I am so glad I hired Adam for my surprise proposal to my girlfriend. Living in SoCal and having…read morenever been to Monterey/Big Sur, I planned my whole proposal based on google searches, reddit threads, and word of mouth. Being a Big Sur/Monterey local, Adam provided extremely helpful insight and feedback for my proposal. He definitely helped relieve a lot of the stress during the planning phase of my proposal. On the day of the actual shoot, the day-of jitters was overwhelming at times, but Adam's energy and demeanor was very centering. He was patient and gave my new fiancee and I space to calm ourselves, and also knew when to take charge and guide us with our poses. He also had amazing and creative ideas for how to pose and brought us to local, reclusive spots to take intimate photos. Best of all, Adam always had a smile on his face and he made us really think like we were supermodels walking the runway haha. If you're going to do any photoshoot, especially a proposal or engagement shoot, in the Big Sur/Monterey area, I would highly recommend getting Adam!!

I was referred to Adam through another photographer who unfortunately could no longer capture my…read moreengagement due to a last minute date change caused by rainy weather. From the get go, Adam was incredibly personable, communicative, and had great recommendations on proposal spots and tips on how to propose. We came up with a plan to propose at a secluded cliff and a surprise picnic at the beach afterwards. Adam was more than happy to coordinate with Dreamy Events by Ev and even suggested to push the proposal a bit earlier to accommodate for driving time in order to give us one full hour for photos! Adam delivered our sneak peaks and full album photos in a timely manner. Let me tell you, the photos came out AMAZING and we are so glad to have found him!!! Adam was incredible to work with and we would 100% recommend him to anybody looking for a photographer in the Carmel/Monterrey area.

Shannon is truly incredible--just book her! From the moment I saw her breathtaking dog photography,…read morealong with her stunning landscapes and masterful use of light, I knew she was the one we wanted for our big day. She exceeded every expectation. As a one-woman powerhouse, Shannon captured every moment beautifully--and then some. Her photos are absolutely breathtaking, some of the most stunning I've ever seen. Beyond her talent, it was Shannon's energy and spirit that made the day even more special. She was kind, calm, and such a joy to be around. Everyone who met her couldn't stop raving about how fabulous she was. If you want to take the stress out of your big day, do yourself a favor and book Shannon--you won't regret it.

I was fortunate enough to have Shannon shoot for our engagement photos in Big Sur, California…read more Shannon exceeded our expectations in making our vision come to life. She was so comfortable and fun to work with. One of the best things also was how quick she was on getting the photos back to us! We were so happy with how the photos turned out and would love the opportunity to work with her again!

Taylor was an absolute pleasure to work with! She took photos at our wedding, including the…read moreceremony, portraits, and reception. The whole time, she was so great at telling us where we needed to be and how to pose to get the perfect shots. The photos all came out beautifully, and we're having such a hard time deciding on just a couple to get printed! Leading up to the wedding, we had multiple meetings to discuss the wedding timeline, shots that were important to us, and all of the other important logistics. They were always very well thought-out in advance, and Taylor was incredibly responsive to all of our other questions between calls. We are so glad that we got to work with Taylor and hope that we have more opportunities to in the future! 10/10 experience!

Taylor was just the BEST to work with and we couldn't have chosen a better photographer in the…read moreCarmel area. My fiance and I were visiting from Los Angeles and wanted to get engagement photos done. Taylor was prompt, responsive, and patient in explaining the process. She knew the best locations for photographs and made the photo shoot so enjoyable and fun. She made us feel comfortable and relaxed. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with her!

This review is 4 years overdue but Ben was there to help capture my wife and I's engagement. Not…read moreonly was he super professional but he was extremely helpful in picking the perfect spot. If you're looking for incredible photography work, Ben is the best option. You won't be disappointed!

Ben was super friendly and easy to work with! We both are introverted but this photo session came…read morenaturally and was so fun :) Our engagement photos came out so well and we are excited to work with him again for our wedding in a couple of weeks :D

We used Rachel earlier this month for family photos after our son turned one and we loved her! She…read morewas prompt in responding to my inquiry and her prices and packages are competitive. On the day of our shoot, my husband woke up very sick. He wanted to cancel but I begged him to hang in for a few hours until our session was complete. He agreed but he was irritable the whole time. Our son was cranky and teething and hadn't slept through the night for at least a week. Plus we had just partied for three days with out friends at our family beach house in Moss Landing so I was super tired! To top it off, the weather on the afternoon of our shoot was unforgiving. When Rachel arrived we sort of rushed her through our session because we all wanted to get back home to the Bay. I figured we wouldn't get a lot of good shots but if we got at least a few it wouldn't be wasted effort. She was gracious and patient and gave us just the right amount of direction that we needed since my husband and I feel super awkward in front of the camera. Despite giving her zero workable material, the photos came out gorgeous! (And we received them in a week!) I couldn't believe it. She made something out of nothing and now we have these beautiful and precious photos of our family to cherish forever. We will definitely be using Rachel again! We are so so full of gratitude!

Amazing! My wife and I are overjoyed the photos we got from our session. Rachel was a great…read morephotographer and quickly made us feel at ease in a usually awkward situation.

