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. She 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)?
I used to say “a villa in Tuscany,” but Madeline and Justin’s 2025 Italian destination wedding fulfilled that dream!  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 and give me some snow!

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 loves skateboarding, surfing, video games, and wants to be an aviation welder. Our daughter loves astronomy and currently wants to enter the Space Force!  I have one dog (a border collie named Josie), two old orange cats (a fat one named Piper, and a slender boy named Squirrel), and one kitten named Brisket Bad Boy, whose cuteness is a trap.

FUNNIEST STORY FROM A PAST WEDDING?
In 16 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 ten 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 AKW 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 two cats, and Ellie (the three-legged wonder cat!) and Gertie (and old-day who very much enjoys her meals). 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 AKW 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. 

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

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF AKP?

I have been following AKW 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.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING DAY?
My favorite part of the wedding day is the reception! Every part of the day is incredibly important but receptions are my favorite because everyone can finally relax. I love seeing the personalities of the couple finally shine through after a day full of formalities! When the bride sings and dances on the stage with the band or the groomsmen throw the groom in the air on the dance floor! Those are the moments I find that I look most forward to so please be your beautiful, crazy self during your reception! 

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WEDDINGING, WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
I have a passion for vintage! I love vintage home decor, furniture, clothing and accessories! If you ask me about my outfit, I will immediately tell you which pieces are vintage. I can talk endlessly about where they came from, where I found them or when they were made! 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING DETAIL?
I love when a bride has a second dress reveal for the reception! It’s just fun to see what she has chosen or how the second dress allows her to relax and dance freely.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WEDDINGS?
I LOVE WEDDINGS! What’s not to love?! I love how they are structured similarly but at the same time they are all so different from one another! Every couple makes decisions to make their day uniquely them and I enjoy the experience of getting to know the couple through these details so much. By the end of the day, I love the feeling that I really got to know the couple even though having just met them! 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza! If there was only one food I had to eat for the rest of my life, I could live with pizza being the sole survivor.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF WORKING WITH OUR TEAM?
The AKW team is full of amazing personalities that I am incredibly grateful to know! Aislinn does a fantastic job choosing humans to work with and making everyone feel part of the team. I love everyone’s quirks, humor and unique skill set. The most entertaining team EVER in my opinion!

Where are you from and how did you end up in Pensacola?
I moved from Key West to Pensacola to study photography and art. I was ready for a change, and the faster pace here gave me the push I needed creatively. I’ve loved exploring the city and finding all the little things that make it feel like home.

How did you end up working for AKW?
I first met the AKW team when they visited one of my classes, and they immediately stood out in the best way. Their energy, professionalism, and the way they talked about their work left a strong impression on me. Joining them felt like stepping into a team I genuinely wanted to be part of.

What is your favorite part of a wedding day?
The first dances always get me—if I’m going to tear up, it’s usually right then. There’s something special about watching people settle into a moment they’ve been waiting for all day.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have witnessed while working for AKW?
I once saw a zebra at a wedding, and it took me a solid minute to process that it was actually happening. It wasn’t chaotic or anything—just completely unexpected in the best way.

Favorite foods?
I’ll happily eat anything pasta-based. Fresh fruit is my go-to for something light, and iced coffee is a constant in my life. I like simple foods that feel comforting.

Favorite wedding detail?
I’m always drawn to florals. They add so much texture, color, and personality to a wedding day. They’re one of the details guests notice without realizing how much they shape the atmosphere. I never get tired of documenting them.

Why do you love weddings?
I love watching how people make their day completely their own. From family heirlooms to the occasional pet making a cameo on the dance floor via a giant cardboard cut-out. People bring what matters most so everyone they love can celebrate it too. It’s a slice of humanity, and getting to capture that is why I love what I do!

Three words to describe your personality?
Expressive, warm, and easygoing. I try to bring a calm, grounded presence to any situation. It makes meeting new people feel natural, and the connections stick.

Best part of working with our team?
Our team has such a strong sense of trust and respect that every wedding day just clicks. Everyone knows how to support one another without even having to ask. It creates an environment where you can do your best work.

Best tip for someone planning their wedding?
Plan a few intentional pauses throughout the day so you can actually take everything in. Those small breaks make the entire experience feel more real and memorable. It’s the best way to slow down and truly enjoy the day you’ve worked so hard to create.