The Heart Behind Every Photograph

I believe the most meaningful photographs aren't just beautiful. They're the ones that help you remember exactly how it felt to love the people standing beside you.

I don't photograph weddings simply because I love weddings. I photograph weddings because I know how quickly life changes, and I believe photographs become part of a family's history.

My Photography Journey

began in a flooded basement...

A collage of pictures of Adina Stiles in a green flora

When I was little, a burst pipe flooded our basement. Among the things it soaked was my mother's handmade wedding dress. It should have been the end of the story. Instead...

...it became the beginning of mine. My sisters and I couldn't see a ruined wedding dress. We saw possibility. We slipped it on. Laughed until our sides hurt. Pretended to walk down imaginary aisles. Hosted make-believe receptions.

And with our little Instamatic cameras in hand, we photographed every joyful moment as though it were the most important wedding in the world.

Looking back, I don't remember the flooded basement. I remember the laughter, the imagination, and the feeling that something worth remembering was happening. I didn't know it then...

...but those afternoons quietly shaped the way I see photography today. Because photographs have never been just about documenting an event. They're about preserving the feeling of being together. Today, every wedding I photograph begins with that same belief:

the moments that seem ordinary now often become the ones you'll treasure most.

Life Taught Me What Photographs Become

There was a time when I thought photographs were simply beautiful reminders of special occasions. Life has taught me they're so much more than that.

As the years have passed, I've watched my own family grow in ways I never could have imagined. My husband and I have built a beautifully blended family of eight children, four grandchildren, two dogs, and even a few grand-puppies. Somewhere along the way, our wedding day became one chapter in a much bigger story.

Today, the photographs I treasure most aren't always the perfectly posed ones. They're the quiet moments that seemed ordinary at the time... A child reaching for my hand. A family gathered around the dinner table. A hug that lasted just a little longer. The people we love simply being together.

Those are the photographs that grow more valuable with every passing year. That's why weddings mean so much to me. Not because they're the finish line. Because they're the beginning.

They're the day two families become one. The day new traditions begin. The day future anniversaries, holiday gatherings, children's laughter, and someday, perhaps even grandchildren, all become possible.

When I photograph a wedding, I'm not only documenting a celebration. I'm preserving the first pages of a family's story, knowing that one day those photographs will hold even more meaning than they do today.

Adina in an emerald green dress.

MY ALL-TIME

FAVORITE THINGS:

• Family: They are everything.

• Market Spice Tea: It is so good! This tea tastes of orange and cinnamon. To me, it is comfort in a cup.

• Dogs & Horses: They make life and photography more adventurous. I encourage you to include them in your photos because they are family.

• Cannon Beach: It's where my husband proposed and one of my favorite places to go to relax.

• Being Creative: Give me a camera, a paintbrush, or a knitting needle; I am in my element doing something creative.

 

A black and white photo of the photographer holding her camera sitting on a stool.

Behind the lens

About Adina Stiles

On your wedding day, I bring a calming presence that lets you focus on celebrating your love. With years of experience in both fashion and wedding photography, I capture candid, heartfelt moments while providing gentle guidance to create stunning, timeless images. Every photo reflects your story, blending authenticity with artistry.

My background in fashion photography gives me the expertise to create photos that are not only beautiful but also thoughtfully composed. From directing formal portraits to finding the perfect light, I ensure your photos are both meaningful and visually stunning. The images I aim for are ones you’ll cherish and proudly share for years to come.

Weddings can be unpredictable, but my calm, flexible approach ensures nothing is overlooked. I handle the schedule and adapt to changes, fitting every detail into the bigger picture seamlessly. Your vision guides everything I do, and I’m here to bring it to life with ease and care.

Adina and Mark at Paradise, WA on Mount Rainier on a walking trail in the area.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

FAVORITE COLOR:

Red, Blue & Green

(Because I can’t pick just one)

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FAVORITE SEASON:

Fall

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FAVORITE FOOD:

Chocolate

Is chocolate a food? 

