The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

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519 Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

Photojournalistic
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Ozan Ulucan Photography 

5.0

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

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

Ozan was our wedding photographer. He was amazing and had a great team. He really helped us throughout the wedding and explained to us the whole process. Thank you so much Ozan!
Marco S., 6 months ago
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Onawa Charbonneau Photography 

5.0

Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,000

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., 2 months ago
GemHidden gem
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.

Trinity is an amazing photographer! She has documented multiple important moments in my life, and the photos are always so special. Most recently, she captured my engagement and we can’t WAIT to have her photograph our wedding. Aside from her work, she is also just a great human & a pleasure to be around! Can’t recommend her enough!!
Baylee Joy C., 3 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., 10 months ago
GemHidden gem
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.

We have had the joy of working with Ben on several weddings and events. He is a responsive communicator and is so easy to work with. He keeps his couples focused on enjoying their day and captures each moment with ease. Plus, Ben is a pro when it comes to keeping the event on schedule and his work is absolutely amazing. We are always thrilled to recommend Ben Ingram Visuals!
Chaminade Resort & Spa, 4 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., 4 years ago
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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 Zavala Photography was a dream to work with on our wedding day. Their communication style was fast, easy, and accessible, which put us at ease from the very beginning. The quality of their work was truly professional, mesmerizing, timely, and nostalgic - they made us feel like movie stars and accommodated every single request during our big day. Drew and his team are so easy to work with and make you feel comfortable from start to end, which is so important to have on your big day. They helped facilitate our schedule and were incredibly flexible with any spontaneous requests. I highly recommend their services and would give their work a rating of 100 out of 10. Nothing but positive vibes from Drew Zavala Photography!
Ansony V., 5 months ago
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Christina Molina 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $5,000
  • 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., a month 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, 6 months ago
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Maria Villano Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,200
  • 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 was lovely to work with, has great communication, and a wonderful final product. She made my clients feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera and highlighted their personalities so well. I highly recommend Maria, she is top notch!
Chrissy, 5 years ago
GemHidden gem
Flora Gibson Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $9,900
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

I’m Flora and I'm a California native who loves to travel and chase the light in Big Sur. I love to ski, snowboard, hike, kayak and explore new locations. I pair best with couples who seek adventure and give me their trust to capture their moments. I want to capture the wind in your hair, the way your hand reaches for your partner and the real way you embrace. I don’t want to be just another vendor on your list, I will be by your side all day, from lifting your dress so you can pee to patting down that stray piece of hair, let’s be friends while we do it! I would be honored to join you !

Flora delivered far and beyond. If you are hesitating... don't. Book her. She literally creates magic-- I have never felt as seen by a photograph than through her work. To start, Flora is so helpful with the planning process. She knows the central coast like the back of her hand. She knew spots to suggest whether you want your ceremony in the redwoods, on the beach, or cliffside. She knows where to stay and where to eat. I loved sending her questions because the answer was always encouraging yet decisive, exactly what you need when planning! Then, on the day, she arrived prepared. She communicated the whole time what her plan was, hyped us up, and got us on task when we were running behind. She helped us to stay present in the moment, which is so important on a day like your wedding, which can go by so fast! Then, the pictures arrived, just the sneak peek and I WAS BLOWN AWAY. I knew she was good but WOW. It's something different when it's your own experience captured in a photo. She was so fast delivering the photos, I can't stop looking at them!!! Seriously, have confidence in your decision to book Flora, you won't regret it.
Jessica B., 13 days 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 was the photographer at my son’s wedding. She took beautiful posed shots and is excellent at candid photos. So glad she was able to capture great memories.
Terri, 7 months ago
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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., 3 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, a year ago
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, 4 years ago
Lorinda K. Photography 
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

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

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Eivan's Photo & Video 

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 the perfect choice for our wedding photographer. From the very first interaction, their communication was prompt, clear, and professional. On the day of our wedding, they captured every moment - big and small - with an artistic and magical touch. The final photos exceeded our expectations and provided incredible value. Eivan's went the extra step to create truly special memories that we will cherish forever. We highly recommend them to any couple looking for a talented and dedicated photography team to make their wedding day unforgettable.
Kimberly S., 9 days ago
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George Street Photo and Video 

