Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

Based in Aptos, on the Santa Cruz coast, I cover the San Francisco Bay Area down to Northern Big Sur and all the coastline in between, plus inland to San Jose and Mountain View. For destinations outside these areas, travel fees may apply, but I love capturing weddings in new places!

I love connecting with future clients, and since I'm frequently on location shooting weddings and sessions, here's how to reach me fastest:Text or Call: You can reach me directly at +1 (310) 780-2384. If I don't pick up right away, leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm off a shoot.Email: Jason@JasonAbrahamPhotography.com — I aim to respond promptly.Scheduled Call: Prefer to talk it through? Book a specific time here for a guaranteed, uninterrupted conversation.Contact Form: Fill out the contact form and I'll follow up quickly.However you reach out, I'll make sure we find a time that works for both of us.

Ideally, booking 6-12 months before your wedding date ensures I can reserve your special day. However, I do take on last-minute weddings when availability allows, so feel free to reach out even if your event is closer.

Yes, I highly recommend engagement sessions as they're a great way for us to get comfortable working together before the big day. They can be included in some packages or booked separately.

A set number of hours of coverage on the wedding dayA pre-wedding consultationHigh-resolution images with full print rightsA private online gallery for viewing and sharingOptional extras like engagement sessions, post wedding sessions, & bridal portrait sessions.Please take a look at my Current Packages

I curate and edit the best images from your day to ensure a cohesive and high-quality collection. If you have specific images you want, we can discuss that in your consultation or I can consider them during editing.

Absolutely! I offer a complimentary consultation where we can discuss your vision, go over packages, and see if we're a good fit. This can be done over the phone.

Rain can add a magical element to your photos. I will always do my best to accommodate your requests, but if the weather is a risk to my equipment I am happy to create a rain check if indoor options or outdoor tent options are unavailable.

Yes, I use a flash when it's needed to enhance your photographs. My approach involves capturing a variety of shots, both with and without flash, to offer a diverse and natural-looking gallery. I am equipped with an array of lenses that perform exceptionally well in low light, which allows me to minimize flash use when possible. However, as the day transitions into night, the necessity for additional lighting increases. During the day, I often employ the flash as a fill light to ensure your images are properly exposed, adding depth and detail where natural light alone might not suffice. As evening activities unfold, I rely more on flash to capture the vibrancy and atmosphere of the moment, ensuring that the joy and beauty of your event are not lost to the darkness. My goal is to use flash in a way that feels seamless and enhances rather than overwhelms the natural ambiance of your celebration.

I focus only on still photography, so all of my attention stays on the photographs. If you're having video too, I'm happy to work alongside your videographer on the day.For very intimate settings like elopements, if you're looking for something simple yet meaningful, I can offer to record the exchange of vows using lavalier microphones to capture clear audio and a 4K iPhone for video. This setup, while not a professional video service, can produce surprisingly good results for those moments you want to keep simple and personal. If you're considering more extensive video coverage, I would recommend hiring a professional videographer who can meet your needs.

If the wedding lasts more than 6 hours, I kindly request a meal for myself (and my second shooter, if applicable) to keep the energy up for capturing your day.

I keep payment details simple and secure. Once you're ready to book, I'll walk you through deposit and payment options directly as part of your contract — no need to sort that out here. If you have questions about payment before booking, just ask in your inquiry and I'll cover it.

Once we agree on a package, a signed contract and a non-refundable deposit will secure your date with me.

Often, yes. Carmel-by-the-Sea sits well inside my regular range: I cover from the Bay Area down through Monterey and into northern Big Sur. Last-minute weddings and elopements are welcome. Send me your date through the consultation form and I will tell you right away whether I am free.

Not much, honestly. Aim for golden hour, the hour after sunrise or before sunset, when the light on the Aptos beaches and bluffs is softest. Wear colors that go together rather than match, and skip busy patterns that fight the coastline. Arrive ten or fifteen minutes early so you can settle in. Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar are both easy to reach and photograph beautifully. We go through all of this on your consultation call, so nothing is a surprise on the day.

Three things. Someone who tells the story of your day rather than posing you through it. Someone who knows the area first-hand: which beach has the light at four o'clock, which redwood grove needs a permit, how the fog behaves in June. And someone with enough weddings behind them to stay calm when the timeline slips, because it usually does. I photographed my first wedding in 2012 and I have been shooting on this coast ever since, from the Big Sur cliffs to the Santa Cruz redwoods.

Great to hear. I keep a small network of local photographers who second shoot weddings with me and take on sessions I can't get to myself. You can apply on my Photographer Network page.

Yes. Our Day is a free planning tool I built for couples. Browse venues, see sunset and light for your date, and sketch a rough timeline, then send it to me when you're ready.Start planning with Our Day