finally had an open position, I went for it and it worked!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER?

It started when I was a kid and my mom would get me a disposable camera whenever we would go on a family trip, but I never considered it as a career until I was halfway through college when I decided that life was too short to not have a job I loved doing and decided to try picking up a camera. By the end of my first semester, I was obsessed and there was no turning back. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

Eating has always been a passion of mine and I’ve even been known to throw down in the kitchen on occasion, but my all-time favorite food is probably a warm tasty bowl of pasta. 

SECRET TALENT?

This is no secret for any member of the AKP team, but I am an extremely talented wedding dancer! I pull out all the stops whenever I get to tear it up on the dance floor. Splits! Death drops! Spins! The Wobble! No matter what kind of music is playing, if I’m a guest at that wedding, you can find me on the dance floor. 

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING DAY?

My favorite part of the wedding day is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Something about the moment between the couple really solidifies everything that led to the couple saying “I do” to the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. I always have to stop myself from crying when that happens. 

MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE WEDDING DAY? 

The most difficult part of a wedding day is probably having to keep the bride and groom from seeing each other. No matter how much communication happens, I’m always so scared that the couple is gonna see each other before they’re ready, even though it hasn’t happened to me yet (fingers crossed it doesn’t happen ever. lol)

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

With such an exciting career, I’ve grown to enjoy spending my free time in the most low key way I possibly can. I love to cook and bake for my family and friends, and am always open to a crafternoon with some friends. If my friends are busy and I am full, you can find me reading from my collection of manga, enjoying a romance novel and a glass of iced coffee, or playing World of Warcraft at my dining room table. 

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH WEDDINGS?

I love photographing weddings because it is a day that is so important to so many people and is a culmination of so much planning and effort. The fact that our photos can help memorialize an event that only lasts for a short moment helps remind me that our job is so important and being able to provide that experience for our clients is so fulfilling. 

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY: 

Playful, Uplifting, and Effervescent 

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?

I love having a team around me that all have different styles of photography but somehow all create the same feeling with their work. Working in this kind of environment has not only allowed me to learn so much about how our other photographers create and capture moments, but has also helped me develop myself as a photographer. And working in the office has allowed me to learn so much from our team members who aren’t always there on a wedding day with a camera in hand. They all still work together to make sure that our clients have an amazing experience and have made sure I know how to as well!

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Ask a photographer (preferably us) about locations. We will be able to deliver beautiful pictures no matter where you choose to tie the knot, but if you have a certain aesthetic you want to achieve or something you want to avoid, photographers are going to be a great resource to make sure that everything is going to meet your expectations regarding aesthetics and visuals. 

WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK FAMILY, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR HOME FAMILY TOO!

My home family is a HOOT! I’ve got my parents who enjoy a good time, a brother who lives on the other side of the country, and a dog who craves attention. Every member of my family has their own spice that they bring to the table, but if you ask any of them, they’ll all agree that I add the sparkle. LOL

Mel’s natural state is cheerfulness, and she breathes life into the room whenever she walks in. Mustard is her signature color, but she hates eating it. She will ask you your life story, and then she will remember it forever. She orders triple pickles on her sandwiches, got bangs so her hair looks “done” even when it isn’t, and on her desk chair, she keeps a pillow that features a dog dressed as Napoleon.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

I find this question difficult…so I asked my husband. He said “You are bubbly, sweet and effervescent…just like a cold can of La Croix!” I will take it.

BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?

Who wouldn’t love working with a group of intelligent, driven, and creative people?! But what makes it great is everyone has something unique and amazing that makes the team whole. Whether it is their amazing essential oils they keep burning, attention to detail, refreshing perspective, or just incredibly kind demeanor, it is all essential to making our space so incredible!

FAVORITE FOODS?

On my very first date with my husband this question came up! He could not believe that my favorite meal would be a cheeseburger and french fries. So much so that he asked me again. No, for real? …for real.

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TALENT?

My only secret talent is line dancing (lol)….

WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK FAMILY – TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME FAMILY!

The boys in my life are my favorite thing (it is a 4:1 ratio in our household!) This means my life consists of mostly sports, dad jokes, and great bbq. I have two rescue pups (well, three if you count my husband), and the sweetest, and cutest firecracker baby born on the 4th of July! Clearly, he is the most photographed baby of all time.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST OVERUSED PHRASE?

OH I have a few Mel-isms..but daily in the studio you will hear me say…”HEYYY GIRLLL,” “…and that is what I think about that!” and “thanks, I got it on sale!!”

FAVORITE BINGE WORTHY TV SHOWS OR MOVIES?

I am a sucker for a good drama. I will forever be a Grey’s fan (even if Teddy can’t make up her mind and Cristina remains in Switzerland). A good docuseries is always at the top of the list…yes, I binge-watched Tiger King and Love is Blind. You know you did too.

WEIRDEST JOB YOU EVER HAD?

It may not be too weird but it really was fun! One summer I was the Promotional Trainee for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, our awesome minor league baseball team! I was the keeper of our mascot (that furry blue sea monster Kazoo), was in charge of executing all the silly theme nights and made sure that the roach run happened in under 90 seconds. Once, we even had a game go into 17 innings….and yes we still did promotions every inning.

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Ask Vendors for recommendations!! They work on an array of weddings with all different styles and expectations. They will give you 100% honest advice – a quality vendor will only put their stamp of approval on vendors they trust!!

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN PLANNING AND FACILITATING WEDDINGS?

