About Me and My Style

My name is Craig Spiering.
Meet me here with this 4 minute introduction video
and then read on about my style of wedding photography.


What to expect...

    ~  Discreet, unobtrusive coverage of your wedding day, telling your story with a
           photojournalistic style and an eye for natural beauty.

    ~  Portraiture that is fun and simple, making you feel relaxed and without turning
           your day into a fashion shoot.

    ~    Enjoy your day!  You shouldn’t have to worry about your photographer on your
           wedding day, so, for the most part, just think of me as a guest with a fancy camera and
           I’ll do my thing, so that you can do yours.




About my style...

The goal of my photography is authenticity, capturing natural beauty and emotion in order to tell the story of your wedding day honestly. I aim to be unobtrusive-—following and recording real moments as they happen-—because, from bridal preparation to your grand departure, your wedding day is about you and those you care about. Journalistic photography is more than just knowing how; it is also about knowing when.There are times to be relaxed and fun, but there are other times and places where prudence and solemnity are paramount. I am happy to work with you and your wedding site in order to conform to rules, personalities and comfort levels.

Yet, my photojournalistic style isn't just about the candid shots. By taking a little time for some “relaxed" portraiture, we can create those special images that will capture you at your best on your wedding day and make a faithful record for the years to come. Whether shooting beautiful brides, fun groups or romantic couples, I keep my portraiture relaxed and fun, because natural beauty often comes best with very little direction. And I believe strongly in family and I think that wedding gatherings are the perfect time for recording your history. So, yes, posed family group pictures are included.

With every wedding package, you receive my exclusive talent to record your wedding day. After the big day, I will digitally treat the images, giving each one a polish by balancing color, tone and contrast. Afterwards, I will upload these images to a password-protected online gallery where you may view them and share them with family and friends who can also order high quality prints. And most importantly, with every package you will also receive a flash drive with the final, polished images in a high resolution, printable format, because I believe that everyone should have unfettered access and rights to the images from their own wedding day.

I find great joy in creating art that is beautiful and memorable and I look forward to sharing this joy with you.


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A little bit about me...

In the last 10 years, I have had the pleasure to serve couples in 15 states, photographing more than 200 weddings and being witness to some of the most memorable moments. Most of this work came to me through referrals and acquaintances, which I believe is a testimony to the quality of my work and to my high standards of professionalism and decorum.

I studied photography and photojournalism at the Defense Information School in Maryland and then had an absolute blast recording the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Navy around the world for several years as a military photojournalist .  I even earned a Joint Services Achievement Medal for my work during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005.

After my military career, I photographed weddings for several of my friends and I discovered two incredible things:  First, that capturing the beauty and emotion of a wedding day for a couple and their family and friends was unequivocally fulfilling.  I was able to capture wonderful memories, document history and be witness to incredibly emotional and intimate moments for some amazing families, all while remaining a gentleman, preserving the solemnity of the occasion, and without making the wedding day about me or my art.

And, second, I discovered that succeeding in the fast-paced, often stressful world of military photography prepared me well for documenting the roller coaster of the wedding day.  As I continued to photograph weddings, my lovely wife, Jamie, was indispensable in helping me to develop a style that combined my simple, pious photojournalism with an eye to accentuate the natural beauty found in each of my clients and throughout their big day.

As I built my wedding photography business, I simply asked myself what I would want from a wedding photographer.  First, I have always given a digital copy of the images to my clients, because I wanted to ensure that my clients have full access and rights to the photographs from their own wedding day.  Any wedding photographer will tell you that the wedding day is challenging.  It requires a full range of photographic styles and techniques, as well as the ability to photograph in a myriad of locations and scenes.  Yet, striving to make beautiful, high quality images, through the course of the wedding day, every time, has always been my goal.

I currently reside with my family in Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley and photograph weddings around Front Royal and Winchester, throughout the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia and the greater Washington DC area, and available to travel around the United States.

While I specialize in capturing the Catholic Nuptial Mass in either the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form, my documentary style and experience have allowed me to capture a wide range of wedding types.



Jump to my Services and Pricing page or continue on to read some kind words from my past clients.