Carol was the best photographer a bride could ever ask for! Her and her second shooter Mohammed,…read moremade the day so much fun and really captured the most amazing shots of our special day! Even the guys had fun! She is so talented and it was so fun to share in her creative process and be her muse. My husband and I are so in love with the images we have seen so far and cannot wait to see more! She captured the nature and spirt of the day perfectly, we felt like royalty. Thank you Carol for your attention to detail and for what I know is going to be the most stunning wedding album yet! I can't wait to book you for many, many more special moments in our lifetime together! Happy Holidays, Chelsea & Lafras

Carol and Justin make up the fabulous team of Carol Oliva Photography. My husband and I did our…read moreengagement & wedding photos with them, and that was the best purchase we made. They both have such an amazing eye for absolutely breathtaking photos. During the wedding, Carol and Justin captured all the moments I was hoping to, without even remembering to bring those shots to their attention. We also used their photo booth during our reception, and that was almost just as fun as the reception! They were so entertaining making our guests laugh, and had the perfect props for our guests to utilize. Another great benefit is Carol's timely correspondence. Anytime I had a question, she'd email me back, with thorough explanation. Their work speaks for itself, when I say that you will not regret booking them for your photography needs!!

Looking for a photographer to capture your big moments, who makes you feel comfortable and beyond…read moreeasy to work with ? You have to work with Toanven Photography because you will not regret it at all and get everything you want and more!! Toan and team are the absolute very best - worked directly with Toan, Martin, Trieu, and Michael and all very professional and super easy to get along with! We used Toanven photography for our engagement photoshoot / pre wedding , church wedding ceremony at St.Jarlath Catholic Church and civil wedding at Nella terra cellars. Also used their videography services which was also really great. When looking for a photographer , we wanted to make sure that our photographer is easy going, can help guide us and has experience with our venue. I discovered Toanven photography because my best friend used their services for her wedding and after finding out Toan had lots of experience at Nella Terra we knew we had to meet him. On our first zoom call Toan was beyond welcoming and excited which made us excited. He made us laugh, made us comfortable and answered all of our questions and broke down the whole process. Before the wedding Toan helped us better plan our timeline for photos and took his time to understand what were the "must have photos". He gave us alternatives on how we can still get pictures with others and saving time. His advice on a family shot list was super helpful as well. On wedding day Toan was just the person I needed around me with all the craziness of wedding day. His personality bring calmness and he is quick to think if a photo location doesn't work well for the lighting - he found better positioning and areas for the photos the look flawless. Beyond helpful when it came to posing, how to stand , where to look and capture all the right angles. Lastly, Depending on the package you go for, you will get a set number of edits photos and our photos were so amazing it was hard to reach the number of edits we can use. That says a lot about how the quality of the photos are and how they already shine! So reach out to Toanven photography, I promise you will love every moment!

If you're looking for a photographer who really knows his craft, Toan at Toanvenphotography Studio…read moreis that guy. Came through his studio by Branham & Almaden and instantly felt like I was in good hands. Super chill, calm, and professional -- no ego, just pure passion for what he does. He's insanely dialed in with angles, lighting, and composition. The way he sets up shots and makes small adjustments shows how much detail he pays attention to. Nothing feels rushed, everything feels intentional. What really stands out is how comfortable he makes you feel in front of the camera. He gives clear direction without overdoing it, and somehow brings out your best look naturally. His eye for detail is next level -- from posture to shadows to background, he doesn't miss. You can tell he's someone who takes pride in his work and actually cares about delivering high-quality results, not just "getting the shot." The final photos came out clean, sharp, and professional -- honestly exceeded expectations. If you want someone who's skilled, patient, creative, and genuinely invested in making you look good, Toanvenphotography is it. Bay Area hidden gem for sure. Highly recommend.

Jay was kind, flexible, and so excited with me during my grad photos! Most importantly, he made me…read morefeel comfortable. He took many, many shots in a variety of places and I just love how they turned out. I will definitely be returning back to home for my future photography needs!

Jay was very good at communicating by email. Booked him a couple of weeks in advance and then I…read morechanged the date and he was very accommodating. The shoot was located at Asilomar beach- quick, easy, and fast- just what I wanted. He gave us a notice that the photos could take up to 2 weeks but he had them ready in a few days. They turned out great and his pricing was perfect for our budget! I had about 20+ Great pictures with Great quality! Also A GREAT PRICE! Come on what a steal! Thank you Jay you are amazing!

Autumn was a pleasure to work with. She helped us get into the right pose. The entire booking…read moreprocess was smooth. She always made sure we were on the same page. The images were even better than I could imagine. I'd share a photo but we had our minor in all of the images. Check out her website and social pages to view her impressive gallery. Thank you Autumn!

Autumn was really easy to work with and very accommodating. She was great with our 1 year old too!…read more The pictures are better than we could have hoped for!

Working with Maria Villano photography was the best aspect of our wedding. Here's why, Maria is the…read moreend to end professional talented photographer who has her organization and expertise down to an art form. She helped us out in so many aspects of the planning process and is trustworthy. She cares about your vision and your comfort level all the while capturing great beauty and magical memories. The results of our photos was and still is overwhelmingly wonderful. We are so grateful to have been able to work together from the start of the planning process, to engagement photos (so fun too, and we don't love cameras), to one of the most special days of our life. I could go on and on about her eye for detail, calm and thoughtful approach and her love for what she is doing in the industry. You and your partner will be lucky and relieved to work with her. For an event that goes by so fast, Maria will help you see things you might have missed during the day. Beyond grateful she was our wedding photographer.

My fiance and I are from Alabama and he surprised me with a proposal on our trip to Carmel. He…read morehired Maria to photograph and it could not have been more perfect! He spent a very long time researching photographers in the area and it was the best choice ever! We have gotten so many compliments on our photos and I look at them constantly! Im so glad we will always have these pictures! Thank you Maria!!