The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Monica, CA

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915 Wedding Photographers in Santa Monica, CA

Photojournalistic
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Indigo West 
Rating: 5.0 (37 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,900
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I took up photography at the ripe age of 11 with a Polaroid I borrowed from an aunt. It quickly became my sketchbook as I worked to capture stills of the world and people around me. Those images have continued to pay emotional dividends throughout my life, helping me better understand what I have now come to see through a new scope. They are grounding, melancholic, funny and beautiful. Some of my most cherished possessions.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Choosing Daniel from Indigo West as our wedding photographer was hands down one of the best decisions we made. From our first conversation, we loved his calm, thoughtful demeanor and his organic, artistic approach to capturing the day. His eye for composition and detail is exceptional and the photos truly tell a story. As a same-sex couple, we wanted someone who could move beyond traditional wedding clichés, capture the grandeur of our museum venue (complete with dinosaur skeletons) while making it feel intimate, and handle dark, dramatic spaces. Daniel did all of that and more. He captured the energy, emotion, laughter, and joy of the day beautifully. Daniel was efficient but never rushed. He was professional yet playful, and it felt like he immediately understood our dynamic as a couple and with our guests. We trusted his vision completely, and it absolutely shows in the photos. Most importantly, Daniel brought such a fun, relaxed energy—it never felt like he was just doing a job. We can’t recommend him enough.”
Alex N., a year ago
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Original Weddings Photo & Video 
Rating: 4.9 (235 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Santa Monica, 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
“We had a wonderful experience working with Sound Originals for our wedding photographer vendor. Our photographer did such an amazing job, he took so many beautiful photos, it's difficult to pick our favorite, lol. Which, is definitely the kind of problem you want to have. The entire process was so easy, it really removed a huge stressor from planning/the wedding day. We had so much fun working with Steve. I highly recommend Sound Originals for wedding photography needs!”
Bobbilyann C., 2 years ago
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Gabbie Burseth Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
Santa Monica, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $7,200

Gabbie Burseth grew up documenting everything and saving mementos in empty Christmas boxes. After studying at the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, she discovered an affinity for weddings and their accompanying treasures. Her philosophy as a wedding photographer is to observe with as little interference as possible — no faking it, no do-overs, no “for the camera”. Her biggest desire is for couples to be present at their wedding, not stuck in a photoshoot. Her work is punctuated by rich and vibrant color, the timeless quality of analog film, and a sense of humor found in fleeting moments.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Gabbie was so great to work with! As two people who had never had their photo professionally taken, she made us feel at ease and the photos came out amazing. I didn't have a fully realized vision of what I wanted our engagement photos to look like, but Gabbie was great at helping me think through locations and directing us on the day of. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for beautiful digital and film photos.”
Ariel S., 4 years ago
Cait Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
Santa Monica, CA
  • Photojournalistic style

Caitlin is a wedding photographer based in Southern California, blending photojournalism with editorial storytelling to create images that feel both timeless and true to you. She works with both digital and film to capture natural moments, thoughtful details, and beautiful light, ensuring every photo feels effortless and authentic.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Hiring Caitlin was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! She captured every moment so beautifully. Both the big, emotional moments and the little in between ones we didn’t even realize were happening. The photos feel natural, timeless, and truly reflect the joy of the day. Beyond being incredibly talented, Caitlin was also a calming and supportive presence, making us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. We couldn’t be happier with our photos!”
Leanne, 2 years ago
Wrenn Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (74 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I’m Mary, California film wedding photographer. I fell in love with documenting weddings in 2018 and have a deep appreciation for the privilege of capturing one of the most profound moments in peoples’ lives. I'm here to witness your day with love and artistry, and preserve your memories in a way that’s honest, emotive, and true to you.

Awarded Best of Zola
“As a wedding planner, I cannot express enough praise for Mary's exceptional work as a wedding photographer! If you are seeking a true professional who possesses not only expertise in capturing the perfect moments but also a creative eye and exceptional editing skills, Mary is the ideal choice. Her presence alone will instantly put you at ease, and you will feel incredibly comfortable having her by your side on your special day. Mary is my go to Wedding Photographer & always goes above and beyond! 10/10!”
White Palm Event Co, 2 years ago
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LOVE by Sergirée 
Rating: 5.0 (46 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

My name is Sergio. My wife Desirée and I run LOVE by Sergirée together out of Los Angeles. I have been behind a camera for 15 years and weddings are where I do my best work. I shoot every wedding personally and edit every gallery myself, so what you see in our portfolio is exactly what you get. Desirée leads everything you cannot see, from the first email to the final album. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony or a celebration with a full guest list, our approach is the same. Be present. Be honest. Let the moment unfold.

