Love, Light, and Timeless Moments
SLO, SB, Ventura, Monterey Counties
Travel area: Within 300 miles See details
Videography services available
Deals
Exclusive discountPermanent
5% discount for The Knot couples
Claim Deal
April Simmons
OWNER & LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
April Simmons Photography specializes in capturing the raw, authentic moments of your wedding day through a documentary-style approach. With 15 years of experience behind the camera, I focus on telling the true story of your love, weaving together candid moments and real emotions to create timeless memories. My goal is to preserve the essence of your special day, from the quiet, intimate glances to the joyful celebrations, all while allowing the day to unfold naturally. I believe in photographing not just the events but the heart of your story, ensuring each image is as unique and genuine as your love.
April Simmons Photography is a professional wedding photographer in Templeton, CA.
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Photo Shoot Types
Bridal Portraits
Day After Session
Engagement
Trash The Dress
Photo & Video
Digital Files
Film Photography
Online Proofing
Photo
Printed Enlargements
Same-Day Edits
Second Shooter Available
Social Media Sharing
Photo & Video Styles
Classic
Documentary
Lifestyle
Modern
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Awards and Affiliations
2-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
April Simmons
Owner & Lead Photographer
Hi, I’m April.
I document weddings with a warm, thoughtful approach and a refined eye for real moments. My work blends documentary storytelling with gentle direction, creating imagery that feels natural, timeless, and true to each couple.
I’m drawn to the moments that make a wedding day unforgettable — the anticipation before the ceremony, the emotion of seeing each other, the light at sunset, and the quiet interactions woven throughout the day. I believe the best photographs feel both effortless and deeply personal.
Beyond creating beautiful images, I care about creating an experience that feels calm, comfortable, and well supported. I want my couples to feel at ease, fully present, and confident that their day is being documented with intention and care.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.027 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Couples rave that April is a talented, professional, and calming wedding photographer who captures both major moments and candid, emotional details with beautiful, natural edits. She's organized, flexible, excellent with family/group shots and timeline help. Clients also praise her quick turnaround and abundant, heartfelt photos.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Joe H
Highlighted review.
5.0
11/20/2024
I originally booked April to shoot my then girlfriend and l's proposal. She was super responsive and kind. She helped me formulate and plan and it went into action. I surprised my ...
wife at a winery, where April had scoped out weeks prior and helped coordinate logistics. After the big surprise, April took pictures of us for over an hour, while we only paid for 1. Two days later, we received our pictures. She captured and edited 245 pictures in 2 days, and each one was as pretty as the last. Needless to say, we booked her for our wedding.
Throughout the process, she was extremely kind, responsive, and understanding. She jumped at any idea we had and was eager to capture us. We did an engagement shoot a few months before the wedding, and we had people complimenting us on our pictures for months. Her bubbly yet gentle personality is perfect for folks who are not as photogenic as they'd like to be. She rolls with the punches and works so hard to get the perfect shot.
My wife and I got married in early July at a winery in Paso. April showed up an hour before her slotted time with an additional photographer (whom we did not pay for, nor did she charge us for). In true April fashion, she captured every moment we wanted in perfect execution. She was very kind directing our large wedding party, and didn't miss a beat through the entire evening.We requested to have a photo or two edited before he got back from our honeymoon in order to do our thank-you cards. She sent over dozens of photos while we were still on our honeymoon (we left two days after the wedding and were gone a week). Three days after our honeymoon, she sent us all of our photos. My wife and I spent hours looking at each photo, and in complete awe of April's talent. Each shot was edited perfectly. She was so kind while taking pictures, and her vision was executed perfectly.
To summarize, hahaha, we couldn't recommend April enough to anyone who wants pictures done. April is everything you could ever want in a photographer, ano anyone would be lucky to have her. Her sweet and professional personality is exactly what you would want in a photographer. Any professional pictures my wife and I will do in the future, April will be our first choice. My only advice would be to book her quickly, as when word gets around, she will be the most sought after photographer in the area!
Desiree A
5.0
6/18/2026
Looking through all our photos makes me so emotional and brings me back to our best day ever! I am forever grateful for April for capturing our memories on our very special day. He...
r work is stunning to say the least I’m just blown away. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect photographer! Book her, now!
Any questions?
