The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Monica, CA

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?


915 Wedding Photographers in Santa Monica, CA

Photojournalistic
Leah Faith Photography 
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,750
  • Serves Santa Monica, CA
  • Offer

Your wedding day is your most significant chapter, and it deserves to be captured with uncompromising care. Based in Los Angeles, I am a photographer dedicated to an authentic, refined aesthetic, acting as both observer and guide. I specialize in a hybrid approach—marrying digital clarity with the romantic nuances of film—to produce images that feel both grounded and elevated. I focus on preserving the raw, unposed beauty of your day, ensuring you remain fully present to enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

“Leah Faith Photography was a dream to work with for our wedding! From our first conversation, Leah was collaborative, and easy to talk to, making the photography process smooth and stress-free. She captured truly authentic, natural, and beautiful pictures with the most stunning and candid moments throughout our special day. Leah even took the time to remind us to breathe and soak it all in, which was so appreciated. We are thrilled with the gorgeous photos that will allow us to relive our wedding day for years to come. Leah Faith Photography was worth every penny and we highly recommend them to any couple planning their big day!!! Can’t recommend her enough to be honest.”
Julianna D., 2 years ago
Quick responder
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 is the absolute best photographer you could ask for! Gabbie did a beautiful job shooting my brother's wedding and we knew we had to use her for our wedding too. Coordinating a wedding during COVID was a challenge, to say the least, but she handled every postponement and venue change we threw at her with patience and grace. When we finally reached our wedding day, she knew just how to work with an over-stressed bride and groom. She’s very calming and knows exactly how to coach and compose without being overbearing. Gabbie’s greatest strength is her ability to perfectly capture the atmosphere surrounding the event, not just the event itself. Looking through her photos isn’t a reflection, it’s a magnetic pull right back to the happiest day of our lives. We can relive our wedding every time we look at her work. If you’re looking for a photographer that will go above and beyond to accommodate you while creating phenomenal memories of your day, look no further!!”
Alison P., 5 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
“OMG—where do I even begin?! Mary is truly incredible. The sneak peek alone had us in tears (happy ones!). It was better than anything I could have imagined. She captured every emotion, every little detail, and the overall vibe of our wedding perfectly. My husband and I were absolutely glowing looking through them—we felt the joy from that day all over again. She used both film and digital photographer to capture the magic! Not only is she insanely talented behind the lens, but she’s also the sweetest human ever. It’s so clear how much love she puts into her work. She made us feel so comfortable, natural, and genuinely seen on our big day. If you’re thinking about booking her, do it now. I’m so grateful she was part of our day. Thank you, Mary!!”
Daniella F., a year ago
Quick responder
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.

