My name is Amber Marlow, and I’m a wedding photographer.
I fell in love with photography as a teenager and deepened that love in the college dark room, developing nude portraits of my friends shot with cheap expired film. It was a slow, careful process that shaped my thoughtful point of view as a wedding photographer, and established my love of making traditional portraits with a touch of irreverence.
Occasionally, I photograph elopements and intimate weddings in New York City. Generally, I focus on full coverage weekend weddings taking place at boutique hotels and private estates in Hudson Valley, Palm Springs, and destinations in Central America and the Caribbean.
Studio Values & Ethics
Running an honest business based on the values I hold personally is important to me. I carry my whole heart into my work as an artist, woman, mother, African American, and citizen of the world. I also align myself carefully and thoughtfully with excellent and principled fellow vendors.
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Humanity
Every wedding guest deserves respect. My team and I photograph everyone with dignity, and all of my team members are screened and sign a code of conduct.
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Sustainablity
The printing companies I partner with have exceptional sustainability practices and use recycled and eco-friendly packaging materials.
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Philanthropy
My business donates to Black Lives Matter, the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, and the Innocence Project.
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Boundaries
My studio politely declines weddings using captive wild animals or horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, as well as weddings taking place on plantations or Trump properties.
W & L
“Amber brings an uncompromising artistic integrity to the process and a guarded protectiveness to her creativity that really sets her apart from other photographers.”
M & J
"These are INCREDIBLE!!! I can't thank you enough for the beautiful photos and helping us to celebrate the day. It was such a long time coming and I'm so glad we have these gorgeous photos to look back on for years to come."
"We are totally in love with our photos and very happy! Thank you so much. It was amazing working with you and we are beyond thrilled with the results."
The Process
01 Let’s Connect
Reach out via the contact form; you’ll hear from me quickly. From there, we’ll schedule a consultation. You’re welcome to send me a direct email, too.
03 Save the date
As soon as I get the email saying “Yes!”, you’ll receive a digital contract and options for digital payments to hold the wedding date. It’s extremely easy to work with me. In the months and weeks leading up to the wedding, I’ll be available for meetings with the planning team.
05 Digital Witness
You’ll receive your photos beautifully edited in a digital gallery in 4 - 6 weeks, in a URL photo gallery for ordering prints and sharing with family and friends.
Every image is delivered in my signature true-to-life tones, and you’ll receive a few creative black-and-white alternatives as well.
02 Your People, My People
We’ll talk with all of the major decision-makers. On this quick call, you can share all of the wedding plans, and I’ll introduce you deeper into my process. We can meet via phone or video call, whichever you’d prefer. You’ll receive a custom proposal immediately after.
04 The Wedding Weekend
I’ll be there with the whole Amber Marlow team, blending in, taking photos, creating magic. For larger weddings, we’ll have a second photographer and production assistant at minimum to ensure everything goes smoothly.
06 Forever Yours
Digital images are the beginning, not the end. Every collection includes a bound album, with twenty pages full of your wedding images.
For couples who want something more elevated, there are upgrades to choose from so you’ll have the exact heirloom of your dreams.
Since 2010, I’ve been an outspoken champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential principles in the wedding industry. I’ve spoken at several conferences and written many b2b articles about this that have received praise within the industry. (According to some, I’ve been too outspoken!)
The couples and wedding planners that hire me know that I’m not only hiring the best talent I can for my team, but also fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered.
You made it all the way down here? Fantastic. This is my manifesto:
I believe:
…there are a lot of perfect wedding photos and not enough soulful ones.
…in setting intentional parameters and then letting creativity bloom within them. Like a sonnet.
…in wedding photos that nod to tradition and have an irreverent streak.
…in thoughtfully handcrafted wedding albums, expertly curated.