The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

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501 Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

Photojournalistic
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Dustin Wheeler Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Specializing in Outdoor Weddings and Elopements! Growing up fishing and hiking at the age of three, I spend as much time as possible outside! Searching out new swimming holes in the summer, traveling to the mountains and along the coast throughout the year! Backpacking, hiking and climbing. Quickly adding more locations to shoot!

Justin really nailed it. He was flexible, easy to reach, and made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. He has a gift for capturing both the big moments and the little details, and his candid shots feel timeless. Beyond his talent, he brought kindness to our guests and patience when challenges came up. I still get endless compliments on our wedding photos. If you’re looking for someone to capture your day perfectly, I couldn’t recommend Justin more.
Rhianna W., 3 months ago
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Onawa Charbonneau Photography 

5.0

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.

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., 9 months ago
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Sarah Rittenour Photography 

5.0

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.

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., a year ago
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Trinity Rose Photography 

5.0

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., 10 months ago
Ben Ingram Visuals 

5.0

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., 5 years ago
Mike Danen Photography + Video 

5.0

Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style

I am passionate about wedding photography. My approach is to tell your story in a fun, relaxed way that reflects your unique personality and style. I work unobtrusively to capture all the candid, unforgettable moments of your wedding. I also know that all the details matter – your dress, shoes, flowers, jewelry, etc., and I will provide you with a complete documentation. Because I make so many photographs on a wedding day, I will provide you with a blend of image styles. Some black & white, some more soft and romantic, some more bold and dramatic.

I cannot rave enough enough about the talent, care, and personal touch of Mike and his team. He takes his time, getting to know you, and has amazing skills. As a result, the quality of his work is simply stunning. Mike is able not just to capture moments, but to distill them in such a way as to capture their beauty and soul. After our experience with Mike shooting our wedding, we will Never work with anyone else but him. You will not be disappointed.
Lauren & L., 5 years ago
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Kassandra Thomsen Photography 
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,999

I never saw wedding photography in my future. I was supposed to be working in LA on big movie sets! But life has a funny way of giving you exactly what you never asked for and making it even better than you could ever dream of. So here I am—a super chill and really fun wedding photographer waiting to have the best platonic three-way you could ask for!

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Drew Zavala Photography 

5.0

  • 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 and his wife were an absolute pleasure to work with, making our entire experience stress-free and enjoyable from start to finish. Out of all the vendors we worked with, they stood out as the most professional, responsive, and accommodating. From our engagement session to the big day, they made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to truly be ourselves in front of the camera. Drew’s talent is unmatched. His attention to detail and ability to capture raw, authentic moments left us speechless. Just 72 hours after our wedding, he surprised us with sneak peeks of our photos, and we were absolutely blown away by how stunning they were. His work has far exceeded our expectations, and we can already tell the final collection will be nothing short of extraordinary. If you’re looking for a photographer who not only delivers breathtaking images but also makes the entire process seamless and enjoyable, Drew is the one. We couldn’t be more grateful for his work and are beyond excited to see the rest of the magic he captured on our wedding day. Highly recommend! Please note: Photos are screen grabs from Drew Zavala Photo (Instagram)
Michelle P., a year ago
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Regular Sweetheart Images 

5.0

  • 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.

I actually hired two photographers to get different angles and while the other one was very good, all the photos I ended up printing and put up in my home were from Regular Sweetheart Images. The editing style is so unique and beautiful, and Sabine did great with the kids!
Michaela, 6 months ago
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Christina Molina 

5.0

  • 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., 8 months ago
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Jenni Ritchie Photography 

5.0

  • 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 month ago
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Maria Villano Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,500
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

I've been photographing weddings for over ten years and I love it even more than when I started. I consider it an honor to be there for so many special moments in people's lives and find something unique and new with every wedding day. I am punctual, flexible, and attentive, helping to bring a calm and focused vibe to your wedding day.

Maria brings such a warm, curious, and intentional energy to every interaction. She never just went through the motions, but genuinely got to know us, our story, and what mattered most for our day. Maria has this rare ability to be both incredibly professional and wonderfully down-to-earth. She's witty, fun, and refreshingly direct in the best way. She has great ideas and still kept us on track without ever making anything feel stressful. Every meeting felt productive and efficient, yet still personal and full of joy. We always felt heard, supported, and excited about the process. Her work is just stunning. The images we’ve seen so far are fresh, vibrant, and full of life and already feel like timeless memories we’ll treasure forever. She captured not only the beauty of the day but the emotion behind it, and I truly can’t wait to see the rest! Maria is more than just a photographer. She is a natural, a calming presence, and an absolute professional. We feel incredibly lucky to have had her document our wedding
Emilee K., 4 months ago
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Asilomar Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Hello! I'm Catherine, the photographer behind Asilomar Photography, nestled in the heart of Monterey, California. While I've called this beautiful area home for the past three years, my passion for capturing heartfelt moments through photography began in 2007, and I've been in business since 2012. I am dedicated to capturing the natural beauty and genuine emotions of your wedding day. Your wedding isn’t just an event; it’s your unique love story, and I'm here to tell it beautifully through timeless photographs.

