DETROIT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The
EXPERIENCE
Michigan Wedding Photographer
My grandpa & grandma on their wedding day
LEGACY
A love that turns into a
My grandpa fell in love with my grandma at a very young age. He worked several jobs and saved up all his money to buy my grandma a ring that he would propose with. Then came World War 2 and everything changed. He had to fight in the South African Air Force in Italy in 1944. She prayed day and night that he would return to her.
After the war ended in 1945 he returned to her, a broken man, but with so much love for her. All that kept him going through those dark times was the thought of marrying the love of his life. After the war, they got married and had 35 beautiful years together. In his 50s he was diagnosed with lung cancer and after a long hard fight, he lost the battle. My grandma was by his side till the day he died and even after that she was always devoted to him. She would always look at her this beautiful wedding photo and tell me that one day I would meet a man that loves me as much as he loved her.
In 2003 my grandma passed and I was with her at the end, she gave me these precious heirloom photos. I treasure these photos, they are all I have left of their legacy.
My
PURPOSE
After my grandma passed away I only had a few priceless items left of her life, her memory box of photographs is my treasure. If our house would burn down this is the one thing I would safe. It holds each moment safe for generations to come. Their legacy is captured in these old fading photographs. Each photograph tells a story, a moment that she and my grandpa shared. Each photo reminded her of that feeling she had on that specific moment and she loved telling me these stories as she lovingly showed me these priceless photographs. This is why I do what I do, one day these photographs that I capture, will be all that you have left to connect that moment to the feeling.
PURPOSE
This is my
to preserve your
LEGACY
CAPTURING THE JOY AND TRUE BEAUTY IN YOUR
LOVE STORY
WEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS
The greatest adventure of your life is about to begin...
my trademark is capturing your love story in the most natural, authentic, and beautiful way possible. My style combines fine art lighting and composition with photojournalism. This gives a beautiful balance of natural and elegant editorial wedding photographs that will inspire generations to come.
I give 110% to all my clients. An experience that goes above and beyond just the wedding day, from the moment we get to know each other and plan together, to delivering the final wedding album and even for years after that. My clients become real friends, and I believe that is what makes the relationship between a photographer and a wedding couple so special, it is built on trust. The trust that I will document each precious moment as it unfolds. I live for the smaller moments in between, the ones that happen when no one is looking, and I strive to capture these moments and preserve them for your legacy. I aim to give my couples the highest quality and level of artistry to showcase their exceptional love story.
Wedding Photography Packages start at $3000 for Intimate Weddings, with an average investment of $4,500-$11,500 for full-size weddings.
"Whenever we look at our wedding photos,
I FALL IN
LOVE AGAIN.
Astrid is not only great at what she does,
but she also has the most
BEAUTIFUL
PERSONALITY
that compliments her work."
CINDY & LYALL
I have been so fortunate to photograph several destination weddings in spectacular settings. From the African safari landscapes to the romantic castles in Germany.
I absolutely love to travel and no place is too far!
I would love to be a part of your adventure and document these special moments in places near and far.
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
BOLD, UNIQUE AND VIBRANT
PRE-WEDDING &
ENGAGAMENT
I just love the pre-wedding portrait session, it is so much fun! We have the freedom to get creative without the stress of the wedding schedule. We can experiment with different settings and gorgeous outfits. You get to know me and the way I shoot, and I get to find out what your favorite side is and how to capture your uniqueness and personality.
Through my special approach to posing and a lot of positive feedback and reassurance, you'll feel supported and taken care of so you not only look, but feel like a model in front of my camera.
Portrait & Couples Photography Starting at $450.
Meet the
BRIDES
After more than 15 years in the business and hundreds of weddings,
the best part of my job is still the wonderful couples who become friends for life!
I want you to meet a few of them ...
NAME: Arielle
WEDDING LOCATION: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF
THE ASTRID CORDIER BRIDAL EXPERIENCE?
Looking back at my wedding day, the most valuable thing to me by far is the unbelievable photos! These are my most beloved memories of the day I married my soulmate and best friend, and also the day my mother was still alive- walking me down the aisle! I cherish these everlasting memories captured perfectly on the photos that my children now admire, and that their children will one day look at and talk about. Our photos will pass from generation to generation and I am proud of my photos. Astrid Cordier captured each moment perfectly! She made us feel confident & beautiful in front of the camera and she could even get my husband (who does not like photos in general) to smile and enjoy taking each photo! I will book her services for as long as I live.
