Berkeley Parents Network: Wedding Photographers

Berkeley Parents Network

Wedding Photographers

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Services & Businesses > Wedding Photographers

May 2008

Hi there, We are seeking recommendation/referal for our coming up August 8 wedding In Walnut Creek for photographer and videographer and a DJ. Also, for a great bakery for a wedding cake. It's a small, low budget wedding, so cost is a major consideration for hiring the professionals. However, reliability and good product are equally important to us.

We were thrilled with our wedding vendors-- they're not dirt cheap, but we saved a lot of money on them compared to some high-end folks and the quality was great. All have websites.

Lensa Productions (Photography)- they're based in the South Bay, but didn't have problems traveling to our Oakland wedding. They were very flexible with packages and negotiations. Their work was gorgeous-- they're a husband and wife team so you get a lot of coverage-- a nice combo of some formal pics and also more photojournalistic style

Lumitone productions (based in concord)-- they're young and enthusiastic-- the video is great, but their real talent is the really excellent editing they do, to music, etc. Highly recommended. mamamolly

I'd love to recommend our wedding photographer, florist, and bakery. We had a beautiful, small, low-budget wedding (under $5000 including catering and everything) but we didn't have a videographer or DJ (I did the music myself and plugged my laptop into a friend's sound system!).

Photographer: Our photographer is a friend Andy Radin who is just starting a wedding photography business, though he's been a photographer for many years. In fact, he's returning in a couple of weeks from a 3-month photo-journalist trip to southeast Asia. He has a wonderfully intuitive gift for picking up on those informal moments that really tell the truth about the whole wedding experience. He took about 5000 photographs and then chose the best 300-400, doing some editing as well. Then, he burned us a CD, and I ordered the photographs myself from a webpage. People tell me they're some of the best wedding photographs they've seen because there are so many informal, non-staged, genuine photos. Feel free to email me for a link to our wedding photos: arden.thomas at stanford.edu. You can contact Andy Radin at fourfa at fourfa.com. Have a wonderful wedding! - loved my wedding experience

Stu Sweetow at Audio Visual Consultants does a fantastic job with video. He has been a professional videographer for many years and I would recommend him and his team to anyone who needs a video of a special occasion or for an advertisement on TV or YouTube. Stu and his team have an office on Grand Avenue in Oakland and his phone number is 839-2020. Over the years I have seen many of his videos from friends and business owners that have used his services. Stu is great at what he does and he is a really nice guy too. They also help people convert pictures and videos into DVDs. If you need help with video production, call Stu and you will be in great hands. Lee

Nov 2007

I would also like to recommend Jerry Yoon for your photography. I'm not sure of his prices but I saw his work from a friend's wedding and I liked it. He was very fun and laid back at the wedding, fit right in unobtrusively and captured the day. He also works with an assistant (the same one every time, I think) so you get two views of most everything. http://www.jerryyoon.com/ been there, done that wedding thing

Nov 2007

Photographer reccomendation - I got married almost 7 years ago but I think my experience is still current. Im a (ex-) photographer, my fathers a photographer, and many friends are photographers and so I knew a little about what I was looking for. It also meant that I could see through all the crappy products and services out there. I wanted a consummate professional who I would hardly notice was there, someone who really knew his craft (you know, like film speeds, f-stops, hutter speeds, framing, composition, etc...) both for photography in general and specific to wedding photography - because each kind of photography requires a different approach and different skills to do it really well. And I wanted something that would cover the usual portrait shots and standard wedding shots but also be able to do some more artsy, moody stuff. I also wanted the possibility of doing both Black and White and color. I do have to say that I was not shy about spending the money for a good photographer but I was also not about to throw my money away unnecessarily.

