The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

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587 Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

Photojournalistic
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Ozan Ulucan Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (15 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA
  • Offer

I am a professional wedding photographer, dedicated to capturing the beauty and emotion of your special day. I offer a variety of packages to fit any budget, and work closely with couples to understand their unique vision. I use a blend of film and digital photography for a timeless and romantic look. I understand that every wedding is unique and that each couple has their own personal style. That's why I take the time to get to know you and your partner. I am passionate about my work and committed to providing the highest level of service. Contact me for a consultation and let's create beautiful memories together.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Ozan Ulucan Photography was a fantastic choice for our wedding photography. From the moment we first spoke with Ozan, his communication was comprehensive, outgoing and clear. It was evident he has a creative, artistic eye that would capture our day in a unique way. On the wedding day, Ozan arrived early and hit the ground running, snapping photos right away and keeping up the energy and pace throughout the entire event. His experience shone through as he was comfortable facilitating numerous group photos and offering great suggestions on positioning. Ozan also scoped out the venue ahead of time and brought us to multiple spots for one-of-a-kind photos we hadn't even thought of taking on our own. The final edited photos were delivered quickly after the wedding, and the quality was truly professional and a cut above the rest. We received so many photos organized by different times during the wedding including getting ready, ceremony, portraits, family portraits, reception, night, and details including photos of our venue, flowers, and place settings. We are thrilled with the memories Ozan was able to create for us through his exceptional work.”
Kim and F., 2 years ago
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Tooney White Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (15 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,490
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

I'm Tooney! I was born and raised in the Philippines and now call Northern California home. I've been a photographer for over a decade, and one of my favorite parts of this work is making people feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. I know being photographed doesn't come naturally to everyone, and I don't expect it to. I'll give you direction, fix the stray hair, straighten the outfit, and help you feel like yourself — so you can stop thinking about the camera and enjoy your wedding day.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Run, don’t walk! My husband and I had the most amazing experience working with Tooney. She is incredibly talented, and kind, her warmth radiates into her photography. My husband and I decided to elope with very short notice and she was able to accommodate us even when leaving town for a big gig on the weekend. We also don’t have experience posing much and she was so skilled at giving us direction. But most importantly it just felt like fun! My husband (who hates taking pictures) said “We got the best photographer possible, she made this so fun”. We got our sneak peeks in just 2 days and we are so ecstatic about the gallery we got. We plan to do a bigger celebration with extended family and friends and will absolutely reach out to Tooney again. You’re in great hands with her!”
Taylor, 2 years ago
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Sarah Rittenour Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style

I've never been much for tradition, so you can imagine weddings were never really my "thing" when I first picked up a camera. Luckily, I found that the wedding industry has been evolving away from the old cookie-cutter format and that is what keeps me doing what I do. My favorite weddings are the ones where you & your partner's personalities show throughout the day rather than getting lost in all the things you "have" to do. I love being part of a day filled with so much love & excitement and what I aim to do is find you in all of it. Because weddings aren't about fitting into a mold anymore - they're about you getting to celebrate your love.

Awarded Best of Zola
“In our search for a wedding photographer, Sarah's artistic style caught my eye right away. She offers a blended service of candid and semi-posed photographs which matched how we hoped to capture our wedding day moments. From our first phone call and in-person consultation, Sarah put us at ease. She helped organize our style preferences and 'must-capture' moments as we planned for the wedding. Her questionnaire helped bring focus in the planning phase and on the wedding day, we knew we were in good hands. I highly recommend Sarah's services, she has an eye for the little details you want to remember and she was discrete during the ceremony and reception while snapping candids (which I appreciated as someone who gets nervous in front of a camera!). We are so pleased with our photos and had a great time working together with Sarah.”
Erin W., 2 years ago
Onawa Charbonneau Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,400

I have a visceral reaction every time I witness love and true connection. It’s the electric feeling you get when you’re part of something that’s happening in the present moment. Being able to document that truly brings me to life. I pair best with couples who seek a documentary style and give me their trust to capture their moments. Your wedding day is not a performance. It’s about you, your big love, real life, and your closest people. The quiet moments, the loud ones, and all the in between . I document just that, in a photojournalist meets editorial kind of way that tells the story of your unique love.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Words cannot begin to describe how incredibly happy we are to have had Onawa capture our wedding day! Not only is she incredibly talented as an artist at capturing the best moments, but everyone (not just me and my husband, but all of the guests!) had so much fun with her and felt so natural around her! The photos truly captured our best day in the best way. Looking through them all, it feels like we are reliving it all over again. From our first conversation almost a year out from our wedding, to the weeks following it, Onawa communicated with us every step of the way (even welcoming us home from our honeymoon!). She is beyond talented and we absolutely could not be happier with our photos that we will cherish forever.”
Allie Kast G., 2 years ago
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Ben Ingram Visuals 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,250