“Sergio was AMAZING! I don't even know where to begin. His communication from the jump was fantastic, especially as we tinkered with the timing of our microwedding/first look, and chatting with him as we adjusted things was always a stress-free experience. On our wedding day it was like he had this superpower where it was like he could be everywhere at once but also disappear and reappear when he needed to, to get a family member out of the light if they were washed out or to help rearrange the dress's train, and he was great with both our more extroverted and more camera-shy family members. He was so kind to everyone but also a true master of his craft, and his turn-around time for delivery was also bananas fast. He squeezed every moment of beauty out of our short wedding ceremony, getting both beautiful candids and bigger family photos, and we're so happy that these are the photos we'll look back on in the future, and show our kids and their kids. We can't recommend LOVE by Sergirée enough!”
Maria Elizabeth &., a month ago
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Yin Futography 
Rating: 5.0 (46 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,500
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Hobbyist coffee brewer, professional nap taker, and sucker for raw moments and authentic emotions. Dedicated to documenting the beautiful moments as they unfold. Based in Southern California & available worldwide.

“From start to finish, Yin was so much more than just our photographer, he truly felt like a friend. From our engagement photos to our wedding day and everything in between, he was there every step of the way. He went above and beyond, from venue meetups to thoughtful location scouting, making us feel completely supported and at ease throughout the entire process. His co-shooter, Nika, was equally incredible—professional, kind, and such a calming presence on the day. Together, they made the entire experience feel effortless and fun, while still capturing every meaningful moment so beautifully. Honestly, Yin doesn’t even need reviews (his work speaks for itself) but we feel so grateful to have worked with someone so talented, genuine, and invested in telling our story. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to document such an important chapter of our lives.”
Rosemary K., 9 months ago
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Michael Teddy Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (29 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,800
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA
  • Offer

Welcome to Michael Teddy Photography, where artistry meets storytelling and your moments are preserved for a lifetime. I believe exceptional photography is about connection, vision, and capturing the authentic soul of your story. From our first conversation to your final gallery, you can expect a dedicated experience. Blending technical precision with an artistic approach, I frame the moments that matter most while thoughtfully editing every frame to perfection. Let’s create something breathtaking together.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Weddings are indeed stressful. The whole process of trying to figure out what our kids wanted, needed or desired for their wedding creates a situation where there are just too many options out there and it gets confusing or even overwhelming. With Michael’s experience, he was able to cut through a lot of the questions and made things very very simple and manageable. His discussion with the happy couple beforehand gave him an idea as to where he wanted to go in a direction with the photos was a nice considerate touch. He arrived earlier in the day to work out all the finer details with the facility and during the wedding and even after made everything, not only very easy but fun and entertaining for everybody who participated. The quality of the photos and the uniqueness and time put into each one of them may this a great experience. I can’t recommend him enough.”
Brian R., a year ago
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RIVELLE MEDIA 
Rating: 5.0 (28 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,600
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Rivelle Media is a photography and videography company based in Los Angeles. Every couple, with their distinctive love story, transforms into a canvas where we paint with the play of light and shadow. It extends beyond the grandeur of photographing pivotal moments like vows, rings, and the first dance; it encompasses the art of capturing nuanced glances, shared laughter, and the silent connection that elevates an ordinary day into an extraordinary celebration of love. Published in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Tatler.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Our experience with Xenia and Mark (videographer) was truly amazing. Xenia is truly a dedicated professional and her camera work is truly phenomenal. We booked Xenia for both our engagement and wedding photos and she completely exceeded my expectations! We originally booked Xenia and Mark for our wedding in May but unfortunately our wedding venue closed last minute and we were left to scramble in finding a new venue and once we did Xenia was so accommodating and made the new wedding date work. Xenia and Mark are super easy to work with; truly genuine individuals! I scoured through hundreds of photographers before I came across Xenia and honestly, none of them compared to her work and eye for photography. Stop your search and book her; I promise you won't regret it. Thank you, Xenia and Mark!”
Vanessa R., 2 years ago
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Fatima Elreda Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $7,500
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I'm a digital and film Wedding Photographer in Los Angeles, CA. I'm trilingual and multicultural -- and it's my favorite thing about me. I will travel Southern California for your love story, from San Diego to LA, to Santa Barbara. My style is documentary and photojournalistic with a bit of an editorial and creative charm. I do not bend and sway with the trends of the current day, instead I focus on your unique wedding day to capture timeless imagery. As the moments unfold before me, I will help tell your story. I want you to look back on your images and be able to still feel the emotions within them for decades to come, truly.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Fatima’s communication skills were excellent from the beginning. She really made me feel at ease as a bride. She photographed my engagement shoot and wedding day. The pictures came out absolutely amazing. If you’re looking for a sign to hire her this is it. 1000/10”
Nicole R., 10 months ago
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LA Digital Photo - Photo - Video - Booth 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,600
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA
  • Offer

