Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer FAQ
Answers to ALL your questions about planning a wedding in Santa Barbara
How would you describe your wedding photography style?
I capture candid wedding photography that shows not just how your day looked but how it truly felt. I focus on real moments, like the teary laughs, the big hugs, and the way your best friend scrunches their nose when they cry. That is the magic. Great photography lets you relive each moment and feel it all over again. My style is rooted in photojournalistic storytelling through authentic, candid moments. I want you to feel like you are simply living your day, not posing for a camera. The best photos happen when you forget the camera is even there.
What is your photo editing aesthetic?
I digitally enhance all my photos with a natural and timeless editing style that keeps the focus on the story within the moment. The timelessness comes from the emotion and expression of the people in the frame, not from the editing style. I have seen many editing trends come and go. My goal is for you to look back years from now and see the authenticity of the moment, not the photo editing trend of the year you were married.
What exactly is included in each photography package?
I am fully transparent with my pricing and include everything up front. You can view all of my full wedding package details and pricing here and my intimate and micro elopement package details and pricing here.
How much does a wedding photographer cost in Santa Barbara?
Wedding photography in Santa Barbara can vary depending on coverage, experience, and add-ons like second shooters.
When you book with me, you get me. I never send an associate in my place. With over 18 years of experience, I’ll be there to capture your day so you can relax and enjoy the party. Every full wedding package includes a second shooter at no extra cost to capture more moments.
I believe in being upfront. My pricing is listed publicly, so you never have to fill out a form just to see what things cost.
Here is a link to my full pricing.
How far in advance should I book a Santa Barbara wedding photographer?
For full-day weddings in Santa Barbara, it’s best to book your wedding photographer 9 to 18 months in advance. Popular wedding dates tend to fill quickly, especially during peak seasons like spring and fall. I follow a first-to-book policy for couples inquiring about the same date to keep things fair.
For elopements and intimate courthouse weddings at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, booking 3 to 6 months ahead is usually enough. However, weekdays fill up fast, especially during summer.
Keep in mind that Santa Barbara Courthouse ceremony appointments through the Hall of Records open exactly 90 days in advance. To increase your chances of getting your preferred date and time, be ready on multiple devices one hour before the 90-day window opens. Many couples are trying to book the same popular time slots, so the competition can be intense.
Will you help give me posing direction?
Yes, absolutely. With a background in studio and fashion photography, I can give as much posing direction as you want. If you want help with flattering angles and guided poses, I’ve got you covered.
If you’re more into candid wedding photography, I’ll guide you with light direction to create natural, relaxed moments. Nothing stiff or forced. My style is all about connection and play. I set you up in beautiful light and a great background, then we play games. Whether it’s a little movement, a fun prompt, or a silly game. That’s how I bring out real smiles, genuine connection, and the kind of wedding photos that actually feel like you.
What’s included in a wedding photography package?
Packages include a set number of hours of photo coverage with myself, a second photographer for full weddings, post-production photo enhancements globally adjusting each photo to get them print ready, your photos in a high-resolution digital file in an online wedding gallery, photo rights to your photos, unlimited printing rights, and access to a professional print lab where you and your family and friends can order pro lab photo quality prints close to cost using an easy online shopping cart.
How many photos will we receive?
On average, couples receive 100 final images per hour of coverage. For a 9-hour wedding, you can expect around 900 final images.
Do you need a list of photos?
You do not need to send me a shot list. I photograph weddings in a candid, photojournalistic style, capturing real moments as they naturally unfold. My focus is on telling the story of your day through authentic, unscripted images. Working from a checklist can actually pull me away from the genuine moments you hired me to capture.
There are classic wedding photos that are consistent across most weddings such as walking down the aisle, your first kiss, your portraits together, and key moments throughout the day. These happen organically. Trusting your photographer's experience really makes a difference in how natural and meaningful your photos feel.
The only list I need is your family photo list. This ensures we capture all the important groupings during the formal photo time.
What is the best time of year for a wedding in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara boasts gorgeous weather year-round, but spring and fall are the top seasons for weddings. The temperatures are comfortable, and the natural light during these months is especially beautiful. Summer weddings can be warmer but benefit from longer daylight hours.
How many hours of photography coverage do I need for my wedding?
For full weddings, I would love to connect over a video call to help you create a wedding day photo timeline. In addition to having a rough idea of your timeline framed out well in advance of your wedding, this timeline will also give you a clear idea of how many hours of photo coverage you’ll need to capture your important moments. Coverage time varies depending on your schedule and what matters most to you.
Can you photograph same-sex weddings and LGBTQ+ couples?
Absolutely yes! I am proud to photograph weddings of all couples, celebrating love in every beautiful form with respect, joy, and authenticity.
Do you travel for weddings outside Santa Barbara?
Yes, I travel for weddings! Once you share your wedding location and date, I can provide a quote for any travel expenses so you can get an idea of my total cost.
