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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEDDING AND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

SERVING LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY, JOSHUA TREE, BIG SUR, AND DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE

groom holding champagne to camera and bride drinking champagne at palm springs wedding
groom kissing bride's hands at sunset during joshua tree elopement

WEDDING PLANNING CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING...

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE YOU.

You’re not into performative traditions, and being in front of the camera can feel awkward. You want an intimate day centered on your connection — not a production.


You’re looking for a photographer who helps you feel comfortable and captures both the big moments and the quiet ones, without stiff posing or outdated expectations.

candid photography of groom kissing bride on cheek in palm springs wedding

My approach blends documentary, candid, and cinematic storytelling. I guide you when you need it, step back when you don’t, and create space for real moments to unfold

naturally

black and white photos of curly-haired woman resting chin on hand and looking off in the distance

MEET

your

PHOTOGRAPHER

I'm a Southern California wedding and elopement photographer with a huge passion for capturing intentional elopements, intimate weddings, and couples’ love stories. I’m all about ALL the love, and everyone — no matter your skin tone, sexual orientation, or any other unique characteristic —

is truly welcome in front of my camera.


If you’re envisioning a wedding day or elopement in Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, or anywhere in the world that’s centered on the two of you, and you want someone to come alongside you to help bring this vision to life while capturing it all, I’m your girl.

silhouette of two brides holding hands and looking up to the sky celebrating their love in the desert at nxwhere california in joshua tree

life

PRIORITIZE HOW          FEELS.

YOU DESERVE PHOTOS THAT HONOR WHO YOU ARE AND HOW YOU LOVE.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

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checkmark-doodle-vector-icons-approval-260nw-1417644248 copy.png
checkmark-doodle-vector-icons-approval-260nw-1417644248 copy.png

You love photos that feel earthy, natural, and right in the middle — not too light & airy, not too dark & moody.


You’re not into traditional weddings or stiff poses and want something more intentional and true to you.


You want guidance when needed, but plenty of space for candid, emotional, cinematic moments.

IF YOU'RE SCREAMIN' YES,

YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

biracial couple sharing a close embrace in joshua tree couple's photoshoot
wedding party dancing together at lgbtq wedding at nxwhere california in joshua tree
black couple enjoying the moment at pearl street beach in laguna beach couple's session
asian man embracing asian woman from behind and laughing at pearl street beach laguna beach couple's photoshoot
closeup of bride smiling with eyes closed at joshua tree wedding
candid photography of black couple holding disposable cameras and sticking their tounges out
biracial couple at in-home couple's session in costa mesa
couple enjoying the beach during blue hour in palos verdes engagement session
pakistani bride and groom looking at one another at pirate's cove beach engagement session

genuinely

EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE —

Every couple deserves to feel seen, respected, and fully themselves in front of the camera.

 

That means honoring different identities, bodies, cultures, skin tones, and ways of loving — and photographing them with care, intention, and accuracy.

My goal is for every couple I work with to feel not just welcome, but truly embraced — and to see themselves reflected honestly and beautifully in their photos.

Accurate representation is a core part of inclusive photography — which is why I created my True Tone Promise™.

the true tone promise logo from marissa kay photography

Your skin tone is beautiful. Whether you have more of a peaches-and-cream complexion, are fair-skinned with cool undertones, or are blessed with lots of melanin, your pigmentation is gorgeous.

 

You're not going to enjoy and share your photos if you're looking like a Cheeto in every single image. You deserve photos in which your complexion is true to life. I promise to my clients that your skin tone will be accurately represented in your photos.

If, by any chance, you're not thrilled with how your skin looks in the final edited images, I'll happily re-edit them until you're satisfied.

True Tone Promise
Asian bride holding a unique orchid bouquet with blue skies at a garden wedding, photographed by a California wedding photographer.

"What drew us to Marissa is that not only is she a fabulous photographer that shoots both editorial and candid styles, but she has wonderful examples of shooting a wide range of skin tones, and most importantly multi-racial couples! It was very important for us to both look like ourselves and not washed out or oversaturated in our wedding and engagement photos."

DUSTIN + ALEXIS

KIND WORDS

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