I started in the wedding industry about 15 years ago.  I was working as an Administrative Assistant at a luxury resort in northwest Georgia and got asked to assist the wedding team on weekends.  The property was over 3,000 acres and they needed someone to drive the bride, bridal party and photographers to various locations for photos.  After a few months, I was offered the opportunity to learn how to coordinate weddings.  I eventually took over as the Wedding Sales Manager for that property.  We did about 60-65 weddings per year at that venue so I learned a lot really quickly!!  My career took me into more of an administrative role after that, but each position that I have been in has allowed me to oversee weddings and events.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

I am a totally foodie!  I love just about all types of food, but Mexican holds a special pace in my heart.  I have never met an enchilada or a chile relleno that I didn’t like!  We take Taco Tuesday VERY seriously at my house!

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING DAY?

My favorite moment is getting to send the bride down the aisle!  I love that moment when I am able to fluff the train or make last adjustments to the veil, reassure her that she looks stunning and send her on her way.  As everyone in the audience is getting to see her face for the first time, I get to see their faces!  Pro-tip…..when everyone else turns to look at the bride, look at the groom!  Getting to see his face when he sees the bride for the first time is one of my favorite things!      

MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE WEDDING DAY? 

It depends on the wedding, the couple, the weather, the venue, all kinds of things can factor in and make for a challenging day.  There are a lot of moving pieces on wedding day and sometimes it feels like a house of cards built on sand!  I always try to remind my brides that regardless of whether things go exactly as planned or we have struggles to overcome, the goal for the day is to get married and we are 100% going to make that happen!

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO PLAN WEDDINGS?

I love to help couples create their own unique and very special event, and make those moments that will last a lifetime!   When you think about it, weddings are all the same but all very different at the same time!  The sequence of events, traditions and end goal is the same for the most part, but they are also all very different!  The details that are special to each couple, their families and friends are the things that make each one different and what makes your weddings truly “yours”.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY: 

Sassy, Sincere and Passionate

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?

The energy is awesome!

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Only one??  That’s tough!  It has to be don’t try to please everyone…..It’s your day, not theirs!  You might feel like you need to take everyone’s thoughts, feelings and suggestions into account when you are planning the day.  It is ok to be considerate and appreciative of those things, but ultimately it is your day.  There is no chance that you are going to please everyone and you will make yourself crazy if you try to.  It is ok to be a little selfish about how you want the day to be!  

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF AKP?

I have been following AKP on social media since 2015. So when I saw an opening for a second videographer on Facebook I had to jump on the opportunity!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VIDEOGRAPHER?

I have done video in the past as part of a media team, but full time about a year.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

Tough one, there are a lot of strong contenders. I am legally obligated to say Poke.

SECRET TALENT?

Doing a one footed manual on a skateboard. (A manual is when you only ride on the back two wheels)

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING DAY?

Doing couple’s portraits after the ceremony 

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

Going to the movies, skateboarding and traveling.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO FILM WEDDINGS?

It’s the thrill of going on an emotional roller coaster armed only with a camera and backpack snacks.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY: 

Salem Saberhagen Personified 

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?

All of the pineapples have a great sense of humor.

BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Give yourself time in the schedule between events to breathe, drink water and get a snack. Fun things are less enjoyable when you’re hungry and dehydrated.

WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK FAMILY, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR HOME FAMILY TOO!

I have a fat gray cat named River who enjoys sleeping, string and aggressive butt pats.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

Goofy, outgoing and bubbly. 

How long have you been a photographer?

I’ve been a photographer for 6 years now. 3 of them with Aislinn Kate Weddings!  

Describe your family (pets, kids, etc).

Phoenix is my fur baby and he is definitely a momma’s boy.  He loves anything that involves nature and going on an adventure. He loves going on walks, going to the dog beach and camping! Oh and he loves attention 🙂

What are your hobbies?

I love anything that is outdoor activity related. Just to name a few activities I love: bike riding, hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking.

 How did you become a part of AKP?

Okay story time…So it all started last winter of 2019 I received a text message from Aislinn saying  “Hey, can I take you out to breakfast”. I’ve previously second shot for AKP in the past so I figured maybe her whole team is booked and she needs my help and maybe she’s trying to bribe me with free breakfast ( totally kidding on the bribing just trying to make the story juicy). So, I accepted her offer and we met at Broken Egg Cafe. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty shy at first because I’m thinking in my head I wonder what this is about because she didn’t give any hints or any indication on what we are meeting for. I get out of the car and I find Aislinn sitting down at a booth and she has water and coffee waiting for me. So we start the conversation with how we are doing and how our wedding season is going. We are probably 10 to 15 minutes into our conversation and I’m still wondering… did she just want to take me out to breakfast? After 15 minutes, she gets to the real deal. She starts off by saying “The reason I invited you out for breakfast is because my team has an opening, and you are the first person that came to mind and I’ve seen your growth and I would love to get a “feeler” if you would be interested in joining my team”. I did smile hearing this because I was flattered I was the first person that came to mind. I’ve always respected Ailsinn’s company and the company brand she has built. I was truly honored. A couple weeks before I met Aislinn, I was going through some personal soul searching. I was praying everyday for God to give me a sign and help me through what I am going through. A week later that was when I received Aislinn’s text. After our breakfast date, I went home and recollected all my thoughts. I knew instantly I wanted to take the offer. I am very happy where I am and so incredibly grateful for my team!