The best way to describe my work is a mix of National Geographic and GQ/Vogue. I love to focus on the story telling aspect of wedding photography as I capture your day (think photo journalism meets fine art), but am always ready to jump in and pose you and your partner for those magazine style cover shots. Have you ever seen the movie Talladega Nights with Will Ferrell? There is a scene where he awkwardly holds his hands in front of the camera. Yea, that is pretty much all of us. Im there to keep those hands from looking awkward and making the two of you feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera.

“I have to say the easiest part of a wedding during COVID was Ben. He was so awesome to work with, went above and beyond and gained customers for life, not only with out immediate family but extended family and friends as well. You will not be disappointed in Ben. Our dreams came true due to his shots”
Jennifer and C., 6 years ago
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Trinity Rose Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000

Northern California based Wedding & elopement photographer with dreams to travel the world capturing your stories. Photography has been my lifelong passion and calling, and the world. the world in a way words could never capture. From a young age, I found solace and inspiration in freezing moments that convey emotions and tell stories without uttering a single word. My journey as a photographer has taken me to breathtaking landscapes, intimate celebrations, and heartwarming encounters, each leaving an indelible mark on my artistic vision.

“Hiring Trinity Rose Photography for our wedding was hands down the best decision we made. From our very first interaction, Trinity was incredibly responsive, timely, and caring - putting us at ease throughout the entire process. On the day of our wedding, Trinity's professionalism, artistry, and attention to detail were apparent in every single shot. The final gallery exceeded our wildest expectations - the photos are absolutely breathtaking, perfectly capturing the joy and beauty of our special day. Trinity's expertise shines through in the stunning, artistic images that bring our memories to life. We cannot recommend Trinity and Trinity Rose Photography highly enough - if you want a photographer who will deliver perfect, unforgettable results, she is truly the best choice for your wedding.”
Karina K., 2 years ago
Vanessa Lain Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style

I have been photographing weddings since 2007 and LOVE IT. I never get tired of seeing the excitement and joy on my couples' faces when they see each other for the first time. I am a storyteller, documenting candidly & naturally. I discovered photography from my grandfather, who was also a portrait and wedding photographer. After farm life, then Airstream life, then small town life, you now can find me anywhere between San Antonio and Santa Cruz with my chef husband and our sweet kiddo, Walker. I love road trips, treating every day like it’s a special occasion, and I adore my job.

“Vanessa was an absolute dream to work with!! From our first interaction, she was quick to respond, incredibly helpful, and so open to helping us craft the vision we wanted for our photos. She shot both our engagement photos and day of photos and we are so glad she captured both. On the day of the wedding, she was detail-oriented, thoughtful, and captured unique, timeless moments that we will cherish forever. One of the fantastic parts of working with Vanessa is we barely noticed her taking photos during our wedding but she was somehow in the thick of all the important moments. She's a wizard! We will use Vanessa for any future needs and feel lucky to have gotten to work with her. Couldn't recommend more!”
Lottie & A., 7 months ago
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David Poznic Photography 
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,200

Let’s have FUN! I honed my skills over more than two decades, traveling to over 20 countries as a professional acrobat, always with my camera by my side. My years of exploration in a wide variety of genres guarantees I will deliver you photos that will truly capture who you are and what your wedding means to you in a unique way. My specialty is photography that captures candid, organic moments – the kinds of photos that bring back powerful memories for years to come. I’m deeply passionate about stories and emotions, and love helping folks remember special moments in their lives with as much color, depth, and feeling as possible.

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Picturist Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,850
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

My style of photography is rooted in photojournalism, influenced by the fine arts. The result is creative, clean, and crisp wedding photography that’s romantic, emotional, and lively. I transform your wedding day mementos into personalized works of art while also capturing subtle yet powerful expressions as they naturally unfold.

