I believe that you deserve photos that actually feel like your wedding day—not just what it looked like, but how it felt in your soul. The quiet nerves before walking down the aisle, the way your partner looked at you during your vows, and that just-married joy as you danced barefoot by the ocean. As your Santa Cruz wedding photographer, I'm here to capture every candid, emotional, in-between moment so you can relive the day exactly as it unfolded—raw, real, and beautifully you.
Your Santa Cruz elopement & wedding
Photographer:
I believe wedding days should feel intentional, not chaotic. You shouldn't be rushing through a checklist or worrying about timelines—you should be soaking in every moment with the people you love most. I’m all about helping you craft a day that feels natural, meaningful, and stress-free from start to finish. As your Santa Cruz wedding photographer, I’m more than just the one with the camera—I’m here to guide you, cheer you on, and make sure everything flows in a way that lets you actually enjoy your day. Because when you're fully present, the real magic happens—and that’s what I’m here to capture.
Your wedding day should be full of meaning, not pressure.
let's chat!
"But we're so awkward in front of the camera."
You don’t need to be models or know your angles—I’ve got you. My approach is all about guiding you into natural, candid moments that feel effortless and real. No stiff poses, no forced smiles—just the two of you being yourselves. I’ll give you enough direction to feel confident while letting things unfold in a way that keeps the whole experience fun, relaxed, and 100% you.
Don’t worry—literally everyone says that at first.
let's start planning!
How to Plan Your Engagement or Couples Session in Big Sur, CA
Moody Rainy Day Yosemite Elopement at Swinging Bridge
yosemite valley elopement
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SANTA CRUZ REDWOODS MATERNITY SESSION
plan your big sur photo session
Recent Santa Cruz Photography
-Makenzee Armstrong
Salisha was a dream to work with!! She was on top of EVERYTHING! She took the time to help me build a timeline not just for my wedding, But things I needed to get done prior to my wedding as well , making sure my vendors were lined up properly. She was there every step of the way. Her communication skills are amazing! She always got back to me right away. Not to mention, she’s a BOMB Photographer. I love how my photos turned out and would highly recommend her! And definitely will be using her in the future!!
"Salisha was a dream to work with!!"
Engagement sessions are the perfect way to celebrate this in-between chapter—no pressure, no strict timelines, just the two of you doing your thing. Whether you're wandering the cliffs at sunset or grabbing coffee downtown, these sessions are a low-key way to get comfortable in front of the camera and capture your connection in a more everyday kind of way. Plus, it’s a fun little warm-up for the big day (or just a sweet way to document your love right now).
Looking for an engagement photographer in Santa Cruz?
When you book a session with me, you’re not just getting pretty photos—you’re getting a built-in planning buddy. We’ll kick things off with a consult to chat through your vision, vibe, and what would make this feel like you. I’ll send you curated location suggestions (including those tucked-away gems only locals know about), help with outfit planning, and even share tips to help your photos feel natural, not forced. Whether you're aiming for dreamy and romantic or playful and candid, we’ll plan a session that feels intentional, effortless, and timeless.
book with me
You don’t have to plan this alone.
my goal is to...
I’ll guide you every step of the way
capture photos that make you feel
Sure, we’ll get a few “grandma would love this” photos, but I’m really here for the real stuff—those quiet, emotional, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments that matter most.
Your session (and wedding day) should feel joyful and easy. I keep things flowing smoothly so you can stay present and soak it all in.
From timeline tips to outfit inspo and location scouting, I’m with you through the entire process. I’m part photographer, part hype woman, part planning sidekick
No stiff poses or awkward moments here. I guide you in a way that feels natural and relaxed, so your photos reflect your true connection—not a curated version of it.
Why Couples Love Working With Me
Photos That Feel Like You
Stress-Free Experience, Always
Eye for the Real Moments
More Than just a Photographer
If you like Star Wars, Disney, sitcoms that make you laugh (like the Office or New Girl) then we’re gonna have a ball together! When I’m not drinking obscene amounts of coffee, or eating tacos from the Taco Stand (if you’ve never eaten there and live in So-Cal then we need to change that, pronto), you will probably find me on the banks of a river casting trout bait, or more likely, chasing my 3 kiddos around a campsite! I love exploring new places and taking my camera along for the ride. Can't wait to go on an adventure with you!
Hi, I’m Salisha!
meet your santa cruz
photographer
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If you're looking for an elopement or wedding photographer, then I've got your back for whatever way you wanna celebrate your big day. Just make sure it's all about what you want, not what others expect from you. Whether you're saying your vows in the backyard of your Santa Cruz home, on a ranch, on the cliffs of Big Sur while the waves crash, in a field surrounded by wildflowers, during sunrise over Half Dome in Yosemite, or in the spot where you got engaged—any of those options would be awesome, as long as it's all about what you really want for your day.
let's dream up the best ELOPEMENT day ever!
-Isabella Brick
Salisha’s talent and attention to detail is beyond words incredible! Her communication during the planning process was so amazing and made everything stress-free leading up to the big day! Salisha also knew her way which was such a relief to us All the photos turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined! She made all of our visions and dreams come to life even better than we had hoped. Plus, Salisha is extremely comfortable to shoot with and felt like a part of our family during all of it, so our private vows still felt extremely intimate. I would recommend her to anyone for anything, but especially elopements!
"THE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF YOUR DREAMS!"
FRIENDS
tacos
coffee
led zeppelin
hobby
band
city
san diego
drink
food
tv show
favorites
fishing
10+ years photographing couples
50+ weddings photographed
250,000 images professionally edited
100+ couples photographed
55+ 5-star reviews from happy clients
Trust Me, I've Got Your Back
Abso-freakin-lutely! Exploring new places is one of my favorite things to do. I’m an expert at choosing amazing spots for bridal shots and I thrive while creating in new environments. The best part? NO TRAVEL FEES!
ANSWEr
Of course! Fill out an inquiry form and drop me a line in your comments and I can send you the link to a current wedding or elopement gallery that will vibe with your current vision.
ANSWEr
Nope, I only give my clients the absolute best quality images and the raw files typically aren’t a reflection of my work and current portfolio. If you’re worried about file size and enlargements, then I gotchu! Your gallery will include the perfect size images for gorgeous canvas and metal prints.
ANSWEr
I deliver my photos via private online gallery. Every wedding and portrait packages include access to high quality file downloads for each delivered image, available directly from your gallery. You’ll also be able to order stunning prints and products, such as metal-prints (my personal fav), canvases, albums, and more!
ANSWEr
Typically brides hire me to be there all day, which means about 10 hours, but don't worry, that's not all spent taking photos, most of that time is spent getting ready and then having fun at the end of the night! I love being there for all the special moments, like when you're mom sees you getting into your wedding dress, and the party at the end of the night! However, I do have packages to meet every need, so this is something we can discuss further as we start planning!
ANSWEr
Yes! My goal is always to serve you as best as I can, so I want to make sure that you’re getting everything your heart desires when it comes to your wedding day photography. If there’s something you desire that isn’t included in your package (extra hours, albums, 2nd shooters, whatever!) then we can absolutely add it on. In our initial consultation, we can discuss each package and decide which option (or in-between option) will best suit your needs!
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