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Arielle was such a breathtakingly beautiful bride, and her personality shines just as bright as her love for Chris. She is so friendly and bubbly, she made my job easy. My favorite part of the day was photographing Arielle and Chris with these beautiful ponies, they modeled just as good as the humans;) These are still some of my best couple photos to date!
NAME: Melanie
WEDDING LOCATION: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF
THE ASTRID CORDIER BRIDAL EXPERIENCE?
My favorite part of the Astrid Cordier Bridal Experience was how comfortable she made us feel. My husband is not a photo-type of guy, and even he felt at ease when Astrid stepped behind the camera.
Not only is the end result from something out of a fairytale, but the jokes and giggles between shots come as a welcome distraction from the wedding nerves.
You don't feel posed, it feels natural and you feel like you can show your own personality and your relationship. No forced smiles or kisses. I could not recommend Astrid enough!
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Melanie has such a vibrant personality, she is the life of the party and o man, their reception was a crazy party! She stunned in her designer gown with an elegant vintage lace train. The attraction between these two lovebirds is evident in every image, I just loved photographing their special day.
NAME: Lisa
WEDDING LOCATION: Pumba Lodge, South Africa
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF
THE ASTRID CORDIER BRIDAL EXPERIENCE?
I loved how natural and down-to-earth Astrid is, she made me feel so comfortable. I was nervous but excited and she made the whole experience so enjoyable! She is energetic and bubbly and just made the photography side of the day so fun! I hate being in front of the camera and it was the one thing I really dreaded however she made that all go away and helped me and my bridal party, have the best day ever! The photos are stunning and really encapsulate the love around us on our BIG day! I would definitely recommend her to all of my friends and family.
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Lisa is one of the sweetest brides I have ever photographed. This gorgeous couple flew over from the United Kingdom to elope at the beautiful Pumba Lodge Game Reserve. My favorite part of the wedding was the Safari drive/ wedding portrait session. We drove around on the back of the safari vehicle stopping for portraits every time we saw some game. The reception was spectacular with traditional dancers and delicious local dishes.
NAME: Chantelle
WEDDING LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
Q: IF SOMEONE WAS ON THE FENCE ABOUT BEING AN ASTRID CORDIER BRIDE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Being a bride under the lens of Astrid Cordier was the best part of our wedding day!! Our number one priority for our wedding day (and I believe should be for every bridal couple), was to get the best photographer who would deliver the best pictures for our perfect day. We could not have chosen any better!! Astrid doesn’t just take photos, she makes every moment magical and the end result is even more amazing than the complete experience. Astrid is truly an incredibly talented photographer and choosing her must not be a choice, it is a MUST!
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Chantelle is as beautiful on the outside as on the inside, she truly has a heart of gold! This destination wedding was at a picturesque wine estate at the top of a cliff overlooking Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It is by far one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever photographed. It was an honor to capture each magical moment for them.
NAME: Heidi
WEDDING LOCATION: Slipperfields Farm, South Africa
Q: IF SOMEONE WAS ON THE FENCE ABOUT BEING AN ASTRID CORDIER BRIDE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Astrid is more than just a photographer. She becomes a friend, stylist, and consultant, all this while remaining professional at all times.
For me, it is a privilege to be an Astrid Cordier bride.
I always thought after 10 years I would think back and probably want to change many things from my wedding, but because Astrid captured our most beautiful moments together on camera and also every little detail, I can look back with great appreciation for her talent.
What stood out most to me was that she knows exactly how to make you (and your family and entourage) feel at ease. You feel like a model when she's done with you and she makes such an effort to make you feel like a princess on your special day. Even my husband, who doesn't love the camera, was immediately at ease. Her patience and initiative for the right photo at the right time also make her one of the best photographers in the world. Astrid Cordier's wedding photos are not just for an album. They are created to be framed enlargements against focus walls, where you can remember when you looked and felt your best. All thanks to her honest, sincere, and bubbly personality.
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Heidi is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. She has such a warm and loving personality, we just clicked right away! She looked like a real princess on her special day. Their magical wedding held at the foot of a mountain in the Eastern Cape was a beautiful combination of rustic and modern touches. Definitely, one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever had the privilege of photographing!
NAME: Renate
WEDDING LOCATION: Graaff-Reinet South Africa
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF
THE ASTRID CORDIER BRIDAL EXPERIENCE?
Astrid is by far the only photographer I wanted for my dreamy farm wedding! We were so privileged that she could capture our special big day! She has an impeccable eye for artistic and unique photos and captured all our special moments that I can forever keep! She is worth every penny! Thank you so much for all our amazing memories! I cannot recommend her enough!