Awarded Best of Zola
“I had read in a wedding magazine that you should hire a photographer who feels like a friend so that you are happy they are there on the day. Danieka met me for coffee in Monterey before we signed our contract and she was SO nice. Once we signed the contract, she started to send me recommendations for other vendors, suggested wedding timelines, and little pieces of advice she had picked up from other weddings (not too often - just 3-4 really informative emails throughout the year that we were planning and she was really responsive if I had questions). On the wedding day, she was prompt, really kind and struck an incredible balance between making sure that we had the pictures we wanted, but also that we were able to enjoy the day and not spend too much time taking pictures. I felt so happy she was there. Now, one week after our wedding, with just the pictures to look back on, we are SO happy that we booked her.”
Nicola W., 3 years ago
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Drew Zavala Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

It's your friendly neighborhood photographers, Drew & Jackie, here. Celebrating 10 years married this year, we have had the pleasure of capturing weddings in and around the Monterey Bay and all sorts of events together for the same amount of time. We are excited to meet you and your better half, your family, and all of those that you care about the most! Send us a message!

“Drew Zavala Photography was a dream to work with on our wedding day. Their communication style was fast, easy, and accessible, which put us at ease from the very beginning. The quality of their work was truly professional, mesmerizing, timely, and nostalgic - they made us feel like movie stars and accommodated every single request during our big day. Drew and his team are so easy to work with and make you feel comfortable from start to end, which is so important to have on your big day. They helped facilitate our schedule and were incredibly flexible with any spontaneous requests. I highly recommend their services and would give their work a rating of 100 out of 10. Nothing but positive vibes from Drew Zavala Photography!”
Ansony V., 2 years ago
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Melina Luxe Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Hi, I'm Melina, a wedding photographer with a passion for storytelling through both editorial elegance and genuine, candid moments. With a background in event planning, I bring a unique blend of creative vision and logistical insight to every wedding I photograph.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Working with Melina was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Beyond her incredible talent, she has a rare gift for reading the energy of a room. On a day that can feel like a whirlwind, she was my anchor; she instinctively knew exactly when I needed a quiet moment to reflect and helped me stay grounded and calm. The photos themselves are breathtaking. She didn't just capture us; she captured the spirit of our guests and the genuine joy of the entire day. She even waded into the river, getting her feet wet without a second thought, just to get the perfect shot. If you want a photographer who is as dedicated to your peace of mind as she is to her craft, look no further!”
Francoise L., 8 months ago
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Regular Sweetheart Images 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,200
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Hi, I’m Sabine—the heart behind Regular Sweetheart Images. I’m a Santa Cruz-based photographer with a love for weddings, vintage vibes, and real, heartfelt moments. Inspired by the beauty of the coast (hello, Big Sur, Carmel & Monterey!), I capture love stories with a warm, nostalgic touch. Let’s make something beautiful together.

Awarded Best of Zola
“My partner and I were looking to have a small elopement at City Hall in SF. If you know, you know- it’s a beautiful building with a ton of epic photo opportunities but difficult to navigate being a public space with a lot of other people walking around (and getting married). We ended up navigating it quite seamlessly angling everything perfectly to make it appear as if we were the only ones there for every photo. She did not hesitate to step in and direct, which was very helpful. Our wedding took place in October and our color scheme was a moody fall pallet- Sabine made sure the tones of the photos matched this and definitely gave a special vibe that enhanced the photos in the perfect way. Long story short, I told Sabine everything about our vision for our photos and she did not disappoint. Sabine was so great, and I would recommend her to any couple looking to get married no matter what the style of their wedding is.”
Courtney Y., a year ago
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Christina Molina 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,800
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Colorful Wedding Photography for Ocean Lovers On Dry Land. Let's document what inspires you, what brings magic into your lives. As a professional freediving instructor and wedding photographer based in Monterey, I'm here to celebrate your passions and love for each other in photos of a wedding day that reflect the things you care about most.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Christina Molina was an absolute dream to work with as our wedding photographers. From the very beginning, she was responsive, accommodating, and personable, taking the time to really listen to our needs and desires for our special day. Her communication style put us completely at ease, and her warm and friendly demeanor made the entire process a joy. The quality of their work was exceptional - their photos were light, bright, and beautifully polished, perfectly capturing all the personal moments that made our wedding day so special. She even helped us decide on the perfect location for our engagement shoot and worked closely with us on the timeline to ensure everything ran smoothly. We LOVE Christina Molina and cannot recommend them highly enough!”
Aly K., 2 years ago
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Jenni Ritchie Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Hi, my name is Jenni. I am a wife, and Mama to two little boys. I am based out of Scotts Valley, California. One thing that sets my work apart is the creative use of light, and the way it is used to evoke emotion. Please reach out with any questions or inquiries, I'm happy to help!