So.....after months of looking at just about every photographer in the area I settled on Ben Jenkin in Oakland at 482-9041. You can see some of his stuff on his website. He was GREAT. He's a VERY skilled photographer. In addition to basic photography skills (which, shockingly, many of the wedding photographers did not have) he also pays attention to details like background clutter, stray hairs, etc.... He knows the business of photography and how to negotiate a wedding skillfully (such as basic wedding flow, how to be invisible and unobtrusive, how to be appropriately firm when he needs a specific shot you want, how to just appear at the right moment), he knows how emotional and single minded you will be about that 'big day', he is a business man but he doesnt try to take advantage of you, he will spend time with you to find out what you really need, he has a fine product and knows it, a! nd he fills up quickly so make your reservation NOW. He's worth every penny. And ask him about his panoramic prints. Every time anyone looks at our album they loose their breath when they turn to the page with the panorama print. Very unique and beautiful. We'd be happy to let you look at our album if your in the El Cerrito Plaza area. You can let him know we sent you we dont get anything for it (were already married) but wed just like him to know how we feel about him and that were thinking about him after 7 years. Suzie & Peter

March 2007

Hi, I'm helping a friend plan her wedding for this fall and am looking for a good, unobtrusive (she's camera shy) wedding photographer. The preference is for someone who's good at more candid ''real-life'' type photos and less of the formal ''posed'' type. Any recommendations would be great! Thanks. Michael B

I would highly recommend Jen Molander. She shot my commitment ceremony and many of our friends' weddings. She's totally low-key. You won't even know she's there. And her photographs are great! When I had to have headshots taken she even coached me through that process, and trust me, I am *no* model. I've often described her as part-photographer, part-psychologist. You can check out her work and contact her here: http://www.jenmolander.com/ CJ

Hi! We loved our wedding photographer, Tia Gavin. She was very behind the scenes and was able to capture great candids and poised pics. We asked her to do a combo of candids & poised (our asian parents wanted this..) and she totally came through. I am not sure where your friend is getting married but Tia Gavin is based out of Santa Rosa (sonoma county) but she does travel! www.tiagavin.com good luck! sharon

Imd highly recommend Julie Mikos. She has done family portraits for me and her portfolio of wedding photography is amazing. She has a very natural, candid style. Look at her portfolio at juliemikos.com. Dana

I know a great wedding photographer: Heather Carpenter. I'm not very ''camera-friendly'' and she has actually gotten some great shots of me. heather[at]daresay.com, 415-826-0848, www.prospectorart.com

Our photographer was all the things you asked for, beautiful photos displayed tastefully, reasonable rates, and very nice: Su Evers. See her website at http://suevers.com/.

I have a GREAT wedding photographer to recommend: Ian Martin. His website is: www.ianmartinphotography.com. He is based in Oakland but willing to travel around the Bay Area. Ian is upbeat, incredibly experienced, talented, very flexible about the location and timing of your event, and provides excellent value. My entire extended family and I were thrilled with our wedding photographs and had fun working with Ian. My husband and I chose to use Ian because we were at some friends' wedding and couldn't figure out who this young guy taking pictures was. It wasn't until after the ceremony that we realized Ian was the photographer! He blended in perfectly with the guests. We immediately took his card, and we definitely made the best choice. Ian even split his time for us to attend our family-only wedding ceremony in Los Altos one night and our Palo Alto reception the next night. I guarantee that if you use him, you will be thrilled! Katie

Try aimhighproductions.com. Jim Robinson and his brother in law Steve have been doing wedding photography, wedding videos and DJ for over twenty years. They are personable, prompt, professional and FUN! You can use them for just the photography or any combination of their services. Package prices are on their website. They are based in Los Gatos and Almaden but have been expanding into Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Their number is 408-449-7720 but they are already booking up for the Summer and Fall. kathryn l

i recently met ian martin and have to say i was taken with his incredibly nice and even- keeled demeanor. i checked out his website (ianmartinphotography.com) and am impressed with both his portfolio and the comments from past clients. he's the kind of person who inspires confidence. just a first impression but really impressed!!!

