Southern California Snaps
October 6th, 2008 @ 11:28 am by Miss Sweet Tea
Shortly before Mr. Sweet Tea and I were officially engaged, we floated around the idea of having our wedding right here in sunny San Diego. While that clearly didn’t last, I remember being the most excited about the possibility of having some of the amazing Southern California-based photographers capture our special day. You may already know the work of Apertura and Leigh Miller from the other lovely bees that have used them, so I thought I’d share the work of some others I am in awe of, that you may not yet have heard about.
Theorie, formerly Weddings by Amy
I first heard of Amy Wright through Lacey, the associate Mr. ST and I worked closely with at Charles Koll when we were designing my engagement ring. Amy was actually at the jewelry store too, meeting with Lacey when we walked up. I remember being really taken by her friendly and open personality, and when I saw her work, I just fell in love. Amy’s portraits are some of the best I’ve seen, not too pose-y and full of personality:
The candid shots are just as gorg, and her detail shots are drool-worthy. Amy now photographs with her husband, Maurice, so you get double the talent in one studio!
Bumatay Studio is another married duo, with Greg Bumatay behind the lens, and Lily Ann taking care of the business end. They are based in the OC but can travel all over. Greg’s style is much more photojournalistic (reminds me a bit of our photographer, Chris Williams, actually!), and I love the moody lighting he uses for some of his portraits.
Bumatay Studios’ engagement shots, day-of portraits, and trash the dress sessions are some of my favorites. They are just damn SEXY!
Based out of Oceanside, Jay is young and super talented—his family portraits are beautiful, so you can have him as your photographer for life! I don’t usually focus on showing shots from just one wedding on these photog profiles, but I think you can see his range in this one series. Plus, this wedding venue shown was the San Diego venue I always envisioned our wedding would be at, the Darlington House.
Jay also specializes in having photo booth-style photos at the wedding reception, and I think it’s nothing extra to include these into his wedding package!
Last but not least, En Pointe Photography
I just came across Susan’s work recently and just love it! She’s my age, based in San Diego, and accordingly her photos are young, fun, clean and sweet. 
Her blog is one of my favorite vendor blogs because it doesn’t seem like a vendor blog. There are personal Polaroids, little thoughts, and of course, the requisite wedding porn. It’s almost like reading one of your girlfriends’ daily thoughts and musings, and I tell you, it’s addictive!
I’m running out of steam, but I didn’t want to leave them out: two other SoCal photographers whose work is pretty sweet are Nely Photography and Trista Lerit. Check them out too!
There are so many great photographers in Southern California, it can be downright overwhelming; I know I had my work cut out for me when I thought we were having our wedding in San Diego! I hope this short list can be of help to some of you still on the photographer hunt in California and elsewhere!
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17 Responses to “Southern California Snaps”
I’ve always envied the number of amazing photographers Southern Cali seems to have. But I’m not complaining; I absolutely love my photographer. Thanks for showing all these pretty pictures; now I have more photographer blogs to stalk!
love it!!! I love the classic, playful, personal look! also- please bring back queer wedding wednesdays!
thank you for posting!
Thanks so much! This really helps me out a lot!
I love all these. Sigh. Have you seen Skye Blu’s shots? They do amazing work as well.
I am from San Diego as well and already LOVE Leigh Miller’s photography! (Sadly she was out of our budget) But I have never heard of something the other photographers that you listed and they are AMAZING as well! Yeah for San Diego! We actually chose someone from Northern California, who did a few other friend’s weddings and is incredible.
Do you have any other recommendations for a San Diego bride?
@Miss Hot Cocoa: My first Queer Wedding Wednesday post featured that wedding shot by Skye Blu! I figured since I mentioned her already that I would spread around the love
@MMWedding: What kinds of recommendations do you need? More photogs? Venues? Dresses? I really can only recommend things in these realms, never got to looking much further!
off the cuff, dresses: Isis Bridal, Chez Bride Moderne for more high end dresses, 2000 Dreams for Maggie Sottero and things in that range. RSVP Bridal is based in SD and can order most designer dresses at a discount.
Venues: loved the Darlington House, Tuesday Club, La Jolla Women’s Club. I’ve heard good things about the Abbey and it’s in a great location by Balboa Park, also the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa.
My wedding photog is Theorie!!! We are from out of town (live in NYC, getting married in Temecula, CA) and had our engagement pics in July this year in San Diego. They are wonderful and we love our pics. I can’t wait until our wedding! (Nov 1)
@Tifa2276: Are you getting married on a vineyard? I knew someone that got married at Falkner and it looked beautiful. I remember thinking how awesome it would be to get married at the Ponte Winery! I am also jealous that you are living where I so want to be right now… I miss fall in NY.
The dress recommendations are wonderful! I will have look into it. How does RSVP bridal work?
I am also looking for a florist, dj and day of coordinator.
Thanks for your help Miss Sweet Tea!
Miss Sweet Tea, THANK YOU SOOOOOO much for your posts. I live in southern california and I am planning for my sisters Debut for next year, and i’ve gotten so many useful hints/tips/leads from you!
You don’t know what a life saver you are!
Can I say THANK YOU again for staying here? You are such an amazing person!
Thanks for featuring my photographer, Susan from En Pointe! And at the risk of being obnoxious, I must correct you, it’s the Thursday Club, not “Tuesday” 
I should know, I’m getting married there. I totally agree with you, Darlington house is beautiful and classy; but alas, no ocean view. For SD brides, a great website with a TON of info (and no less drama is Bridalinsider.com. I found almost all my vendors by looking them up on that board.
MMWedding, Re: RSVP bridal, I remember I emailed them a while back about a dress; you give them the dress and model you’re interested in, and they send you a quote. If you like the price, you order it through them. I no longer have their email address but I think you can google RSVP bridal. Or do a search on Bridalinsider.
Hi Miss Sweet Tea! I remember meeting you at CK! Thank you so much for your kind words about our work! We are honored to be featured here. Keep up the wonderful blogging! And Tifa2276, we can’t wait for your wedding!!!
I was wondering why the spike in my web traffic…Thank you Miss Sweet Tea, for including me. Those photographers you listed are some of my favorites, too!
You should also checkout Brian Khang. His work is really amazing and his blog is full of wedding eye candy.
Oh wow!! Thanks so much, Miss Sweet Tea, for including me! 
and I’m glad you like my blog so much! Keeps me motivated, knowing that people enjoy it
[...] I was recently featured on the fabulously famous weddingbee blog! How fun! Thanks so much to Miss Sweet Tea for featuring [...]
Miss Sweet Tea, San Diego/New Orleans
Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web Monkey
Engagement Date: December 1, 2007
Wedding Date: December, 2008
Blogging Since: July 14, 2008
Venue: Small church ceremony, museum reception
About Me: I'm an East Coaster living on the West Coast, planning a wedding in the South. I teach, study and write about pop culture, race, and sexuality for a living- now if only my dream job paid! After Mr. Sweet Tea, my other loves are scuba diving, traveling, being a semi-pretentious foodie, and fighting for social justice. I can't wait to have our best friends and family together in our favorite city to
celebrate with us!
First, I want to say - WOW! Talk about eye candy! Second, I am so happy to see you posting and I can’t wait to see more of your wedding. I am sure the decision wasn’t made lightly. Third, I am glad that you picked NOLA for your wedding location. New Orleans needs all the help and good publicity it can get.
Hugs.