The Best Fine Art Wedding Photographers in Willard, NC

The Best Fine Art Wedding Photographers in Willard, NC

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?


82 Wedding Photographers in Willard, NC

Fine art
Quick responder
Celestial Waves Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $900
  • Serves Willard, NC

Celestial Waves Photography, based in Wilmington, NC, is led by a paramedic with a passion for capturing life’s most cherished moments. We offer affordable, high-quality, and inclusive photography, specializing in family sessions, portraits, events, and weddings. With over five years of experience, we bring a unique perspective and care to every shoot. Let us help you turn your moments into timeless memories—book your session today!

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we reached out to Celestial Waves Photography, their communication was fast, easy-going, and respectful. The quality of their work was truly professional, high-grade, and of great quality. They made the posing and photo ideas easy and simple, yet still maintained a polished, professional look throughout our wedding day. I would highly recommend Celestial Waves Photography for any kind of photography needs - they went above and beyond to capture all the special moments of our big day.
David G., 5 months ago
Quick responder
Anchor Studios Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

I’m Edgar, an HTX-raised native with Salvadorian roots. I am the owner, creative director, and lead photographer at Anchor Studios Photography. I'm a wedding and elopement photographer based out of Pittsburgh, PA! However, the stories I capture don't start and end there. I love to travel to capture stories all around the world.

Awarded Best of Zola
Anchor Studios Photography was an incredible partner for our wedding day. From the moment we first spoke with Edgar, his communication was on point, attentive, responsive, friendly, and professional. The quality of their work was simply amazing - their photos are timeless, professional, and extremely detailed oriented. We were especially impressed when another photographer had to cancel last minute, and Edgar stepped in seamlessly, presenting his services to us in a very prepared and professional manner. Throughout the day, the Anchor Studios team was flexible, punctual, caring, organized, knowledgeable, and had great time management, ensuring our wedding day went off without a hitch. We are thrilled with the beautiful, lasting memories they captured for us. We couldn’t have picked a better team and would recommend them to anybody without question.
Daniela E., 2 months ago
TrendlineTrending
Oury Memories 

4.8

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves Willard, NC

I have been a photographer for 8 years. Throughout my time as a photographer I’ve captured clothing, models, and memories. I shifted from corporate shootings to families and weddings because it gave me this warm fuzzy feeling when I edited my couples and families photos. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me and ask about my photography style, my editing style, or my favorite restaurant! I highly recommend scheduling a free consulting session!

Awarded Best of Zola
Grace did both our engagement and wedding photos and was such a pleasure to work with. She was professional, communicative, and attentive throughout the whole process, gave fantastic advice and direction on the day, paid minute attention to detail, and was up for anything. Her photos are dreamy and strike a perfect balance between art and recording memories.
Miranda S., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Enamored Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Willard, NC

Thank you for visiting our profile! I'm Mel (Lead Photographer) and my spicy latin queen, wife and BFF, Alegna is the second shooter. We are passionate about making our couples feel at ease in front of the camera so they can fully be present in the moment, while we capture authentic images true to you and your love story. Our motto is, "Love the moment. Live it forever."

Awarded Best of Zola
I hired Mel and his wife to be my wedding photographers, and they were AMAZING!! You could tell they really put a lot of thought and effort into making sure your photos come out just the way you want them. My package included a free engagement photo shoot, and that was a great time to get to know him before the big day. Mel is always reachable and happy to answer any questions you have in the wedding process. I am including a couple of the photos I received so you can see just how stunning they are! Would highly recommend Enamored Photography :)
Bailey M., 8 months ago
Quick responder
Amative Creative | Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, & Destination Wedding Photographer & Videographer 

4.9

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,600
  • Serves Willard, NC
  • Offer

Hello there! I'm Andrea, owner of Amative Creative, and every weekend we're so blessed to be able to tell the love stories of so many amazing couples. Like many others in this industry might say, we simply adore weddings. But what makes us a little different is our entire brand is centered around telling love stories specifically curated to reflect your vision and aesthetic. "Amative" means to be prone to love, so as you can see, we want nothing more than to tell your love story! But what makes us truly unique is that we understand every love story looks different. And we personalize every aspect of how we document your wedding day!