Tom Keene is a distinguished master portrait photojournalist and the founder of LA Digital Photo, a premier life event photography company based in Pasadena, California. With over 21 years of experience, Tom has been the first-choice wedding photographer for hundreds of couples, capturing moments across California and beyond. Our expertise extends beyond photography, we offer comprehensive services including videography, DJ/MC, and photo booth rentals, ensuring a seamless experience for any event. Tom Keene’s dedication to his craft and his clients has solidified his reputation as a leading portrait photojournalist in Southern California.

Awarded Best of Zola
“From the moment we booked LA Digital Photo [ Photo Video DJ/MC Photo Booth ] for our wedding, we knew we were in good hands. The communication and support they provided throughout the entire process was amazing - they gave us clear direction every step of the way. On the day of our wedding, their photography and crowd work was truly top-notch. At one point, the photographer spontaneously loaded up photos he had already taken during the reception to share with all of our friends and family - it was an unexpected and beautiful surprise that everyone loved! All of our guests were fascinated by the amazing pictures he captured of them. I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first since they fit within our budget, but my goodness, they exceeded all of our expectations. You will not regret booking LA Digital Photo [ Photo Video DJ/MC Photo Booth ] - they are truly amazing and will make your wedding day even more special!”
Jen R., a year ago
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The Jaramillos 
Rating: 5.0 (26 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,000
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

The Jaramillos, a husband and wife Photography + Videography team. We specialize in capturing the authentic and raw moments with an editorial flair. Whether you want iconic photos to post, or to have for your future grandchildren to gaze upon, or anything in-between we are the photographers for you.

Awarded Best of Zola
“We chose The Jaramillos for our wedding and couldn't have been happier with our decision. From our first conversation, they struck the perfect balance between keeping things light and professional, while making it clear they genuinely cared about capturing our day. Beyond just taking photos, they went above and beyond by helping us with small tasks during the reception and thinking ahead about shots that would work for video and social media. Their eye for detail really shines through in the final images, everything is creative and polished without feeling overdone. For the price, the value we got was incredible. We'd recommend them in a heartbeat to any couple looking for photographers who are both fun to work with and seriously skilled at their craft.”
Michael T., 2 months ago
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Soda Fountain Photography 
Rating: 4.9 (19 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I’m Mysi (pronounced, boringly, “Missy”)! I’ve been at this thing for 12 years and I keep falling more and more in love with it all. Give me intimate micro-weddings, quirky dive bar weddings, raucous South Asian weddings... my team and I absolutely thrive in chaos and emotion. My specialty is catching the moments and those tiny moments in between. ✨✨✨

Awarded Best of Zola
“We were nervous when it came to hiring a photographer, because after the whirlwind of the day, photos are one of the only things you get to keep once the day is over that help you relive the moments. We had heard so many horror stories and knew it was one of the most important decisions we were going to make. But thankfully, hiring Mysi was truly one of the BEST DECISIONS we made for our wedding. From the very beginning, she was intentional, thoughtful, and so easy to work with. She made it a priority to meet with us in person—not just to talk logistics, but to get a feel for how we interact with each other. She wanted to understand our dynamic so she could best capture authentic, candid moments on the day. That personal touch meant a lot to us. She even took the time to drive up to our venue (a private residence) in advance to scout out the space. Watching her creativity come to life as she walked through the house and surrounding areas was such a fun and reassuring moment—we knew we were in great hands. We didn’t want just traditional posed photos; we wanted a mix of candid, artistic, and emotionally rich shots that told the full story of the day. She completely delivered. The final gallery was more beautiful than we could’ve imagined—natural, warm, and full of moments we didn’t even realize she had caught. We showed a few of the preview photos to people who didn't attend the wedding, and they all had nothing but compliments for how stunning the photos were. It's only been a few months, but we can't stop looking at the photos. They bring us back to the exact moment in time they were taken and we are able to relive the memories. Literally the only negative is that we can't figure out what our favorites are because they are all that great! We’re beyond grateful and couldn’t recommend Mysi more highly. If you want a photographer who truly sees you and puts her heart into every frame, she’s the one.”
Rebekah & N., a year ago
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Jordan Ferrer Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,499
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Hi! I’m Jordan, a wedding and event photographer and videographer dedicated to capturing love stories with authenticity and artistry. My style focuses on natural moments, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. From intimate elopements to grand celebrations, I document your day with timeless, beautifully edited images. Beyond weddings, I also specialize in capturing milestone moments like graduation portraits and formal events. Let’s work together to create unforgettable memories that you’ll cherish for years to come!

