Bud Johnson has spent 15+ years photographing weddings across every corner of Savannah — the grand ballrooms, the Spanish moss-draped parks, the intimate elopements. If it happened in Savannah, chances are he was there.
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There's a difference between a photographer who can work in Savannah and a photographer who knows it. Bud knows the afternoon light on Whitaker Street, the shade pockets at Forsyth Park at 5pm in August, the ideal spots at Hotel Bardo for a first look, and the exact angle at Wormsloe that makes the oak canopy look like a cathedral.
That knowledge is the thing you can't get from someone who flies in for the weekend. Every outdoor portrait in Savannah is a chess match with Spanish moss and sunlight. Bud wins it a lot.
A converted 1850s brewery in the Victorian District. One of the most photogenic new venues in the city — brick, iron, warm light, gorgeous grounds.
An 1868 Italianate townhouse in the historic district. Intimate, formal, beautiful — a classic Savannah wedding backdrop.
One of Savannah's most dramatic venues. The Herb Garden and Scarborough House are a natural fit for sophisticated evening weddings.
Savannah's iconic park — the fountain, the oaks, the Spanish moss. An enduring backdrop for elopements, first looks, and portrait sessions.
A boutique hotel in downtown Savannah with a beautifully restored historic interior. Excellent for rooftop portraits and indoor receptions.
On the Savannah River — sweeping views of the riverfront and downtown skyline. Dramatic ceremony backdrops and a large reception space.
The avenue of 400-year-old live oaks. The most dramatic portrait location in the Southeast. Permitting required for photography — Bud knows the process.
Savannah Station, The Mansion on Forsyth, Georgia Railroad Museum, Plant Riverside District, Green-Meldrim House, and more.
Savannah summers are hot and humid — genuinely brutal at midday. For June through September weddings, golden hour portraits (starting about 90 minutes before sunset) make everything easier. The light is warm and flattering, the temperature drops slightly, and the streets empty out a bit. October through April is more forgiving for any time of day.
Wormsloe requires prior coordination with the Georgia DNR. Forsyth Park allows small ceremonies and portrait sessions without a permit; larger events may need a City of Savannah permit. Most hotel and private venues have a preferred vendor list — Bud is an experienced and familiar face at the major properties.
The Historic District is walkable from most hotels and venues — many portrait routes are literally pedestrian. Savannah's one-way street grid can be tricky, so Bud builds buffer time into every portrait block. If you're moving from ceremony to reception to a park portrait stop, he'll map the sequence in advance so nothing gets rushed.