I'm going to blunt, so buckle up and let's do this. I don't like the wedding industry. I don't like the pressures, the expectations, any of it. Weddings are important but not the most important day of your life and you certainly do NOT need to have a $90,000 floral install for your wedding to be valid, and noteworthy. In fact, the more you personalize your wedding to YOU, and make the experience nauseatingly about you and your love, the more noteworthy it'll be. You don't have to shout from the world that the periwinkle napkins are your favorite Pantone color, or that the centerpieces come from gay antiquing in New England, your people already know you well enough to know that.
Translating all of that to photography, here's how I view my role. I'm like a reporter embedded in your community to learn all about you and your people, to create honest and authentic artwork. I'm not here to create something for the 'gram, or something Pinterest-worthy, to repeat some trendy pose or prompt. And while prompts certainly create more honest and organic images, creating vulnerable spaces for you to organically interact in ways that feel natural to you allows me to create imagery that truly shows your essence, and tells your story.
The Philosophy
Growing up summering on Block Island, I always dreamed of an art studio on the island. Something in a loft, or that cute Lighthouse gallery on Spring Street. Little did I know my journey would begin next door to where my journey with Block Island began on High Street.
The Studio has been a dream for as long as I can remember and it's where Eli Holmes Photo + Film calls home.
Eli has never been a big fan of the wedding industry or typical wedding expectations. A big believer in anti-weddings and unweddings, Eli's biggest strength is supporting couples who want to choose their unique way of getting married and helping them both achieve that goal and document it thoughtfully.
Eli: photographer, they/them
| Crowded tourists spots on hot summer days.
| Leaving trash — especially if it wasn't mine.
| Cooking, the island restaurants are better.
| Running an errand without loosing track.
| Saying see you later (see you tomorrow).
| Running on mainland time.
| Ignoring dogs.
| Bad days.
| Digital.
| Spending hours away from guests to do portraits...
less
| Hidden gems tucked away on unmarked roads.
| Getting lost in conversation under the stars.
| Eating Calaveras on the car trunk at sunset.
| Driving with the windows down.
| Bringing the dog with me for every errand.
| Images that show your relationship.
| Surprise visits to Rusty & Lucky, island camels.
| Loosing track of time on private beaches.
| Film, always film.
| Your wedding should run on a timeline that works best for you.
more
Art and experiences intersect at this beautiful point for you. The two come together to provide me with a canvas to paint on — or photograph. You're looking for things to be authentically documented through moments.
03
moments > poses
Weddings that really carve a hole out in my soul tend to focus on personalizing the wedding experience to fit who you are as a couple. You're not down for a template experience, and have thought about and put intention into your wedding journey decisions. You're game for getting a little funky and having some of your film souped, and using expired and experimental films. Those little personal investments are fuel for my inspiration to create art. And you? If you're right for me, you value art, the artistic process and having unique wedding photos.
02
art + individuality
I work best with weddings that value experiences and togetherness over anything else. Action, movement, doing things together — even simple little things — are the most meaningful, and inspire me the most.
01
experiences
Well, let's back up. First, having a consult together is a little like a first date — without the romance. We need to both figure out if this decision, me being your wedding photographer makes sense for both of us. The application process goes a little bit of both ways. If I don't feel that I'm best suited to your needs and expectations, I'll send you a list of wedding photographers that will provide you the experience that you're looking for.
the process —
Before your wedding day I'll work together, collaboratively, with your planner and other vendors regarding your timeline, and to fulfill your expectations for your wedding photos. We'll talk about things like are there any liquids you want to soup a roll of details or portraits in, or how important black and white over color is, your feelings on experimental film and your reception, and more. About two months before your wedding day I'll send over a pre-wedding questionnaire with lots of questions to ensure we're up to date on all the details of your wedding day.
pre-wedding process
Let's throw out corny, cheesy engagement photos, and have a little adventure. Engagement sessions with Eli aren't going to be a series of images going forehead to forehead and kissing with your teeth. Instead, we're going to plan something together that celebrates your relationship and journey to engaged. We'll chat throughout the portrait session, me learning about the way you move together, how you support one another, and all the little movements that make each of you light up.
portrait session
how it works
I know so often wedding planning feels like lots of answering questions. My consults are about connection. This is where inspiration comes from on the day wedding. I'm not going to ask the same questions most vendors will — I want to know what you're most excited for, what challenges you might need to bounce some ideas around, and that moment you knew this was your person.
the consult
the wedding weekend
I'll arrive in the early afternoon the day before your wedding. This will allow me some time to take photos of your details before the wedding day — giving me some more time to be creative, and keeping that sacred wedding day morning easy breezy.