Awarded Best of Zola
“Working with Jordan was a dream! We hired him to do our engagement photoshoot at the LA arboretum, and the photos are GORGEOUS! We ended up using some of the selects for our save the dates and for our wedding website. Jordan has a keen eye for detail both as a photographer and as an editor. He really leveraged the natural flora (and the peacocks, haha!!) at the arboretum to create gorgeous images for us. We hired Jordan again to edit our wedding photos, and they bring us so much joy every day when we look at them. 10/10 would recommend hiring Jordan!”
Trenise F., 2 years ago
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By Evening Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Hey it’s Marijo (pronounced mary•joe), your film-loving, forever traveling photographer! Capturing your day, the way it felt, in both digital and film formats. My style is bright, vibrant, nostalgic with a mix of candids and cinematic images. I love getting to know my couples before their big day! It helps me create more personal work that reflects your love. I hope you know that your love is special, and that I can see that it is. That’s always how I’ll tell your story.

Awarded Best of Zola
“A+MBadillo was recommended to me by a family member who also hired them. They have the most beautiful portfolio!! Hired Marijo and Andrew for my wedding and both our engagement and wedding photos came out sooo beautiful! They are incredibly easygoing and made our photoshoots comfortable and fun, which was important as this was my and my DH first time getting our photos taken. Had multiple guests at our wedding reaching out to us afterward to ask about them as our photos came out amazing. There were a few things that were stressful about planning our wedding but A+M was not one of them, for sure the best decision we made aside from saying “I do!” Forever grateful for this team!”
Elizabeth S., 5 years ago
GemHidden gem
Carmelisse Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,550
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Hi I'm Carmelisse. I'm an intimate wedding & elopement photographer based in Los Angeles. I have a gift for making people comfortable and seeing the beauty in all diverse people. I want nothing more than to tell your love story right.

Awarded Best of Zola
“I don’t even know where to start! Carmelisse was UNREAL. She was so so sooooooo wonderful to work with. My now-husband was dreading wedding photos and after the wedding he even said, ‘the photo part was actually fun’-direct quote. Carmelisse and Jon (our second shooter) made us feel so comfortable and natural and we had a blast the entire time. There were tons of changes with timing and location due to the weather, and Carmelisse was 10000% on top of it! She took charge, handled EVERYTHING, knew when sunset was, where/when to go for the best lighting, posing etc… she was just amazing. I really didn’t know what to expect—it was a destination wedding and Carmelisse took care of so many small details so I could just focus on enjoying myself. She is incredible at what she does and I’m so happy that she was the one to document our wedding! We love love LOVE the photos and her! She went above and beyond with everything and we definitely recommend working with Carmelisse!!!! SHE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!”
Jaime, 5 years ago
GemHidden gem
Yanira Scalise Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,100
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Yanira is a passionate documentary-style wedding photographer dedicated to capturing the genuine emotions and beautiful moments of each special day. With an artistic eye and a love for storytelling, She creates timeless images that reflect the authentic essence of every couple. Her enthusiasm for the job shines through in every frame, as she believes that each wedding tells a unique story worth preserving. When not behind the camera, Yanira enjoys spending time with her family and teen boys and memorable trips to Erewhon :)

“I loved having her capture the day we got engaged! We are so happy with how the photos turned out, and getting sneak peeks the very next day was such a fun surprise. So grateful to have these memories captured!”
Allyson M., 11 days ago
GemHidden gem
Stephen Tang Photo 
Rating: 5.0 (15 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,100
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

While some photographers emphasize their gear or trendy post-processing, I take pride in subject-photographer interaction - the relation I build with clients, picking up on nuances in pose and expression while we shoot, anticipating the viewers' response - because ultimately, that's how photographs that matter to us are created. I'm a native New Yorker who found myself relocating to Los Angeles and making it my home. Wherever you'd like to have your wedding, it would be my pleasure to be your photographer.

