You don't take a photograph. You make it.
Ansel Adams
I'm Heidi Vail, a fine art photographer, and recent transplant to sunny Florida! I married my college sweetheart Tim over a decade ago and we have three kids! People are my passion and I love documenting their stories. However, when I’m not photographing timeless weddings and joyful portrait sessions, you can find me exploring the great outdoors, working in my garden, and having fun with my family!
Growing up on Cape Cod, if I wasn’t outside exploring the woods and the waves, I was creating art. I loved to draw, dance, sing, and craft jewelry to sell to tourists on the beach. And yet, the idea of going to art school never occurred to me. I figured I was going to a university to study biology or history. Luckily, fate stepped in when my high school art teacher encouraged me to apply to a few art schools, including Savannah College of Art & Design.
At SCAD I received my BFA in photography, joined the crew team, met amazing people from around the world, and fell in love. But it wasn’t until after college that I found my true calling. I was soon-to-be engaged, new to Boston, and just starting out when I applied to be a wedding photographer’s assistant. I helped photograph one wedding and from that moment, I was hooked.
There is a level of intimacy and connection that take place when I photograph a monumental moment in someone else's life. That’s why I’ve enjoyed being a wedding and portrait photographer for the past decade. It doesn’t matter if I’m thousands of miles from home or just down the street, I’m happiest when photographing compassionate, down to earth people like yourself, and helping them tell their story.
So what is your story? Are you newly engaged and looking for the right person to document your upcoming wedding? Maybe you are a mama of three and it has been way too long since you’ve stepped in front of a camera? Or maybe you are an old friend/past client and just want to stay connected? Whatever the case, I’m so glad you are here and hope to hear from you soon!
FEATURED ON
"Heidi is excellent to work with. She somehow put my teenagers at ease and we got great shots. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish and I recommend her without any reservations. She has an artist’s eye and it shows in the images she captured."
“Heidi has recorded some of the most precious moments of my life- both my wedding and the early newborn days of my daughter. Heidi is talented, kind, and professional. Our photos are beautiful but not overly posed and feel very natural. I feel like she really captured "us".”
"I can't tell you how thrilled I am with our photos. My daughter can be very shy with new people. Heidi was extremely patient with her and found creative ways of photographing our family that made her feel comfortable. With kids, you never know just what challenges you'll face in trying to take photos in a short period of time, but I felt increasingly confident that Heidi was going to be able to get the shots she needed and be so kind at the same time. I absolutely loved working with Heidi and will be sure to book another session next year"
"We have had multiple sessions with Heidi, and each time she has managed to capture some fleeting, sweet moments with my three kids together that I completely didn't realized occurred until I saw the photos. I enjoy having a photographer who is patient with little ones, is capable of being free in the moment, and able to come up with ideas that suit my kids' personalities. Thank you Heidi!"
"Heidi was professional, sweet, and knew what she was doing during the shoot. She was able to guide us to get various types of shots and worked well with my elementary age children. Heidi was timely and even dealt with a change on my end with grace and professionalism. Most importantly we loved our pictures!"