California Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Emma Hayes
Quiet moments, told beautifully.
Enter the GalleryThe signature frame
Sonoma · 5:42 am
The first frame I exposed that morning. Cold air, no music, nobody looking.
From the personal archive of Emma Hayes. Available as a 16×20 archival print on request.
Frame № 004 / 2025
Big Sur · October 2024
Sophia & James
Santa Ynez Valley · June 2024
Maya & Rafael
Yosemite Elopement · August 2024
Claire & Théo
Malibu · April 2025
Nadia & Kai
Palm Springs · February 2025
Isabelle & Omar
Carmel-by-the-Sea · November 2024
Grace & Luca
Selected Work
About
The woman
behind the lens
I grew up watching my grandmother pull old photos from a shoebox — faded rectangles that could stop a room cold. A laugh frozen mid-sentence. A hand squeeze that said everything. That's when I understood: photographs aren't decoration. They're the closest thing we have to going back.
After a decade shooting editorial and portrait work across California, I turned full-time to weddings — and I've never looked back. My couples tell me they barely noticed me there. That's the goal. I move quietly, I wait for what's real, and I bring you images you'll hand down.
"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know."
Letters received
Emma has this rare gift — she never makes you feel like you're being photographed. She moves through a wedding like a ghost with a camera. When our gallery arrived I sat with my mom and we both cried for twenty minutes. Every single frame felt like a memory I didn't know I was missing.
Sophia & James
Big Sur, October 2024
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Letter № 02
Maya & Rafael
Santa Ynez Valley, June 2024
“We were terrified of being 'posed' in our photos. Emma showed up, asked us to just be ourselves, and delivered 600 images where I swear I don't look stiff in a single one. Our venue asked to use three shots for their own marketing — that's how stunning they are.”
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Letter № 03
Claire & Théo
Yosemite Elopement, August 2024
“We eloped on a Tuesday in Yosemite — just us, our dog, and Emma. I was terrified it would feel small. It felt enormous. She captured the way the light fell through the valley like it was painted. Those photos are the most beautiful thing I own.”
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Letter № 04
Nadia & Kai
Malibu, April 2025
“From the very first email, Emma made us feel like she cared more about our day than her portfolio. Booking her was the best decision we made — after saying yes to each other, obviously.”
Investment
Collections
Every wedding is different. These are starting points — we'll talk through what makes sense for your day.
Collection
Elopement
Just the two of you — and every last second of it.
Up to 4 hours
- 4 hours of coverage
- 300+ edited images
- Private online gallery
- Print release included
- Two locations
Collection
Half-Day
The getting ready, the ceremony, the first hour of forever.
Up to 7 hours
- 7 hours of coverage
- 500+ edited images
- Private online gallery
- Print release included
- Engagement session
- Two photographers
Collection
Full Day
From sunrise preparations to the last dance — all of it.
Up to 12 hours
- 12 hours of coverage
- 700+ edited images
- Private online gallery
- Print release included
- Engagement session
- Two photographers
- Rehearsal dinner coverage
- Heirloom photo album
Travel included within 100 miles of California. Custom quotes for destination weddings.
The experience
Slow. Quiet.
In four parts.
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Chapter 01
Inquire
Fill out the form below. I read every message carefully and respond within 48 hours.
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Chapter 02
Connect
We hop on a 30-minute video call — no pressure, just two people talking about your day.
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Chapter 03
The Day
I arrive early, stay late, and document everything — the nervous laughs, the ugly-cries, the dancing.
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Chapter 04
Heirlooms
Your gallery arrives within 6 weeks, beautifully edited and ready to print or share forever.
Not sure what's right for you?
Download the Investment Guide — it covers what each package includes, how to choose, and answers every question couples ask before booking.
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Let's Connect
Write to me
Tell me about your day — even just a few sentences. I read every message in the morning, with coffee, before anything else.