Awarded Best of Zola
“I can not express how much I appreciate Stephen's work for our wedding (but I'll give it a try). From the first time we met, I could tell he was exactly what I was looking for. Someone who could take a group of dorky introverts and make them look like the stars of the show without making us feel silly or stressed. On the day of our wedding, he was able to keep up with our crazy huge wedding party and fast paced timeline. He was a hit with my family, my grandmother is still talking about how sweet he was and what a great job he did. After the wedding he took a couple weeks to edit the photos( a very quick turnaround in my opinion). I was absolutely dazzled. The moments he was able to capture will be celebrated in the family album for decades. I would recommend Stephen to anyone that wants a beautiful and personal photography experience that will truly reflect the soul of his subjects.”
Alexandra, 4 years ago
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Remo Fioroni Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Based in California, I photograph celebrations from the coastlines of San Diego to the vineyards of Napa, and destinations worldwide. I work with couples who value artistry, trust the process, and want their story told with depth and intention.

Awarded Best of Zola
“I love hiring Remo and have used his services for several social events, including my nieces wedding and subsequent baby shower. He is a consummate professional and quite a charmer. He really knows how to make people feel at ease. I cannot recommend him enough. He is a very talented artist and deserves 6 stars!”
Alba U., a year ago
Jess Onesto 
Rating: 5.0 (14 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Jess is a wedding photographer serving couples from Los Angeles to New York City. She specializes in documenting moments with honesty and optimism to showcase her couples’ love for each other, love for their people and their love for a damn good time. “My work is bold, enduring, and honest.” With more than a decade of experience as a photographer and a background in fine art and film photography, Jess approaches each wedding with intention and a sense of novelty. She works in both digital and film mediums and her work has been featured in publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, Destination I Do and Brides.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Since receiving our wedding photos from Jess, several of my friends and family members (including 2 professional photographers!) have asked me for her contact info because of how amazing her photos are!! When we started looking for a wedding photographer, we knew that we needed to find someone with a great eye for candids, who wouldn't make our pictures feel too staged, who had a fun/funky vibe like us, and who could handle wrangling my extremely large family (full of very opinionated people) for family photos, and Jess handled everything with ease! I feel so lucky that we found Jess, and I cannot recommend her more. Jess made everyone feel comfortable throughout the entire wedding day, and even gave guidance to family members who are normally awkward in photos (e.g. suggesting ways to pose to make them more comfortable). Jess went above and beyond throughout the entire planning process, checking in with us, getting to know us, and even coming to a venue walkthrough so she could get a sense of the space! I am so grateful for all of the work Jess put into our wedding, and the photos turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I rarely even like photos of myself, but I honestly am so in love with the ones that Jess took that I jump on every opportunity to whip out my phone and share them with friends!”
Natalie M., 2 years ago
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Karin Busch Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (13 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

German-born and LA-based, I got my first camera at eight and never put it down. Now I chase real, unposed love stories for weddings, couples, and families across SoCal, capturing the big feelings and tiny details that make your story yours.

“I got to meet and work with Karin Busch Photography on the morning of a wedding. As I was doing makeup for the bride and bridal party , Karin captured some amazing candid behind the scenes moments and every single frame is a work of art. And the wedding photos are like a curated editorial story. Just Absolutely stunning photography work . Plus she is very kind and super professional.”
Makeup By C., a month ago
GemHidden gem
Kelsey C. Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,900
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Hi! I'm Kelsey! Fun-loving, boba-obsessed, dog-mom living in sunny SoCal. I have a very natural and candid style of photography where clients don't look or feel "posed" but are simply being in the moment! I'm passionate about capturing the essence of your relationship, whether intimate, goofy, quirky, affectionate, and everything in between. I'm known for my friendliness and light-hearted personality! I help make shoots feel very comfortable, candid, fun, and genuine to each relationship.

