Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Wedding Photographers in Monterey

Our Recommended Top 7

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Monterey Wedding Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

15

Reviewed

11

Curated

7

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
Carmel, CA 93923

Why choose this provider?

Serving the Santa Cruz and Carmel Valley, California areas, Julie Cahill Photography is run by Julie Cahill, who first started in landscape photography before diving into portrait and wedding photography. Her work has been featured in various publications such as Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Rouge, Ruffled, and the Green Wedding Shoes blog. Services focus on three main areas: lovers, families, and brands. Products offered include album design and custom art galleries. Wedding, elopement, boudoir, and portrait sessions range between two and eight hours of coverage, pricing varying based on the number of guests and other details. Gift certificates are also available.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Carmel, CA 93922

Why choose this provider?

Carmel Photography is a professional photography business serving the Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur, and San Francisco Bay areas. Its services include weddings, family portraits, and senior photos. Principle photographer and owner Kira Carmel brings several years of experience in her trade and is known for creating a calm environment for the wedding photography process, all while capturing beautiful images to preserve this day for the couple. Her photojournalistic style captures the candid moments of weddings, along with the requisite group photographs. Carmel photography also shoots events, engagements, and travel. Previous customers speak to Kira's ability to make everyone involved feel comfortable, and of her photography skill. In added convenience for her clients, she has a list of reputable and preferred vendors they can consider for their event.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (3)

Website
Salinas, CA 93901

Why choose this provider?

Cook's Photography is a full-service professional photography studio operating in the community of Salinas, California, and the surrounding Monterey Peninsula areas in the heart of the Salinas Valley. Cook's Photography is a family-owned and operated business specializing in classic lighting technique for all types of photography. This studio offers a broad range of services including weddings and engagement sessions, high school seniors, modeling photo shoots, sports photography, children and family portraits, in addition to classes and seminars. Clients recommend the team of trained specialists at Cook's Photography for their high-quality photography skills and exceptional customer service.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (37)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Monterey, CA 93940

Why choose this provider?

Laura & Rachel Photographers is a family-owned wedding photography business in Monterey, CA. Laura and Rachel are mother and daughter, and they opened their business in 2011 as a unique photography team. They have worked weddings all across the country, and their work has been published in both print and online publications around the world, including the New York Times and Good Housekeeping magazine. All wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session and digital files. Former clients praise Laura & Rachel Photographers not only for the quality of their work, but also the support and care provided to couples on their special day. The company also provides workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions to aspiring professional photographers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (69)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (36)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Monterey, CA 93940

Why choose this provider?

Manuel Ortega Photography brings a lifetime of experience in photography to weddings in the area of Monterey. The photographer uses a photojournalistic approach with both candid and formal photos to preserve those precious moments and strives to always “capture the art of life” in his work. The studio has extensive experience working at various locations listed on the group's site and also offers photography for destination weddings and engagements. Manuel Ortega Photography is the preferred Wedding Photographer of the Intercontinental Hotel The Clement, and a list of vendors the studio recommends itself can be found on its site. The group is an approved senior portrait photographer for a number of local high schools as well, and the owner also offers photography mentoring sessions.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (76)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (21)

Website
Moss Landing, CA 95039

Why choose this provider?

Studio 35 Photography is a wedding and portrait photography company located in Moss Landing, California and serving the surrounding Salinas, Monterey, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz areas. It is owned and run by Ruben Nuñez, the lead photographer, who specializes in creative approaches to capturing candid moments. Nuñez describes his techniques as “non-traditional,” and he strives to create natural, moving, and artistic imagery that his clients can treasure. Studio 35 also offers workshops and one-on-one coaching to photographers. The sessions are three hours and hands-on with live models so photographers can build their portfolios while they learn. Studio 35’s clients praise them for their passion and artistic approach.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (34)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)
Google
3.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Salinas, CA 93908

Why choose this provider?

Suzanne Woodard Dorrance Photography is a full-service professional photographer operating in the community of Salinas, California, and the surrounding Monterey Bay areas. Owner and lead photographer Suzanne Woodard Dorrance is a former catalog and commercial photographer in San Francisco. Established in 1985, Suzanne Woodard Dorrance Photography currently specializes in capturing unique moments through photography. This business provides a broad range of services including commercial photography, real estate, business portraits, fine art photography, product photography, senior pictures, and portraits. Clients recommend the team of trained specialists at Suzanne Woodard Dorrance Photography for their high-quality photography skills, attention to detail, and professionalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Because of the sheer number of weddings that happen each year, wedding photography is a booming industry. Couples engaged to be married should take great care in finding a wedding photographer before their big day that suits their style.

    Many people think all wedding photographers are virtually the same, but this is incorrect. Some photographers prefer unusual arrangements, angles, and uses of light in their images. They may also have unique styles and filters when editing wedding photos. This makes it very important if you're planning on getting married and looking for a photographer to take the time to find one whose style aligns with what you're looking for.
  • What does a wedding photographer do?

    Wedding photographers take pictures of the wedding ceremony, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and the families of the bride and groom. They also often photograph the major events of the reception and the guests to help preserve memories of the entire affair.

  • What makes a good wedding photographer?

    A good wedding photographer can faithfully recreate special memories, taking care to capture the most important moments of the wedding and reception. They're able to fulfill the requests of the couple getting married and help them choose the best images from the event.

  • How do I pick a wedding photographer?

    Couples can find their wedding photographer by asking friends and family for recommendations or checking out local listings. It's important to review portfolios, pricing, and availability. When you've picked a few that pique your interest, speak to them in person to make sure they're a good fit.

  • What should I ask a wedding photographer?

    Before you make a final decision about your wedding photographer, you'll want to ask several important questions, such as:

    • Can we see your portfolio?
    • How many weddings have you shot?
    • How much do require for a deposit?
    • What packages are available in our price range?
    • What is your editing style?

  • How much does a wedding photographer cost?

    The cost of a wedding photographer depends on various factors, including their experience, photo packages, and the length of time you need them. According to Brides.com, a wedding photographer can charge anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for their services.

  • Why are wedding photographers so expensive?

    A wedding photographer's fee reflects their experience, training, and ability to fulfill your vision and requests. The time needed to complete the process for a single wedding makes a difference as well. For a standard eight to 10 hour wedding, a photographer may spend as much as double that culling and editing photos.

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