5.0

  • 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
I’m SO satisfied with our experience booking with George Street! I was drawn to them because I thought they were more reasonably priced compared to what some individual photographers are charging these days (we’re in the Seattle market), but I didn’t feel like the price advantage came at a sacrifice of quality. I loved the photos our photographer John C. took (who was AMAZING!) for both our engagement/portrait session and of course the photos on the day of the wedding. He did a fantastic job capturing all the beautiful memories we made that day, and we are so grateful. The booking process was really simple, too—I arranged a meeting with one of their sales reps (Amber) who did an excellent job explaining exactly how their company works, the packages available, how to choose your photographer and so on. Once we booked with them, we were given access to an online portal to put in all the necessary info that would be passed along to the photographer. One thing I would say is that because you are contracting with a company and not the individual photographer, you aren’t able to communicate directly with the photographer very often. You really are hiring them for photography only, so collaborating with them on the event timeline and other details is not really an option. Any questions you have generally need to be sent via the wedding coordinators at George Street, as you won’t even receive your photographer’s email or phone number until you actually meet them (it’s possible this is not the case for everyone, but just our experience). To be clear, this was NOT an issue for us at all, but just something to be aware of if a more hands-on photographer that can help with coordination and planning is really what you’re looking for.
Kendall U., 5 months 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
From the moment we booked Sound Originals Photo & Video, their communication was effective and professional. On the day of our wedding, they were timely, capturing high-quality, professional photos and videos. The photographers provided so many thoughtful prompts to ensure we got all the shots we wanted, even showing up early to get familiar with our venue. We had an excellent experience with Sound Originals and will cherish the beautiful photos and videos they created forever.
Kenna J., 6 months 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 2024, 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 were the perfect wedding photographers and videographer for our special day. Their communication style was clear, quick, and helpful throughout the entire planning process. The quality of their work and value was professional, punctual, and creative. They helped us feel comfortable when shooting with each other, our bridal party, and families, and were simply fun to work with! I loved working with Ledd and his amazing team, as they provided exactly what we were looking for and created beautiful memories for us that we will cherish forever.
Julia T., 2 months ago
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Drzazga Photo 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,900
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

We're husband and wife destination wedding and elopement photographers and videographers based in Cleveland, Ohio, traveling as much as possible. We’re here to be your photographic memory, capturing you honestly and naturally so you can give your attention to the people and moments that matter most. We want you to have stunning images and the best day of your life and we do everything in our power to deliver both.

Awarded Best of Zola
️️️️️ Choosing Drzazga Photo for our wedding was hands down the BEST decision we made while planning. Since getting our gallery back, we are still getting compliments on how gorgeous and unique our photos turned out. When we met Carly during our engagement session we knew right away that she and Kasey would make us feel comfortable and would be the perfect pair to capture such an important day in our lives. We loved our engagement pictures so much we used them for everything (bridal shower invitations, wedding invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations and thank you cards). I think we looked at them all 1,000 times. They captured our love for each other and excitement so perfectly. Our wedding gallery was like looking at pictures from a fairytale. Our getting ready pictures, portraits, ceremony and reception photos are beautiful. They captured gorgeous pictures of us, but also of our family and friends whom we shared such an important day with. I love thinking about how someday these pictures will be shared with our own children, grandchildren and family. Weeks after our wedding we decided to become puppy parents to an adorable Cavapoo named Teddy. The Drzazga’s have captured such sweet moments of our love story this year. We couldn’t think of a better way to end it than a trip to Cleveland in November for a holiday mini session at their studio, with of course the newest addition to our family, Teddy. Thank you Carly and Kasey for capturing all of the sweet moments of this amazing year. You are truly the best of the best. Love, The Rishers
Kayla R., 2 years ago
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RIVELLE MEDIA 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,600
  • Serves Santa Cruz, 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
We are incredibly grateful Xenia was our engagement/wedding photographer and couldn't be happier with the results! The photos will speak to her technical talent; her professionalism and dedication to her craft are evident in every shot. It was so hard for me to only select 6 photos. What the images don't explicitly show is that Xenia was an absolute joy to work with. She is clear, transparent, and helpful in her communication. Her straightforward and friendly communication ensured we were always on the same page and felt supported throughout the process. While shooting, she is organized and efficient. We got every shot we hoped for and then some. Her enthusiasm and joy were infectious. She made these two awkward nerds feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. We cannot recommend Xenia enough! We will cherish the photos you took forever!
Steph C., 10 months ago

Location flexible? Discover photographers near Santa Cruz, CA

About wedding photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

How much does a wedding photographer typically cost in Santa Cruz, CA?

A Santa Cruz, CA wedding photographer ranges from $400 to $20,000 and averages at $3,000. The cost reflects the number of hours included, if there is a second photographer, any prints or albums, and, most importantly, the experience of the photographer. But every snapshot they take is a priceless memory of your big day — way better than your bestie's blurry smartphone pics, right?

Do most photographers include a second photographer?

95% of photographers in Santa Cruz, CA offer a second photographer, although it typically depends on the package you book! Second photographers are helpful because one person can’t be everywhere at once, and the second photographer ensures all the details are covered.

Which are the most popular photographers in Santa Cruz, CA?

Some of the most popular photographers in this area include ozan ulucan photography, SweetEmms Photography and Ashley Cynthia Photography.

What else should I keep in mind when booking a wedding photographer?

Are you interested in an engagement shoot as a test run? Drone photography? Wedding albums? All helpful things to ask about when you’re considering which wedding photographer to book!

What types of photographers are in Santa Cruz, CA?

What other Santa Cruz vendors will I need?

What other photographers are nearby?

What other wedding services are nearby?