Josh Lykins

photographer | filmmaker

I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve said before that I have the best job in the world and I truly believe that. Documenting people is some of the most fulfilling, meaningful work I’ve had the joy and honor of doing. I’d love to connect with you and see what we can make together.

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Miles to go before I sleep.

That’s a line from my favorite poem that has always stuck with me - “And miles to go before I sleep.”

I feel like that has been a pretty good description of my life as I’ve dived further into photo and video. It’s a good description of life in general, really.

So it’s important that we make the most of those miles while we can.

People Will Remember How You Made Them Feel

I’m here as a friend and a guide through all the emotions that come with such a significant life change. I want to hear about how you met, who’s going to be celebrating with you, and your favorite things to do together.

I’ll reassure you if you’re feeling tense, take a deep breath with you if nerves set in, and cheer with you when you finally get to say, “I do.”

ripley & drew | west virginia

katie & ethan | north carolina

delcie & jonathan | ohio

I’m an explorer at heart.

  • Ibiza, Spain

  • Manzanita, Oregon

  • Tarquinia, Italy

  • Lake Elsinore, California

  • Cannes, France

  • Morrilton, Arkansas

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working in many different genres of photography and video. Commercial, tourism, and music to name a few. And while I’ve had a blast getting to experience so many different things and continue to do those things today, something has always kept me coming back to weddings.

I think what that thing has been is shelf-life. How long is the thing I’m making going to be relevant?

So Why Weddings?

With the ever-growing presence of social media in our lives, I’ve witnessed first-hand the shelf-life of the things I make become shorter and shorter. What’s useful and relevant today is old news tomorrow. People are constantly trying to skip ads. And no one will remember your Instagram story a week from now.

But it’s a bit of a two-edged sword, isn’t it? Even weddings aren’t immune to the curse of the short shelf-life. Every week there seems to be a new trend popping up or new colors that will “define that year.” And you have to be engaged with it (pun intended) to some degree in order to stay in front of people and continue doing this for a living.

But weddings are something that far outlast all of that. You can return to your wedding photos in 50 years and they’ll still be there and mean just as much, if not even more, than they did the day they were taken.

I think it’s ok to romanticize your life sometimes. It’s ok to put on the rose-tinted glasses and remember when things were good.

People aren’t around forever and I would wager that it’s a near impossibility that everyone at your wedding will all be together at the same time ever again.

So the point I want to make here is that weddings matter. They matter because it’s your life. And that is certainly something to remember.

Restaurant Travel List

Some of my favorite restaurants from my time on the road (and some local favorites).