Try Ian Martin, he was terrific and we never saw him during the whole ceremony. he did great group shots, and mostly skipped the usual things that we didn't want anyway (pics of our rings, and that kind of stuff). he did what we asked for and the pics turned out really special--not staged at all. i've been to weddings where the photographer was in charge and it was so annoying! He was the opposite--super low-key but very effective. http://www.ianmartinphotography.com/ good luck! Julie

I highly recommend Nan Phelps in Albany for a photojournalist type of wedding photographer. She did our photos and we love them. Very few posed photos (I wanted them) and some truly beautiful candids. She's very easy going and wonderful to work with as well. Chanel

I feel your pain. I got married almost 7 years ago but I think my experience is still current. Imm a (ex-) photographer, my fatherms a photographer, and many friends are photographers and so I knew a little about what I was looking for. It also meant that I could see through all the crappy products and services out there. I wanted a consummate professional who I would hardly notice was there, someone who really knew his craft (you know, like film speeds, f-stops, shutter speeds, framing, composition, etc...) both for photography in general and specific to wedding photography - because each kind of photography requires a different approach and different skills to do it really well. And I wanted something that would cover the usual portrait shots and standard wedding shots but also be able to do some more artsy, moody stuff. I also wanted the possibility of doing both Black and White and color. I do have to say that I was not shy about spending the money for a good photographer but I was also not about to throw my money away unnecessarily. So.....after months of looking at just about every photographer in the area I settled on Ben Jenkin in Oakland at 482-9041. You can see some of his stuff on his website. He was GREAT. He's a VERY skilled photographer. In addition to basic photography skills (which, shockingly, many of the wedding photographers did not have) he also pays attention to details like background clutter, stray hairs, etc.... He knows the business of photography and how to negotiate a wedding skillfully (such as basic wedding flow, how to be invisible and unobtrusive, how to be appropriately firm when he needs a specific shot you want, how to just appear at the right moment), he knows how emotional and single minded you will be about that 'big day', he is a business man but he doesnmt try to take advantage of you, he will spend time with you to find out what you really need, he has a fine product and knows it, and he fills up quickly so make your reservation NOW. He's worth every penny. And ask him about his panoramic prints. Every time anyone looks at our album they loose their breath when they turn to the page with the panorama print. Very unique and beautiful. We'd be happy to let you look at our album if your in the El Cerrito Plaza area. You can let him know we sent you qwe donmt get anything for it (wemre already married) but wemd just like him to know how we feel about him and that wemre thinking about him after 7 years. Suzie and Peter

Hi there - I'd like to recommend a great wedding photographer who, I think, fits what you are looking for exactly. She is unobtrusive and great at the real-life/candid type photos. She does the posed stuff too, but only based on what the client asks for. She really captures the mood and essence of the wedding without anything being forced. Both her work and working style are very professional, and she really listens to what her clients are looking for with their photos. Her name is Deborah Sherman - check out her website at www.deborahsherman.com/weddings. She did my wedding and I couldn't be happier with the photos! Susan A

August 2006

We are looking for an affordable ($5K or less) and highly recommended wedding photographer with a photojournalistic approach. Someone with an outgoing and friendly personality is definately a plus. Thanks - bride-to-be

My heartfelt recommendation for a wedding photographer with a photojournalist's eye is Sophie Maher. She is a wonderful person who I loved having at my side on my wedding day (July 2006), and her photos were absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Her presence was very respectful and unobtrusive and I thought her rates were very reasonable. Her work is a wonderful blend of what I would call ''romantic documentary'' photography which I could not find elsewhere when I looked around. Her website is www.sophiemaherphotography.com and her phone number is (415)-987-3350. Good luck with your search!!! Courteney

We absolutely loved our wedding photographer Etta Clark and know many other couples who couldn't agree more. She takes beautiful pictures--artistic and elegant, she is a joy to work with, and very afordable! She listened to what we wanted, and produced a lovely album that included all of the pictures, and we were able to get the negatives. She took a ton of pictures and was never once in the way. I think we payed under $3000 for everything. She is also such lovely person to have around on your wedding day. Please look at her website and see her work--there is a demo wedding set on there too. I have been to a wedding with a bad photographer--he was in the way, wasted time, and the pictures were not very good (a lot of prom style pictures)--it was very dissapointing. It is so important to be selective! Good luck planning your special day! http://www.ettaclarkphotography.com/ Katie