After, I'll head off to do a walk through with you, and any other vendors that could join us, I'll join y'all for the rehearsal, and then dinner + the welcome party. This allows me to become 'one of y'all,' and blend into the crowd on your wedding day. I'll also give back to those that spent so much to be present for your weekend: their own little micro-portrait session all dressed up.
the day before your wedding
The day of your wedding, I'll arrive at a time that makes sense — typically when other vendors are arriving so as not to interrupt the flow of the day. I'll capture your best VIPs helping you get ready (or you and your babe getting ready) and help y'all do a few reveals to get those emotions flowing. I'll photograph each of you for your own little editorial solo-session.
getting ready
Once you're walk-down-the-aisle-ready, we'll do a few reveals with those closest, whether chosen family or by marriage/blood, whatever the connection is, having a little reveal with those who love you the most breaks up the "to do" mindset of the morning and gives you a moment with your favorite people. If you and your love want to do a reveal I'm game, if you want to get ready together that's rad too — if you don't want to see each other till the ceremony, no sweat, I'm a pro at keeping y'all separated.
pre-ceremony reveals
Before you head out to the ceremony, we'll photograph as many portraits as we can! If you aren't going to see each other beforehand, I'll still tackle those wedding party, individual, and family portraits separately so you can have so much fun at cocktail hour (and eat the best food of the whole day, obviously). Portraits won't feel like those normal mantlepiece ones your grandmother loves, but we'll throw a little modern spin into things.
wedding day portraits
During the ceremony + reception, I'm working the cameras, blending into your crowd of friends to ensure the most authentic and honest pictures. I'm after documenting your history after all, not something contrived or contorted. I want to capture all those moments you might not get a chance to sink into, or have seen at all. I'll photograph on a variety of cameras based on the moment and the feeling — both film + digital.
ceremony + cocktail hour + reception
I'll stick around during the party and photograph your guests busting a move, as well as any other group portraits we need to capture. I'll start editing your sneak peeks so you have a beautiful wedding photo instead of a cell phone photo!
the party
You'll wake up to your sneak peeks from your Polaroids ready to share with your friends and family. I'll join your friends and family for the day after events — photographing all the joy and laughter.
the day after the wedding
You'll wake up to your sneak peeks from your Polaroids ready to share with your friends and family. I'll join your friends and family for the day after events — photographing all the joy and laughter.
in the weeks after your wedding
You'll get a little package in the mail with a little treat from your wedding day along with your URL to your gallery with all of your images in it! There will be a slideshow as well for you to sit and enjoy your gallery together.
about 4 months after your wedding
Let's work together
Meet me at Persephone's for a latte or Calavera's for tacos and let's discuss your vision and plans.
I take on a limited amount of weddings per year to be able to provide deep attention and care to each one of the clients I work with. When I'm using a camera, it's a collaborative experience, and as such I want to ensure you are the right fit, and that you will feel comfortable and confident through this experience. All proposals are custom just as your love and wedding is — your expectations and vision varies from any other love and I want to ensure I'm providing you with a proposal that works for you. The more information you can provide the better I can get to know y'all and provide you with options that make sense to you.
I do use digital as well — especially for those Block Island family sessions. I do about 70 family sessions every year on Block Island.
Just a reminder that we work with all types of love, relationships, and families. We welcome polyamorous and ENM relationships, as well as the BIPOC /LGBTQ+ community.
Each year a portion of our revenue and services gets donated to places like the Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Mary D Fund, the Block Island Historical Society, the Block Island School, the Trevor Project, Project GLAAD, and more.