An Artist

shaped by pastoral countryside,
familial bonds & a historian's worldview. 

MUSES

HISTORY

HOME

While pursuing photography in my early days, I completed a Masters Degree in History (emphasis on Historic Preservation and archives), This framework allowed me to see how the tangible, visual remnants of our own histories, as well the environment we surround ourselves with inform memory. 

This worldview, paired with a love of design is such a core part of my identity outside of weddings, and hopefully gives you more insight into my personal life, and home.

I am humbled to be recognized for my "side quest" (as my friends call it) into interior design which has been featured in the incomparable publication, Garden & Gun, for my OWN home, completed in 2023. Take a look into a little of our lives here.

our property near Asheville,NC

Click HERE to see article

"I think when you invite someone into your home, you invite them to yourself."

 Oprah Winfrey

I adore beautiful things (guilty!), but try to measure my worth on the quality of the relationships in my life, and the healthiness of my soul. I am equally as proud of a well timed joke as I am of any of the many accolades I've collected.

My life took me from simple, rural beginnings, and led to a big city education for a graduate degree in academia with my studies focused on the visual documentation of American History. Along the way, my camera never left my side, a constant companion to tell the kind of stories I yearned for.

Since then, I have come to see that I make my own mark on History by photographing weddings, and it's a task I will pursue earnestly until the end of my days *Picture a 95 year old version of me wobbling in with a wink, filled with enthusiasm and eccentricity, still absolutely convinced I run circles around the 20 year olds.*

Somehow, when I least expected it - life returned me back to my rural roots with camera in hand. Based in the Appalachian mountains, I travel extensively both nationally and abroad for events, but I am able to return here so that my inspiration in the natural world can renew me. Through my own appreciation of nature and community, I am able to marry beauty and meaning at every wedding I photograph. 

I embrace my faith, champion equality, and wholeheartedly welcome clients of all gender, sexual orientation, race, and religion. 

Check out my reels on instagram to peek into real life

at home, 2026

A brief one-take hello
 (and my best piece of wedding planning advice)

My youngest: the reason I APPRECIATE those who are sure about what they want.

Shawn: The reason I UNDERSTAND those who don't love the spotlight 

My oldest: The reason I LOVE those who march to the beat of their own drum.

My mother-in-law's cooking. A close second would be my favorite sushi and truffle fries. To me, any meal that includes good conversation makes it a great meal. 

IV. meal

My husband, Shawn (who is the reasonable to my picky), and our two sweet-yet-boisterous children. They are the reason I have a special place in my heart for mothers on wedding days. We work daily to raise them with an appreciation for beauty, and the gumption to do hard things when life isn't beautiful.

Our sweet Ragdoll cats, Twinkles and Fancy, along with the 6 miniature horses and 2 donkeys that call our pastures home. 

V. humans

VII. PETS

Interior Design, nature, needlepoint, books (I read 65 last year!), picnics on riverbanks, the Great British Bakeoff, crime documentaries, and football.

III. pastTime

Too many books, impractical footwear, bold lipstick, fresh flowers, spontaneous trips, original artwork, mixing patterns, the overuse of exclamation points, and expensive furniture.

II. guilty pleasure

Ireland will forever hold a special place in our family's heart (I can tell the story of why in person!). I also adore Banff, the California Redwoods, and the Grand Tetons. In Autumn there's no where I'd rather be than my sweet Appalachian Mountains - our hidden jewel of beauty & hospitality.

I. Places

When clients let go and truly feel the day in front of my lens. There's a connection that comes from being with people in these moments that fills my soul. 

VI. part of my job

LIFE LATELY

Art is all in the details

© 2026 Perry Vaile Photography

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