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FAVORITE DRINK:

Market Spice Tea

I am allergic to coffee.

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PLACES I'VE LIVED:

Colorado, Washington & Nebraska

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CAMERAS I USE:

Nikon d850

Nikon z7ii

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FAVORITE PHOTO LOCATIONS:

Cannon Beach

The San Juan Islands

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UNIQUE FACT ABOUT ME:

I am a twin

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BIGGEST FEAR:

Snakes

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BUCKET LIST LOCATION:

Ireland

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SOMETHING I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:

Family

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CAREER BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHY:

Farmer

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A Snapshot Into My Life

With my kids at the beach.

WHERE I SPEND MY TIME

I’m most at home in places filled with beauty, intention, and meaning, whether that’s on a quiet trail, a walk on the beach, discovering new scenic routes, or in the stands at a Mariners or Seahawks game.

At home, you’ll find me savoring simple moments with my family, enjoying a film night, or pushing myself on the Peloton, always with a cup of market spice tea nearby.

My favorite photo of my own kids.

The Stories I Love

I’m drawn to storytelling in all its forms. I love period romance films for their elegance, true crime documentaries for their complexity, and home renovation shows for the quiet satisfaction that comes with transformation.

I’m an avid reader, too. I prefer reading a real book rather than on my Kindle, with Steinbeck, Shannon Hale, and Louisa May Alcott holding permanent space on my shelves.

My favorite photo of my own kids.
At my daughter's graduation.

MY CIRCLE

Family is the heartbeat of my life. My husband and I have a beautifully blended family of eight children, three grandchildren, two dogs, and a few grand-puppies. They are my grounding force and a reminder of what really matters: connection, loyalty, and love through every season.

Family means everything to me. It’s why I photograph with intention. As a mother, I understand how trust is built, how love shows itself in small gestures, and how quickly seasons change. That awareness guides my work, whether I’m capturing a wedding day, a family portrait, or a fleeting moment of laughter. My goal is always the same: to preserve what makes life unforgettable.

My wedding photo with five of our kids.

My Philosophy

I believe photography is more than documentation—it is legacy. The right images outlast trends, preserve emotion, and honor the truth of a moment. I direct when needed, observe when appropriate, and deliver work that feels refined, honest, and deeply personal.

My wedding photo with five of our kids.
With my granddaughter.

For Those Who Value Experience

Over the last decade, I’ve documented hundreds of weddings and families, from elegant estates to intimate backyard celebrations. Each one is uniquely personal, and each one matters. My role is to bring calm, clarity, and artistry to every moment so you can be fully present.

A Process Designed for Ease

Exceptional service isn’t accidental; it’s designed. I’ve built every part of my process with care:

• clear communication

• thoughtful timelines

• guidance before & on the wedding day

• posing that feels natural, not staged

• delivery that feels refined

My clients describe me as a calming presence and someone who prepares meticulously, adapts seamlessly, and cares deeply.

More Than Images—It’s an Investment in Legacy

When the music fades and the flowers are gone, what remains are the memories you can hold. My work is designed to endure, to be framed, passed down, and cherished for generations.

My wedding photo with five of our kids.

If We’re a Good Fit

I work with couples and families who value authenticity, artistry, and a personal approach. If you’re seeking images that feel timeless, intentional, and emotionally rich, we might be the perfect match.

To begin, simply inquire below. I would love to learn more about your story.

With my granddaughter, Tori.

READY TO WORK TOGETHER?

Get In Touch

I cannot wait to hear more about you!

Thank you so much for considering me to be your wedding photographer! Once you fill out and send this form, I’ll check my availability for your wedding date and get back to you. I take on a limited number of weddings each year to ensure I can provide every couple with the exceptional experience they deserve.

It’s also important to me that we’re the perfect match, so the next step will be a quick phone call to get to know each other better and see if we’re a great fit!

Adina with her daughter Juliana

An Elevated Photographic Experience
for Refined Couples

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© 2017 - Adina Stiles Photography

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