ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Lake Tahoe wedding photographer. Film-inspired, documentary-first, no weird posing.
Lake Tahoe · Bay Area · Santa Cruz · Worldwide
–The Photographer
I am a wedding photographer based in Truckee, CA. I have been shooting weddings at Lake Tahoe since 2010. My work takes me from Palisades Tahoe and the Ritz-Carlton to Napa Valley, Maui, and anywhere else couples want to get married.
Before wedding photography I was a newspaper photographer. That background shows up in how I work. I am looking for real moments, not manufactured ones. I am not interested in trending edits or the kind of photos that look like everyone else’s photos.
A lot of photographers can take good photos. The difference is whether they can show up calm, read the room, and let the day happen without getting in the way. That is what I try to do.
–THE APPROACH
I document the day as it happens. I step in when I need to and stay out of the way when I don’t. I give you enough direction that you never feel awkward in front of the camera, but not so much that your wedding starts to feel like a photo shoot.
The edit leans toward film. Soft, honest, not trendy. Colors that look like what the day actually looked like. I am not going to strip out all the color or push everything orange to match whatever is popular right now. Your photos should still look good in ten years.
I am looking for the moments that feel like a wedding. Hugs, tears, people laughing at things you will not remember five years from now. That is what I am there to get.
Client Review
“When you hire Wade you’re not just hiring a photographer, you’re hiring a friend. So incredible at what he does. I’d give 10 stars.”
-jeremy c.
the landing resort wedding
south Lake tahoe, ca
Services
01
Full wedding days, intimate elopements, and destination weddings. Lake Tahoe, Northern California, Maui, Napa Valley, and wherever else you are getting married. I have shot at Palisades Tahoe, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, Everline Resort, Brindare, South Maui Gardens, and Wailea Beach Resort. Every image in my portfolio is from a real wedding.
02
Product photography, lifestyle and brand work, and business interiors. Bay Area, Lake Tahoe, and Santa Cruz. Same approach as the wedding work.
03
Couples sessions, engagement portraits, and bridal shoots. Relaxed, natural, no forced poses. A good engagement shoot also means you already know how to work with me by the time your wedding day comes around.
Tell me about what you are planning. I will confirm availability, answer any questions, and make sure we are a good fit before anything else.
CONTACT →FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE?
Documentary at its core, film influenced. I focus on real moments as they happen, natural light, and colors that are honest. The goal is for your photos to look like your wedding day looked, not like a Pinterest mood board. I want them to hold up in ten years.
DO YOU SHOOT FILM OR DIGITAL?
I shoot digital and film. My digital work is heavily influenced by my favorite film stocks — Portra, Fuji, and Agfa. I aim for natural skin tones, true to life color, and soft contrast. I am not interested in stripping away color for the sake of trends or turning everything orange. Timeless, not trendy. I also shoot actual film and have multiple cameras. Ask me about it.
DO YOU WORK WITH NATURAL LIGHT?
Yes. I rely heavily on natural light and prefer to work with what is already there. Outdoor environments and natural settings play a big role in my work, especially at Lake Tahoe and along the California coast. When natural light is not available I know how to use flash and your day will not be compromised by rain or darkness.
DO YOU USE AI TO EDIT PHOTOS?
No. Each wedding is edited individually to reflect the feeling and the lighting of that specific day.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU ON A WEDDING DAY?
Relaxed. I am there to be a calm presence, not another thing you have to manage. I pay attention to what is happening, step in when I need to, and stay out of the way when I do not. You will always know where I am but you will never feel like I am hovering.
HOW MUCH DIRECTION DO YOU GIVE?
Enough that you never feel lost, not so much that it turns into a directed shoot. Most of it is small and natural. If you hate being in front of a camera, that is not a problem. Most of the couples I work with say the same thing.
CAN WE SEE FULL WEDDING GALLERIES?
Yes. Always ask this of any photographer you are considering. Full galleries show you how someone photographs an entire day, not just the best ten shots. Ask me and I will send examples that feel similar to what you are planning.
DO YOU WORK WITH LGBTQ+ COUPLES?
Yes. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and fully themselves on their wedding day. I photograph every couple the same way.
HOW MANY PHOTOS DO WE GET AND HOW LONG DOES DELIVERY TAKE?
Most couples get around 100 fully edited images per hour of coverage. The number depends on how the day flows. Turnaround time is communicated clearly before booking. You will get a complete story, not a highlight reel.
DO YOU OFFER VIDEO?
Yes. I offer a special moments package that covers the ceremony, first dance, and speeches for $1,500. Fixed camera with audio. Additional moments are $350 each.
DO YOU RECOMMEND VENUES?
Yes. I have shot at most of the major venues around Lake Tahoe and have honest notes on light, logistics, and what makes each place work. Check my venue guide.
DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS?
Yes. I am based in Truckee but I travel regularly. Northern California, the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, Maui, Napa Valley, and beyond. Travel is straightforward and I will walk you through everything before booking.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH ELOPEMENTS?
Yes. Full wedding weekends down to just the two of you on a mountain. Smaller weddings often allow for more flexibility and I genuinely enjoy them. The approach stays the same regardless of guest count.
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
Reach out through the contact page and tell me about what you are planning. I will confirm availability, answer any questions, and make sure we are a good fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.