Published photographer specializing in Santa Barbara Courthouse weddings and elopements
More than just a photographer for your Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding
Insightful guidance and utmost care from a local you can trust
If you’re planning a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding, there’s a good chance you’re coming from out of town, envisioning something effortless but meaningful. You want ease without sacrificing beauty. I get it, and I’ve got you. I’ve photographed over 80 weddings + elopements at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, more than any other location/venue in my career.
I know its rhythms, its light, its hidden corners. I can help build your timeline, recommend trusted vendors, share hotel picks, and guide you to the best spots for photos, all while capturing your day with integrity and care. If you’re eloping or planning a ceremony, I’d be honored to photograph it and help you feel at home in a place I know by heart. It’s given me some of my most meaningful work and most cherished connections.
hi i'm michelle
Santa Barbara Courthouse regular, informative tour guide, fun witness, new friend
i'vee heard it all
I’ve walked into this courthouse more times than I can count, and I’m here to capture your day with deep familiarity and a personable approach.
SoCal native, marathon runner, mom, true crime junkie, published digital + film photographer
I’m drawn to the realness: the quiet glances, the overcast sky, your wily pup, the champagne bottle that popped too soon. No staged production or cookie-cutter lists. I’m here to catch it unfold naturally, to document it with a kind of honesty that captures you and your loved ones in a way that you’ve never had photos of yourself or them before - with a documentary style, a touch of editorial, and a joke in between. Every moment big or small, seen or unseen, messy or clean, matters to me. Maybe not every photo will end up framed on your wall, but together, they’ll tell a story. That’s my goal: to create images that honor the collective memories, feelings and intentions of your day. Honest, timeless, effortless, and true to you and your vision.
more about me
From how to book the Sunken Gardens to my favorite acoustic guitarist for your Mural Room ceremony. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned from years of photographing courthouse weddings and elopements. Here you’ll find my work, plus genuinely useful planning resources for couples who want an easy-breezy SB courthouse wedding experience.
Real Weddings, Intimate Elopements, Local Recommendations and Unsolicited Advice
lately on the blog
Shelby and Tre
"michelle is not just a photographer"
She’s an artist, a storyteller, a hype woman, and a true professional. She cares deeply about her couples and pours her heart into what she does. I feel endlessly grateful to have had her by our side on such a meaningful day. If you’re considering working with Michelle, don’t hesitate—run, don’t walk. She is everything you could hope for and so much more.
Madison and Julius
"I absolutely recommend her 10x over"
Every moment working with her was enjoyable and she meshed so well with our families like we had known her for years! She captured the emotion in every moment and helped guide my husband and I to the most breath-taking portraits that we haven’t been able to stop looking. So happy to have found Michelle.
eleanor and tom
"she will take great care of you"
Even though we live in the UK and gave her very little direction, she somehow managed to capture our relationship so perfectly - every photo felt honest, natural, and full of heart. Meeting her at the Santa Barbara Courthouse felt like reconnecting with an old friend. She made us feel completely at ease, and that warmth shines through in every shot. We’re so grateful for Michelle.
eleanor and tom
"she will take great care of you"
Even though we live in the UK and gave her very little direction, she somehow managed to capture our relationship so perfectly - every photo felt honest, natural, and full of heart. Meeting her at the Santa Barbara Courthouse felt like reconnecting with an old friend. She made us feel completely at ease, and that warmth shines through in every shot. We’re so grateful for Michelle.
