My photography style blends documentary, cinematic, editorial, and candid approaches. On wedding days and elopements, I capture moments as they naturally unfold while stepping in to provide gentle guidance when needed — for example, during couple portraits or family formals. For engagement and couple’s sessions, I create a fun, relaxed experience that feels like a date, helping you interact naturally so I can capture the essence of your relationship. I focus on true-to-life colors and authentic emotions, blending artistry with real, meaningful moments to create images that feel timeless and personal.

I’m based in Huntington Beach, California, but I love to travel for weddings, elopements, and couple’s sessions! I photograph couples all over Southern California, including Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, and beyond. I also travel for destination weddings anywhere in the world — Italy, Ireland, Jamaica, Oaxaca, you name it! Let me know where you are, and we’ll figure out the best way to get me to you.

I’ve been so lucky to photograph incredible couples for 15 years, capturing love stories all over the world — from Jamaica to Italy, Ireland to Oaxaca. Every wedding, elopement, and couple’s session has taught me something new, and I feel so grateful to do what I love with people who trust me to tell their story.

First, please fill out my contact form.(https://www.marissakay.com/contact) I do my best to respond to all inquiries within two business days. After that, let’s hop on a FaceTime call! I want to hear all about your vision for your wedding, elopement, or couple’s session, and you can ask me any questions you have. It’s so important to me that couples click with their photographer, and a FaceTime call is the perfect way to make sure we’re a great fit. If you’re booking a wedding or elopement, once you decide to work with me, I’ll send over a digital contract. After it’s signed and your deposit is paid, you’re officially booked! For couples or engagement sessions, you’ll fill out my couple’s session contact form.(https://www.marissakay.com/couples-contact) If we feel like a great fit, once you book, we’ll dive into planning all the fun details — locations, outfits, timing, and anything else to make your session feel totally you.

Yes, I offer 35mm film as an add-on, but I want to be clear — I’m not a film photographer. I mainly shoot digital. Couples can add film rolls to their session if they want the experience of shooting on real film or just really appreciate the film process. If you’re more into the aesthetic than the process, I can also create film-style edits for some of your photos. You’ll get duplicates: one in my usual true-to-life editing style, and one with a film-inspired look.

Being in front of a camera can feel super awkward, but don’t worry ... I’ve got you. I don’t tell you exactly where to place every finger or how to smile (because who wants that?). Instead, I create little moments — like taking a slow walk together, reminiscing about a favorite memory, or even playing a little chase. These prompts help your connection shine naturally, without anything feeling stiff or fake. Couples call me 'The Queen of Cookies & Comfort' because I make sessions cozy, fun, and totally stress-free (also, I just really love cookies). You’ll leave feeling relaxed, having fun, and with photos that feel romantic, playful, and unmistakably you.

I don’t work from a formal shot list. Those checklists can actually limit creativity and artistry. I’ve found that when I’m focused on ticking boxes, I miss the little, real moments happening on your wedding or elopement day. That said, if there’s a specific pose or photo you’ve seen and really want to try, I’m totally up for it. I love when couples bring ideas or get creative with me. You can also request certain types of shots, like close-ups of kissing, spinning around, or a specific location. We’ll make it happen ... just without feeling like we’re working through a rigid checklist.

You will get a minimum of 150 photos from your lifestyle or engagement session and a minimum of 100 images per hour from your wedding day. I say that to be safe, but it usually ends up being a lot more.

For lifestyle and engagement sessions, your photos will be ready within 2 to 4 weeks. For wedding photos, they will be ready within 6 to 10 weeks from your wedding date. I go through a careful process of choosing the best images from the day and then individually processing each of them. I would much rather take the time to properly sort through and edit your photos and present you with beautiful images than to rush through them.

No, I do not give my clients the RAW, unedited image files. Part of the magic of my work is my editing process, and a big part of why my clients book me is because they like my editing style. To me, giving the RAW files to you is like me offering to bring you freshly baked cookies and then giving you a bag of flour and sugar with some eggs on the side. You'd be like, "Where are my cookies?!" I'm not going to deliver an incomplete product to you. ​ If you're worried about missing out on certain photos, I promise that I won't leave out any images that you'll want or need. The photos that I'm not delivering to you are the ones in which: 1) you're blinking or weren't ready for the photo to be taken, 2) I didn't have my camera settings just right, or 3) I just didn't take a good photo. ​ However, if you feel like I forgot to include a certain photo, just let me know. I'm happy to go back through my images and send it over to you!

To some extent, yes. Every photo gets my personal touch, but I’m not here to airbrush or change what you look like. My editing style is kinda like Goldilocks and the three bears — not too light and airy, not too dark and moody, but right in the middle. Think earthy, natural vibes with true-to-life colors. Your skin tone? It’s gonna look like your skin — just as it does in real life. That’s my True Tone Promise™.(https://marissakay.com/#true-tone-promise) I’ll make sure your complexion is accurate, and if you notice something you’re not happy with, I’ll re-edit it at no extra charge. I also lightly remove temporary blemishes like acne or bruising, but I don’t alter face shape or bodies. I take the time to make sure every image matches the vibe you fell in love with in my work. No one-size-fits-all filters here!

While I will touch up temporary blemishes like acne and bruises, I won't do intense airbrushing to create someone that doesn't even look like you. I pride myself on providing my clients with true-to-life photos that show off their natural beauty. However, if you have certain things that you're self-conscious about, please don't hesitate to let me know, and I will definitely be mindful of that while posing you.

Yes, of course! You will receive personal rights to the photos, meaning that you can print them and post them for personal use. However, I just ask that you please do not edit your photos or apply any filters or presets from any program or app to the images that you share.

Absolutely! I love helping couples plan and bring their vision to life — whether it’s a wedding, elopement, or a couples/engagement session. For weddings and elopements, I can: • Recommend locations that fit your style and vibe • Guide you through permits, officiants, and other logistics • Offer feedback on dresses, florals, and styling • Create a flexible photography timeline so everyone knows where to be and when For couples and engagement sessions, I help: • Choose the perfect location(s) — from outdoor adventures to cozy at-home settings or stylish Airbnb spots • Plan outfits that match your personality and the shoot’s mood • Map out the shoot so you feel relaxed, confident, and ready to have fun in front of the camera Basically, I’m here to guide you every step of the way — making your day or session stress-free, intentional, and memorable!

I shoot with a mirrorless Canon EOS R6 and use a combination of prime and zoom lenses. I bring two camera bodies and an assortment of lenses and flashes to every wedding. This way, if there is a problem with a piece of equipment, I have a back-up that I can grab right away.

Your photos are extremely important to me, so I have a four-layer backup system to ensure nothing is ever lost. 1. My camera uses dual SD card slots, which means every photo is saved to two memory cards at the same time — your images are backed up before they even leave the camera. 2. As soon as I return home, I upload all images to a portable SSD drive. 3. I also store them on a larger hard drive for extra security. 4. Finally, I keep the photos on the SD cards until your full gallery has been delivered. This way, your memories are safely backed up at every step, so you can relax knowing nothing will be lost.

It has never happened that I was not able to photograph a wedding; however, life is unpredictable. If something tragic were to happen, I have a network of professional photographers whom I can contact to cover your event.

This is such a difficult, but incredibly important question! After much thought, deliberation, and taste-testing, I would have to say browned butter chocolate chip.