Awarded Best of Zola
“Jenni Ritchie is an exceptional photographer. She has a rare combination of warmth, professionalism, and artistic talent that made our wedding party and family photo sessions feel effortless and enjoyable. Jenni put everyone at ease, guiding us with kindness and confidence, and the result shows in every image. The photos we received are beautiful, natural, and full of life. She is an exceptional communicator, went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, and made sure we had everything we hoped for and much more. We are delighted with the final product. We cannot recommend Jenni highly enough. We are grateful to have had her capture our day.”
Miranda B., a year ago
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Asilomar Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,800
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Asilomar Photography is a wedding photography business based in Monterey, California, serving couples throughout California. Founded by Catherine Hatfield, the business focuses on creating an experience that feels calm, organized, and supportive from the very beginning. Catherine approaches each wedding with care and professionalism, helping couples feel comfortable, informed, and confident as their day unfolds.

Awarded Best of Zola
“This October, I worked with Elope in Monterey to have a small wedding with my immediate family in attendance. I feel so unbelievably lucky that Catherine was my photographer! I showed up to my wedding without ever meeting Catherine, but her warmth and friendliness made me feel comfortable immediately. As someone who is pretty shy in front of the camera (same goes for my partner), I was surprised by how comfortable I felt in front of Catherine's lens. She really let us be ourselves and joyfully captured all the silliness that makes us who we are. I also really appreciated her helpful directions and tips for posing, which she always delivered kindly. Catherine really made us feel like she was so happy to be there and for me, that really made my experience so pleasant and memorable! Even though our package only included 60 minutes of photography, she never made us feel rushed and she really went the extra mile to get us a large variety of shots and made sure we had many photos in various configurations of our group! I've received our photos, and they are stunning! I cannot thank Catherine enough for capturing the joy of our special day!”
Kelly, 2 years ago
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Seeking Venture Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,400
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Proud to serve all couples 🌈 || ✅ Leave No Trace Photographer Hey there–I’m Heather of Seeking Venture Photo, and I’m honored to help my couples create their ideal elopement day on the Central Coast of California! I am not only a photographer, but a photo editor as well. I edit every single photo myself and pour my heart into every frame. Keep in mind, your elopement isn’t “just” the photographs—the experience and the feeling from your day is just as important. I look forward to being your friendly adventure buddy every step of your elopement!

Awarded Best of Zola
“Heather is not only an incredibly gifted photographer and a seasoned pro – she is also a kind, thoughtful and empathetic person who is truly a joy to be around. From the beginning, she took the time to get to know us as a couple and understand our vision. Heather invested time in calls with us, sent us a thorough questionnaire and elopement guide, thoughtful location choices, and carefully reviewed our Pinterest board, genuinely showing curiosity and care about what mattered most to us throughout the entire process. She has a rare ability to zoom out and understand the overall vibe we wanted to create, while also zooming in to capture subtle moments and meaningful details. Heather is skilled and professional – she knows how to maximize every moment and get the best shots quickly to make the most of such a special day, and she does it in such a human way; we never felt rushed, we just knew we were getting a ton of great shots. And Heather didn’t just deliver the shots we asked for - she gave us so many gorgeous, unexpected moments and angles that we’ll treasure forever. Heather’s warmth and positivity were contagious, and she helped us stay grounded and joyful throughout the entire day. Having her by our side truly elevated the experience. She and her fiancé Mike are a wonderful duo – so comfortable to be around, talented and clearly passionate about what they do. We feel endlessly grateful to have had Heather and Mike with us for such an intimate and important day. Seeking Venture Photo has our highest recommendation!”
Elizabeth P., a year ago
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Coby & Alexandra Photography & Films 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Hello! We're Coby + Alexandra, We are all about capturing the real, joyful moments of your wedding. Being married ourselves, We know how precious these memories are. Whether it’s through stunning photos or dynamic videos, we’ll make sure your day is remembered forever.

“Coby and Alexandra are WONDERFUL! I have never loved photos of myself more. The photos and videos they capture are both beautiful and effortless. They are both really great and easy to work with. They make you feel comfortable and have a lot of great ideas for shots. I’m so so happy we chose them as our wedding photographers and highly recommend them!”
Anna, 2 years ago
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Gypsy Tales Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

HI! I am Anastasia (she/her), your Northern California elopement and wedding photographer and so much more. My passion for photography began when I was a child. It started as a hobby when I fell in love with photographing families and babies. Over the years I realized I adore documenting couples, in all stages of their relationships. I know they say we should specialize in one type of photography, but I am not sure I can ever do that. I love to create and I get bored with only doing one thing.