“LOVE by Sergirée photographed our wedding this past June and we could not be happier. Sergio covered our whole day, from the ceremony at the Old Brown House to dinner at De La Nonna and the karaoke afterparty, and he even rode the party bus with us between stops. He also did an engagement session with us in Highland Park a few weeks beforehand, which was a blast and got us comfortable in front of the camera well ahead of the wedding. The compositions and editing are gorgeous, but what really got us is his eye for capturing moments, some we didn't even realize were happening. Having all those little interactions, expressions, and details to look back on means everything. Beyond the photos, it was just delightful having him there. Our friends at Dinner Table #1 definitely lucked out. We couldn't have imagined a better person to document such a beautiful day, and if you're looking for a wedding photographer in LA, book Sergio.”
Mike & C., a month ago
Quick responder
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
Quick responder
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
“Daniel was a pure joy to work with. Went above and beyond driving all over Santa Barbara for our wedding! We loved our photos and the experience with him so much. We hate having pictures taken and he made it feel so effortless. Look no further!!”
Diana, 2 years ago
Quick responder
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
Quick responder
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
“Anna was so great in helping me throughout the process of planning our wedding photos. The first time I met her I could tell that she genuinely loves weddings and understood the editorial concept I was aiming for. We worked together on a mood board and fulfilled the style on the day of. I loved the team she brought and their dynamic together. During the group photos they were very efficient in gathering the groups in a time crunch. The pictures turned out incredible! Thank you guys so much for putting us at ease and the lovely wedding photos that will live on forever!”
Murphy, a year ago
Quick responder
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
“I cannot say enough good things about Fatima! Not only is she so incredibly talented but she is also one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. She made my husband and I feel so comfortable and natural during our engagement session and by the time we got to the wedding it felt like we had one of our friends photographing for us! We could not be more obsessed with the photos she took for us, they are the perfect mix of natural, fun and beautiful. Fatima is amazing!”
Maddie, 2 years ago
Quick responder
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
“Okay, so I've never done anything like this before. Never had a photo shoot or anything close to it. I was a little nervous and my fiancé was definitely not excited because he is not a picture/camera type of guy. First off, Tom made us feel so comfortable and made a funny little joke right from the gate. He didn't give us even a second to feel weird. He guided us to the right poses and then let us do what felt natural. AND OH MY GOSH!! The results were EPIC! It couldn't had been a more perfect session with such an amazing photographer!! He is amazing!!!! I just can't wait for him to do our wedding!!! I highly recommend him and will be using him for ANY and ALL future events and special memories!”
Karlee O., 8 months ago
Quick responder
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
“It was such a joy to work with the Jaramillo’s. From the day I met this beautiful couple to the sweet goodbye at the end of our wedding, they were simply amazing. They pictures are beyond beautiful and I am so thankful they helped capture such priceless moments.”
Drake T., 2 years ago
Quick responder
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
Quick responder
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
GemHidden gem
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
“We absolutely loved the A+M Badillo Team! They very professional & always available when we had questions. We loved the photos they took of us and will definitely recommend them, as well as use them again in the future for other special occasions. Thank you Marijo for making giving us wonderful photos to remember our special day!”
Nathalie, 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
“Carmen did such an amazing job capturing our wedding back in July. As soon as we got engaged in 2019, we knew we wanted Carmen to do our photos. She did both our engagement and wedding shoot: Her work is so professional and so dreamy! And on top of that—she’s super fun and makes awkward people (like us) look so good! Our wedding was outdoors at Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu and had about 250 guests. Carmen and her team were so attentive, helpful, and made everything run smoothly! Carmen was my unofficial bridesmaid that day and anything that I needed, she was there. I know this review is only from my stand point of view, but everyone that I shared these photos with were in complete awe of how beautiful they turned out. We will definitely be reaching out to Carmen for future celebrations!”
Donna, 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
“To say that I love and trust Stephen's work is an understatement. I live in New York City with some of the most talented photographers in the world available for hire, and my first choice wedding photographer was to fly Stephen Tang to NYC from Los Angeles. I wouldn’t trust or want anyone else for the job of capturing our wedding. We have worked with Stephen before, and I just love his style of work. I also fell in love with his studio work after seeing another couple's engagement photos and wanted similar pictures for our own. Stephen knocked it out of the park. Stephen exceeded our expectations with the wedding photos. We have everything we requested and much more than we realized we needed. It was so fun to relive our wedding through the pictures. The only potential downside of my wedding pictures was I realized that I forgot to take a picture with my grandfather. I felt pretty terrible about it. I received my pictures from Stephen and cried because there was a beautiful candid of my grandfather and I. It was so much better than a posed photo. It captured the essence of who we are. You get what you pay for with weddings. Your pictures are your memories. They live on for generations. It was important to us to have the best photographs, and we knew we could trust Stehen to capture the event beautifully. Stephen went above and beyond our expectations and worth every cent. It won't be 2,000 photos and duplicates of the same shot. He’s going to give you a beautiful, curated story of your wedding. Stephen was also very helpful with looking over my timeline and telling me what was realistic. His experience allowed me to set expectations for what I'd receive, and he did nothing if not exceed them. Wedding days are beautiful. They are intimate, but they are also stressful. I’ve been to weddings where the photographer brings an anxious energy. That’s not Stephen. He’s calm and confident. He also takes charge in a non abrasive way. On my wedding day I needed that. I needed my photographer to be a calming influence and I’m so grateful that I had exactly what I needed. Stephen Tang.”
Katherine Foronjy C., 6 years ago
Quick responder
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
“Remo really wowed us. He has an incredible artistic eye, and attention to detail. He is ABSOLUTELY worth the price!!!!!! He was always there exactly when we needed him. Remo made my dream wedding look like a fairytale. He is very charismatic, kind, and so easy to work with. THANK YOU REMO!!!”
Alyssa G., 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
“Jess Onesto is an absolute dream to work with! If you are looking for a wedding photographer who will make you feel completely comfortable and capture the most beautiful, authentic moments, look no further. My husband and I have always felt awkward when we have to pose for professional photos. Jess completely changed that experience for us. She seriously made me feel like I was a model throughout my entire wedding weekend. She has this innate ability to put everyone at ease and guide you so naturally that you forget you are even being photographed. Her direction feels effortless, and somehow she captures these genuine, intimate moments. We are absolutely obsessed with all of the photos we have seen thus far (I have included some here)! Every single shot is stunning, and our entire family has been raving about them non-stop. Throughout the wedding weekend, we received so many compliments from our guests about how much they loved Jess and her warm presence. She truly became part of our celebration. Honestly, I am already thinking of excuses to hire Jess again for family photos because working with her was such a wonderful experience. I truly cannot recommend her more highly!”
Jennifer, a year ago
Quick responder
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
GemHidden gem
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
Quick responder
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
“We hired Nate, Vanessa & Keren to shoot our welcome party and wedding and HOLY COW they blew us away! From our first meetings over Zoom, we knew we'd made the right choice. Aside from their obviously gorgeous work, we chose them because their vibe is so down to earth, comforting, and fun. During the two parties, they were efficient and blended right in with our guests so all of our pictures felt organic, which was important to us. We opted to do half on film, half on digital and were completely speechless at how it all turned out. The cherry on top was how quickly we got our pictures back: we got the email one month after our wedding while we were on our honeymoon! So special to relive that day in that setting, and we were so impressed with that turnaround. We already know we'll be hiring this team down the road once we start a family. Their work is so, so special. We truly can't recommend them strongly enough! We wish we could give 10 stars!!”
Isabel & J., 4 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
Quick responder
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.

“Golden State Weddings made our wedding day so special. From our first conversation, they were easy to talk to and kept us relaxed throughout the whole process. They gave us clear direction during the ceremony and reception, but also captured the candid moments that felt genuine and unforced. Every photo exceeded what we expected, and honestly, the quality is worth every penny. We can't say enough good things about their work, and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for a photographer who truly cares about telling your story.”
Andrew, 6 months ago

About wedding photographers in Santa Monica, CA

What other Santa Monica vendors will I need?

What other photographers are nearby?

What other wedding services are nearby?