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Santa Barbara Luxury Wedding Photographer

Emily & Keaton

June 7, 2025
santa barbara, ca

Imagine elevated imagery paired with an effortless experience AT THE CANARY HOTEL

Emily & Keaton, I’m thrilled to hear about your upcoming wedding this June in Santa Barbara! Your wedding at the Kimpton Canary will be nothing short of perfect, I can already envision the joy and excitement that will fill your day. I’m here to help bring your vision to life. From capturing those intimate moments during your ceremony to the vibrant energy of your celebration, my goal is to create an experience that feels effortless and fun! You’re in good hands as Miranda Florer and I have shot for one another for a few years now. I love hearing that she sent you my direction! So fun!

I look forward to deepening our connection! Cheers!

 

RACHEL WAKEFIELD

A little about me, I got my start in wedding photography in my early 20s after graduating from New York Institute of Photography. I’ve shot over 300+ weddings since beginning my career!

My family and I live right here in Santa Barbara. We enjoy the local farmers markets, beach days as a family and venturing out to Santa Ynez for wineries on the weekends I’m not shooting.

 
 

With the recent distinction of Vogue recognition, my approach is focusing on honest connection rather than rigid poses. I capture the fun, spontaneous moments that make your love bespoke, creating editorial & refined imagery.

My goal is to deliver a perfect blend of luxury and authenticity, fashioning a visual legacy that truly reflects your relationship.

Xx

THE EFFORTLESS EXPERIENCE

THE EFFORTLESS EXPERIENCE

The process

 

01

the connection

A phone call, Zoom or a few emails back & forth~ we both know it’s a great fit & we want to create together! A photo agreement is signed & we get to dive into the intentional & creative experience.

02

The Experience

We deep dive in with a couple’s questionnaire. I get into who you are as a couple & what makes you bespoke. From here we integrate into your timeline the ideal locations on your venue’s property, art concepts and overall vision. This part is pretty fun, and what makes your day elevated.

03

The Covenant

My gear is primed, and my heart and mind are completely dedicated.

We've fashioned an intention for your connection to unfold. We're both fully invested and ready to enjoy the day’s experience.

04

The Curated Gallery

Previews will be delivered in a private online gallery within one week. Within 6-8 weeks you’ll receive a carefully curated gallery. Each image having purpose and feeling. Your gallery will have the option to order top of the line prints or download the highest-resolution images.

01 EXTRA

ENGAGEMENT, PRE/POST-WEDDING, WEDDING DAY & SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER $16,000

Preserve Your Dream Wedding: A Multi-Day Photography Experience

Day 01 | Engagement Session
We will create an engagement session that is uniquely tailored to your love story. This process includes mood board creation, outfit consultation, ideal date selection, and thoughtful location scouting. Over the course of two hours and multiple stunning locations, we’ll capture elevated imagery that reflects your personalities and profound connection.

Day 02 | Pre (or Post) Wedding Occasion (up to 2 hours)
This vibrant season of life includes meaningful events such as themed bridal showers, welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, and post-wedding brunches. I’m excited to document one of these occasions, capturing the anticipation and joy leading up to your wedding day. We’ll also include a few portraits to ensure every significant moment is preserved.

Day 03 | The Wedding Day (up to 10 hours)
From the intimate morning preparations to the lively evening celebrations, I’ll be there to capture every laugh, tear, and genuine emotion—even those fleeting moments you might miss. My goal is to ensure you feel comfortable during portraits, allowing your natural essence to shine. As the day unfolds, I’ll blend into the background, documenting each elevated moment as it occurs. Together, we’ll create a comprehensive visual narrative that embodies the spirit of your day, leaving you with lasting memories.

Second Photographer
To ensure no moment is overlooked, a second photographer will accompany me, offering additional angles and perspectives that enrich your gallery and enhance the storytelling of your celebration.

Conclusion
This multi-day photography experience is designed to document not only your wedding but also the exquisite moments that define this exciting season of your life. Each day of coverage is focused on ensuring every moment is intentionally captured, creating a legacy you will feel for years to come.

02 LAVISH

PRE/POST-WEDDING, WEDDING DAY & SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER $12,000

Preserve Your Dream Wedding: An Elevated Multi-Day Photography Experience

Day 1: Pre (or Post) Wedding Occasion (up to 2 hours)
This delightful phase includes moments like welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, and post-wedding brunches. I’ll be thrilled to document one of these events, capturing the excitement and anticipation you’ll experience, along with a few stunning portraits if you wish. Together, we’ll preserve the essence of every significant moment leading up to your big day.

Day 2: The Wedding Day (up to 10 hours)
From the graceful morning preparations to the lively evening celebrations, I’ll be there to document every laugh, every tear, and every fleeting moment—especially those you might miss in the joy of the day. My goal is to ensure you feel at ease during portraits, allowing your love to shine. Once the festivities begin, I’ll unobtrusively capture the day’s magic, weaving together a rich visual narrative that will fill your heart with joy as you relive your wedding through the images.

Second Photographer
With countless moments unfolding, a second photographer is an essential asset. Accompanying me throughout the day, they’ll provide diverse angles and fresh perspectives, enhancing the elegance of your gallery.

Conclusion
This elevated multi-day photography experience is thoughtfully designed to capture not just your wedding, but also the moments and days leading up to it. Each moment will be expertly documented, creating coverage for your engagement, pre-wedding parties and the day of.