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a great experience with Amative Creative for our wedding! One thing that really made them stand out was that they offer so many different editing styles to choose from, so we were able to pick exactly the look we wanted. They also got our photos back to us super quickly—about a week after the wedding—which was such a nice surprise. The photos turned out beautiful and they captured all the big moments and some great candid shots. I especially love how cool the dance floor shots turned out. We received tons of compliments on the pictures! Highly recommend!
Lily A., 8 months ago
Quick responder
Angela Mallett Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Angela is a Destination wedding photographer capturing timeless memories for over 10 years. She loves providing couples with candid images that they can look back on for a lifetime. Her passion is to connect and tell couples’ love stories through the beauty and emotion of the moments captured.

Awarded Best of Zola
I cannot express how amazing Angela was. She has not only a super warm personality. But also an amazing work ethic. I got the package for two photographers and they were both phenomenal. While I was getting ready(we are running about 30 minutes late) she was out taking photos of the venue, the lay flat photos, and the other details pictures. She even held onto our rings for me because the bridal suite was a wreck and I didn’t wanna lose them. All in all my experience with her was a 12/10 experience. She was one of the people who made my wedding less stressful!
Alexy A., 5 months ago
Quick responder
Sarah Maria Film Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

It is the greatest privilege in life to capture such meaningful photos on the most important days of our lives. The trust and vulnerability from each person I work with is something I take very seriously. I am so thankful to choose this profession because of how much joy it brings me to document two people coming together in the name of Love, with their most cherished friends and family surrounding them.

Awarded Best of Zola
Sarah Maria Film Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with on our engagement. From the very first interaction, their communication was clear, kind, and incredibly helpful as we navigated the planning process. She made us feel so comfortable and captured the joy of that special moment beautifully. Her attention to detail and the spectacular quality of her work exceeded our expectations. Sarah blended into the background to capture all the little moments that made our experience so unique and special. We are thrilled with the final photos and would highly recommend Sarah Maria Film Photography to any couple looking for an exceptional photography experience.
Cal Z., 4 months ago
Quick responder
Alyssa Marie Photography 

4.9

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, but at the same time, it goes by in the blink of an eye! That is why I have spent years curating my wedding photography experience to create a space where you can be fully present, while still getting heirloom quality imagery that allows you to relive your day over and over again.

Awarded Best of Zola
Alyssa was friendly and professional during our entire wedding journey! Her team's approach on our wedding day was equally impressive; they were present for every special moment, but never intrusive or overbearing. We were able to fully enjoy our day without feeling like every moment was choreographed or planned. Alyssa and her team are incredibly talented and produced beautiful, elegant, and vibrant photos that captured the joy and beauty of our wedding! We had plenty of well planned photos combined with some incredibly awesome candid ones. Our photos were delivered several days ahead of the deadline and we were blown away by how stunning they turned out. Alyssa and her team made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera, and we had a great time working with them. I would highly recommend Alyssa Marie Photography to any couple looking for an exceptional wedding photography experience.
Emily Ice L., a month ago
Quick responder
Vimana Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,200
  • Serves Willard, NC

Your Love Story. Told through imagery as vibrant and authentic as you are. Hello, friend! My name is Maria, and along with my husband, Donny, we are the husband and wife foundation of Vimana Photography & Cinema, LLC. We have over a decade in business, global and nationwide clientele, and focus on timeless, authentic, and fun documentation of your wedding day, through fine art photography and cinematic videography. When we aren’t behind the camera, I enjoy interior design, gardening, our menagerie of pets, and travel. Ask us about capturing your destination wedding!

