How to Feel Natural in Front of the Camera on Your Wedding Day

How to Feel Natural in Front of the Camera on Your Wedding Day

Many couples quietly worry about one thing leading up to their wedding day: What if I don’t feel like myself in front of the camera? It’s a completely normal feeling. You’re not alone, and you’re not expected to be a model. In fact, the most beautiful wedding photographs often come from moments that are unposed,…

white sail tent on golf course for wedding reception

From First Look to Last Dance: How I Capture Your Love Story Authentically

Your wedding day is so much more than a series of events – it’s the beginning of a new chapter in the story of your life. A collection of fleeting glances, quiet anticipation, joyful laughter, and deeply meaningful moments that deserve to be remembered with care and intention. Honest, tasteful, and intensely personal storytelling is…

Love Stories that Last-Real Charleston Couples and Their Beautiful Beginnings

Love Stories that Last-Real Charleston Couples and Their Beautiful Beginnings

Featuring Jennifer & Aaron’s Elegant Celebration at Dunes West Country Club A timeless love story is one that grows and lasts with the people who experience it. I feel honored to document not just beautiful wedding days, but meaningful beginnings. This series is a celebration of real Charleston couples whose stories are as heartfelt as…

A Sophisticated Bride’s Guide to Charleston’s Historic Charm

A Sophisticated Bride’s Guide to Charleston’s Historic Charm

For the bride who values refined beauty, thoughtful details, and a deep sense of place, Charleston offers something extraordinary. Its historic charm isn’t just about grand architecture and cobblestone streets. It’s about atmosphere. At Leigh Hayward Photography, I’ve had the privilege of capturing love stories among Charleston’s most treasured landmarks. Here, I’ve gathered favorite locations…

Four Wedding Planners for Your Intimate Charleston Wedding

Four Wedding Planners for Your Intimate Charleston Wedding

Planning an intimate wedding in Charleston is one of life’s most beautiful journeys. This city, rich with history and charm, invites couples to celebrate love in settings that feel both timeless and deeply personal. But crafting a wedding day that reflects your unique story takes more than a pretty backdrop. It takes a planner who…

Romantic Charleston Venues

Romantic Charleston Venues for the Modern Bride with Classic Taste

Where tradition meets elegance, and love stories are made timeless. Charleston, South Carolina, offers some of the most romantic wedding venues in the world. Its rich history, charming streets, and breathtaking landscapes make it the perfect place for the modern bride seeking a wedding venue that blends classic elegance with contemporary flair. Whether you dream…

newlyweds stand in front of pink wall while horse walks through picture

9 Tips to Slow Down and Enjoy Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day will be filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories, but if you’re not intentional, it can also fly by in a blur. As a Charleston wedding photographer with over two decades of experience, I’ve seen how fast the hours go once the day begins. The good news is that there are ways…

candid wedding photographs

The Importance of Capturing Candid Moments at Your Wedding

Your wedding day unfolds in a beautiful blur of emotions, laughter, tears, and fleeting moments that pass almost too quickly to absorb. While the perfectly posed portraits will always have their place in your wedding album and on your walls, it’s often the unscripted, candid wedding photographs that become the most treasured over time. As…

centerpiece on wedding reception table

Sophisticated Intimate Wedding Parcel 32 Charleston, SC

Intimate Charleston Wedding The Growing Trend of Elegant, Small Weddings in Charleston This sophisticated, intimate wedding at Parcel 32 is perfect for couples looking for elegant, family-focused inspiration for their wedding day. Recently in Charleston, I’ve noticed a growing trend of smaller weddings with fewer guests that still prioritize stunning flowers and beautiful venues. The…

bride laying down with hand in hair

A Visual Symphony of Love at Charleston’s Gaillard Editorial Wedding

Editorial Wedding Charleston Gaillard Center Today, I’m excited to unveil images from Charleston’s Gaillard Editorial Wedding I recently photographed. This editorial wedding promises to transport you to a world of sophisticated romance exuding European vibes. Gaillard Center Venue Step into the enchanting Charleston Gaillard Center, a distinguished cultural and events venue, a testament to timeless…