indian wedding vidaii bride hugging her sister and sister is crying while mom comforts them both
Preservation Park Wedding groom and bride wiping their tears as their daughter comforts them
olympic club san francisco wedding photo sunset jamie andrew review copy 2 web 2
Outdoor Art Club Mill Valley Jenga Wedding Photographer Ian Chin review web
Seminary-at-Strawberry-wedding-mill-valley-abstract review
Lake Tahoe Wedding singing bride zephyr cove wedding web copy web (1)
San Francisco City Hall Wedding - Corey Jenn 2.17.22_102 (1) naked butt web_1 copy web
squirrel review web copy (1)
Udval Mongolian wedding web (1)
previous arrow
next arrow

Santa Cruz wedding photographer for people who want “authentic moments of joy” captured naturally and refuse to accept generic images

 A Santa Cruz wedding photographer
with a style that is :

Joyful. Candid. Creative. Fun.

Play Video
california elopement photographer


Meet your 

Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

Santa Cruz wedding photographer, avid yogi, and Disneyworld lover

Thanks for stopping by! My name is ian (left lowercase so you don’t think it’s “Lan”) and I’m a Santa Cruz wedding photographer! As a California native, I’ve been so blessed to call it home all my life and particularly love small weddings and elopements!

I was first introduced to photography by my Papa, who passed away in 2005, and is one of the main reasons why I became a photographer. Part of me does it to connect with him and keep his memory alive, and part of me is absolutely passionate about it, duh!!! 

My parents don’t have any wedding photos because my mom says my dad was too cheap. Imagine that – no proof of their happiest day together!? As a wedding photographer, this cuts deep. 

And so my desire to give people meaningful wedding images began.

At the heart of my focus as a Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer is to give meaningful candid wedding photos to all my Couples, because I know how significant these fleeting moments are. 

I’d love to be your Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer and help you plan the most perfect day. I love shooting in Muir Woods, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and everywhere in between for your wedding in California. I’m here to photograph all the moments, big and small, that tell your story as a Couple.

International Awards

masters-award-winner-150-red-retina-2x_orig

Ranked 5th in North America
2020

wpja-wedding-photographer-top-100-2020

Ranked 54th in the world
2020

fearless badge

Top 50 in the USA
2019

wedding-rule-badge-2021

Ranked 6th in San Francisco
2021

fixthephoto-logo-photoretouching

Top Photographer in the US
2021

wpja badge

Top 50 Artistic Guild
2019

Wedding and Elopement Resources for Easy Planning

Santa Cruz Elopement Photographer

As a wedding photographer in Santa Cruz, I try my best to make the wedding experience easy for my couples. Check out the resources below!

It's about YOU and telling your story!

First and foremost, I want you to be happy

Your hair will gray, your skin will wrinkle, and your memories will fade…but the wedding photographs will remain. 

You are having a once in a lifetime celebration with the most important people in your lives, and documenting it is not something I take lightly. 
This is why I love being a wedding photographer and focusing on smaller elopements.

I have my memories and photos to remember my Papa and my most favorite image of him is an authentic moment of joy.
As a San Francisco wedding photographer I want that for you, your children, and for your memories.

300+ Weddings as a California Wedding Photographer

California Elopement Photographer

As a California wedding photographer, I have been fortunate to have grown up in one of the best places in the world to elope. In addition to the great cuisine, attractions, and weather, Northern California is home to some amazing natural landscapes and elopement venues. Redwood trees, ocean views, and wineries are all a short drive from the City. Below are some of my favorite elopement locations.

Stephen and Scarlett came from Hong Kong for this destination wedding. Check out their Mountain Terrace Wedding

James and Jonathan held their weekday wedding ceremony during the day before an evening cruise. Check out their Palace of Fine Arts Wedding

Court and Ash came from Australia for this destination elopement with only two guests. Check out their Hastings House Garden Weddings

Scroll to Top