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When my husband and I were planning our wedding, we had what felt like endless challenges for a photographer. We wanted someone who could do candid shots and formal poses, photograph animals and children, and take beautiful pictures outside on a farm, in the evening, with low lighting. So when we found Craig Spiering, whose portfolio proved he could do all of the above and more, we couldn't believe our luck.
Throughout the planning process and the wedding itself, Craig was kind, resourceful, and always at the top of his game. He was truly a pleasure to work with on our wedding day - our wedding party and guests remarked on how professional and friendly he was, and yet how unobtrusive he was in his role as photographer. But the real treat was when we saw the stunning photographs of our wedding. Craig captured every moment of our wedding, from formal moments in the ceremony to fun moments like the impromptu dance numbers, in a beautiful, crisp style. Every time we look at his photographs - and we look at them frequently! - we're reminded in vivid, gorgeous detail of our special day.
-- Jessica
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Craig was terrific!!! He matched our personalities very well and was just what we were looking for in a photographer. He stayed out of the way but captured some truly special moments that we will cherish forever. From our engagement session to the ceremony to the creation of our wedding album Craig was responsive and professional, he was truly great to work with.
-- Tony and Nicole
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Craig did an incredible job on our wedding photos. He seemed to know exactly where to be and when to be there without being obtrusive. There are so many pictures that just captured people's expressions so perfectly and which reveal what they were thinking. These pictures truly bring back all of the emotions and events of our wedding day so vividly. Having Craig as our photographer was the best possible choice!
-- Rosemary and Tyler
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I am delighted to recommend Mr. Craig Spiering and Spiering Photography. In addition to photographing our daughter's wedding this past June, he also did family group photography for us a few months ago. I consider him to be the most talented photographer I have yet come across. I predict that his growing reputation for excellence will make him very difficult to engage.
Upon viewing the photographs from the day of our daughter's wedding, it was apparent, and I was struck by the fact, that he was everywhere necessary to get the shot before it happened! He did not miss one single opportunity for a "candid," from what I could see.
From early morning at the bride's home until the end of the reception, his coverage of the day's events and the people involved was extremely thorough and makes my daughter's wedding photographs a very complete and satisfying history to treasure and enjoy viewing, again and again. Mr. Spiering's ability to be everywhere necessary, and so unobtrusively (I don't recall even seeing him take most of those shots), would be wonderful enough in itself, but it is combined with an ability to frame the shot artistically, a quality much more rare, that separates him from the pack of other, equally technically proficient photographers. Many of his shots are positively lyrical in nature.
Additionally, Mr. Spiering is a consummate gentleman, with a highly developed sense of decorum and a refined respect for the environment in which he photographs. I would recommend that you do not hesitate to entrust him with the photography of your wedding. You will be in the very best of hands.
-- Roseanne (mother-of-the-bride)
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Spiering Photography is awesome! The quality of pictures we received of our wedding will keep that important day vivid in our imaginations.
-- Sebastien and Anne
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I cannot recommend Spiering Photography enough. Craig has an amazing gift at capturing images that express not only what happened, but the surrounding emotion. He is also incredibly professional and treats the solemnity of the event with great respect. In taking group photos he was patient and organized. Every time I look at the photos from our wedding it takes me back and makes me say, "That's exactly what it was like!" Craig captured all the magic and the beauty. Thank you, Craig!
-- Niall
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It was a great pleasure having Craig as our photographer for our wedding day. Craig was extremely professional, and offered us wonderful suggestions before the big day that helped everything go smoothly. He had some great shots already in mind, and also was willing to try out some of our suggestions. We couldn't be happier with the photographs from the day. They are so rich with color, and Craig really captured the emotion of the day. Now, the only problem is trying to determine which ones we have room for in the album!!!
-- Emilie and Matt
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It's rare to find a photographer who can interact so beautifully with guests, take such perfect pictures, and all with the due deference to such a momentous occasion. He did the photography for my wedding in January, and was exactly what I wanted in a photographer: he was a gentleman, he took great shots, and all without interfering with any of the festivities.
We worked together before the wedding to draw out all the pictures I would specifically want, in addition to that found in a standard collection. He was very respectful of the sanctity of the ceremony, and although he captured all those perfect moments, I had no idea he was even there. After the ceremony, the time for pictures was quick but relaxed: he clearly knew how to arrange preoccupied family members such that everyone was comfortable.

