California Documentary Wedding Photographer
Documentary wedding photography for couples who care more about being there than posing for it.
Cinematic, empathetic, unscripted. Documentary wedding + elopement photography for couples planning celebrations rooted in presence and experience — in California and beyond.
Your wedding day
is not a photoshoot.
Shot on digital + 35mm film
Fuck chasing perfection and staging connection. The real story of our lives unfolds in the in-between, in those seemingly mundane moments when your guard is down, and you are fully immersed in the present.
I'm a wedding photojournalist that helps couples prioritize intention, connection, and experience. With a calm, steady presence, I quietly and unobtrusively document the day as it unfolds organically. I know how to read a room; when to let a moment breath, when to give guidance, and when to blend into the background.
If the point is to have photos that take you back, then let it take you back to something that brings you joy and gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings -- not some weird prompt the photographer gave you.
If you want to be present, not posed, then you're in the right place.
Documentary wedding photography doesn’t mean unchecked chaos. It means your wedding day is intentionally structured, allowing space for moments to happen organically, with a focus on presence and experience.
Guidance is offered when it’s helpful — for timing, light, or logistics. Space is given when moments need to breathe.
Every wedding day is layered, full of little stories inside of the big story. Documentary wedding photography gives you a full, honest arc of your wedding day, treating every moment, big or small, with empathy and respect.
DOCUMENTARY
WEDDING COVERAGE
what
LOOKS LIKE on a real wedding day
Hi, I’m Jaimie, a documentary wedding photographer based in Joshua Tree, CA, photographing people and places across the U.S.. With 20+ years behind the camera, I know how to read a room and capture what’s actually happening — not just what looks good. Shot on digital and 35mm film, my work pairs cinematic depth and thoughtful composition with honest, unfiltered storytelling.
Sometimes I explore and photograph celebrations in every corner of the country; sometimes I push my cats around the neighborhood in a stroller while my preschooler (in a seasonally inappropriate costume with a full face of did-it-herself makeup) belts out our personal business like she’s starring in a Broadway musical about her day. It’s about balance.
LEARN MORE >>
MEET
JAIMIE
My approach is simple: create space for real moments to unfold and document them honestly.
That means paying attention to pacing, understanding how the day moves, and knowing when guidance is helpful and when space is needed. I’m not there to orchestrate your experience. I’m there to protect it.
In practice, that looks like thoughtful timeline input, steady presence throughout the day, and a curated gallery that reflects the full arc of what actually happened — not just the highlights. You get images that feel warm, layered, and true to the people who were there.
Wedding Photography that protects your experience — without turning it into a production
message sent!
I thoughtfully respond to all messages, and will be emailing you soon with more info and a link to my full pricing & experience guide.
in the meantime, you can schedule a phone call -- that would be our next step.
spam filters are my archnemesis. I would never intentionally ghost anyone, so please check your spam box if you're wondering where I am.
If you’re drawn to a documentary-photography approach and want to be fully present as your wedding day unfolds (not posed through it), this is the next step.
Fill out the contact form or schedule a call. Share a little about what you’re planning and what matters most to you. I’ll take it from there.
You don't have to have everything figured out
-Alexandra + James
My husband and I were nervous to be in front of the camera and Jaimie not only made every moment of photos fun, but she brought out beauty we didn't know existed.
"From day one, she connected with me because she was so laid back. She made this process so easy for us. Jaimie was no stranger; she jumped right in and even helped me with my wedding gown and gave good tips like she was a part of the family! She was so friendly with everyone, which I liked that about her. Once our photos were ready, we were so pleased! Awesome quality and clarity that I am just in awe of it all!"
Jaimie is awesome!
- Dorothea + Vince
- Meg + Alex
"My husband and I are so happy we went with Jaimie as our wedding photographer! She made us feel confident and comfortable in her presence, capturing candid photos of genuine interactions.”
"Jaimie was an absolute dream to work with."
- Jess + Christina
"Jaimie knows exactly how to get people comfortable in front of the camera. She captures the true essence of her clients and how they interact with each other."
kind WORDS
Tips for a relaxed, stress-free wedding day that allows you to be present and grounded.
Wedding Day Timeline Tips
The permitted ceremony locations in Joshua Tree National Park, scouted and photographed.
where to get married in joshua tree
Engagement session planning tips for laid-back couples looking for a stress-free experience.
Engagement session guide
FEATURED posts
HIGHLIGHTS
Practical guides to help you plan without overthinking or over-performing.
Start here, if you want things to feel simpler
Wedding Day Timeline Planning Guide
Build a wedding day timeline that gives your day room to breathe.
Joshua Tree Wedding Weekend Guide
A practical guide for hosting a wedding weekend that actually feels like a weekend.
Family Session Planner + Activity Ideas
A simple planning guide to help family photos feel like real life.
The vibe will never be “what do I do with my hands?”
This is where emotional intelligence matters. I can read a room. I know when to step in and when to let something breathe. I’ll guide you through natural portrait moments when it’s helpful, but I won’t turn the day into a production. Most of the gallery comes from real, unscripted interactions — the stuff that actually feels like you.
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
3. Do you travel for weddings?
A
Q
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
3. Do you travel for weddings?
Most couples plan for around 30 minutes together. Some only need 15–20 intentional minutes. Others want a little more space to slow down and breathe. It really depends on how you want to spend your time.
This isn’t about filling a photo block — it’s about carving out space for the two of you to actually be together on your wedding day. We’ll shape that time around your priorities so it feels meaningful, natural, and fully yours.
A
Q
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
Yes. Most of the weddings I photograph are destination celebrations of some kind — whether that means a retreat venue in the redwoods, a lake weekend in the Midwest, or a desert gathering in the Southwest. I’m based in Joshua Tree and regularly photograph weddings across California, the Southwest, and the Midwest. I do not have travel fees for weddings taking place in the continental U.S. and Mexico.
3. Do you travel for weddings?
A
Q
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
With nearly 25 years of professional wedding photography experience, I don’t need to have been somewhere before to understand how to light it, read it, and document it well. I walk into every space prepared for any lighting situation — indoors, outdoors, midday sun, candlelight, you name it. I bring the tools I might need and the experience to know when to use them. The location is new. The skill set isn’t.
3. Do you travel for weddings?
A
Q
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
I photograph primarily on digital, with 35mm film available as an added layer for couples who love the texture and depth film brings.
Many of my film images are scattered throughout my website.
3. Do you travel for weddings?
A
Q
6. Will we still get family photos?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
4. What if you haven’t photographed at our venue before?
Absolutely. We’ll create space for important group photos while keeping them efficient so you can return to the experience.