Kara D
5.0
6/06/2026
We cannot thank April Simmons enough for the incredible gift she has given us. Our wedding day went by in what felt like the blink of an eye, but thanks to April, we have beautiful...
photographs that allow us to relive those memories over and over again.
Her talent is truly remarkable. She has an incredible ability to capture the softness of the light while still making every image feel vibrant, expressive, and full of emotion. Every photograph feels natural and authentic, preserving not only how our wedding day looked, but how it felt.
From the smallest details to the biggest moments, April documented our day so beautifully. Looking through our gallery, we don’t just see photographs—we see the joy, the laughter, the love, and all of the special moments that made our wedding day unforgettable.
Beyond her artistic eye, April was such a pleasure to work with. She made us feel comfortable, relaxed, and completely present throughout the day. We are so grateful for her talent, professionalism, and the care she put into capturing our story.
These photographs are memories we will cherish for a lifetime, and we couldn’t be happier that April was the one behind the camera.
Jesus B
5.0
5/31/2026
April was absolutely incredible in every aspect of our wedding experience. The best way I can describe it is by breaking it down into a few categories:
Value
April created a custo...
m package that perfectly suited our wedding coverage needs since we were planning a smaller, more intimate celebration. She was transparent from the start and even included her hourly extension rate in the contract in case we needed additional coverage on the wedding day.
Professionalism
April was professional from day one. She always responded promptly and often suggested phone calls when my questions or ideas would benefit from a more in-depth discussion. On the wedding day, she arrived prepared, dressed professionally, and had all of her equipment set up before we arrived at our first-look location, which was separate from our venue.
I also appreciated the detailed questionnaire she sent before the event. It covered everything from the timeline to must-have photos, including family portraits, group shots, special moments, and venue details. What stood out most, though, was how attentive she was throughout the day. She noticed when I needed a break from photos, and when directions I had given to a vendor weren’t being followed, she kindly stepped in and helped ensure everything was set up as requested. Those thoughtful touches meant so much to me.
Photos
We received preview photos in record time! Within just two days of our wedding, April delivered 80 beautifully edited images. I know turnaround times can vary depending on a photographer’s schedule, but I was incredibly impressed. Even more amazing, we received our full gallery of over 1,000 photos within two weeks.
April also selected several standout images and provided black-and-white versions, which was such a nice touch. The photos are absolutely stunning. They perfectly capture the essence of our relationship while beautifully showcasing our venue and all the special details of the day.
Open to Ideas
One photo request that was especially important to me was getting an individual picture with each of our guests. April handled this flawlessly, moving quickly, organizing people efficiently, and keeping the line moving without making anyone feel rushed.
Throughout the day, I would occasionally request specific shots or ideas, and she was always eager to make them happen. I loved how collaborative the experience felt. She provided excellent direction for my husband and me—especially since we aren't naturally comfortable with posed couple photos—but she was equally open to trying poses and ideas we wanted to capture ourselves.
I would highly recommend April for your wedding day, engagement session, or any special event. Her professionalism, talent, attention to detail, and genuine care for her clients made her an absolute pleasure to work with, and we couldn't be happier with our photos.
Krissy M
5.0
5/20/2026
We truly appreciates all of April's hard work, professionalism, and care throughout the entire wedding process. From the planning stages to the wedding day itself, she helped make ...
everything feel smooth, beautiful, and so special for both us and our guests.
From our engagement shoot, you immediately made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. Her kind, patient, and calming demeanor made the experience so enjoyable, and we genuinely had so much fun working with you every step of the way.
We are beyond grateful that we chose to work with you and truly appreciate all of the time, effort, and attention you put into making our day unforgettable. The photos she took on our wedding day were absolutely beautiful, and they already brought back so many emotions from the day.
Thank you again for everything, April. We would absolutely recommend you to anyone looking for a wedding photographer, and if any of our friends are getting married in the area, we will definitely be sending them your way!