Angela Lang photographed our wedding---we were happy with her.angela[at]angelalang.com mollyann

Two years ago, Rick Schiller did an amazing job photographing my wedding. My partner and I wanted something more fluid and casual than the standard wedding photo package. He did a beautiful job, and the price was very reasonable. We paid a base fee for him to come and then just ordered pictures. Hes also very pleasant to work with!! The bulk of Ricks work is headshots/commercial photography, but hes terrific at weddings! Here is his information: Rick Schiller Photographer 510.653.8872 http://www.rickschiller.com/ Sandy

My husband and I really liked our wedding photographer. His name is Andrew Kercher and his contact info is: www.andrewkercher.com, 415.260.3454. His fee (2K) covered 6 hours of his time. We then got copies of every shot he took in ''proof'' albums (so not arranged or ''done''), all of the negatives, and all of the images scanned onto CDs. I then sent in the CDs to Shutterfly and was able to make a wedding book that had different layouts and I could include text - our vows, readings from the ceremony, etc. A link to the full set of our wedding photos is at: http://andyandauban.shutterfly.com/ Auban

I can highly recommend Thomas Higgins Photography for your wedding photographer. Tom has had great experience photographing all styles of weddings both independently and under Eliot Holtzman who is arguably one of the top wedding photographers in the Bay area. He should be able to work within your budget as well. His number is 415-846-5530. Good luck with the planning! anon

I highly recommend Orange Photography (see http://www.orangeexposure.com/weddings/). Andy did our photography. We were extremely happy with the photos - and on top of everything - we didn't even really see him during the ceremony or at the reception, but he got great shots (he is very discreet). All the photography is digital. Our friends used him for their wedding after ours and were extremely pleased as well Alex

Mark Estes is a fantastic photographer in Oakland. He has done a lot of portrait work and cycling photography in addition to wedding photography. He loves working with people and bringing out the essence of who they are in a visual way. Estes Photography: 510 653-8950 Melanie

Nan Phelps is a fabulous photojournalistic wedding photographer. She is very low key, professional and we really liked her. She truly captured the joy of our wedding day (10 years ago!) and I was a Type A Manic Bride. She's on Solano in Albany Chanel

I highly recommend Eliot Khuner. He photographed my son's bar mitzvah and party. He is very calm and has a way of relaxing family for portraits. His sense of composition in the photos is artistic. His website is www.ekphoto.com and his phone is (510) 524-3569 Stu S

I highly recommend Paul Miller as a wonderful, creative wedding photographer. Paul photographed our wedding two years ago. His price was very reasonable and he was easy to work with. He has a professional background as a photojournalist and I felt that the pictures he took at our wedding really captured spontaneous moments, which is exactly what we wanted. I still look at my wedding pictures and they bring back such vivid memories of our special day. There are so many great photos from that day it was hard to choose which ones to put in our album! Paul has a website at: www.paulcmiller.com he can be reached at 707-695-2773. anne

There's a wonderful photographer by the name of Heather Whiting who may be at the top of your price range, but if you can swing it she's more than worth it! She does a great mix of candid journalistic shots mixed with some portraits, and the albums she creates are absolutely stunning - she makes your wedding look like a beautiful story - exactly how you want to remember the day. You can get more information on her website at www.heathermwhiting.com. I used her for my wedding and highly recommend her to everyone. a satisfied bride

My father-in-law, Gordon Nagai, does the type of wedding photography you are describing. He has a talent for capturing people in candid moments at events. He works as a team with another photographer, Michelle Dorntge, whose talent lies more in capturing the traditional wedding shots. I think their prices are extremely reasonable as well. You can see a portfolio of Gordon's wedding photos, plus his prices, on his website. Go to http://professional.ghnagai.com/ and click on Weddings & Events. Tori

