Wedding photography is more than being a fly on the wall snapping thousands of hip-fired snapshots of the day.  Wedding photography truly is an experience!

As your wedding photographer, I will be with you throughout your whole day.  When you are getting your makeup done, when you are cutting up with the ladies while getting ready, when your partner lays their eyes on you for the first time, every smile, every tear, I will be there.

Each and every one of these moments is of the utmost importance for me to capture.  Having me around will ensure that none of these moments go by missed and so we have plenty of time for all the amazing photos you want with you and your partner.

Choosing a wedding wedding photographer can be an overwhelming process. You want someone who has awesome photography work, doesn’t completely break the bank, and “gets it”. My goal is to make serving you as simple as possible so you have one less vendor to worry about.

The Moments Before The Big Moment

It’s the morning of your wedding, and the excitement is buzzing. And its already happening… chaos. Hair, makeup, dresses, flowers, and about 12 different people asking, "Have you seen my...?" That’s where I come in—armed with nearly a decade of wedding photography experience and the calmness of someone who’s seen it all (I’ll only share you my war stories if you ask 🫢).

As your photographer, I’m not at your wedding to snap a few pics and call it a day. I’m your detail-obsessed, stress-busting sidekick, quietly capturing every moment of joy, laughter, and the occasional happy tear. Whether it’s arranging your heirloom jewelry or gently guiding you through those jittery moments before the first look, I make sure the photos reflect the magic and not the madness. Because when you look back at these photos, I want you to remember the joy of the day—not the stress. That way you can get ready for your big day and focus on what really matters: soaking up every beautiful moment of your day.

The Moments With The Bridal Party

Let’s talk bridal party photos—the part of the day where personalities shine through! Whether you’ve got a bridesmaid who loves the camera or a groomsman who’s camera-shy (I’m usually the one behind the lens because I’m about as camera-shy as they come 🙈), my job is to bring out the best in everyone.

Your bridal party will never feel stiff or posed. As I work with your bridal party, I am operating as your creative director. I create a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone can be themselves, and before they know it, the camera melts away, leaving only laughter and genuine moments to capture. I make sure each photo reflects the unique energy of your bridal party, so when you look back, you’ll see not only pretty pictures, but memories filled with the people who mean the most to you—having the time of their lives.

The Big Moment

I’ve had the privilege of documenting ceremonies across all walks of life—different religions, nationalities, and lifestyles—each one a unique love story that deserves to be told with heart and artistry. I love all of my fellow humans and over the last decade, I consider it my highest privilege that so many people from different cultures, lifestyles, and religions have allowed me and my camera to photograph their love stories. 🫶

When it comes to capturing your wedding ceremony, I slip into my photojournalist mode—think less "say cheese" and more "capturing candids".

As you exchange vows, I’m there, capturing the fleeting glances, the tender smiles, and the emotion in every detail. My goal? To create a visual documentary of your ceremony that is as visually compelling as your love story. Whether it’s the reverence of a traditional ceremony or the joy of something entirely your own, I’m honored to memorialize the joining of two families under the banner of love. These aren’t just photos; they’re pieces of your real love story, artistically framed and ready to be cherished for generations to come.

I can’t wait to hear what you have planned for your wedding ceremony!

The Romantic Moments

When it’s time for your romantic photos, I slip back into my creative director hat. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But we’re not models, what do we do with our hands?” I’m right there with you! And I’ve felt it too. The couples you see on my website? They’re just like you and me—non-model-aspiring folks who may be a bit camera-shy but want photos that feel as stunning as the love they share.

I will guide you two through every moment. Directing couples is my specialty 🎬. I’ll direct you in a way that feels natural, creating those jaw-dropping, award-winning photos you’ll treasure forever. We’ll capture the genuine chemistry between you and your partner—no awkward poses, just the magic of your connection, perfectly framed. Together, we’ll create artistic photographs that are expressions of your unique love story.

The Reception Moments

When the party starts and the lights dim, I slip right back into my photojournalist mode, ready to capture every unforgettable moment of your wedding reception. From your first dance as a married couple to the sweet (and sometimes hilarious 😬) cake-cutting, I’m there with my camera ready to capture the full story of your night.

But I’m not just hovering in the background—I’m also working closely with your DJ to make sure the evening flows smoothly. When the DJ has the next big moment queued up, I’m in the loop, ready to create the perfect photos of your family dances, bouquet toss, garter toss, and all the candid moments in between.

