About Us

About Us

WELCOME TO SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

“When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.”
― Robert Frank
We are visual story tellers. Let us tell your story.

About Us

WELCOME! Based out of beautiful Charleston, SC, we are a Wedding Photography company for a passion for what we do. We also provide Wedding Day Videography, specializing in custom wedding day films at affordable prices!  Owner and Lead Photographer, Leslie, started Southern Tide Photography nearly fifteen years ago in Charleston, SC with the goal to provide a high-end photography and videography experience but at an investment more couples could afford. We specialize in wedding and engagement photography while also providing portraiture photography for families and businesses.  Owned and operated since 2010, Southern Tide Photography proudly services Charleston, SC and all surrounding areas. We also specialize in destination weddings.

Southern Tide Photography has been one of Charleston’s most highly sought after wedding photography companies,  We’ve been honored to have been awarded The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” as well as being awarded their “Couple’s Choice Award”. We are best known for our bold, bright and modern imagery with a documentary style to capturing real life moments.

We cater to all aspects of your wedding photography needs, from proposal shoots and engagement sessions, to rehearsal coverage and post wedding day sessions, as well as videography services for your big day. Our photojournalistic style ensures that your story is told as it unfolds, from the veil going on, to your sparkler exit. If you are looking for the perfect Charleston wedding photographer or Charleston wedding videographer, your search is over.

WE ARE YOUR STORY TELLERS

From the intimate glances, to the joyous smiles, to the nervous laughs when you mess up your vows, we will be there to capture it all. And to enjoy every second with you. Our goal is to document all the details and all the moments so you don’t miss a thing. And to do all it in a way that is natural, fun, and adds to the day rather then detract from it.

The Southern Tide Photography Experience

This is your wedding day. The most important day of your life. We strive to make in an exceptional experience that you get to relive every day with stunning photographs and captivating videos. We seek to ensure every couple, on any budget, has the most memorable and special wedding day with the help of our experienced and talented photography team.

When you work with us, you’re not just clients— you become our friends. Every client, every, couple, every family, and every marriage is unique. We do everything we can to capture every moment, and all the emotions, not only for you to look back on but for your children’s children to look back on.

At the end of the day, you want gorgeous photos that capture your life and love in the most genuine, elegant, and “aaawwwww”-inducing way possible. And at the end of the day, that’s exactly what you will get from us.

JOYFUL, VIBRANT, GENUINE, MAGAZINE
WORTHY PHOTOS THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE
EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT THEM.

We will also be your personal cheerleaders and logistics professionals. From the first time we chat, you will have unlimited access to our entire extensive library of wedding planning resources, checklists, tools, tips, and so much more… (compiled through YEARS of experience). We will help guide you through the whole crazy wedding planning experience and as a team will create a detailed, fun, exciting plan for your wedding day. You have someone on your team, ready with both practical advice and a heart to encourage you along the way.

That’s what the Southern Tide experience is all about.

So let’s get started!

We dedicate so much time and energy to each and every one of our couples, so we only take a limited number of weddings each year. Quality over quantity is not just a cheesy line your boss likes to say. It’s what we truly believe and has kept us loving what we do for so long.

Today is your day. Let us tell your story. Reserve your day HERE.

OUR HISTORY

THE CREATOR

Hi, I’m Leslie and I hate talking about myself! Haaatteeee. So, imagine the next couple paragraphs being read in a slightly higher than normal pitched voice, at an insanely fast pace that makes it almost hard to understand a word that is being said, with made up words sporadically thrown in for no reason at all. Because that is exactly what it sounds like when I have to talk about myself!

I am currently based in Mount Pleasant, SC with my husband and our two girls. I started Southern Tide Photography in 2010; specializing in both weddings and commercial work.

I could tell you that I’ve photographed over two hundred weddings, that my/our work has been featured in Southern Bride Magazine, The Knot Weddings, Charleston Weddings, in a multitude of online wedding blogs, and our videos have been featured on Love Stories TV … but what I really want to tell you is that it’s about you and your story. And everyone, no matter where they come from, who they love, or what their budget is, deserves to have their wedding day captured as beautifully as they remembered it and by a company that will treat them with love and respect throughout the whole process. That is what I care about. That is why I started Southern Tide Photography.

