A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a red knitted cardigan and black pants, is outdoors near a wooden fence with a green field and trees in the background. She has a gentle smile and is looking down, holding her hand close to her face.

Hi I’m Nelleke, you can also call me Nel!

I’m so glad you’re here!

I am a wedding photographer based in San Diego, California.

Weddings, to me, represent one of the purest celebrations of human connection – choosing a life partner and celebrating that commitment with all of your closest people. I feel so honored to be there to witness and capture it all.

I approach each wedding day with a deep sense of gratitude, an eye for detail and a dedication to storytelling. I aim to capture your day with authenticity and artistry, creating timeless images that allow you to relive your wedding day over and over.

My inspiration lies in wide open spaces, quiet landscapes, fashion, architecture, organic shapes, emotion, cinema and impressionist paintings.

Black and white photo strip with three images of a young woman with long, wavy hair wearing a light-colored blouse, posed outdoors with a backdrop of foliage. In the first image, she looks directly at the camera with a gentle smile. In the second, she looks to her right with a slight smile. In the third, she touches her forehead and looks down with a soft expression.

CORE VALUES

Four words come to mind when reflecting on my approach to photography and your experience as a client.

I aim to create something vulnerable, timeless, joyful and organic.

  • You are sharing your story with me- I want the photos to feel deeply like you and tell your story well.

  • Photographs that create a lasting memory of the moments I experience with you. I value knowing you and will call you “friend” even after our job is done.

  • I desire for you to feel celebrated, seen and known while we work together. I will be your biggest cheerleader and make you feel at ease in front of the camera.

  • Laughter, dancing, smiling, crying- I want you to be present, savor the moment and embrace all the emotions.

I was raised in Santa Cruz, and the redwoods and untouched coastline of the Monterrey Bay will always be a source of peace.

Coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, ocean waves, and foggy mountains in the background.

My inspiration lies in wide open spaces, quiet landscapes, fashion, architecture, organic shapes, emotion, cinema and impressionist paintings.

  • Booking Nel for our wedding photography was the best decision we made. Her photos are artistic, yet authentic. I really love the way she captured the little mundane moments of the wedding day—memories we can cherish forever now. She also has a wonderful personality, which is a huge plus because she spends most of the wedding day by your side! She delivered incredible value

    Lizzie & Tommy

  • Worth every penny! One of our best decisions was hiring Nel to capture our special day, she was the sweetest and most helpful and made the entire process so easy. I can’t express how grateful I am for her and to top it off her work is just as amazing. We are beyond happy with our photos!!

    Kassy & Dillon

  • I cannot express how over the moon I am with Nel’s services. My husband and I hired Nel as our wedding photographer. Her personability and interaction with my family was top notch. She was professional, fun, creative and flexible. Truly a grounding force on a chaotic day, making sure everything ran smoothly. And the PICTURES! If you book with Nel, there is no way you will be disappointed

    Jen & Zac

  • So glad I decided to go with Nel as my wedding photographer!! I always feel so awkward posing for photos but she made us feel so comfortable. Her communication was professional and effortless. We absolutely love all of our photos. She captured special moments I didn’t even notice. Each photo tells a story and shows so much emotion and love from our special day. If you are looking for the perfect documentary-style/timeless photographer, look no further! I can’t recommend Nel enough! We will cherish these photos forever!

    Jennifer & Tim

  • Having Nel shoot our wedding was the absolute best decision! She captured our day better than we could have imagined. Aside from her amazing photography skills, she also makes it super easy to feel comfortable and at ease when taking tons of photos throughout the day.

    Holly & Ryan

Side view of a woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a beige dress, holding a camera with a strap around her neck, standing against a white brick wall.

In my free time you can find me in the ocean, laughing with friends, thrifting and crafting, sipping a matcha, hosting a dinner party or having a movie night.