Documentary wedding photography for couples planning intentional, deeply personal celebrations across the Bay Area.
Bay Area Wedding Photographer
Your wedding isn't a photoshoot. It's a day you get to live.
Jaimie Nicole Krause* is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with over 20 years of experience documenting people and their relationships.
Her work centers on non-traditional couples planning personal, meaningful wedding celebrations — with an emphasis on presence, connection, and honest storytelling over staging or performance.
Based in California and photographing weddings nationwide, Jaimie takes on a limited number of wedding commissions each year, working intentionally and with care.
actually
as it
beautifully captured
real moments
happened
*mildly spicy
The most meaningful moments don’t need direction — just space.
as seen in:
I photograph weddings the way they’re actually lived — with attention, restraint, and respect for the experience itself.
My role isn’t to direct or manufacture moments. It’s to observe, anticipate, and document what’s already unfolding. I’ll guide gently when it’s helpful — with timing, light, and logistics — but I’m not there to turn your day into a production.
When there’s space to slow down, connection has room to exist. And those are the moments that hold weight years later — not because they were perfect, but because they were real.
This is about being present.
authentically told
your story
You don’t need to know how to act, where to stand, or what to do with your hands.
I’ll guide when it’s helpful and step back when it’s not. Some moments need direction. Others just need space. Knowing the difference is part of the work.
Your wedding day doesn’t need to feel calm to be documented well — it just needs room to unfold. I’m paying attention so you don’t have to.
you don't need to know how to do this.
Most couples come into this with questions — about timing, family dynamics, awkward moments, or whether the day will actually flow.
My work isn’t hands-off. Before the wedding, we talk through your priorities and shape a timeline that creates space for the moments that matter to you. That planning is intentional — it’s what allows the day itself to feel unforced.
When the structure supports the experience, you don’t have to think about the photography at all. You get to stay present, knowing the story is being documented as it unfolds.
What to
Expect
Weddings in Joshua Tree tend to be slower, quieter, and more personal by nature — and that’s exactly where documentary photography thrives.
Most Joshua Tree weddings I photograph take place at private homes, Airbnbs, or intimate desert venues, where the day unfolds without pressure or spectacle. Whether you’re sharing vows in the open desert, gathering a small group of loved ones, or keeping things entirely private, my role is to document the day as it’s actually lived.
Joshua Tree doesn’t ask you to do more — it gives you permission to do less. To move slowly, to be present, and to let the environment support the experience rather than dictate it.
Bay Area Wedding Photojournalism
- LAURA AND MATT
"AMAZING! I can not say enough good things about Jaimie and her work! I spent so much time researching photographers, so afraid to make the wrong choice and wanting beautiful photos that matched my vision. I stumbled upon Jamie's website and knew instantly I had to book her. I felt so comfortable meeting with her for the first time and discussing my plans for the day. After getting our engagement photos back (quickly I might add) I was even more excited. They exceeded what I had in mind! And then... our wedding photos. I can't even find the words to explain how happy my husband and I were with her gorgeous documentation of our big day! There were so many details (that I missed in the whirlwind of that day) that she captured so beautifully. Some of my favorites are candids of our friends and family at the reception. It is so great to have those memories!
" Five stars doesn't even begin to give Jaimie enough credit for her incredible eye and artistic talent!"
Documentary wedding photos don’t come from standing still and smiling longer, or in more places.
They come from how you choose to spend your time.
If you value photos with your parents or grandparents, plan five or ten quiet minutes to sit with them. Those moments don’t need a backdrop — they need space.
You don’t need thirty minutes of formal wedding party photos. Honestly, no one ever knows what to do with that many posed group shots. Instead, use that time to do something with the people you chose to stand beside you — share a toast, eat chicken nuggets and fries, or just hang out.
If you want candid, joyful, alive photos, the secret isn’t posing better — it’s planning a day that gives those moments room to happen.
I help couples think through this intentionally, so the photos reflect real connection — not just good posture.
Plan for Moments,
Not Photos
Enough time to be present — not so much that it takes over your day.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why I help couples plan this intentionally based on what they value most.
If you want a deeper breakdown, I’ve written more about timeline planning here:
• Wedding Day Timeline Planning: How Long Everything Takes
• Helpful Wedding Day Timeline Planning Tips
how much time should we plan for photos?