What happens if the weather is bad on my wedding day?
I find most couples want blue skies on their wedding day. I love overcast weather. Santa Barbara often has overcast mornings, with the marine layer burning off around 11a to 1p. Overcast weather actually creates the best lighting for wedding photos. The soft, diffused light is very flattering and reduces harsh shadows. I’m experienced in working with all kinds of weather to make your photos look amazing.
Do you require a deposit to book?
For full weddings, a $500 retainer and signed contract are needed to reserve your date. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the wedding. I prefer Venmo or Zelle payments. For elopements, no retainer is required — you can pay the full amount at the end of our shoot.
Where can I view full wedding galleries?
Yes. I believe in showing complete wedding day coverage so you can get a true sense of my style from start to finish. Every wedding story is unique and your day will look different from my other clients. My full galleries let you see how I capture candid and authentic moments across different lighting situations. Here is a link to my full wedding galleries.
Are high-resolution, watermark-free images included?
Absolutely. You will receive all your wedding photos in high resolution without any watermarks, along with full printing and sharing rights. I believe in offering a complete collection without hidden upsells. The only difference between packages is the number of hours of coverage you choose. I would love to connect over a video call to help plan your photo timeline to help you get the most out of your investment in wedding photography.
How do you make couples feel comfortable in front of the camera?
This is a common question I get. How do I create fun, natural, candids? I love to play. Play is how we connect, play is how we explore. By playing with fun silly posing prompts and connection games it's easy to look natural in front of the camera. I help direct you in a way where your bodies feel natural and comfortable together and then we play to create motion and emotion. Having a great relationship with your photographer is key to feeling relaxed and exploring fun, creative ideas together.
Have you shot at our venue, such as the Santa Barbara Courthouse, before?
With over 18 years of experience photographing weddings, there's a high chance I've photographed at your venue. Should your wedding be located outside of the Santa Barbara area, I'm able to easily break down the location and lighting of a new space to get the most out what is available to us.
How do you handle group or family portraits efficiently?
I balance my artistic side with an organized, Type A personality that loves organization. Over the years I’ve created an organized formal family portrait process that keeps family portraits quick and stress-free. I have created a system that moves efficiently while keeping everyone comfortable. I recommend allowing two to three minutes for each grouping and I provide a sample framework list to help you plan. If your list grows beyond the time allocated, we can adjust the timeline accordingly. You can send me your finalized list anytime before your wedding so I can make sure this part of the day runs smoothly.
How far in advance should we book our Santa Barbara wedding photographer?
For full weddings, most couples book me 12–18 months ahead. My candid approach and competitive pricing fills my calendar up quickly each year.
For courthouse micro weddings and elopements, 90 days is the Hall of Records booking window. I find I’m often the first call most couples make after they’ve locked off their appointment time.
It is common for me to get multiple inquiries for the same dates. I work on a first-to-book basis to make it fair to everyone involved.
Popular dates like Saturdays, Fridays, Holidays, Summer break, Spring break and three day weekends, tend to book up first. I’ve also found popular numerical dates with matching numbers seem to get snagged up pretty quickly each year.
Santa Barbara Elopement Photographer FAQ
Answers to your questions about Micro Weddings & Elopements at the Santa Barbara Courthouse
Do I need a permit to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse?
No permit is needed for small ceremonies under 15 people in the public areas around the exterior of the courthouse. The courthouse map refers to these ceremony spots as A-H.
For larger weddings or reserved spaces like the Mural Room or Sunken Gardens, you’ll need to book through the City of Santa Barbara.
Where are the best spots for wedding photos at the Santa Barbara Courthouse?
The most popular photo spots include the Mural Room, the main archway, Sunken Gardens and Fiesta Stage, rotunda spiral staircase, and the clocktower. Each offers its own unique lighting and highlights different features of Santa Barbara’s Spanish architecture.
I could photograph with a couple for hours at the courthouse and not run out of beautiful backgrounds and ideas.
When is the best time of day for wedding photos at the Santa Barbara Courthouse?
Golden hour, which is about one hour before sunset, is often the best time for wedding photos at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The light is soft, warm, and flattering. Morning also works well, offering even, shaded light and fewer crowds around the courthouse grounds.
If you're getting married through the Hall of Records, the last available civil ceremony appointment is at 3 PM. The interior of the courthouse closes at 4:30 PM. In the winter months, the 2 PM or 3 PM appointment times often offer the best light. The sun is lower in the sky, and the shaded areas provide soft, natural light for photos.
Couples who bring their own officiant instead of using the Hall of Records can schedule their ceremony closer to golden hour for ideal outdoor lighting. The tradeoff is that the courthouse interior may be closed by then, which means you might miss out on interior photos. Some couples prioritize the outdoor golden light, while others choose earlier times to make sure they can take photos inside the courthouse as well.