Alexandra J
5.0
4/18/2026
April has gone above and beyond in every single aspect. When we booked April for our wedding, an engagement shoot was included and we got to spend those extra hours getting to know...
her and feeling so comfortable in front of the camera. She is funny, personable, kind and so incredibly talented. The engagement shots we got back were stunning, so we knew we were in good hands for our wedding photos. Flash forward to our wedding day, there is no one else we could have imagined capturing our big day. Her team was incredible. They were all so sweet, flexible and knew exactly what was needed to get the good shots. We relive our perfect day every time we look at our photos. They’re magic. 1000000/10 would recommend. 🤍
Jessica P
5.0
4/06/2026
Booking April for our wedding was one of the best, if not the best, decision my husband I made in the planning stage. Her galleries speak for themselves but we were stunned at how ...
distinct and "us" our wedding photos came out, while still showcasing her signature eye for light and color. She captured the joy and spontaneity of our guests while making our choices appear elegant and sophisticated. She is warm and made me feel at ease; thanks to the engagement session we were able to get to know her so we'd feel comfortable and less nervous on our wedding day. She even helped me with my day-of timeline by answering the many questions I had. Thanks to April my family has gorgeous memories that we will look back on for decades. Thank you so so much April!
Katalina T
5.0
1/09/2026
April was the best wedding day photographer I could have asked for. With all of the stress that comes on wedding days, she was so calm and she really helped me keep my head on stra...
ight. She was organized, prepared, and knew how to take charge when trying to round everybody up for all of the group shots. Our photos turned out gorgeous and I could not be happier with them.
Janelle d
5.0
12/30/2025
April did such a great job capturing all the highlights of our wedding. We are so pleased with her work and just love looking at all our beautiful wedding pictures with such vibra...
nt colors.
Kristopher S
5.0
12/30/2025
Traveled to our desired location, patient and understanding with difficulties along the way. She has excellent insight on making any location come out looking great in a photograph...
. Will not be disappointed with the final pictures!
Patrick C
5.0
12/29/2025
April Simmons was the perfect choice for our wedding photographer
From a husband’s point of view, I couldn’t have asked for a better photographer than April Simmons. I’m not someo...
ne who loves being in front of a camera, but April made the entire experience feel easy and natural. She was calm, confident, and knew exactly how to guide us without it ever feeling forced.
On our wedding day, April was everywhere in the best way—capturing all the big moments while also catching so many candid shots that truly show the emotion of the day. When we got our photos back, I was blown away by how well she told the story of our wedding. Every image feels genuine and meaningful.
April is incredibly talented, professional, and great to work with. The photos are something we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives, and choosing her was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. I would absolutely recommend April Simmons to any couple looking for an amazing photographer.
Elise C
5.0
12/29/2025
April Simmons is absolutely amazing!
We cannot say enough wonderful things about April Simmons. From the very beginning, she was professional, warm, and so easy to work with. On o...
ur wedding day, April made us feel completely comfortable and confident, which truly shows in our photos.
She captured every important moment beautifully—both the big, emotional highlights and the small, candid moments we didn’t even realize were happening. Our photos are stunning, natural, and full of emotion, and looking through them feels like reliving our wedding day all over again.
April’s talent, attention to detail, and calm presence made such a difference on our day. We are beyond grateful and will treasure these photos forever. If you’re looking for a photographer who genuinely cares and delivers incredible work, we highly recommend April Simmons!
Corynne A
5.0
12/29/2025
April is the absolute best!! We could not have asked for a better photographer to capture our most treasured memories. She is kind, caring and a genuine pleasure to work with. I ca...
n not recommend her enough!!
Carolyn A
5.0
12/22/2025
We loved working with April as our wedding photographer! She was very professional, kind, and personable. We had not previously taken many professional photos as a couple, and Apri...
l helped us pose, capturing so many beautiful, natural looking shots. Working with her was so comfortable and seamless throughout our big day. We would highly recommend her as a photographer!
Leigh-Ana R
5.0
12/19/2025
I have nothing but amazing things to say about working with April for our Madonna Inn wedding in Nov 2025. She was easy to coordinate and meet with virtually, and we felt confident...
with the logistics by the time the big day arrived. She was also so flexible, and we were able to book her for an extra hour last minute. The day of, she continued to carry herself professionally and was patient and kind until the very last moment. She captured all the shots we wanted (portraits, family photos, big moments, a photo dash) and so much more. She also did a great job with the details, like making sure we weren't posing awkwardly, that there were nothing ugly in the background, and making sure our dresses laid nicely. When we got the photos back so soon after our wedding, we were simply shocked with how many we received! Over 1300 in total, and we ended up loving over 900 of them. Not only were all the shots we knew she captured in there, but also so many other moments too - all of our guests had lots of pictures, all the details of our ceremony and reception were captured, candid moments. And they were just so gorgeous, exactly what we were looking for! I couldn't be happier with choosing April to shoot our wedding, and I would recommend her for any special occasion you may have!