Vimana Photography was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. Their communication style was professional, timely, and kind throughout the entire process. The quality of their work was exceptional, capturing natural, and candid moments that perfectly reflected the feel of our special day. They were super easy-going and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Vimana Photography also did our engagement shoot, which allowed us to get to know them better beforehand. They followed the timeline perfectly and helped us to capture so many amazing moments that we will cherish forever. We highly recommend Vimana Photography to any couple looking for a talented and personable wedding photography team.
Hope M., 4 months ago
GemHidden gem
Hailey Hughes Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hello beautiful couples! Looking for a photographer? I’m your girl! ✨ I specialize in capturing your day in a way that’s unique to you and your love story. I love getting all the moments, even the little in between ones that may go unseen. Your day goes by SO fast, so it’s great to have someone who’s ready to be there for you and make sure you don’t miss a beat when you look back on your day. PS - I also do video!

From the first time we reached out to Hailey Hughes Photography, the communication was clear, easy, and smooth. Their quick, professional, and beyond expectation work put our minds at ease on our wedding day. Hailey and her team were a joy to work with and made the entire process a breeze - there was no added stress, and they were on time and captured every moment perfectly through pictures and video. We are thrilled with the results and would highly recommend Hailey Hughes Photography to any couple looking for an exceptional photography and videography experience for their special day.
Mallory G., 4 months ago
Quick responder
Hanna Rain Photos & Film 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hello & welcome! I’m a film-forward wedding photographer and videographer in Tennessee, capturing real moments and timeless imagery. I blend digital with 35mm film and Kodak Super 8 to create work that feels nostalgic, imperfect, and deeply human. My documentary approach lets the day unfold naturally, preserving the in-between moments that matter most. I’m drawn to experience-focused weddings — intimate gatherings, outdoor celebrations, and days that feel like a meaningful hang with your favorite people.

Hanna captured our elopement and to say she did a perfect job would be an understatement. She was so easy to communicate with and her presence is comfortable and peaceful. Her kindness and love for what she does is apparent as soon as you meet her. I could go on and on; we loved her!! She was the perfect pick for our day and the best decision we made for our elopement, aside from getting married! Her storytelling through our photos and video was spot on, allowing us to relive those emotions and moments, and giving our loved ones a chance to feel and live that day for their first time. It was obviously felt deeply by all. We seriously cannot thank her enough for everything!
Bailee M., 2 months ago
GemHidden gem
Kristen Thomison 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hello! My name is Kristen Thomison, I am passionate about capturing your story in a way that feels completely like you! Myself along with my team love getting to know you and capturing your day in a way that feels super intentional and like having some friends with you with a camera! Our promise is to keep it lighthearted and playful so that you look back on these images for years to come and remember the conversations, laughs, and maybe tears as if they were yesterday.

Awarded Best of Zola
We were so worried about finding the "perfect" photographer for our big day, but Kristen Thomison was an answer to prayer! She is a precious person who goes above and beyond to make sure the client has exactly what they want and envision. Before booking with her, she made me a Pinterest board of what her vision was for our big day based on our venue parameters and our personal wishes. This extra detail that she chose to provide helped me to feel settled in my decision, trusting we had the same vision! Furthermore, she gets to know her clients on a personal level so she can write our story pictorially. She is incredible and gives her heart and soul to what she does!
Kirby and S., 3 years ago
Megan Pitts Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,100
  • Serves Willard, NC

My philosophy is simple... I am here to tell the story of the day you married the love of your life. I want to document the excitement of you getting ready with your best friends, the look on your mother's face when she sees you in your dress for the first time, and the tears your father cries during the father - daughter dance, and that "Oh my God, we are really married?!" look of joy on your faces as you walk down the aisle as a married couple for the first time. I will pose you and guide you when necessary, but I believe when you are focusing on each other and really soaking in those moments --- that's when the magic happens.