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, a year ago
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Picturist Photography 

5.0

  • 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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Seeking Venture Photo 

5.0

  • 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 professional and a talented photographer. You will love working with Heather.
Aime, 5 years ago
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Coby & Alexandra Photography & Films 

5.0

  • 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
Gypsy Tales Photo 

5.0

  • 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., 4 years ago
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Eivan's Photo & Video 

4.9

  • 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 & Video was an exceptional choice for our wedding photography. From the start, their communication throughout the booking process was excellent - they were responsive, informative, and helpful in answering all of our questions. On the day of the wedding, their team of photographers and videographers were professional, passionate, and patient with all of our guests and family members, ensuring they captured every special moment. Eivan's just recently shot our engagement photos as well, and we were thrilled with the results. I highly recommend Eivan's Photo & Video to any couple looking for a talented and dedicated team to document their wedding day.
Nudelissan H., a year ago
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George Street Photo and Video 

4.9

  • 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 were a pleasure to work with for our wedding day. From the start, they were punctual, professional, and friendly in all of our communications. On the day of the wedding, they were well-organized and on time, which helped make our day stress-free and enjoyable. The quality of their work was simply beautiful, classy, and genuine - they truly captured the special moments and emotions of our wedding in a way that feels authentic and timeless. We highly recommend George Street Photo and Video, and have shared our wonderful experience with everyone we know.
David and L., a year ago
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Original Weddings Photo & Video 

4.9

  • 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
Kate our lead photographer took both the engagement and wedding day photos. She was amazing to worth with and made both events special in their own way. Jake and Neil on our wedding day blended into both families and was able to document the special night perfectly.
Branden W., a year ago
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Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

We are team of traveling wedding photographers and videographers. For 2025, we have 120+ weddings booked in 34 different states. Our shooting style is photojournalistic, natural, CINEMATIC to traditional. Our editing and style depends. Very easygoing and flexible depending on the client's preference. Our team is dedicated in delivering memories.

Awarded Best of Zola
Ledd Lens LLC, Photo and Film was an excellent choice for our wedding photography. Their communication throughout the process was thorough, quick, and easy, which put us at ease leading up to the big day. The quality of their work was truly outstanding - their youthful and creative style captured all the special moments of our wedding day in a beautiful and unique way. We are thrilled with the final photos and can't recommend Ledd Lens enough to any couple looking for talented, professional photographers who will deliver exceptional results.
Alexis C., a year ago
Mates Of Soul Collective 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

I have photographed many different niches, many events, many families, many milestones and my *ROCK* will always be love. Love is the foundation of every milestone thereafter and there is just something about it that I can’t get enough of! Every love is unique and it is truly a passion of mine to authentically capture it in whatever way is unique to each story.

Awarded Best of Zola
If you want PERFECT Pinterest wedding photos, Nichole is your girl!!! She has done my engagement, wedding and branding photos!! We are always laughing and she genuinely makes taking photos FUN! Even my husband (who hates the camera) left our first session with her talking about how much fun he had!! I seriously recommend her to EVERYONE I know and I’ll never use anyone else!!!
Bri D., a month ago
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Ali Cushing Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,500
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

My name is Ali Cushing, a NY-based/working anywhere, visual storyteller who captures the authentic experience with intention. It's feeling, and it's found in the whirlwind and the still moments, in heightened emotion and calm, and above all, celebrating what makes you and your partner exactly who you are with the people you choose to surround yourself with. In my work composition serves to frame the feeling, with permission to be raw, outrageous, reserved, and unabashedly yourself. I make photos about the day and not the day about the photos. All couples of all genders, ethnicities, ages, faiths, shapes and abilities, are more than welcome.

Awarded Best of Zola
My husband and I cannot recommend Ali enough to anyone looking for a photographer!! We first got in contact with Ali last year for our planned wedding, but due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to have our big day, BUT we were lucky enough to transfer her services over to my sister and brother and law! After meeting Ali in person on their wedding day and seeing the magic she can do, it was an absolute no brainer that she would be there for our big day and any and every other event we need photography for! She truly became family and we cannot thank her enough for everything she’s done! She goes above and beyond in her work and truly makes the day so much easier and more fun than ever!
Gabrielle M., 3 months ago

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