NOTE FROM
ASTRID
Renate such a personality, she really shined like a diamond on her special day. My jaw dropped when I saw Renate in her elegant Enzoani wedding dress. This gorgeous couple had their reception on a farm and it was so charming and unique. She is also such a creative bride, she made the most beautiful decor pieces and even arranged her own flowers. We had so much fun photographing this wedding!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
01
DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS?
Absolutely, I love traveling and will travel far and wide for your wedding day. We've captured couples all over the world from the historical architecture in Germany, to the breathtakingly beautiful beaches of South Africa.
02
HOW DO I LOCK IN MY WEDDING DATE?
A signed wedding contract and retainer locks in your wedding date on my calendar.
03
HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHS WILL I RECEIVE?
On average, you will receive around 800 - 1,000 photographs from an
8 - 10 hour wedding.
04
CAN WE HAVE ALL OF THE IMAGES YOU TAKE?
Rest assured, I personally curate your final gallery to give you the very best photos taken that show the story of your day carefully curated in a way that won't overwhelm you while also not getting rid of any we know you'll absolutely love in order to give you a certain number. Discarded images are light tests, unflattering faces, duplicates, etc.
05
HOW LONG AFTER THE WEDDING DO WE RECEIVE OUR IMAGES?
Full wedding galleries are delivered an average of 2 - 4 weeks after your wedding day. I also upload sneak peeks to my social media accounts and am happy to supply images for a thank you card if you need it before you receive the full gallery.
06
DO YOU DELIVER MOSTLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS?
The majority of your wedding photographs are color with only around 20-25% black & white. You will also receive all black & white images in color as well.
07
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I completed my Masters in Photography from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa. In my 16 year career I have had the privilege to photograph over 250 weddings.
08
HOW DO WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?
When the gallery is finished, I upload it to a password-protected online gallery and send it to you via email. You can share the link with friends and family so they can see these photos. You can also download the whole gallery to your computer.
09
Do we get the rights to print our own photos?
Absolutely, all my wedding packages come with edited, printable files with printing rights.
I treat each photograph as a artwork and I personally edit each individual image before it goes int0 your gallery.
10
MY VENUE IS DARK. CAN YOU PROPERLY LIGHT IT??
Definately! We come to every wedding with the proper equipment & knowledge to light any situation. We can handle every lighting scenario with a one flash setup to keep our footprint small inside your reception..
11
DO WE HAVE TO DO A FIRST LOOK?
I do not require a first look. However, based on experience I have found time & time again that doing a first look makes the day much more enjoyable for our couples because it allows you ample time to spend with each other and with your guests without feeling rushed or sacrificing the amount of portraits you receive. Plus, who wants to miss cocktail hour taking portraits when you can be drinking champagne with your guests..
12
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS ON MY WEDDING DAY?
We are always well prepared & you will still get amazing photographs. We always have a few clear bubble umbrellas on hand for you to use. Some of our absolute all-time favorite wedding photographs have been taken in the rain. They have a certain je ne sais quoi to them.
13
DO YOU OFFER VIDEOGRAPHY?
I spesialize in photography only, but think videography is very important on a wedding day.
14
HOW MUCH EDITING DO YOU DO ON OUR PHOTOS?
All of your photos will be edited for exposure, white balance & tone, with straightening & cropping as needed to achieve my signature style. I do remove blemishes & any small bruises or bug bites on portraits, so no need to worry if you have a breakout on your wedding day! If you would like extensive editing done: changing body shape, swapping heads, hair, make-up or wardrobe fixes, removing objects from the background, etc., I can outsource to a professional photo retoucher for you for a nominal fee.
15
Do you bring an assistant or second photographer?
I photograph alone, I view myself as a photographic artist and when you are booking me, you are booking my knowledge and expertise. My husband and I make a mean team, I am the only photographer but I would not be able to create my beautiful signature lighting without my husband as my lighting assistant.
16
Should I make a "shot list" of my desired photos?
Planning a wedding is stressful, we know you have a lot on your plate—our thorough and detail oriented approach ensures you’ll have more photos than you could ever need or want, but we do recommend bringing to our attention any special people, planned moments, or unique details you’d like to capture that we might not know to anticipate. On your wedding day, please have the dress, ring, shoes, jewelry and any other heirlooms you’d like in the photos in the bridal suite. We will spend the first hour of our coverage shooting your details and final hair and makeup.
