The Salty Side
This is where we get into it — the stuff that doesn't fit in a caption. Ten years and 110+ weddings' worth of behind-the-scenes, business lessons, the occasional recipe, and Chayil's actual, unfiltered take on creativity, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to build something worth building.
No fluff. Just the real stuff.
Sorry if you’re trying to watch your sodium intake…
Kelly + Dustin: A Charlottesville Wedding, Built for the Best Party
Kelly and Dustin's May wedding at the Wool Factory in Charlottesville, VA: a DC love story, an Australian groom, and a reception built for people who love to dance.
Emma + Austin: A Maymont Wedding, Rain and All
Emma and Austin's May wedding at Maymont in Richmond, VA, a rainy-day pivot, a first look under the blue cedar tree, and photos with the animals at the Maymont Nature Center.
Emily + Brennan: A Maymont Engagement Session
Emily and Brennan's August engagement session at Maymont in Richmond, VA, sweet, timeless, and full of plant trivia from a groom who works in forestry.
Aya + Brian: A Cherry Blossom Wedding at Lewis Ginter
Aya and Brian's March wedding at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA, golden hour light, blooming cherry blossoms, and a dress with the blossoms built right into the detailing.
Golden Hour on the Water: Elena + Jackson's Boathouse at Sunday Park Wedding
A Richmond-area wedding at The Boathouse at Sunday Park, with a soft blue color palette, a hora that took over the reception, and one of our favorite sunsets we've ever shot on Lake Woodlake.
A Family-Only Mountain Ceremony + A Summer Camp Reception: Alexis + Cole's Charlottesville Wedding
A family-only ceremony tucked into the Shenandoah Mountains, followed by the most unexpected summer camp reception - Alexis + Cole's Charlottesville wedding proves intimate never has to mean small on personality.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial: A gorgeous backdrop in the heart of washington, dC
As a Washington, DC wedding and elopement photography team, we love photographing at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for its natural light, symmetry, and calm atmosphere. This blog highlights why it’s one of our go-to locations for timeless engagement and elopement photos as well as family and graduation sessions.
7 questions you should always ask your wedding photographer…
Choosing the right wedding photographer goes beyond style alone, especially in a busy city like Washington, DC or Richmond, VA. This guide outlines seven essential questions to ask your wedding photographer, from experience and low-light comfort to editing approach and storytelling style, so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Honoring the art of timelessness: 35mm film as an addition to your day
35mm film offers a timeless, textural approach to wedding photography that complements digital storytelling beautifully. This post explores how film photography adds depth, nostalgia, and intentionality to your wedding day without taking away from the moments unfolding in real time.
maybe you were meant to read this…
A personal reflection on building a creative career from the ground up. Led by wedding photographer Chayil of Black Pepper Photography, this post explores what it means to take the leap, start a business without permission, and turn passion into a full-time career through experience, intention, and persistence.
welcome to the salty side!
Led by Chayil (pronounced Kyle), Black Pepper Photography LLC is a wedding and elopement creative team with over five years of experience and more than 100 weddings documented across Virginia and Washington, DC. This blog shares real-world insight into candid, documentary photography, intentional editing, and what truly matters when telling wedding stories honestly and with care.

