i'm enchanted to meet you
I CALL CLEVELAND MY HOME ...
and you can call me any time you wanna talk about running, books, Taylor Swift, AND YUMMY RECIPES!!
I photograph love stories, so yes, I have a very soft, mushy center (think: the middle of a slightly underbaked brownie). Fun facts that may or may not be important: I always play Kirby in Super Smash Bros, think food is merely a vehicle for sauce, and am deeply committed to feeding the squirrels in my backyard. You’ll often find me nose-deep in a book, wandering a local craft fair, digging for beach glass with my husband, Connor, or on the hunt for the best London Fog. I was voted “Most Suitable to Bring Home to Your Parents” as a senior in high school which feels extremely relevant now that I spend my weekends meeting your families, calming nerves, fixing hair, fluffing dresses, hyping you up, and becoming best friends with your mom by hour two. Turns out, that superlative was just early career foreshadowing. I’m a Taurus, ENFP, and Enneagram 2; if you’re into that starry stuff, you know that means I’m fiercely loyal, deeply invested, and very much in your corner. I’ll be an honorary member of your group chat for the day, and together we’ll throw one heck of a party while you get hitched. I got you, babes. Always. ♡
hello!
it's Laur
Fun facts:
- The first wedding I photographed was for my mom and step-dad
- Running is my escape. I'm a 3x full marathoner and 5x half marathoner!
- Hamame is my maiden name! I got married to my bestie in Sept 2025.
- I also work for Ohio's sexual violence coalition as their communications manager
That's the Laurie Hamame way, baby.
hello!
How did I get here?
People ask me all the time, “When did you start taking pictures?”
Technically, around age 13, when I got my first big girl camera and immediately started taking artsy self-portraits and moody photos for Tumblr. Obviously.
But professionally, things really began in 2018 when I got my very first wedding inquiry from a college friend. I remember thinking: Me? Meeee? Me?! I photographed my mom’s second marriage, but photographing a wedding for someone who wasn’t biologically obligated to believe in me? Terrifying! She trusted me, though, and that trust changed everything for me.
I spent the months before the big day aggressively interrogating Google, watching approximately 1,000 YouTube videos, and practicing posing directions on myself in the mirror (yes, it was as cringey as it sounds.)
With a whole lot of patience and a little bit of magic, one booking turned into two, and before I knew it, I had gone from 1 wedding booking to 52 in a single year. Truly one of those “hah… um… what?!” moments.
I’ve always been creative at heart, and I spent two years working as a newspaper reporter and photojournalist before starting my business. That experience taught me how to anticipate emotion, notice the quiet in-between moments, and tell stories that feel honest and human.
People ask me all the time, “When did you start taking pictures?”
let’s go back... back to the beginning.
(If you get that reference, you get me.)
Let me tell yours?
What past clients have had to say...
Where do I being!!! Not only did we find an amazing photographer in Laurie, but we found a friend. Choosing Laurie was one of the best choices we made for our wedding. I mean this in the best way--you didn’t even know she was there. She blended into the chaos of the day and was able to capture moments that we may have otherwise missed. She went above and beyond to make my bridal party and our families feel comfortable. She was able to pick up on some nicknames and started using them like she’d known our friends forever. And the photos… they are perfect.. I find something new every time I look back on them. She is just such a genuine, pure, amazing human being.
Hiring Laurie was the best wedding decision I made. She was so professional, answered all of our questions, and helped create our timeline. She was definitely more than our wedding photographer; she acted as a day of coordinator, bridesmaid, therapist, and friend. Working with her was so effortless and she went above and beyond. My wedding day was not stressful because of everything she did and how she made everything so fun. There is a lot I didn’t see or notice on my wedding day and looking through our photos truly felt like I was reliving my day. She perfectly captures a moment in time.
I don’t think our wedding day would have gone off without a hitch like it did without Laurie. Her attention to detail, time management, and ability to handle a crazy big bridal party with ease made her the perfect fit for our big day. She was able to make my usually nervous husband feel so comfortable with her! We are so grateful to Laurie and can’t recommend her enough!
If you're thinking of hiring Laurie as your photographer, go ahead and do it right now! She is an absolute joy to work with and is a pro at making you feel at ease and comfortable (even if taking photos is not your thing). She was a rockstar on our wedding day and helped us navigate all the chaos of a rainy day wedding with a large wedding party and family. She brings the best energy and finds a way to connect with everyone. I knew at any moment during the day I could look to her for a moment of calm and just positive excitement. I can't recommend Laurie enough! (and bonus if you love books or Taylor Swift, she is the perfect yap buddy!!)