“Working with Anastasia was such a dream! She was extremely helpful in all of her suggestions and helped guide me throughout my elopement planning process! I knew I loved her work, and I can say that her professionalism and openness to create the perfect shot is outstanding! I would highly encourage any one (couples, families, and even solo portraits) to contact her for your treasured moments to be captured! She went above and beyond helping me and we love her work and her! :)”
Veronica and B., 5 years ago
Michael Dadula Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

To the very core of my photography skills, I am a photojournalist. As a person, I enjoy hearing stories of how couples met. So photographing wedding and elopements are the absolute occasion for me to express my creativity. Each and every person, couple, and wedding day are completely different and unique; I consider it a privilege and honor to be able to tell someones story.

“Michael was everything we could have hoped for in a wedding photographer and more. From the moment he arrived, he made us feel completely at ease and confident that our day was in great hands. He was calm and organized, and he knew exactly how to guide us without ever making things feel forced or rushed. The photos are absolutely stunning—timeless, emotional, and perfectly capture the joy of the day. Michael has an incredible eye for detail and didn’t miss a single important moment. We are so grateful to have these photos forever and cannot recommend him enough.”
Devon C., 8 months ago
Lorinda K. Photography 
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

I am a photographer, mother of three beautiful children and one grandchild. My passion for photography began over 25 years ago with my love of capturing people, unposed, and as their natural selves. Iv'e learned throughout my many years photographing people how to make them comfortable and how to make them relax and forget they are being photographed. Believe me I get it, I very much dislike having my photos taken. I know it seems strange a photographer who dislikes having photos taken. But looking back I realize I should of just got in the photo. Life is short and we tend to overthink things sometimes, but end of the day just do it!

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Eivan's Photo & Video 
Rating: 4.9 (340 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,149
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

We offer a personalized experience backed up by more than 33+ years in business delivering high quality, creative photography and video on time and within your wedding budget. We are experts in photojournalism, offering couples an unmatched level of value for their wedding photography and video services.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Eivan's photo and video services were very affordable and were a major reason why we went with them. I think the photos we received turned out very well and captured many of the amazing moments that we had at the wedding. The service we paid for only included one photographer and one videographer but they were both very attentive and made sure to be where the action was the entire day. Overall, the experience was positive and for a bride who was more focused on living through the experience of her wedding, Eivan's did a good job of handling the stuff you don't really want to think about.”
Krystal D., 8 months ago
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George Street Photo and Video 
Rating: 4.9 (279 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,295
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA
  • Offer

George Street Photo and Video has one story to tell: Yours. With over twenty years of experience, our award-winning team has been lucky to capture thousands of weddings for our couples across the United States. Specializing in both wedding photography and videography, we offer affordable and customizable packages starting at $1295 that are designed to suit your unique vision and budget. We even offer a fun style test to help us match you with a photographer that aligns with the vibe of your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
“George Street Photo and Video was a pleasure to work with for our wedding photography and videography. Their communication throughout the process was consistently helpful and patient, which was greatly appreciated as we navigated planning our special day. The photographers and videographer they sent captured our wedding beautifully, documenting all the important moments in a natural and elegant way. We are thrilled with the final photos and video, which beautifully preserve the memories of our wedding. George Street's professionalism and the quality of their work made them a wonderful vendor to have on our team, and we highly recommend them to any couple planning their wedding.”
Evelyn W., 8 months ago
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Original Weddings Photo & Video 
Rating: 4.9 (235 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Original Weddings Photo & Video is a team of EMMY award winning storytellers. Our photography and videography packages are tailored to you, customizable and perfect for every wedding. We offer engagement photography, wedding photos, highlight films, wedding coverage and more.

Awarded Best of Zola
“From the moment we booked Sound Originals Photo & Video, their communication was effective and professional. On the day of our wedding, they were timely, capturing high-quality, professional photos and videos. The photographers provided so many thoughtful prompts to ensure we got all the shots we wanted, even showing up early to get familiar with our venue. We had an excellent experience with Sound Originals and will cherish the beautiful photos and videos they created forever.”
Kenna J., 2 years ago