The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

The Best Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

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506 Wedding Photographers in Santa Cruz, CA

Photojournalistic
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Misha Velasquez 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $6,200
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA
  • Offer

INQUIRE ON MY WEBSITE TO HEAR BACK FROM ME THE QUICKEST! weddings. mishavelasquez.c0m I'm here to find the magic between the big moments, capture the emotion in the room, and the excitement that is building up to your wedding. The day is about your love, your vibe, and how your memories get to last with you, so my goal is for you to stay as present and be as much of yourself as possible. Your wedding day should be FUN, and we will find every way to celebrate. So cheers to your wonderful wedding season; I can't wait to meet you!

Awarded Best of Zola
Misha was a photographer for one of my couples and later she hired me to do her own wedding florals. She was a joy to work with in both capacities. I am so grateful for her gorgeous photography which is featured both in my website portfolio as well as on the cover in a full bleed image. I think she took what is my very favorite photo of one of my bridal bouquets!
Dyana Zweng, 4 years ago
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Onawa Charbonneau Photography 

5.0

Santa Cruz, CA
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,200
  • Offer

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.

Onawa has been our family photographer for the past 4 years. Throughout the past years she’s captured lifetime memories such as special’s birthdays, our engagement, wedding and now maternity photos. She has an unwavering ability to encapsulate candid moments that take us back to that exact memory with each of her photos. We cannot wait to continue to work with her as our family grows. Onawa is professional, kind and incredibly talented.
Kati B., 2 months ago
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., 9 months ago
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Drew Zavala Photography 

5.0

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $4,999
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

It's your friendly neighborhood photographers, Drew & Jackie, here. Celebrating 7 years married this year, we have had the pleasure of capturing weddings in and around the Monterey Bay and all sorts of events together for the same amount of time. We are excited to meet you and your better half, your family, and all of those that you care about the most! Send us a message!

Drew and his wife were an absolute pleasure to work with, making our entire experience stress-free and enjoyable from start to finish. Out of all the vendors we worked with, they stood out as the most professional, responsive, and accommodating. From our engagement session to the big day, they made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to truly be ourselves in front of the camera. Drew’s talent is unmatched. His attention to detail and ability to capture raw, authentic moments left us speechless. Just 72 hours after our wedding, he surprised us with sneak peeks of our photos, and we were absolutely blown away by how stunning they were. His work has far exceeded our expectations, and we can already tell the final collection will be nothing short of extraordinary. If you’re looking for a photographer who not only delivers breathtaking images but also makes the entire process seamless and enjoyable, Drew is the one. We couldn’t be more grateful for his work and are beyond excited to see the rest of the magic he captured on our wedding day. Highly recommend! Please note: Photos are screen grabs from Drew Zavala Photo (Instagram)
Michelle P., 4 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., 7 days 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, 5 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 an amazing photographer for our small, intimate backyard family wedding with 30 people. She was able to capture all of our special moments with her skills for noticing nuances and making all of the guests feel at ease. She was SO great to work with. Although it was our first time with a professional photographer, and we felt awkward at first, Maria made us feel at ease immediately with her very calm and chill demeanor, and we got some amazing formal pictures as well! We recommend Maria for any and all of your photography needs.
Yujin, 3 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 was the perfect choice for our intimate elopement. From the moment we first connected, Flora's friendly and personalized communication style put us at ease. Her intuitive suggestions for our elopement location and venue, as well as her recommendations for the area, were invaluable - they led us to our wonderful officiant and resulted in a dreamy day that perfectly captured the feel of our special occasion. Flora's incredible talent and eye for style and tone were evident in the breathtaking photos she delivered, which were worth every penny. She was so much more than just a photographer - her knowledge and insights truly shaped our entire day, making it a seamless and unforgettable experience.
Jessica W., 5 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, 10 months ago
GemHidden gem
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 was lovely to work with. She had tons of ideas which made things way easier for me and less to worry about! She shot our engagement pictures on the east coast & our destination wedding in Spain. For the engagement shoot, it started to rain and turned for the worse! I figured the day was over and that was it, but Heather got creative, pulled out a fun umbrella and we had a great time!! The pictures are super fun and amazing to look back on now that we are married. The wedding pictures were just as fun-- Weddings are known to be high-stress but Heather was on top of things made life so much easier. She knew which pictures to take and when I would forget about certain group combinations with our families she would remember and get the shots! Not to mention she is just a super nice person so I felt comfortable making requests or asking for certain things. I also love the edits she did and really made the images stand out. I really can't recommend enough for every couple to book Seeking Venture for their wedding!
Christine & J., 4 years ago
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Eivan's Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,149
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

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

Awarded Best of Zola
Hiring Eivan’s for our wedding was a great decision! Our photographer Gregory I was professional and FUN! He kept us smiling throughout the day with his quirky personality! My fiancé does not care for photos so I’m happy we had someone working with us who could make him comfortable. He made sure to get multiple images even if it was just “one more”, it was never one more! We had actually hired a different photographer and we replaced him with this company. Worth the stress and money! If I had any tips for the company, it would be to have your photographers give a 30 minute warning before their contracted time is up. Weddings are so busy for the bride and groom, it is very easy to lose track of time. I think clients would appreciate a little heads up just so they can try and capture any photos they may have missed. Other than that, I have ZERO complaints. Such an amazing experience! 10/10 highly recommend :)
Melanie T., 5 months ago
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Sound Originals Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Santa Cruz, CA

Sound Originals 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
Can’t thank Sound originals enough for all the photos and video of our wedding day!! Loved how everything came out! Can’t wait to print them and keep them forever! Vanessa, Katherine, and Frank were a great team. They were so kind, professional and brought the best energy! They were super flexible and easy-going with the flow of the day. We are in absolute awe with our pictures and video. So nice to relive our special day!
Lorena M., 8 months 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
George Street Photo and Video was the perfect choice for our wedding photography and videography needs. Their communication throughout the process was quick and clear, which put us at ease leading up to the big day. The quality of their work was exceptional, with full coverage of all the key moments and unique shots and ideas that really captured the spirit of our wedding. When our day-of coordinator fell through, the George Street team stepped up to help coordinate the timeline and flow of the day, ensuring everything went smoothly. They were kind, helpful, and professional the entire time, and we highly recommend them to our couple friends. The included engagement session was also amazing - it was a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding. Overall, George Street Photo and Video was a fantastic choice that we're thrilled with.
James L., 5 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., a month 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
If we could give them 10 stars, especially for quality of goods or services delivered, we would! We are obsessed with our photos from our wedding day and are so excited to see more of their magic when they capture our reception next month. It’s amazing how they capture the genuine happiness radiating from all the couples they work with. Carly and Kasey are so friendly and easy-going. Their communication is top-notch and they are very organized. Hands down one of the best vendor choices we made. You will not regret your decision and they are so worth it!
Rachel E., 4 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
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., 8 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?