Megan's photography skills are simply unmatched. From our engagement session to our wedding day, she effortlessly captured the essence of our love story, creating timeless memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. During our engagement shoot, Megan made us feel comfortable and relaxed, allowing our personalities to shine through in every photograph. When it came to our wedding day, Megan exceeded our expectations once again. She effortlessly blended into the background, capturing candid moments and genuine emotions with an artistry that is truly remarkable. Megan's photographs tell the story of our day with authenticity and grace. She went above and beyond to ensure that every shot was perfect. Megan's passion for her photograph is evident, and it shines through in every photograph she takes. She has a gift for capturing the beauty and creating images that are both breathtaking and full of meaning. We are beyond grateful for her talent, dedication, and professionalism, and we recommend her to anyone in search of a photographer who will capture their most precious moments. Thank you, Megan, for giving us memories that will last a lifetime!
Kelly K., 2 years ago
Quick responder
JoLynn Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $3,200
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hi, I'm Coby! I am so excited you are here! It is a privilege to be invited to some of the most pivotal and beautiful moments in people's lives. My couples choose me to preserve true, honest memories of their newly forming family tree. They trust me to truly see these connections and document them with professionalism and artistic ability so that they come away with photos that are treasured for the rest of their lives.

Where to even begin?! We met Coby at a bridal show and she was so warm and open right from the beginning. We met for coffee and discussed how we wanted our wedding to be, and we just knew she was who we wanted as our photographer. She helped with planning so when our wedding day arrived, it was simply perfect! We woke up the day after our wedding to beautiful sneak peeks and our whole wedding album was complete a few weeks later. The whole process was simply amazing!
Sarah and J., 2 years ago
Quick responder
EVO Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Based in Charleston, SC, EVO Photography is an experienced wedding photography service. Our goal is to provide the high quality images of your special day at an affordable price. EVO Photography believes that every wedding should celebrate the love of the couple, and their images reflect this. They offer a versatile approach to every wedding, working with your style to represent you in the best way you see fit. From romantic, traditional images to more modern, contemporary shots, they can personalize their style for you.

Awarded Best of Zola
Wow. From the moment he arrived Matt was so easy to work with and so professional. With a very big wedding party and a few last minute changes Matt took it all with ease. He truly helped make the day so special.
Casie W., 9 months ago
Rae Marshall Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Serves Willard, NC

My name is Rae Marshall and I've been photographing weddings for 15+ years and now have over 500 weddings under my belt. I love weddings because I love documenting relationships. Those special people are the most important parts of our lives. I love photographing anything that involves couples, and also making people feel like STUNNERS. Engagements, maternity, senior portraits, models = *heart eyes* I believe that life should be remembered as beautifully as it felt when it happened.

Awarded Best of Zola
Rae is the BEST! I couldn’t have asked for a better person to capture my favorite day! She made us feel extremely comfortable and calm the whole day and helped direct the flow of all the events. She is super quick and efficient and the photos came back in a timely manner. The pictures turned out absolutely stunning and I will cherish them forever. Everybody raves about how good our wedding pictures are! :) Thank you, Rae!!
Jenna and Z., 3 years ago
Quick responder
Sparrow Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Sparrow Photography is more than just a wedding photography service—we’re storytellers capturing life’s most meaningful moments with care and authenticity. Weddings are our favorite, with packages starting at $850 for 4 hours and no travel fees anywhere in the U.S. (international weddings only cover travel). Founded by Emily Simmons, a photographer with a bachelor’s degree in photography, Sparrow Photography was built on the belief that everyone deserves high-quality, timeless photos at a price that won’t overwhelm.

Sparrow Photography was wonderful to work with! Their professional, responsive, and organized communication style, combined with their friendly demeanor, put us at ease throughout the entire process. The quality of their work was exceptional - the images they captured were beautiful, high-quality, consistent, and showcased their creative talents. They worked seamlessly with the vendor team to ensure everything flowed naturally, and made us feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera. I would absolutely recommend Sparrow Photography to future couples and look forward to working with them again.
Molly R., a day ago
Quick responder
Christin Sofka Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $8,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hi! I'm Christin, a destination wedding photographer based in Chattanooga, TN. Specializing in timeless and artful imagery, my expertise goes beyond just taking photos; it's about crafting a visual story that reflects the joy, love, and unique spirit of your celebration.

