“When my husband and I were looking for wedding photographers, we were less than enthusiastic about what we were seeing. Sunset, bride in a vineyard, sunset, bride in a vineyard, sunset, bride in a vineyard. All the photos by several different photographers looked the same: pretty, but in a really cookie-cutter way. Hiring a photographer seemed like a lot of expense to go to for photos that were somewhat generic. We also weren’t looking for anything “crazy”—we didn’t want our photos to be gimmicky or flashy—we just wanted someone who could capture the intimacy of the day in a way that felt like us, and not like an advertisement for the Central Coast. When we first saw Tina’s photos, we knew that we wanted to work with her. Tina’s sense of light and color imparts an underlying calm to the images—even those that depict moments of great joy. We felt very connected to that aspect of her aesthetic. We also loved the way that she was able to capture faces. The central coast is beautiful, and while we love a good sunset as much as the next happy couple, what mattered to us was finding a photographer who would give as much attention to the guests as to the setting. As you can see from her portfolio, Tina excels at portraiture. The couples she works with don’t look like models—they look individual, unique, and happy. Her eye looks for expression as much as it looks for beauty. 

When we met Tina, we were even more sold. Tina is kind, calm, funny, and a good listener. I can’t imagine an easier or more pleasant person to work with. Our concerns were her concerns, and she checked in with us along the way. She was also flexible in a way that meant a lot to me. Closer to the day itself, she helped me figure out the best way to order and organize the posed family photos (in order to please our extended families, we needed a lot of them). At the wedding itself, Tina was almost invisible. I never at any point felt like her presence was obtrusive or pushy, though any time something meaningful, funny, or exciting happened, there she was, snapping away. She had seen things in a way that I hadn’t (bride-vision can be a little narrow and overwhelming…). We are so lucky to have worked with Tina—I cannot speak highly enough of her artistry and professionalism.” -Amelia & Paul