clay austin photography
about
Our kind of weddings are a celebration, not a show. They’re meaningful, magnetic, and steeped in a true-to-you energy that can’t be replicated. I’m so fortunate to serve adventurous couples who love each other and their favorite people deeply, whose passports tell the story of a life well traveled, and who live true to themselves in moments both big and small.
BASED IN CHARLESTON, SC | SERVING CLIENTS WORLDWIDE
Destination wedding photography that leaves nothing on the table—for couples who don’t either
Knowing these images will adorn your walls, and that future generations will thumb through them with wonder and awe, is what photography is all about for me—I’m so fortunate to call it a career.
…and now I can't see myself doing anything else. I truly love connecting with my couples on a genuine level, figuring out what makes them feel their most comfortable and free, and then capturing the magic that results.
I was hooked after that first wedding…
I graduated with a BFA in photography—but it wasn't until I reluctantly agreed to photograph a wedding for a family friend that I realized: wedding photography was the ultimate test of a photographer’s abilities. You have to be a portrait, landscape, product, fashion, and street photographer all in the course of a single day—with light that’s constantly changing and inconsistent surroundings.
Truth be told, becoming a wedding photographer was never on my wishlist.
…and afforded me incredible opportunities in my decade-plus behind the lens—but I will never stop feeling so lucky I get to provide you and your families with a way to remember this momentous occasion for a lifetime. It really is the most rewarding thing ever.
has taken me all over the world…
THIS ARTFORM
MEET CLAY—A PHOTOJOURNALISTIC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WITH WORK FEATURED IN VOGUE, MARTHA STEWART MAGAZINE, PEOPLE, AND MORE
Obsessively cycling, at
the beach with my
family, exploring a new
corner of the world.
Off the clock
Destination weddings in France or Italy that embrace old-world authenticity, generous hospitality, and creative guest experiences.
Destination weddings in
France or Italy that embrace
old-world authenticity,
generous hospitality, and
creative guest experiences.
Will never
tire of
At the end of the day I’m just a human (who occasionally day dreams about starting a family band with my three daughters). I make the process feel fun, because I believe connecting with you in a real way is what makes for images that carry their own distinct energy. We’ll get the job done—and well—but we can loosen up while we’re at it.
Humanity
I want your photos to genuinely capture both the love you have for each other and the love you have for everyone around you. I’m all about embracing the spontaneous nature of fleeting moments and finding the meaning in what others see as mundane. Your images will always be grounded in artistic acumen—but colored by emotion, connection, and self-expression.
Authenticity
Over the years, I’ve found that the best art comes from being as present and adaptable as possible. While I always show up with intentionality and a plan—it’s my ability to adapt and pivot that gives my work a distinctly true-to-the-moment feel
Adaptability
HERE, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IS DEFINED BY…
OLIVIA + LOGAN
“My husband and I honestly cannot express just how amazing Clay is. We are completely in love with every photograph! Clay made us extremely comfortable and was so easy to work with. He knows how to bring the best out of people and show it in the photographs he takes. He is absolutely unreal, so fun to work with and the results are incredible. Clay is the best, without a doubt.”
“He knows how to bring the best out of people.”
Feeling comfortable and confident in front of the lens is possible with an experienced photographer, an easy-going atmosphere, and a client journey that takes its cues from your needs. The good news? You’ve found all three.