Working with Christin at Christin Sofka Photography was one of the absolute highlights of our wedding journey. From our very first inquiry to the days following our wedding, Christin has been nothing short of phenomenal—responsive, professional, fun, and such a warm presence throughout. We initially found her because of her stunning photography style, but it was her incredible personality that sealed the deal. From our first call, she genuinely wanted to get to know us—our story, our vibe, our vision—and it showed in everything she did. Before we even officially hired her, Christin was helping us find a venue that aligned with our dream, connecting us with other amazing vendors, and offering support in ways far beyond the role of a photographer. She was in it with us every step of the way. I’m usually awkward in front of a camera, but somehow Christin made it feel effortless and fun. She created an environment where we could just be ourselves—and that joy, love, and personality came through in every photo. Our pictures shine with who we are. Every idea we had, she embraced and brought to life in ways that exceeded our expectations. She was just as excited as we were the entire time—and honestly, I can’t imagine our day without her. Christin is not just a photographer—she’s a true artist, a cheerleader, and a calming, creative force you’ll be so lucky to have by your side. If you’re considering hiring her: do it. You’ll be singing her praises too.
Ashley S., a year ago
Ali Nicole Photos 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Willard, NC

I'm Ali, a wedding photographer based in North Carolina with over 10 years of experience capturing the unique stories of wonderful couples. Finding a photographer whose work you truly love is essential, but it's equally important to choose someone who will bring out your best and make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. I strive to do just that and would love the opportunity to be part of your special day!

From our first call, I knew Ali was the photographer we needed (seriously think we booked within 24 hours). We immediately felt comfortable with her as if we were talking to a friend and, as two people who tend to be awkward in front of a camera, this went a long way. During our engagement shoot, she helped find poses that worked naturally, made us laugh during the cheesy shots that turned into our favorite pictures, and brought my Pinterest dreams to life (we had the same pics pinned so it was meant to be). Not to mention she was even sweeter in person. On our wedding day Ali jumped straight into it seamlessly. She’s easy to be around and brings a calming presence no matter what’s going on around her (calling her the calm in the storm would be an understatement). She captured every moment perfectly and had our best interest at her forefront the entire day. She even found excuses to give me a pause if she noticed I was getting nervous or seemed overwhelmed (I never told her I noticed she did that for me but it was so appreciated). After the ceremony, she knew exactly how to wrangle in our families and wedding party, and somehow managed to capture the best photos in record-breaking time. This is getting long so I’ll wrap it up, but if you’re anything like me and you’re indecisive or worried about making the right vendor choices, trust that you won’t regret this one. I could go on and on but, long story short, we’ll be forever grateful we chose Ali!!
Hannah D., 7 months ago
Quick responder
Laura and Rachel Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Willard, NC

We believe your wedding photos should feel as iconic as the day itself — timeless, luminous, and completely you. As a mother-daughter team with 15+ years of experience, we've documented hundreds of beautiful weddings from the breathtaking West Coast to the historic charm of the East. We bring two generations of artistry, intuition, and heart to every celebration. Our couples love beautiful light, intimate moments, and weddings that feel unmistakably like them. If that sounds like you, we'd love to be part of your story.

Awarded Best of Zola
Laura and Rachel did an incredible job capturing our wedding day! They brought a perfect blend of creativity and warmth to every shot. The photos are stunning, capturing both candid moments and beautiful portraits. They took the time to scope out spots around our venue with the best lighting and greenery. Their professionalism and genuine passion made the entire experience seamless and fun, despite me racing around getting ready when they arrived. We highly recommend them for anyone seeking talented and heartfelt photographers. Thank you for creating memories we will cherish forever!
Sara B., a year ago
Quick responder
Nova Imagery 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Serves Willard, NC

Chances are, you landed on this page because you’re looking for remarkable wedding photos that not only challenge the status-quo, but also serve as a unique and special family heirloom. You need wedding photographers who can offer an unparalleled and world-class photography experience — not just someone who simply clicks a shutter button. As seasoned editorial photographers, we understand the desire to break tradition and seek out services that add value in addition to quality images.