Awarded Best of Zola
“We can’t begin without saying how amazing Kelsey and her team are! They are truly good at what they do. I’m normally really shy and awkward in front of a camera, but they made the experience so fun and comfortable. They knew the best angles and helped with our poses and told us where to go. The photos turned out so candid and beautiful! We cannot get over them and we got so many compliments! We are so happy that we chose Kelsey and her team for our engagement shoot and wedding photos. These types of moments are once in a lifetime and you don’t want to miss anything good and that’s why we’re so grateful that they captured everything for us. We trust them so much. We already want Kelsey and her team to shoot for our one year anniversary!”
Jessica Nguyen, 2 years ago
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Captured by Emily C. Petrie 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,600
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I am passionate about the humanity and compassion I infuse into my work and making genuine connections with the people who choose me as a Photographer, Coordinator, or Officiant. I am inspired to create images that break down societal norms and show that all kinds of people and love are valid and beautiful. I am an LGBTQ+ identifying business owner, and affirm love stories of all genders, sexualities, ability, and race. My style is modern, natural, romantic, whimsical, candid, and bold.

“Captured by Emily C. Petrie was the perfect choice for our wedding photography. From our first interaction, Emily's communication was always timely, transparent, and kind. The quality of her work is truly beautiful, with sharp, vibrant images that captured all the special moments of our day. Emily was there for all the important moments, gently guiding us and making us feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, even though we weren't experienced. We highly recommend working with Emily - she helped create beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.”
Marlee G., 2 years ago
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The Shalom Imaginative 
Rating: 5.0 (11 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,200
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

We are The Shalom Imaginative, a Los Angeles based team of artists offering wedding photography on a mix of analog film & digital. We have over ten years of experience capturing weddings with a photojournalistic approach. Our style is candid, relaxed, and real. We love to collaborate with our couples to capture what is the most meaningful to them. All of our packages are customizable and adding some rolls of 35mm film onto digital coverage is our most popular package. We also offer video add-ons to all of our packages.

Awarded Best of Zola
“Where to begin? As a photographer myself, I thought I'd have a really hard time choosing a wedding photographer, but when I saw Nate and Amanda's work, my search was over. If you're having trouble choosing a photographer/videographer, you can stop here. Nate and his second shooter, Ashley were an absolute dream to work with. They made us so comfortable and actually helped in ways I wasn't expecting. They kept us on time so we didn't miss any important moments but still managed to capture everything we wanted with ease. They simultaneously grabbed video while shooting photos without interruption. Nate is creative and will work with you to figure out the best settings and ways to capture who you are as a couple and document the day so you never forget it. Cannot thank The Shalom Imaginative enough for their creative collaboration and attention to detail!”
Nima & J., 6 years ago
GemHidden gem
Makito Umekita Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (10 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $2,200
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

I'm a wedding, elopement, and engagement photographer based in Southern California. I'm in love with adventure and the outdoors. I have a passion for capturing the raw, emotional moments as well as the candid, in-between moments of my clients. I want to be able to help YOU tell YOUR story through my photographs, capturing every moment from beginning to end.

“Highly recommend! We hired Makito to take our engagement photos as well as our wedding photos. They turned out amazing (: Will definitely hire him for future events”
Julie and C., 5 years ago
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Golden State Weddings 
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
·Ratings include Zola and Google reviews
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,699
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

Professional wedding photography and videography for couples across California—from Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Diego to Sacramento. Beautiful, cinematic coverage at prices that won't break your budget.

“From the moment we met the team at Golden State Weddings, we knew we'd made the right choice. They showed up early on our wedding day and had a gift for making us feel at ease in front of the camera with their warm and approachable style. The photos they delivered are stunning—artistic and flattering in ways we didn't even expect. We got our full gallery back quickly, which was such a relief, and every image captured the beauty of our celebration perfectly. Their intelligence and attention to detail shine through in every shot. If you're looking for a photographer, hire them—we couldn't be happier with our results.”
Rebecca B., 6 months ago
Quick responder
A Shot Of Love Films 
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA

As wedding photographers and videographers, our philosophy revolves around capturing memories that celebrate the unique personalities of each couple. We strive to showcase the authentic moments, heartfelt emotions, and joyful connections that make each wedding day truly special.

Awarded Best of Zola
“From our first conversation, Caitlin made us feel at ease with her quick responses and friendly approach. She has a gift for capturing the personality in all of us, which made the whole day feel natural and fun instead of stiff or awkward. The photos turned out stunning and captured exactly what we wanted—those real moments between us and our loved ones. She was easy to work with and genuinely seemed to care about making our wedding day special. We couldn't have asked for a better photographer to tell our story. Highly recommend them to any couple looking for someone who will deliver beautiful work and make you feel comfortable the entire time.”
Hannah C., 6 months ago

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