I couldn't be happier with our recent family/maternity photos, done by a woman who also does wonderful wedding photography. But you can judge for yourself: http://www.heatherart.com I believe that negotiation may be possible if you like her style, it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask Jenny

Definitely call Anita Medal. She takes **gorgeous** photos and is a total sweetheart. 510.845.8105 or 408.472.4721 You can see some of her work at http://homepage.mac.com/anitamedal/photo/. Best wishes for a delightful and deep wedding. Ann

The best wedding photographer I know is Anita Medal, 510-845-8105, or email anitaphoto[at]hotmail.com. She really captures people and their expressions. (By the way, I may be able to help you with music for your wedding) Ernie M

I would like to recommend an outstanding photographer, Brian Rothschild. He photographed the wedding of a close friend of mine. The images were just absolutely stunning, very artistic and unique. I have seen the work of a lot of photographers and his images really stand out, my friend could not be happier. I believe he is located in Oakland, I highly recommend taking a look at his website! www.brianrothschild.com hilah

Sept 2005

Hello! I am planning my wedding, so I would really apreciated if someone can give me some recomendations about a GREAT WEDDING photographer, videographer, harpist, and DJ. I would prefer profesionals who are in or not too far from Berkeley(el cerrito, albany, oakland, san pablo, hercules)and or who are willing to come to Berkely for the appoitments at not extra charge. Please if you know of some qualified people let me know. Thank You Very Much P.S: please, I do not want amateurs

Teresa Halton is FABULOUS! check out her work at www.teresahalton.com She's not cheap, though. But you get what you pay for and you will not be disappointed if you go with her. I've used her, as well as my brother and two good friends. Elaine

I highly recommend Paul Miller as a terrific wedding photographer. Paul photographed my wedding last year and did an excellent job. He has a professional background as an photojournalist and brings that ''in-the-moment'' sensibility to his wedding photos. He did take good formal shots for us as well, but many of our favorites were just little interactions between us and our guests. In fact, he captured parts of the event that I couldn't see that day because there was so much going on. Best of all, with all of the financial stress of planning a wedding, Paul was willing to work with us to put together a package we could afford. There were so many wonderful photos Paul took at our wedding. Looking at the pictures still brings a smile to my face. He lives in Santa Rosa, but will travel to the East Bay for meetings and weddings. His phone # is (707) 695-2773. Good luck Anne

Hi there, I would like to wholehearted recommend Tracy Hatch (www.tracyhatch.com) for your wedding photographer. She is in the Bay Area and is absolutely FABULOUS! I have shown my wedding pictures to no fewer than a dozen people who were looking for a photographer, and every single one of them hired her, including my sister who thought Tracy's work was so amazing that she even absorbed the cost of flying Tracy to New England for her wedding. Tracy is professional through and through, but she's also personable and was a pleasure to have around on my wedding day. Her costs are totally reasonable - I was shocked when I learned that she didn't charge twice what her actual fees.

One of the things that makes Tracy so amazing is her athleticism. What does this have to do with being a photographer, you ask? She will do anything to get a shot - in the weddings I've been to that she has shot, I have seen her climb trees and trellises, stick her body out of the sunroof of a moving car, perch precariously on a rooftop - anything to get the perfect picture. She also has a great eye for candids. Feel free to contact me if you want any more info. Mary

Let the website speak for itself: www.holtzweddings.com My friend Ron Holtz takes beautiful pictures. You won't get any shots of the garter in the groom's teeth, or a fuzzy-lense, double exposure of you both gazing at your rings. You will get personality and beauty. He's amazing. Good luck and congratulations on your engagement. --Liz

We got married 10 years ago, so I don't know if our photographer is still in business, but we got married in Berkeley at the Brazilian Room and used the following wonderful photographer: PHOTOGRAPHER: Dennis Galloway (510) 525-4385

