Hey there! Cynthia here! A free-spirited wedding and portrait photographer. I’m located in the Mountains of NC but I regularly travel the globe capturing every type of love in any country. I have been capturing weddings for 15 years and happily offer full day photography services as well as intimate elopements. (although, I reeeeeealllly love the adventurous elopements best!)
The best way for us to get to know each other would definitely be to go on an adventure together! But until we’re able to make that happen, here’s a quick rundown. If you’re here you know I love all things couples and weddings so I’ll let my work speak for itself. Other than that, I’m an avid adventurer. Whether it’s the daily crossfit workouts with my boo (Anthony), 3 week trips to Thailand, South America or anywhere else I can manage, quick solo sections on the Appalachian Trail or trying something brand new. I’m down for everything and want to do it all!
Serving All of North Carolina & Beyond!
Elopements are one of the most exciting and adventurous ways to celebrate your love. They don’t require all the tiny details and planning a traditional wedding celebration does, and they provide an incomparable intimacy. Photography can play a vital role in this choice, allowing you to remember the moment and feeling, while also allowing you to share your love with the friends and family who weren’t able to experience it with you.
I love the excitement and surprise that generally encompasses an elopement. They are often booked last minute so the couple hasn’t had time to become burdened by the unending details that show up when planning 18 months out for a 300 person wedding. They’re super excited to say yes, and can’t wait to share the surprise with the friends and family. I love that they can often slide in on a weekday as well, allowing me to still book the bigger weddings on the weekend. I especially love that they tend to involve an adventure. Whether a big hike, a ride in the canoe, traveling to a remote island. I want to see the world and if I can capture cute couples along the way, all the better.
I was always the friend in school who carried a disposable camera in my back pocket and would have doubles printed at Walmart so I could pass them out to my friends. I went to undergrad for psychology, though, because I just love people and their stories. I took one dark room class senior year in undergrad just for fun and a friend asked me to shoot her wedding. I hesitated but agreed. Then one of her friends asked me to shoot hers. 350+ weddings later, I’m still carrying around cameras, passing out counselor advice to couples about to collapse under wedding day pressure, and I guess you can say all paths simply lead here. Not intentionally, but still with direction. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My packages range from $1400-$2800 and offer the bare essentials depending if it will be just the couple plus the officiant, a small group of 10 or so, or perhaps 30 plus a small reception celebration. This does not include travel expenses, which will vary depending on location.
A: Cynthia Viola wears all the hats! Owner, Lead Photographer, Editor, Writer, Designer 🙂
Q: What’s a fun fact about yourself?
A: I’ve hiked over 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail so far. My trail name is Brave Heart.
Q: What is your favorite thing about elopements?
A: The couple who chooses an elopement is always my kind of couple. They shy away from what’s “expected” of them (or downright defy it). They know what they want and go for it. The celebration that follows feels more like them and less like what someone else expected of them.
Q: Is there a wedding detail on your bucket list?
A: Just more couples doing adventurous things like kayaking or repelling down the side of a mountain 😉
Q: Tell us about your favorite elopement!
A: When my bride Talia called me a week before their wedding and asked if I could come to the hospital. She didn’t think her dad would make it to the ceremony the following week. He died that very night. Never have my photos mattered more. Here’s a blog post about that wedding.
Pure Perfection!
If we could summarize this in one sentence it would be “Book her now, this woman is a pure goddess behind the lens, and we promise you won’t be disappointed!” Anyone can capture a photograph, but not everyone can capture the pure, raw emotion that is happening at that moment and make everyone feel that emotion days, weeks, and months later. Not everyone can recreate the story through photographs and be able to feel the same energy as if they were living the story again. As a same-sex couple, it can be very intimidating reaching out to vendors and just hoping they support your lifestyle and your marriage. Cynthia, in particular, was definitely one we didn’t have to worry about! While I was looking for a photographer to capture my destination surprise proposal to my now-wife, I came across Cynthia’s Instagram and the first thing I saw was the rainbow flag and “love wins!” Sold! She helped secretly plan that surprise proposal and captured it beautifully and a few months later she captured my wife’s surprise proposal to me along with pictures of us and our son. After the first proposal, she was already booked for the wedding that was a year away. We cannot say enough great things about this amazing woman! She gave us honest recommendations as far as other vendors, she answered all of our silly questions as far as color schemes, etc. She’s very easy to get along with, she’s super responsive, and she’s definitely willing to take your crazy ideas and turn them into the most beautiful reality! Like hey, we have these rainbow smoke bombs labeled “explosives” and we want to set them off for pictures! She expressed no hesitation, honestly stated she hadn’t worked with them a TON, and was all in, creating the most beautiful pictures we have ever seen! Not only is she a passionate and talented photographer, but she’s also a genuine and kind soul. Anyone can take a picture, but it takes a special person like Cynthia to photograph such an important and emotional day. If she’s not available on your wedding day, change your date because SHE is worth it!
