Finding Authenticity and Connection with Mary Lee Palmer Photography

We recently enjoyed the chance to sit down with Mary Lee of Mary Lee Palmer Photography, a Denver-based local photographer specializing in both wedding and elopement photography. With a passion for art, travel, and connection, Mary Lee has found the perfect blend of these interests in wedding photography. Documenting couples’ love stories has taken Mary Lee throughout all of Colorado and beyond, including beautiful and memorable weddings at Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur and Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park. We are excited to share more about Mary Lee and her passion for what she does!

Mary Lee’s photography story began as a teenager with a love for art and photography. Mary Lee was adopted, and when she met her birth mom at age 18, she learned that her birth mom was a photographer. Connecting and bonding with her birth mom over this shared interest further fueled a passion for pursuing art school, where Mary Lee studied photography and launched her own business. While at art school, many incredible opportunities arose to gain hands-on experience photographing real people and real events. Mary Lee also traveled to London with National Geographic Student Expeditions, where her love for photojournalism really started.

Mary Lee grew up skiing in Colorado’s mountains and always knew she wanted to move to the Centennial State one day. That dream became reality when she moved to Colorado five years ago from Georgia, and she has since loved exploring more of the state. Mary Lee started photographing weddings in Atlanta, and when she moved to Colorado her passion for this work multiplied as she loved combining weddings and the beauty of Colorado’s nature. Furthermore, capturing those weddings as authentically as possible is an essential piece of her work.

Mary Lee explains that creating a connection with couples is important because “it allows me to understand who they are and what’s important to them at their core. Understanding those things helps me create imagery for them that they see themselves in.”

On your wedding day, Mary Lee won’t feel like a stranger. She takes the time to get to know you and your significant other, as well as your family and friends. Her goal is to lead with kindness and make everyone feel comfortable around her. When you and your wedding guests feel at ease around the photographer, the result is photographs that are more authentic and candid. Mary Lee says this adds to the journalistic and documentary-style side of her photography, so she can capture everyone authentically and truly in the moment.

“My goal is not to deliver the same exact gallery to every couple,” Mary Lee explains. “Everyone is unique and their wedding photos should reflect who they are.”

“I would say my favorite thing is meeting so many new people,” Mary Lee says, adding that she feels she thrives in her business by connecting with others. Mary Lee describes how in photography, you often have to break down barriers to help people feel comfortable with you. One of the things that Mary Lee loves about being in Colorado is how many different people there are, and how the state often attracts couples from all over the world for a destination wedding in Colorado. This allows for unique and special opportunities to document different kinds of weddings and connect with all kinds of people.

Mary Lee’s photography style draws from multiple styles, woven together in a way that reflects her commitment to authentic photography that you can feel. Her photography is true to color with warmth and nostalgia interwoven, with a strong lean toward candid-style. Mary Lee is there to support and guide you, so that you are completely pleased with your photos afterward. She is skilled at capturing a mix of both the silly and the sweet and romantic photos. Speaking to the candid side, Mary Lee can become like a fly on the wall to capture those natural, unposed moments that happen as the celebration unfolds. You and your loved ones can simply be present and enjoy the moment fully.

At the core of Mary Lee’s work is connection. Mary Lee emphasizes the importance and value of that connection, and how much she genuinely enjoys it as a core component of her work. When you are looking at different wedding photographers in Colorado, there are so many to choose from. Mary Lee suggests that once you’ve narrowed down the style you want and other important variables like cost and availability, the next crucial piece is simply finding a photographer whose personality you mesh well with. Finding a photographer you communicate well with and feel comfortable with is incredibly valuable to consider when choosing your wedding photographer. As Mary Lee knows, when you have a photographer that you feel comfortable, seen, and at ease with, you can relax more fully in front of the camera, and the most authentic, genuine photos can unfold.

Coming up on the horizon, Mary Lee shared that she is working on setting up in-house printing. This is an amazing option for couples wanting a one-stop-shop for their photography and printing needs. Printing options will be included in Mary Lee’s photography packages starting next year, so couples that are planning their future wedding have this exciting service to look forward to!

To connect with Mary Lee and learn more about her work, head over to her profile here.