Aimee Custis Photography

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Aimee Custis Photography

Colorful, editorial wedding photography intended to make you feel comfortable, beautiful + real.

Aimee Custis is a wedding + portrait photographer based in Washington, DC. Since 2013, she has been creating timeless photos for modern couples who want to feel comfortable, beautiful, and real.

22/07/2025

After 12 years of building for others, for the past several months I've turned the lens on myself.

I've spent a lot of this year reflecting on where I've been as a photographer and small business owner, and where I want to go. The result is a refocused ACP that I'm delighted to introduce to you today.

Colorful. But a little more refined.
Classic with unapologetic personality.
Making room for a deeper artistic perspective.
Still and always: pragmatic, inclusive, and welcoming.

Rather than a brand re-launch, it's more a brand *refocus.*
Take a peek: aimeecustis.com

After years of DIY-ing my brand, collaborating with was a breath of fresh air. Outside perspective makes all the difference.

So what does this mean for my clients? Deeper artistry, paired (as ever) with support & clarity you can count on. And photos that feel like you—just 10% better.

23/03/2025

My background in marketing and communications has drilled into me to avoid jargon wherever possible, but there are still a handful of terms I am still guilty of using with couples. Which of these did you already know?
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Golden hour: The time of day right after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, making for diffuse, warm light that most photographers and couples adore. On a wedding day, usually during your reception, so we might try to sneak out for a few minutes (like in this picture)!
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Wedding party: When I say this, I mean your wedding attendants. A non-gendered, not-bride-centric way of referring to your bridal party, which may be made up of bridesmaids, groomsmen, groomswomen, bridesmen, etc.
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Family formals: Posed family portraits with your close family (and sometimes extended family)
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Second shooter: A second photographer on my team, there to both assist me and to capture other angles, perspectives, and moments in the day I might miss as lead photographer. While a lead photographer directs and poses people, a second shooter typically has more artistic freedom to capture interesting angles, small moments, and “deep cuts.”
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First look: A private, pre-ceremony moment where the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day—before walking down the aisle. Often used as a photo op, it typically is the start of couple’s portraits!
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Timeline: The detailed schedule that outlines how the entire wedding day will flow—from getting ready in the morning to the last dance at night. Yes, you need a good one, and yes, I can work with you and your planner to create it!
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10/11/2024

Eight years ago, I headed to the DC courthouse on a weekday afternoon with a couple several months ahead of their scheduled wedding celebration with family and friends. Now, we find ourselves in a similar situation all over again.

I come from a place of immense privilege as a q***r woman in a straight-passing relationship and so I don’t know exactly what you’re going through and I don’t feel qualified to advise my LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors on what to do to weather these next 4 years. But if you’re moving up your q***r wedding plans (or making some more suddenly than you’d like), I will say those plans deserve to be documented, however of-necessity they may be.

I see so many more wedding vendors publicly offering help or discounts than I did eight years ago, and that alone feels like progress. If you’re in a situation to this effect, I’m likewise here to help. Whether it’s documenting your love myself, helping you find other supportive vendors, or just lending an ear and offering any advice I may have, my DMs are open.

***rlove

09/11/2024

After a heavy week, I spent Friday afternoon documenting a surprise proposal. It was beautiful weather, everything went off without a hitch, and of course, she said yes! He’d put the wheels in motion for this way back in August and did such a good job.

👉🏼 Scroll to the end to see the down-on-one-knee moment, which I gently prevented a pair of passers-by from wandering into!

And just like I always recommend, this was a “when is it happening?!” surprise, not a “I had no idea you were going to ask” surprise. These two have even already found a wedding date and venue! Marriage is a partnership not to be entered into on a whim, or without a lot of thought and discussion. But I love the idea of knowing you’re going to marry each other, but one person still wanting to surprise the other with an “official” proposal moment. So sweet and so fun!

05/11/2024

As wedding season winds down, I spent another weekend criss-crossing this beautiful city that is my home. DC is about so much more than the marble buildings and monuments on and around the National Mall. Hundreds of thousands of people live in this vibrant place. And a lot of us have made this place our home specifically because we feel called to contribute and participate to democracy.

On Saturday, I documented a wedding for two public servants who opted not to have their photos posted online (so you won't be seeing them here—a preference I'm always happy to honor!) As we trekked across six spots around and away from the National Mall, I couldn't help but think about the contrast from four years ago, when our locations and route wouldn't have been possible because of high black security fences, crowd management barriers, and checkpoints.

Yesterday afternoon, I took this gorgeous couple to the Supreme Court for the second half of their engagement session. As we wandered the grounds, it struck me that despite my anxiety about this election, I hadn't even *thought* to worry about security fencing or checkpoints impeding our session. What a world away from 4 years before.

I hope that you're voting in this election, to make sure we have *more* rights than our parents' generation. And that you're voting for our children to have more rights than we do. Progress is messy and hard, but democracy—and our institutions that go with—are way, way too precious to do anything else.

31/10/2024

Throwback two years ago to the prettiest October wedding, in the prettiest community garden, with that magical golden light and a garden-worthy hunter green suit and botanical dress.

17/09/2024

PSA: Your wedding party should be filled with friends (or family!) who are this 🤩🤩 to see you in your wedding day getup when you’re finally spiffed up and ready to do the deed.

Poll: Would you have a hype moment like this with friend on your wedding day? Answer below!

22/08/2024

I'm opening fall mini-sessions to *newsletter subscribers* sometime in the next 3 days! Mini sessions will be on Sunday, October 6 in DC, with gallery delivery by 11/1 so you'll have plenty of time to get your holiday cards done. $425 for digital download of 12+ fully-edited images.

Make sure you're on my newsletter list at the link in my bio, or directly at https://aimeecustis.com/newsletter. ✌️

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