Knoxville Wedding Photographer
Nelya
Knoxville Wedding Photography That feels Effortless & Real
Serving Knoxville, & East Tennessee
Trusted by Couples & Featured in
The Perfect
Wedding day Checklist
I take pride in providing a wedding photography experience built on trust while putting your mind at ease so you can enjoy the best day of your life.
You have permission to create a checklist that doesn’t feel like a checklist. Enjoy your day.
MEET
NELYA
I’m Nelya, a Knoxville wedding photographer creating colorful, timeless photographs for couples who want genuine moments, beautiful portraits, and a wedding day that actually feels like theirs.
A relaxed, guided approach even if you’ve never been in front of a camera before
From Cherokee Country Club and Marblegate Farm to intimate celebrations throughout East Tennessee, I combine natural direction with candid storytelling so you can look amazing without feeling like you’re constantly posing for the camera.
We are so happy with our photos! We had a very large wedding party and she was able to get through so many poses in a very short time and captured all of the best moments!
When looking for a wedding photographer, I wanted a colorful film style, good lighting, organized, patient, but disciplined, organic on-the-spot creativity and posing, Nelya knocked it out of the park!
Very very happy! Thank you Nelya!
~ Meredith
MY Philosophy
You want to
Celebrate Your Way
While surrounded by family. You want it to be delightful, colorful, and timeless. Working with me is a collaborative process incorporating fun with elegance.
This celebration is worthy of an archival experience documented throughout your home, whether it’s albums or wall art.
FIND
The Best Knoxville Wedding Venues
I’ve collected some especially romantic wedding venues that are perfect for gorgeous bright photography and have room for the most fun receptions! Knoxville wedding photographers tend to have their favorites and here are some I think you should check out.
Colorful Knoxville wedding Photographers
“She knows how to help you relax and make it a fun and memorable experience.”
The moment I saw Nelya’s Colorful portfolio, I knew she was the photographer I had been looking for!
-Amanda
Knoxville Wedding Planning Resources
Should we do a First Look?
Here in the south, especially Knoxville areas it is very popular to do all the formal photos before the ceremony and go straight to the cocktail hour and reception to see all the guests. How Does it work?
Weddingday Timeline
This is probably one of the hardest parts for couples, figuring out how much time is needed to get great photos of each part of the day. I have made a wedding day timeline resource for you!
Engagement Sessions
I encourage an engagement session as an opportunity to get comfortable in front of my camera. This ensures, you are not meeting a stranger on the wedding day. And added bonus, you get engagement engagement photo!
If you happen to be looking for the best wedding photographers in Knoxville, I am honored you are stopping by!
FEATURED
Knoxville Photographer Weddings
See Featured Knoxville Wedding Galleries.
Cherokee Country Club Wedding Feature
The Mill and Mine Weddings
Marblegate Farm Wedding venue
I love weddings at Marblegate farms because of their secluded property, lakeshore ceremony views, and close proximity to Knoxville. Marblegate Farm is one of my favorite Knoxville Wedding Venues!
Knoxville Wedding Photographers F.A.Q.
I typically recommend at the very minimum 4 hours coverage for a wedding day
At Nelya Photography, we embrace the day, and you still get married. After seeing the portfolio, Couples will often say they kinda hope it rains on their wedding day
Yes, we schedule these to take place in Knoxville or destination cities. Most couples choose to schedule engagement sessions in time to use with Save-the-dates. Or any time leading up to the wedding.
In the Knoxville TN area the average cost of a professional wedding photographer starts at $3,500. More experienced photographers with a distinct style start around $5,000.
Golden hour is usually 30 minutes before the actual sunset time listed. If your venue in in the shade with tall buildings or hills blocking western light it can be even earlier. So we plan for sunset portraits in Knoxville around 7:30pm in spring, 8:15pm in the summer, 6:10 in the fall and 4:40pm in the winter.
LETS Talk
LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR 2026 & 2027
If you’re ready for your dream wedding and need the right photos, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for your day, you’re in the right place. I am not only a Knoxville photographer, I photograph weddings in Knoxville and surrounding area as my full time job, have worked with numerous Couples and local wedding vendors including this wedding featured on WVLT.