03 ELEVATED

WEDDING DAY + SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER $9,200

The Wedding Day (up to 8 hours)
From the intimate preparations to the joyous dancing, I’ll be there to document every emotion, every laugh, and every tear—especially those fleeting moments you might miss. My aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere during portraits, allowing your authentic selves to shine. Once the festivities commence, I’ll blend into the background, capturing each exquisite moment as it unfolds. Together, we’ll weave a comprehensive visual narrative of your day, leaving you with a collection of images that evoke joy and nostalgia.

Second Photographer
With countless moments to capture, a second photographer is an invaluable asset. Accompanying me throughout the day, they’ll provide additional angles and unique perspectives, enriching your gallery with a dynamic array of images.

Conclusion
This elevated photography experience is designed to document not just your wedding, but the legacy of love that unfolds during this exhilarating season of life.

04 NOBILITY

WEDDING DAY COLLECTION ONLY $7,500

The Wedding Day (up to 6 hours)
From the intimate preparations to the lively dancing, I’ll be there to document every emotion, every laugh, and every tear—even those fleeting moments that might escape your notice. My aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere during portraits, allowing your true selves to shine. Once the festivities begin, I’ll blend into the background, capturing each exquisite moment as it unfolds. Together, we’ll create a comprehensive visual narrative of your day, leaving you with a collection of images that evoke joy and nostalgia.

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Essie & Michael

Shannon & Brodderick

Marisa & Frank

RECENT GALLERIES OF FOREVER

Justice & Matthew

Yvonne & Thomas

Marisa & Frank

 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 
 

BRI & TONY

“We had such an incredible experience working with Rachel for our engagement photos! Her work is pure art—elegant and sophisticated, capturing each moment beautifully. She made my fiancé and me feel so comfortable throughout the shoot, which really shows in the photos. Her fun and friendly personality made the whole experience enjoyable, and she was incredibly responsive and easy to communicate with. If you're looking for a photographer who brings creativity and professionalism together effortlessly, Rachel is the one!”

GWEN & JOEY

“Rachel Wakefield was an integral part of a team of professionals that helped make our intimate celebration on the coast of Santa Barbara possible. Our vision was to gather 30 of our closest friends and family, spend a week together, and then get married and treat them to dinner on one of those days. Family-style dinner party. Simple and relatively casual. But simple did not have to mean plain -- enter Rachel Wakefield. Vivid imagery. Effortless and dynamic at the same time.

From the initial emails, to the planning, and the day of, Rachel was a joy to work with. Not only was she creative and artistic, she also brought in the energy and the vibe… We wanted to be present and in the moment and have our photos be an authentic reflection of the celebration. And she more than delivered.”

ESSIE & MICHAEL

“The quality of Rachel's work speaks for itself through her portfolio, and we could not have asked for a more talented and dedicated photographer and hype woman for our engagement shoot and wedding day! Rachel's warm and effervescent spirit put us at ease and helped us feel confident in showing our personalities and chemistry in front of the camera, ensuring we looked our best on one of the happiest days of our lives. We love her candid, photojournalistic style, and the collections she put together for us tell our love story in a way that words wouldn't be able to. We would work with her again in a heartbeat, and recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer that specializes in capturing authentic and genuine moments and feelings.”

FAQs

 

I'm not a natural in front of the camera. Will the photos look good?

None of my clients are models! I prefer a natural/effortless approach over stiff poses, so we’ll be moving around, having fun, and capturing those genuine connections.

I love your work, is it all digital or film?

I shoot a mix of digital and 35mm film. While digital allows me to never miss a moment, film anchors an honest feeling. I love film because it is untouched. I deliver both within your wedding gallery, and you can explore more of my work with this in mind in the gallery links above. Every wedding includes at minimum one roll of 35mm film.

If we do an engagement shoot, will you help us decide on outfits?

Yes, everything I do comes with intention. We'll be creating a mood board for your overall aesthetic, location, and outfits.

Are there any additional fees that I'd be unaware of?

No. Everything is included in the collections!

How far in advance do we need to book?

It truly depends on the year; I recommend securing your date as soon as possible, as my calendar availability is very limited. I am almost full for 2025 weddings and will be closing my books this month.

How many images are delivered?

The phrase here is quality over quantity. Each image delivered is carefully curated by me, and has something bespoke and special to it. I deliver around 50 images per shooting hour. A wedding day, around 600+ and delivered within 8 weeks, and your previews delivered within one week.

How do you put intention into our vision?

Around six weeks before your day, we will get on a video call to go over your vision and create space for it within the timeline. If you have a planner, usually we all are on this call to make sure no detail is missed!

What is the payment process like?

You'll be able to make your payments via an online invoice. It is 50% retainer to secure your date. Remaining balance is due six weeks before your wedding day-- the same time we hop on a Zoom call to go over the timeline & vision.

We would love to book, what is the next step?

I'm over the moon! I can't wait to get to know you more! I'd be delighted to connect on a call (if we haven't yet). Next step is simply email me letting me know you're ready to secure your date! A signed contract & 50% retainer makes it official on my calendar!

 
 

READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?

A quick email is all it takes! I’ll send you a photography agreement to review & sign and invoice for 50% of collection. Once those are in, you’re date is secured on my calendar. It’s official!

t. 402-253-9106
e. hello@rachelwakefielphotography.com

Instagram @rachelwakefield