We’re so glad we chose Nova Imagery for our engagement session! From the very first conversation, they made us feel completely at ease. Every picture felt so natural and perfectly captured who we are as a couple. The team is professional, friendly, and so talented. They knew all the best spots in Orlando and worked with us to create photos that felt unique to our story. We’ve been looking at the pictures over and over. They’re just that good! I’m already so excited for our wedding day because I know they’ll go above and beyond to make those memories just as special. If you’re looking for an Orlando wedding photographer, I can’t recommend Nova Imagery enough. They’re amazing at what they do!
Stephanie H., a year ago
Kylie Putnam Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Serves Willard, NC

Hi, I’m Kylie and I'm so glad that you are here!!!! I’m a photographer, mother, beach lover, amateur chef, and I’m here to tell your story. I specialize in capturing beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it's your dream wedding, an important family reunion or a fun portrait session for the kids, I will bring all the joy and excitement alive! With years of experience under my belt and an eye for detail, I guarantee to make your special occasion the talk of the town! I love photography for its capacity to freeze moments in time, and to document love in all of its wild and wonderful forms.

Kylie hands down delivered everything and more on my special day. She caotured every moment that I didn't know I needed. Any request I had, she made it happen. Her quality is hands down the best. Pricing is amazing. And she won't let you down!
Richie & D., 4 years ago
Julianne Key Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Willard, NC

I’m Julianne, a North Carolina wedding photographer who believes every love story deserves to be told with care and artistry. My approach is calm, intentional, and deeply human, rooted in connection, trust, and quiet beauty. I create timeless, heartfelt images that honor who you are and the love you share, exactly as it is.

Julianne’s thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and amazing attitude blew us away on our wedding day. Leading up to our big day she sent us some unexpected gifts in the mail, which was a wonderful surprise. We can safely say that she was the best photographer for us on our big day. She was there for much more than photos. Whether it was helping us find things in the chaos of the bridal suite or coming up with a new game plan when we realize our sunset shoot couldn’t happen. Her and her assistant thought of everything to make us as comfortable as possible during our photos. We had a slight bug situation, but the bug spray they brought helped so much. Julianne has a way of making everyone feel comfortable when she’s capturing these special moments. She was even able to bring a smile to my camera shy husbands face consistently throughout the day. She was also able to hype up our wedding party when needed to get the perfect shot. Julianne stayed longer than planned to capture some special moments at our reception, which meant the world to us. She is such a kind and sweet person, who is literally willing to do whatever she needs to help the day run smoothly. One of the best decisions we made when planning was hiring her as our wedding photographer. If you get the opportunity to work with Julianne, trust me you will not regret it. She just might save the day!
Brianna S., 3 years ago
Quick responder
Noveli Wedding Photography 

5.0

  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $3,249
  • Serves Willard, NC

We are Summer and Stephen teammates and life mates. After years of being a husband & wife team our lives turned to destination weddings and take us away from Greenville quite a bit. We brought in our partner photographers Christina & Alejandro and Angela & Zack to create one of the top photography studios in the South East.

We were so thrilled to have Noveli Wedding Photography capture our special day. From our first interaction, Summer and Stephen were quick, clear, and responsive in their communication, which put us at ease throughout the planning process. The work that the team at Noveli creates is truly timeless and professional, with a quick turnaround on our beautiful photos. On the day of our wedding, Alejandro and Christina were personable, creative, and worked wonderfully together to capture all the details. We love Noveli and would highly recommend them to any couple looking for talented, dedicated wedding photographers!
Sheridan D., a year ago