He was recommended by a friend at work whose wedding he photographed. He does great work, and you get all the negatives as well as the prints. It was important to us to have the negatives. Best of luck, and congratulations! Lori

Also recommended: Video Production

Jan 2003

I need a reliable photographer to photograph a wedding party on June 7th. There is NOT a lot of money to spend - so we are looking for professionals trying to build their portfolios ie...apprentices or photography students. I Candace

Christina Shook is a professional wedding photographer who does lovely work. She is also a local artist mom. While this is her business and she is not a student nor apprentice, I know she is reasonably priced and you may be able to arrive at a price you can afford. Good luck. Ilona

Jules Bianchi has done lovely work for several of my friends. http://jbianchiphotography.com/ Gwen

My friend, Allison Fairfield, does beautiful photojournalistic style photography for weddings. She's less expensive than a lot of folks out there. Check out her website: http:// www.alliefairfieldphotographs.com Ilana

I have a wonderful wedding photographer to recommend Suzy Clement, www.suzyclement.com, 510-814-0674 (w). Her work is incredible and she's an extremely experienced wedding photographer. She has an amazing ability to capture the essence of a wedding in a very unobtrusive way. Her work is shown all over the place, including Martha Stewart Weddings. Julie

If you are looking for a photographer - for a wedding or otherwise - you should give Patricia Kingsley a call. Look at her website at www.patriciakingsley.com. She is amazing and we would recommend her!!! Vincent Galindo

We had a wonderful wedding photographer named Kurt Wong in San Francisco. He's willing to travel around the Bay Area and takes great wedding and portrait pictures. His internet address is www.kurtyphotography.com/html/main.html He was our wedding photographer in 2000 and we just adore our photos. Good luck! C.

I would like to strongly recommend Laura Turbow as a wedding photographer, as well as pregnancy, child and other portraits. She shot our wedding, and also photos of my husband and me while I was pregnant. She is a fabulous photographer! She has a wonderfully creative eye. At our wedding, she got all of the traditional ''must-have'' pictures at the wedding, as well as many more creative, documentary-style images that told our story. She also blended into the event perfectly, so that I hardly noticed her, yet when I saw the proofs, she was obviously everywhere at the same time, because she captured everything. We were so thrilled at the photos. It is worth it to give her a call just to see all of her work. She has much of it displayed in her office, and you could spend hours looking at all the different kinds of weddings, portraits and community projects she's done. She really knows how the capture the essence and feeling of what she is photographing. Check her out at www.ltphoto.com or give her a call at 234-9836 Lilly

We opted for a photo-journalist style for our wedding, not the traditional portraits. And we were very happy with our photographer, Ian Martin, a very gracious guy who didn't intrude on the day. My husband and I never saw him during the ceremony and he took wonderful pictures without us noticing. He is based in Berkely Ian Martin Photography www.ianmartinphotograhy.com Julie

If price is a consideration, I would STRONGLY recommend Dennis Galloway. We wound up using someone else and regret it to this day. We have since seen more of Dennis's work by way of friends who used him. I am really impressed by the quality of shots he gets. He'll take artistic shots, formal ones, but what he does best is documenting the event. He has a knack for catching those "slice of life" goings on that make an event truly memorable. He was our second choice, and should have been our first. Eric

I'd like to recommend that you visit Bob Lynd's photography in Oakland. My best friend was suppose to have a wedding in January and we would have chosen Bob Lynd's photography.

It's still worth visiting the studio for yourself. Address: 5009 Woodminister Lane, Oakland
Phone: 482-0611

The entire presentation was professional and beautiful. The prices were quite reasonable. They offer wonderful package deals that allow you to choose the quantity and size of whatever pose(s) you want without locking you into a big expensive package. If you're interested, I still have the packet of information that they gave me. Dionne

While I haven't used Margeretta Mitchell myself she is a highly regarded photographer and well recommended by others. She is from a fine arts background and continues to do her fine art. But she also does weddings. She is in Oakland but I don't have her number. Melanie

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.