About — Rachel Wakefield | Wedding Photographer

AT THE HEART OF IT

Hey- I’m Rachel, a LONG TIME photographer based in SAnta barbara, California

& I believe photographs are an extraordinary form of art.

The Process

owner & photographer

Rachel Wakefield

I’ve spent over the last decade traveling internationally for shoots & weddings, photographing brands like CJLA, Parker Clay and shooting with celebrities like Sadie Rob Huff, Christine Caine and others.

My work wouldn’t be what it is without the genuine souls who are vulnerable with their love in front of me.

located IN

SANTA BARBARA, CA

I am fortunate enough to call this stunning coastal city my home. With Santa Barbara's breathtaking natural landscapes, picturesque beaches, and diverse wedding venues, I find endless inspiration in every frame. As a storyteller behind the lens, it’s a true joy to showcase the essence of this vibrant city!

Whether it's an intimate beachfront ceremony, a lush garden affair, or an elegant downtown celebration, I am dedicated to preserving precious memories and ensuring that your day becomes an everlasting work of art! And this city is the perfect place to do just that.

Meet my

FAMILY

Married to my high-school sweetheart Clay, and we have two children together, Zoe and Cohen. Not pictured is our newest addition, Poppy, our fluffy australian labradoodle.

We enjoy slow weekends with leisurely walks around the local farmers markets and sunny days in the sand.

Featured

Client’s Reviews

Jewel & Malcolm

Client’s Reviews

Rachel is above and beyond. She's creatively talented and extremely driven and those two qualities are unbeatable. We have used her photography services for every major milestone in our lives and plan on continuing to do so!

Client’s Reviews

Morgan & Nick

I have spent the last hour looking at all of our pictures. I am getting so emotional looking at them because I feel like they take me right back to that beach and that place where I just felt so happy. I don’t feel like they’re posed and fake smiles I just see how you captured us. It’s so surreal getting to see how we look at each other when no one’s watching (I know you were but you didn’t make it feel like that). I will ALWAYS cherish these pictures and I know they’ll always take us back to one of the happiest times of our lives. Thank you for filling this whole experience full of love and joy! I know you do this all the time, but I just wanted to make sure you knew how special this is and how special, sexy, joyful you made us feel. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!!!

Client’s Reviews

Amanda & Conor

Client’s Reviews

We are so happy we picked Rachel to be our wedding photographer! Not only does she do incredible work, she is very friendly, fun and personable. The photos she took along with her assistant were amazing and beyond our expectations. She was very quick to send us our wedding photo gallery, and spent a lot of time helping design our wedding album afterward. I highly recommend Rachel as your wedding photographer, she's the best!!

Client’s Reviews

Leah & Reis

Client’s Reviews

Rachel was the perfect photographer! She captured the hidden moments of our wedding day that mean the world to me now. Rachel is so natural at making her clients feel like life long friends. I loved her intention, her thoughtfulness and the way she made us feel on our big day! I seriously couldn't imagine my wedding being photographed by anyone else!

Client’s Reviews

Tia & Cody

Client’s Reviews

I wish I could give 10 stars on everything!! Rachel was out of this world!! She was so helpful, so welcoming, and friendly. She handles stressful situations very well and is very patient with people. She is so professional and her work is amazing!! I cannot express enough how grateful we are for her, her time, and her talents. Honestly, she feels like a friend to us. We are grateful for the whole experience from beginning to end. Rachel also put together an extensive schedule for the of our wedding for the photography, which as a bride planning her wedding on her own helped big time with coming up with a schedule and timeline for the day as well! Rachel captured every moment we asked her too, nothing was forgotten. Rachel also did our engagement photos, and she did such a great job making us feel comfortable behind the camera :). We are extremely satisfied… we will always refer people to Rachel and happily and proudly brag about her services :) she deserves it and it’s only true, so how could we not!

Client’s Reviews

FAQs

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

I've been doing this for a while now, and have created an effortless shoot experience. None of my clients are models! I've worked with all kinds of people and I know how to make everyone look amazing. I'm not big on posing, so we will be moving, having fun and capturing geniune connection & moments!

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

I shoot a mix of digital and 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.

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.

Do your wedding collections come with an engagement session?

Collections can be tailored to include an engagement session.

How far in advance do we need to book?

The only way to know if I'm available is to reach out here.

How many images are delivered?

The phrase here is quality over quantity. Each image delivered was carefully curated by me, and has something unique and special to it. I deliver around 50 images per shooting hour. A portrait shoot is around 100 images and delivered within 2-4 weeks; a wedding day, around 600+ and delivered within 8 weeks.

Where are you located? Do you travel?

I'm located in Santa Barbara, California. While Santa Barbara is where I live and work, I do travel world-wide and would love to hear about your dreamy location!