Santa Barbara’s Beloved Wedding & Lifestyle Photographers
When planning your Santa Barbara wedding, engagement, or family celebration, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right photographer. The right photographer does more than just snap photos—they preserve emotions, tell your story, and capture fleeting moments that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
We’ve had the pleasure of working alongside and admiring the work of several incredibly talented photographers in the Santa Barbara area. Each brings a unique style and energy to their sessions. Whether you’re looking for fine art wedding coverage, candid family moments, or a dreamy engagement session by the sea, here are four photographers we highly recommend.
1. Trevor Morrison Photography
Style: Timeless, dreamy, authentic
Specialties: Weddings, families, newborns
Website: trevormorrisonphoto.com
Instagram: @trevormorrisonphoto
Trevor Morrison is a Ventura County-based photographer who often works in Santa Barbara and surrounding coastal areas. Trevor’s style is warm, romantic, and effortlessly classic—perfect for couples looking to document their love in a way that feels natural and enduring. His ability to capture candid emotion while maintaining a polished, editorial finish sets him apart. He’s also a favorite for styled shoots, often collaborating with local creatives like The Picnic Place SB to create magic.
2. Augusta Ottillia Photography
Style: Editorial, heartfelt, heirloom-inspired
Specialties: Weddings, families
Website: augustaottillia.com
Instagram: @augustaottillia
Augusta Ottillia’s work feels like stepping into a timeless love story. With an eye for detail and emotion, she blends fine art with documentary photography to create galleries that are both beautiful and deeply personal. Whether she’s capturing vows under a canopy of olive trees or quiet moments between a couple and their newborn, her photographs have a soft elegance and a sense of calm that makes them stand out.
3. Tristin Tracy Photography
Style: Lighthearted, artistic, lifestyle-focused
Specialties: Family, maternity, newborns, couples
Website: tristintracyphotography.com
Instagram: @tristintracy_photography
Tristin Tracy has a gift for capturing genuine connection in the most joyful and relaxed way. Her work is perfect for families, couples, and expectant parents who want photography that feels real—not staged. Sessions with Tristin are filled with laughter, movement, and light, and the final results are always beautifully composed, full of feeling, and uniquely you.
4. Kaitie Brainerd Photography
Style: Film-inspired, candid, timeless
Specialties: Weddings, elopements, engagements
Website: kaitiebrainerd.com
Instagram: @kaitiebrainerdphoto
If you’re drawn to nostalgic, romantic imagery with a modern twist, Kaitie Brainerd is your girl. Using both digital and film photography, Kaitie captures weddings and elopements with a signature style that’s full of emotion and grace. Her clients love her calm energy and her ability to tell stories through subtle, candid details. She's an expert at making you feel comfortable in front of the camera—even if you normally hate having your photo taken!
Final Thoughts
Santa Barbara is a dream location for weddings, engagements, and family portraits—and the right photographer will help you remember every detail with clarity and heart. Whether you’re drawn to timeless romance, lifestyle storytelling, or candid joy, these four talented professionals each offer something truly special.
Looking for the perfect setting for a proposal or engagement session? The Picnic Place SB offers styled pop-up picnics and romantic setups, perfect for photo shoots. And for a sweet touch, The Wild Berry provides decadent chocolate-covered strawberries that look as good as they taste!
