Documentary wedding photography for couples getting married in Joshua Tree National Park, private homes, and desert venues.
Joshua Tree Wedding Photographer
Your wedding isn't a photoshoot. It's a day you get to live.
Jaimie Nicole Krause is a Joshua Tree–based wedding photographer with a documentary, photojournalistic approach to photographing celebrations of all sizes.
She photographs weddings throughout Joshua Tree National Park, private homes, and desert venues, and understands the permits, logistics, distances, light, and seasonal conditions that shape how wedding days actually unfold here.
Her work focuses on documenting what happens naturally, with planning support that helps couples create wedding days that feel grounded, calm, and fully lived — not staged for the camera.
The most meaningful moments don’t need direction — just space.
as seen in:
Getting married in Joshua Tree can look a lot of different ways — and that’s part of what makes it special.
Some couples choose a permit-based ceremony inside Joshua Tree National Park. Others get married at a private home or Airbnb, or host a small wedding weekend at a desert venue nearby. There isn’t a single “right” way to do it, only what fits the experience you want to have.
What matters most is understanding the environment you’re getting married in and planning around it — not forcing the day into a template that doesn’t belong here.
Getting Married in Joshua Tree
authentically told
your story
Desert venues around Joshua Tree are often experience-driven rather than traditional banquet halls. Many include lodging and are designed for smaller, intentional celebrations that unfold over a full day or weekend.
Where Couples Get Married in Joshua Tree
Weddings inside the park are permit-based and intentionally limited. Ceremonies happen at designated locations, guest counts are small, and timing matters — especially with light, crowds, and temperature.
Park weddings work best when they’re simple, grounded, and planned with flexibility.
Private homes and Airbnbs offer more flexibility, but zoning, permits, guest counts, and logistics matter. These celebrations tend to work best when guests stay onsite and the day is planned to flow naturally without constant travel.
Joshua Tree National Park Weddings
Airbnb & Private Property Weddings
Joshua Tree Wedding Venues
Documentary wedding photography in Joshua Tree is about working with the desert — not against it.
It means planning around light instead of chasing it, allowing time to move slowly, and creating space for real interaction rather than staging moments for the camera. My approach is calm and observant. I’m paying attention to what’s unfolding so you don’t have to.
The result is photographs that feel grounded and alive — not because they were orchestrated, but because you were fully present in the experience.
What Documentary-style Wedding Photography Looks Like in the Desert
Joshua Tree requires thoughtful planning. Heat, wind, distance between locations, and guest comfort all play a role in how the day unfolds.
I help couples plan timelines that make sense here — building in buffer time, choosing locations intentionally, and shaping days that feel spacious rather than rushed. When the structure supports the experience, the photography becomes effortless.
Planning a Wedding Day That Works in Joshua Tree
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 experience-first and built around documenting the day as it’s lived — not maximizing hours or manufacturing moments. I support you through planning and logistics so that when the day arrives, you can stay focused on each other and the people you’re celebrating with.
Wedding photography coverage begins at $5,000. Collections are customized based on the scope and structure of your celebration.
Working Together
- 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!"
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
This Joshua Tree wedding is a perfect example of what intimate celebrations in the desert can look like — slow, personal, and deeply connected. Photographed with a documentary approach, this gallery focuses on how the day actually unfolded: time spent together, quiet moments, and the natural rhythm of a wedding set against the Joshua Tree landscape.
Featured Gallery: An Intimate Joshua Tree Wedding
"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.
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- Meg and Alex
"Jaimie made us feel confident and comfortable in her presence, capturing candid photos of genuine interactions.”
*Share a bit 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 start with the big picture.
A personal response will be sent by email within 48 hours.
In the meantime, if you’d like to move things forward, you’re welcome to schedule a consult call using the calendar link below. That’s the next step in the process, and it gives us space to talk through your plans in real time.
If a response hasn’t come through within 48 hours, please check your spam folder or reach out directly at hello@jaimienicolekrause.com.
Wedding Guide & Pricing
If you’d like to review collections, pricing, and the booking process now, you can check out my Wedding Guide.
What We’ll Talk About
On our call, we’ll cover:
- How you want to experience your wedding day
- What matters most to you
- Timeline flow and coverage recommendations
- Any logistical questions you have
The goal is clarity — so you can move forward feeling confident and grounded.
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.