At the reception, he again managed to disappear into the crowd and yet capture fantastic moments of my guests all over the ballroom, dancing, conversing, giving speeches, etc. Most importantly, the pictures were perfect. I'm not particularly photogenic, and he captured myself, my husband, and my family as though we were movie stars. We also received our pictures quickly, both online and via disc, and were able to share them with our friends and family. I have been entertaining compliments from my entire family on the quality of the pictures, and the courtesy of the man who took them.
With Craig, you will be spared the pretentious "sleek" mannerisms of so many today in favor of a genuine expert who truly cares about you, and capturing your most precious moments. I heartily recommend Craig to everyone looking for a photographer who is both an artist and a professional.
--Diana
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Craig photographed our wedding in August of 2012. He was professional, VERY time efficient and such a blast to work with. We received our photographs within a month and couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out! Truly gorgeous memories of our day:)
--Magdalen
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Craig was a wonderful photographer for our wedding. He was extremely professional and gave us hundreds of beautiful photographs from our wedding day. Many of our guests commented on how they hardly knew he was there and yet still managed to get great shots. We would definitely recommend Craig's services.
--Kate
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By far the best experience we have had with any photographer. He captured all of the important moments perfectly.
--Aaron
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I would not trade Craig for any other photographer in the world! One specific thing that I think a bride appreciates is that he is able to do amazing work, while never drawing attention to himself. Looking back at the pictures you wonder, "How did he do that? I don't remember even seeing him take that picture!"
--Hilary
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Craig was amazing! He was very professional, managed to be flexible with time despite the curveballs that came up last minute, and provided gorgeous pictures within a few weeks of the wedding. I'd highly recommend him and his services!
--Kate
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Craig knew exactly what he was doing. We had a wedding party of 13 BMs and 13 GMs. He was quick, thorough, and very verbal with what he was trying to accomplish. The size of the wedding party didn't make him blink at all. Craig is an outstanding photographer and I would recommend him to anyone.
--Sarah
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My wife and I couldn't be happier with the job Craig did and the pictures he took of our wedding. I have a number friends whose weddings he has also photographed and all seem very pleased by his work. His rapidly expanding substantial portfolio is a tribute to the quality, attention to detail and professionalism my wife and I experienced. My wife was particularly concerned that the photographer comprehensively document the event without managing the entire wedding. Craig fit this paradigm perfectly and was very versatile in responding not only to our desired style of photography, but also to capturing the moments and relationships we thought were most important throughout the day. I recommend Craig in a heartbeat.
--Peter
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Couldn't recommend Craig enough! If you want the best photographer possible for your special event look no further than Spiering Photography.
--Vanessa
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I was so thankful to find such a flexible and talented photographer for my wedding. Craig Spiering was quick to response to all my questions and concerns, but also very helpful with suggestions on ways to work the photography seamlessly throughout the ceremony and reception. He also had the great ability to put everyone at ease throughout the day! When I received my photos I was so moved by all the little moments captured throughout the day, as I am a lover of candid photos. I am incredibly happy with my photographs and experience with Spiering Photography!
--Amanda
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Craig was fabulous! Very personable yet professional- and wonderful quality pictures!
--Mathie
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Craig flew to Arizona to photograph our wedding and I must say he is worth every cent. He did an incredible job capturing our most special day; from directing us and the wedding party for our group shots to the photographing the touching moments like our first dance. He was unobtrusive and wonderful to be around plus a lot of fun! He flowed with our guests and was so professional too. We have seen the pictures and they are incredible- artistic and varied with a perfect balance of people, light and scenery. You will be so pleased with Craig's pictures, I know I am!!!
--Paula
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Craig Spiering is an exceptional photographer! He far exceeded our dreams for capturing our wedding day. He is very high energy, capturing moments all over are large venue--but was not intrusive to us or our guests. The quality of his work is amazing--he made me feel beautiful, and captured what looks to be a heavily blessed day for eternity for us. We can't be happier or more thankful for Craig's work. Thank you, thank you!
P.S. My hard to please mother also gushes complements to everyone too about Craig.
--Kate
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Jump to my Services page.

I use a documentary style known as wedding photojournalism to serve couples in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, West Virginia and beyond. I am proud to serve my community by photographing weddings in the Front Royal, Winchester, Warrenton, Strasburg, Luray, Flint Hill, Gainesville and Woodstock areas. I specialize in photographing Catholic Weddings with a Catholic Nuptial Mass, including the Extraordinary Form or Tridentine Rite.

CONVERSATION