You’re not expected to know what to do.
Most people feel awkward when they’re being watched — which is exactly why I work the way I do. I’ll give gentle guidance when it’s helpful, but the goal isn’t to perform. It’s to let you settle into being yourselves.
What if I don’t know what to do or we're awkward?
Yes — and this is a big part of the process.
I work with couples ahead of time to create timelines that allow moments to happen naturally, instead of rushing from one thing to the next. This isn’t hands-off. It’s intentional, supportive, and planned with care.
will you help with timing & flow?
That’s not a problem — it’s real life.
Some of the most meaningful moments happen when things unfold differently than expected. I work with what’s happening, not against it, and I’m always paying attention to what matters in the moment.
what if things don't go as planned?
You’re supported the entire time.
There’s intention and structure, without micromanaging. I’ll help guide timing, setting, and flow so things feel easy — but I leave room for real moments to unfold naturally.
Is this still guided, or are we just left on our own?
Yes.
We’ll get the photos that matter to you and your family — smiling, looking at the camera, frame-worthy — without making that the entire focus of the day.
do you still get photos of everyone looking at the camera?
Absolutely.
Those photos matter — especially to parents, grandparents, and future you. I’ll guide family and group photos efficiently and intentionally, making sure we get the combinations that matter without dragging it out or missing anyone. Quick, organized, and painless — then we move on.
Do you still take family & group photos?
A few things you might be wondering
inquire
I take on a limited number of wedding commissions each year so I can work intentionally and be fully present for every couple.
Coverage is designed around documenting the day as it’s lived — not maximizing hours or manufacturing moments. The focus is on space, flow, and meaningful storytelling.
Wedding photojournalism coverage begins at $5,000. Full collections are customized based on the scope of your celebration.
Working Together
I thoughtfully respond to all inquiries. You can expect a response within 24-48 hours.
This gallery reflects the kind of weddings I photograph throughout the Bay Area — thoughtful, personal, and grounded in connection. With a documentary approach, the focus stays on how the day feels rather than how it’s staged, resulting in images that feel lived-in, human, and true to the couple.
Featured Gallery: A San Francisco Wedding Story
"Jaimie was wonderful to work with. She was knowledgeable of her craft, and her photos are incredible."
- COURTNEY + TIM
Experience
- JESS AND CHRISTINA
Jaimie should be at the top of your list! Not only is she extremely talented but she is also very warm and personable. She's creative, responsive, and dependable. Jaimie knows exactly how to get people to feel comfortable in front of a camera. Rather than cueing forced-looking poses, she truly captures the true essence of her clients and how they interact with each other."
"Jaimie knows exactly how to get people comfortable in front of the camera.
- meggie and luke
I love my wedding photos! Every reaction is genuine and real and makes me smile to just remember the moment. She perfectly captured my relationship with my husband. In regards to the actual posed photos, because everyone gets at least a few, she really knew how to get everyone's attention and efficiently get the families together, lined up, and smiling. It was very no nonsense which is exactly what you need when everyone's excited and distracted and in the way. I hate taking photos but this was just so easy and relaxed!"
"I absolutely love Jaimie's style; her photos artfully capture the light and shadow.
their
- Meg and Alex
"Jaimie made us feel confident and comfortable in her presence, capturing candid photos of genuine interactions.”
*Tell me a little about how you’re planning to spend your wedding day. I’m especially interested in what feels most important to you
Inquiry Form
hello@jaimienicolekrause.com
Tell me about your event (just the basics -- who, where and when) and how you want to experience the day.
I personally read and respond to every inquiry within 24–48 hours. If you don’t see a reply, check your spam folder — or email me directly at:
Let's talk about the big picture.
Woo-hoo! I'm so happy you reached out!
If you don't hear from me within 48 hours, check your spam folder. If nothins there, the internet probably ate it. Email me directly at hello@jaimienicolekrause.com
If you're way too excited and you don't wanna wait, you can go ahead and check out my calendar link right here to pick a time to talk.
tell me what matters to you
Based in California and photographing weddings nationwide, including Joshua Tree, Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area, and St. Louis, MO.