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Author: Bert

full bridal party walk in a field while talking together and laughing

Shelby & Mike | Wedding photos by the White Barn in North Central Arkansas

We loved being part of Shelby and Mike’s wedding day at The White Barn. These two are incredibly genuine people, and the connection they share made their day so special to photograph. Capturing weddings in Harrison and the Ozarks is always a joy, and this celebration was no exception. Take a look through some of our favorite moments from their White Barn wedding.

bride's dress hangs from a window with beautiful sunlight streaming in
bride gets ready for her wedding by having her makeup done while sitting
grooms mother helps do up the bride's dress in Hasty AR
bride gets ready with her dad by an open door to walk down the isle
couple say their vows in the full sun at the White Barn with the bridal party surrounding them
bride and groom walk down the isle with smiles as they leave the ceremony
full bridal party walk in a field while talking together and laughing
bridal party hides behind bouquets and stetson hats while the bride and groom kiss
groomsmen pose with their stetson hats next to a rustic cabin in the ozarks
bridesmaids stand in a circle around the bride in front of a rustic cabin
bride and groom look opposite directions in front of a wooden cabin
groom kisses the bride on her forehead next to a rustic cabin
groom poses with one hand in a pocket, wearing his stetson hat
bride and groom walk together laughing
bride holds her bouquet against her dress in the shade of a tall tree
bride and groom gaze at each other in the shade of a tree at the White Barn in Hasty
bride and groom share a moment under a tree after their wedding ceremony
groom kisses brides hair from behind in the shade of a tall tree
bride and groom enter the reception smiling
groom smiles while dancing with the bride
couple kiss in their blue cadillac before they leave the White Barn
bride and groom laugh together on rustic stone stairs with a wooden door in the background

How to Find a Wedding Photographer

bride and groom embrace leisurely on rocky stairs next to rose bushes

Struggling to find the right photographer for your big day? Here’s a short list of tips to help you find someone who will complement your day—and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Go with your gut

If you’re lucky enough to already know your dream photographer—and they’re available and within your budget—you might browse around just to satisfy your curiosity. But chances are, you already have your answer.

Tap your friends for input

If not, don’t hesitate to ask newlyweds in your circle (or even on Instagram) for recommendations—especially couples whose style feels similar to yours. You might be surprised how happy people are to help. They may also have a bit of hindsight or advice that can help guide your decision.

Cull that mountain

If you’re the type who likes to do a deep dive (which is honestly a great approach when choosing a photographer), take a breath, open your browser, and start creating tabs.

Search for photographers in your area and pull them from places like Instagram, Google, Zola, The Knot—anywhere you can find solid examples of their work, as long as they serve your location.

Once you’ve got a healthy list going, start trimming it down with the obvious filters: Lots of reviews but under four stars? Close the tab. Not connecting with their editing style? Close the tab. Pricing above your agreed budget? Close the tab. A large photography conglomerate instead of an individual photographer? Maybe not.

This is your chance to be a little assertive. Whatever matters most to you—style, personality, approach—use it to narrow the list.

Start narrowing the field

Once you’re down to a manageable number (maybe a handful if you’re in a rural area, or around a dozen in a larger city), it’s time to look a little deeper.

Send inquiries to photographers who don’t list pricing online. Then spend some time reading reviews and looking through full galleries, not just highlight reels. This will give you a much better sense of their consistency and storytelling.

You’ll probably start noticing who you naturally gravitate toward. Let your partner look through the options too, and try to land on a couple of favorites together.

bride and groom embrace in a rustic setting under a copper chandelier after saying their wedding vows

Make the connection

You’re getting close.

Now it’s time to connect with your top choices and get a feel for their personality and approach. Email, phone, video call—whatever feels comfortable. If possible, meeting in person can be especially helpful.

And once you’ve made your decision and secured your photographer, it’s always a kind gesture to let the others know as well.

Remember to “zing”

One last thing: Out of everyone involved in your wedding day, your photographer will probably spend more time with you than almost anyone else. So try to find someone whose energy matches yours. If you love high energy and excitement, look for that. If you appreciate a calm, grounded presence, seek someone who brings that to the table.

When the fit is right, your photographer doesn’t just document your day—they often end up feeling a little like a friend.


If you’re planning a wedding in the Ozarks and looking for a Harrison Arkansas wedding photographer who blends photojournalistic and editorial storytelling, I’d love to hear about your plans.

groom cuddles bride from behind in the shadow of a tree in Hasty AR

Shelby & Mike | Wedding at the White Barn near the Buffalo River, North Central Arkansas

What an honor it was to be a part of Shelby and Mike’s perfect day at the White Barn! They are two of the most genuine people you will meet and we are so happy they found each other! Here is a little sneak peek of their day.

groom cuddles bride from behind in the shadow of a tree in Hasty AR
bride and groom kiss behind his hat next to a rustic wooden cabin on their wedding day
bride gazes adoringly at groom surrounded by thick green foliage on her wedding day

Wedding venue: The White Barn
Reception: The Oasis

A long overdue relocation update: Harrison, AR

It’s been a while, but Kryna and I are starting to take on a little more photography work. We’ve always had a hand in the game, but we’ve really enjoyed taking on some more senior photos, wedding work and family sessions, mainly in North Arkansas (we’ll post more soon).

As a quick visual update, this was our last family session (of ourselves)… a shoot we did via tripod, which quickly descended into a kind of beautiful chaos. I think some of my favorite shots are the boys showing their true colors, going a little wild. Family sessions don’t have to be all orderly to get the shots you need!

Bert & Kryna with the three boys - a family session during late fall
three boys going wild and enjoying their own company in front of the camera in Harrison Arkansas
three boys enjoying their own company, teasing each other and laughing.