When planning my own wedding in 2010, the vision I had for my big day compared to what we could actually afford was drastically different. Like many couples, we were paying for our own wedding so we really had to think and prioritize how we wanted to spend our money. This was my one and only wedding (hopefully!) and of course I wanted everything to be perfect. But perfection is $$$$ and we did not have $$$$. We knew we had to sacrifice what we wanted a little bit and lower our expectations so we could stay within in budget. So, what did we do? WE ELOPED.

No way was I going to pay all this money, all of OUR money, and have a wedding that I was “settling” for! I am the definition of a perfectionist and I would rather not have a wedding at all then have one that was just “meh”. Now, that’s a bit of an extreme reaction (I call it being a perfectionist, my husband calls it being crazy. Potato potato). The reality for most couples is that there is a lot of “give and take” when it comes to wedding planning, and they will just determine what is most important to them and budget accordingly. It’s not the sexy part of wedding planning, but it’s reality.

I know for myself, and I truly believe this is the case for everyone, the photographer and videographer were THE MOST IMPORTANT vendors I was going to hire. And as somebody who worked in the business, I knew the quality I wanted. But what I didn’t know, but quickly learned, what I wanted was just not in my budget. The quality of photography I could afford did not meet my expectations and forget a videographer! No way could we hire both! And long story short I started Southern Tide Photography, the mission of offering high-end photography (and eventually videography) at prices all couples could afford! And I am proud to say we have done just that for the past fifteen years.

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OUR MISSION

EVERY MOMENT. EVERY PICTURE. FOR EVERY COUPLE.

Our photography is honest. Never unnatural or over-processed. Our photography is real. Never too stiff or cheesy. Our photography is artistic. Never boring or outdated. Our photography is affordable. Never out of reach or with hidden costs.

OUR VISION

To tell your story with vibrant colors, beautiful light, and candid moments. Turn your moments into art, that will bring back every wonderful emotion from your special day.

KIND WORDS

OUR PAST COUPLES HAVE SAID THE SWEETEST THINGS

Southern Tide was amazing to work with! Leslie and her team were professional but so much fun. We couldn’t be happier with our experience, our photos and our video. I wouldn’t have changed a thing! I highly recommend Southern Tide Photography. The quality of their photos are better than any other company I’ve seen. They’re the best!

Melissa and Warren

Leslie and her team and just amazing! They were SO incredible to work with and handled all of my needs with the most care! They were even flexible with my changing plans due to Covid-19! If you want wedding vendors that not only do their job well but also CARE, this is the photo team you need

Tori and Brice

Southern Tide Photography is THE best and was the greatest decision we made for our wedding.  We had seen Leslie and her team at several other weddings we have attended over the last 4 years and I knew I wanted them to do my wedding one day! Leslie and her team are so easy to work with, they make their job look so easy and effortless. We loved every single thing about our photos and video. The attention to detail, the patience, and how comfortable she made all of us feel was unforgettable. All of our expectations were exceeded. We had all of our photos and video back in NO TIME.  The video is breathtaking and the compliments we have received are unreal.

Nikki and Cody

Leslie and her team were more than amazing! My wedding poured down rain from the moment I was suppose to walk down the isle until the time my husband and I did our exit. Leslie was just wonderful the whole day and even made us feel better about the rain. I cannot wait to see our final pictures and video when the time comes because what we have already gotten are just breath taking! I hope to work with Southern Tide Photography more in the future!

Elize and Andrew

Leslie is amazing! We chose her because she was responsive and reliable since the beginning. She was so easy to work with. She made us feel extremely comfortable. We received all our photos after about 2 weeks from the wedding. The photos were amazing. She was definitely the best choice for us and I would highly recommend her!

Brianna and Chase

We couldn't have been happier with our wedding photos! Leslie and her team are great to work with and produce high quality work!  They all are so easy to work with, very responsive, and makes the picture taking process relaxing and enjoyable. Leslie took our engagement photos, bridal portraits, and wedding day photos. We loved how they turned out and how she makes everything "flow" together. She definitely has an eye for detail and keeps a theme going throughout the entire process.  Leslie and her team also took our wedding video which perfectly captured our day! I would highly recommend using them for a wedding video. You won't regret it and it's great to be able to look back on those special moments.

Raven and Camlin

SEE OUR WORK

We want your images to be as vivid and real as the genuine joy that you felt in that moment. They’re joyful, chic, vibrant, and infused with love.

VISIT THE GALLERIES