California Documentary Wedding Photographer
Documentary wedding photography for couples who care more about being there than posing for it.
Cinematic, empathetic, and unfiltered.
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
The most meaningful moments of a wedding day are rarely the loudest ones. They live in the in-between — where attention shifts to the subtle things that make the day yours. Not chasing perfection. Not staging connection. Just noticing what’s real, so years from now, those are the moments that bring you right back.
FOR WEDDINGS BIG, SMALL
PHOTOJOURNALISM
or somewhere in-between
Documentary doesn’t mean chaos. It means your wedding day is intentionally structured, allowing room for moments to breathe. The day moves naturally, with a focus on presence and experience.
Guidance is offered when it’s helpful — for timing, light, or logistics — and space is given when moments deserve to unfold on their own. There’s no need to think about what’s next or worry about doing anything “right.” You get to experience your day. It’s documented as it actually happens.
DOCUMENTARY-STYLE
WEDDING COVERAGE
what
LOOKS LIKE on a real wedding day
My approach to photography is simple. Whether documenting a wedding day, an elopement, or time with your family, my role remains the same: create space for real moments to unfold and document them honestly.
That means paying attention, moving with intention, and knowing when guidance is helpful and when space is needed. The experience comes first. The images follow.
A Process Built Around Presence,
Not Performance
An intentional, experience-first approach — no matter the size, shape, or season of life you’re in.
Experience and empathy make it possible to read the room and recognize when guidance is helpful and when space is needed. This allows a day to breathe without unraveling and protects real moments from interruption. Whether documenting a wedding, an elopement, or time with your family, the foundation remains the same: anticipating what matters and responding in a way that keeps the experience intact. The focus isn’t on chasing a look — it’s on preserving what it truly felt like to be there.
EXPERIENCE
My documentary approach is shaped by years of paying attention — to people, to timing, and to the subtle shifts that happen when moments are allowed to unfold naturally. The most meaningful parts of a day rarely announce themselves. They happen quickly, often softly, and only once.
THIS APPROACH
is built on
-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
You don't have to have everything figured out.
Start the Conversation
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.
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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.
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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.
