I’ll start with the cliché: “I don’t usually post reviews.” It’s true—I value my privacy and prefer to keep some wonderful things within my inner circle. But I feel compelled to shout from the mountaintops about how incredible Sam June (Arius Photography) is.

To give some context, my husband and I work in entertainment, so we look at professional photos daily. For us to be blown away, the work has to be exceptional. And let me tell you, our wedding photos are really exceptional. Sam wasn’t just my favorite wedding vendor; she truly elevated our wedding experience—as a professional, a friend, a cheerleader, and so much more.

Before the Wedding:
From the start, Sam’s communication was flawless. We connected via Zoom shortly after reaching out, and the fact that she was at the Tucson Gem Show during that time gave me a hint that our personalities would click. Her responses were always prompt and clear, and she laid out exactly what to expect—how many meetings we’d have, when they’d happen, what she needed from me, and so on. Every step was seamless.

Beyond logistics, Sam became my coach and confidant for all things wedding-related. She had a wonderful relationship with my venue, knowing their ins and outs - even secret photo spots that other photographers may not have access to. Whether I needed advice on local vendors or how to handle certain wedding details, she was candid, kind, and drama-free. She brought real, honest insights based on her experience, always delivered with a supportive and understanding attitude. I didn’t have a bridal party, but I felt like I had the world’s best honorary maid of honor in her. I made my hiring decisions based on one criterion: “Is this someone I’d want to invite to my wedding and spend the whole day with?” Sam was all that and more.

The Wedding Day:
By the time the wedding day arrived, I was genuinely excited to hug her. Her positivity, energy, and excitement filled the room while still making me feel like the star. She guided the day effortlessly, maintaining the same calm and supportive presence I’d come to rely on. My friends loved her immediately—some overly focused on “posing right,” but Sam put them at ease while offering simple, helpful tips.

And then there was her artistry. During the ceremony and reception, Sam was a ninja. In just a few minutes, she captured multiple angles, sometimes climbing onto a chair or dashing across the room—all without being intrusive or distracting. In those rare quiet moments of the day, Sam was there too, helping my husband and me pause, breathe, and connect. She made sure we stayed present and soaked in those intimate moments.

The Final Product:
The photos are breathtaking. I had one main priority: to capture the joy and happiness of all our people. Sam delivered beyond expectations. It feels like we have a photo of every single guest caught in a candid, joyful moment. Her use of color and light is stunning. We had a chilly fall day, and she made the foliage and colors look like something out of a dream. The photos make us laugh, cry, and even see little moments we missed during the day. Choosing which ones to include in our album will be HARD!

Sam is an amazing wedding photographer, but she wasn’t just that. We feel like we’ve gained a lifelong friend, and we can’t wait for her to capture future milestones with us.

My Wife and I truly couldn’t have been happier with Sam as our photographer. We did a first look, and Sam made 2-3 hours of pictures (which were planned to the minute) feel like it was nothing. She perfectly balances being professional while also making it all fun. We didn’t want her to leave when she told us she had finished. Couldn’t recommend anyone more!

Sam was the perfect photographer for our wedding. We were drawn to her style and personal approach towards photography. We wanted the photos to capture the vibe and intimate moments of the day more than having staged photos of ourselves and the guests -- though we got a bunch of those too :) . Sam made us feel very comfortable right away even though we were coming from out of town and weren't able to do an engagement session before the wedding date. Working with Sam was really easy from the beginning through to the end product. Our photos came out great; a year later we still look at them every day! We highly recommend working with Sam for your wedding. Her portfolio speaks for itself.