It’s my mission to capture the essence of your celebration in a way that feels as natural and joyful as the night itself. Each photo I take is a piece of your story, documenting not just the big milestones but the little moments too—the laughs, the tears, each of the toasts. So while you’re soaking up each moment of your beautiful wedding day, I’m there to make sure those memories are preserved in beautiful, journalistic photographs that let you relive every detail of your reception.

The Details Between The Moments

Detail photos—from overlooked to cherished by entire families. These are the photos where I zoom in on the little things that make your day uniquely yours 💎. From the stationary, to the carefully chosen florals, rings, and table settings, I turn these seemingly small details into large pieces of art. Detail photos tie the sentimental items of your day to the people who matter most, creating a visual bridge between each moment of your celebration.

Detail photos require razor-sharp precision, a creative eye, and a bit of teamwork between us to make sure everything is perfectly arranged and ready to shine. Don’t worry! I’ll guide you through what needs to be gathered, and we’ll collaborate to ensure that nothing is overlooked.

Details are one of my favorite parts of wedding days and I can’t wait to dive into your details when we connect!

The Moments after they lived happily ever after

When the dance floor opens up and the real party begins, you want a photographer who’s not just watching from the sidelines but right there in the middle of the action, capturing every spontaneous move and infectious laugh. And you better believe I’m ready to dive into the dance floor with you and your guests, camera in hand, capturing the energy and excitement in a way that only someone who truly vibes with you can. 💃🏼

Picking a photographer whose personality clicks with yours is crucial because, those dance floor moments are all about letting loose and having fun. I’m there to bring out the best in you and your friends, making sure every candid moment, every twirl, and every wild dance-off is preserved in photos you can feel! Together, we’ll create a visual story of your night that captures the pure joy and unforgettable memories of your celebration. Bust out those dance moves—I’ll be right there with you, making sure every beat is beautifully documented.

As we get connected and I learn more about your wedding beyond your timeline, I’ll be able to anticipate the action!

A while back a kid picked up a camera and, well, you probably know the rest. 

My name is James Young and amongst many hats, I am a professional wedding and portrait photographer local to the Bay Area in Northern California.

Since I first stepped foot at a wedding to take photos in 2015, I have photographed over 200 weddings, conducted thousands of photo sessions, and worked with hundreds of brands.

My work has been published in 20+ different magazines including the COVER of Real Weddings Magazine. I’ll be honest with you, bragging about my accolades, awards and accomplishments is pretty awkward. I’ll let my work continue to speak for itself.

One of my favorite aspects of my approach to photography is I help my clients see how worthy they are. I show my clients how I see them, as a work of art. Everyone is worthy, regardless of size, shape, skin color, race, religion, creed, or lifestyle. My photography experience is inclusive.

I do my best to always remind my couples — All the photos of people you see from me are people just like you and me. A lot of us struggle with being in front of the camera. It can be a very intimidating process. The way I interact, get to know and direct my clients makes your wedding photos fun, full of confidence, spontaneous, and the photos become cherished by entire families.

When you're looking for your wedding photographer, its important you find someone whose work you LOVE. I also believe its just as important you find someone who will bring out the best of who you are in your photos! After all, your wedding day is meant to be an amazing celebration and your photographer will be with you more than any other vendor. Having a photographer whose style you like, and has a personality you can connect with is the match I want all of my couples to make.

Enough about me! Let’s keep talking about wedding photography!

“When the food has been eaten, dances danced, and the toasts have been given, your memories are what will stand the test of time.”

Your wedding day may go by quickly, but your wedding photos are the memories that will last forever. Picking a wedding photographer is not easy and I am over joyed at the opportunity to serve you and your families.

As your wedding photographer, I am not just “another vendor” on a list or “some guy” with a camera. I make connecting with my couples a priority. We will work together and collaborate to bring your love story to life through my imagery.  Will be chatting often!

Included with Wedding Collections:

While I do have preset Wedding Collections, creatively capturing your love story starts at $4,000. Each Wedding Collection is typically modified to fit your specific wedding needs.

I am very excited to hear from you.

You just saw a TON of photos and read a quite a bit about my take on wedding photography. You made it this far, now the next step is to fill out the contact form below so we can get connected and see how I can best serve you!

Fill out the form below and I’ll be getting back to you within the next business day.

If you are very early on in your planning process and plans have not been finalized for a given question, don’t worry about it!

I can’t wait to meet you and your partner to congratulate both of you!