About
I’m so passionate about documenting this incredible, ever-changing life—and the experiences, connections, and memories that come with it. There’s something truly magical about freezing a moment in time: capturing the laughter, the tears, the joyful chaos, and the quiet, tender glances that tell your story. As a wedding and elopement photographer based in New York, I serve couples in Buffalo, the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, and beyond. I believe in the power of photographs that feel genuine, honest, and true to who you are.
Rooted in the Northeast, capturing love across the U.S.
Hi! I'm Sam, a wedding photographer in Buffalo, the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks
I’m fueled by a deep love for adventure, the thrill of exploring new places, and the magic of seeing the world with fresh eyes. Traveling has always been one of my greatest inspirations—it reminds me to live fully, soak in the beauty of the present moment, and approach each experience with intention. Whether I’m hiking mountain trails, wandering charming cities, or watching the sun set over the ocean, I carry that same perspective into my work as a wedding photographer. I believe in living boldly and documenting love stories with purpose, wherever they unfold.
Driven by a love for adventure and rooted in intention, I believe the most meaningful moments come when we follow our curiosity and live with purpose.
....but boy do I LOVE COZY NIGHTS SNUGGLED UP ON MY COUCH
I Live for quality
time spent
outdoors
One of my earliest childhood memories is garage sailing with my mom and grandpa on summer weekends. We’d spend hours hunting through old boxes and tables, always chasing that thrill of finding a hidden gem. It’s a tradition I still love—there’s something magical about the stories tucked inside secondhand treasures.
When I'm not shooting weddings, you might find me at a thrift store or garage sale.
Think we'd be a good fit? ↗
One of my favorite parts of the day is coming home after a long walk with my energetic husky mix and whipping up an iced latte. Lately, I’ve been having so much fun recreating Starbucks drinks at home—ask me about it! I’ve got some pretty spot-on dupes you’ll definitely want to try!
My go-to coffee order: an iced vanilla oatmilk latte (bonus if it's sugar cookie flavored)
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You can bet my drive to your wedding is soundtracked by a whole lot of Taylor Swift. There’s just something magical about scream-singing Enchanted and Long Live that gets me so pumped for the day. Major shoutout to my 2024 bride, Leah—walking into her getting ready space and hearing a T-Swift playlist blasting? Absolute perfection. I knew it was going to be an amazing day.
My favorite wedding day jams: The entire Speak Now album by Taylor Swift.
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There's something magical about standing in a place untouched by time, where the world feels quiet and overwhelmingly vast. These landscapes inspire me endlessly, both personally and creatively, and I’m on a mission to see them all. To quote Young Donna from Mamma Mia 2... "Life is short, the world is wide, and I wanna make some memories"
My greatest goal in life is to visit every National Park in the US (and hopefully around the world!)
Think we'd be a good fit? ↗
From the booking process to the photo delivery, my client experience is easy, seamless, and streamlined. You'll know what to expect every step of the way right from the start!
What sets me apart isn’t just my style—it’s the experience I create. I’m not just there to take photos; I’m there to tell your story with care, intention, and a whole lot of heart.
What makes me different from other photographers...
STREAMLINED CLIENT EXPERIENCE
I’m not into editing trends, which is why all your photos are edited in a timeless editing style that never go out of style. You'll be able to look at your photos 50 years from now and they will look true to the day.
TIMELESS EDITING STYLE
All my couples receive my 30+ page Wedding Planning Guide! I’ve learned so much from photographing weddings, and I’ve packed all that knowledge into this guide to help you feel calm, confident, and ready to enjoy every step of the journey.
MY WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE
Nearly every testimonial I receive highlights not only the quality of my work, but also my personality and the way I connect with couples, their families, and guests. I'm known for being warm, personable, and upbeat—bringing a positive and calming presence to each wedding day. I handle the fast pace and occasional pressures of weddings with grace, and I’m always happy to lend a helping hand wherever I can to ensure everything runs smoothly.
MY PERSONALITY
I take every precaution to ensure I’m fully prepared for anything that may come our way on your wedding day. Experience has taught me to anticipate the unexpected—so whether it’s a sudden change in weather or a missing boutonniere, I’m ready to jump in and keep the day running smoothly. I always keep an emergency wedding day kit with my gear so if you ever need anything, chances are I have it! My favorite example is 4 different colored sets of bobby pins for different hair colors - I got you and your girls covered!
MY Preparedness
You see that little flower girl in the photo below holding a camera? Yeah, that’s me! The running joke in my family is that I was always destined to become a wedding photographer. While I found my love for photographing weddings a bit later in life, I can’t remember a time I didn’t have a camera in hand.
I earned an AAS in Photography from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, where I focused on portraiture and landscapes. While in school, I assisted at a wedding—and fell in love. Capturing a couple on their wedding day filled me with a joy and excitement I hadn’t found in any other work. So I pivoted. I later completed my Bachelor's in Marketing, took myself (and my business) seriously, and launched Sam Renaud Photo full-time in May 2020—right in the middle of a global pandemic.
Since then, I’ve photographed over 100 weddings across Buffalo, the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, and beyond. And truly? I’m still just as in love with this work as I was on day one.
The heart behind
the photos