Ilda S
5.0
12/18/2025
Where do I begin! We couldn’t be happier with our wedding photos! From the very beginning, April made us feel comfortable and at ease, which truly shows in every image. She capture...
d not only the big moments but also the quiet, emotional details we’ll cherish forever. The photos are stunning, timeless, and full of emotion. We are so grateful for her talent, professionalism, and kindness. We highly recommend April to capture your special moments; you won't regret it!
Allison C
5.0
12/17/2025
We absolutely loved working with April. From the start, she made my husband and me feel so comfortable in front of the camera, which made such a difference on our wedding day. She ...
gave great direction in a way that felt natural and never forced.
Throughout the day, April was calm, organized, and so easy to work with. She kept things moving without ever making us feel rushed and was great at capturing both the big moments and the small, candid ones in between. We always felt like we were in good hands.
When we received our photos, we were so happy with how they turned out. The edits are joyful and bright, and they truly captured the feeling of the day. Everything looks beautiful and natural.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience and would highly recommend April to anyone looking for a talented photographer who is also incredibly easy to work with.
Cynthia S
5.0
12/06/2025
I found April on The Knot and then checked out her Instagram, and I immediately knew she was the one. I wanted someone who could capture the most meaningful moments of our special ...
day — and wow, she exceeded every expectation. She even captured little details I hadn’t even thought about.
Before the wedding, we talked about the moments that were most important to me, and I also asked for individual photos of our children for portraits. She delivered that and so much more.
We even had an unexpected situation during the wedding that caused an interruption, and April still stayed past the agreed time without being asked. 😊
She truly went above and beyond, and I’m so grateful for her work. Amazing photos and she had them ready in a week!
Marissa A
5.0
8/14/2025
April was absolutely incredible! She displayed such wonderful and professional communication throughout the whole process. She was very kind, checked in regularly and went above an...
d beyond with helping assist in the wedding day timeline. When it came to the actual wedding day, she arrived early and was incredibly efficient with taking photos. She was even able to provide us with a “sneak peak” gallery within less than 24 hours. My now husband and I were blown away at the variety of photos, as well as their quality, contrast and color. We are so excited to see more. Thank you, April!
Cecily C
5.0
7/16/2025
I can not say enough good things about working with April and the amazing photos she took for our engagement shoot and wedding! Her sweet and professional demeanor instantly put us...
at ease and her guidance on posing ensured that we looked our best in every shot. Her photo style radiates joy and happiness, beautifully capturing light and color without ever appearing washed out. Beyond her talent and personality, we were also amazed by the incredibly quick turnaround time for receiving our photos. We are so incredibly happy that we chose April to capture such precious moments in our lives, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer for their special day.
Susan G
5.0
12/31/2024
We are so glad we chose April to photograph our daughter’s wedding at Spanish Oaks Ranch in Santa Margarita this February. From the moment she arrived, she was not only super profe...
ssional but also really warm and easy to work with. She made our whole family feel comfortable and relaxed, which made such a difference on such a big day.
April was amazing with the family photos. She was able to get everyone organized and in place without making it feel rushed or stressful — no easy feat with a big group! She kept things moving smoothly, and everyone felt at ease thanks to her calming presence. The photos turned out gorgeous — natural, emotional, and truly beautiful.
Throughout the day, April kept everything on track, making sure we stayed on schedule without interrupting the flow of the day. We never had to worry about missing any important moments.
The pictures are absolutely stunning. They perfectly captured the joy, love, and little moments that made the day so special. We’re so grateful for April’s talent and how she helped make our daughter’s wedding unforgettable. We’d recommend her in a heartbeat!
Carlo G
5.0
12/20/2024
Working with April was an absolute dream! She’s such a pro and somehow makes everything feel so effortless. From the moment we started, she had a way of making us feel totally comf...
ortable, which is not always easy in front of the camera. The photos came out amazing just so natural and beautiful. She has this awesome ability to capture real moments that you can’t even plan for. Seriously, if you want someone who’s not only super skilled but also super chill to work with, April is the one!
Hayley S
5.0
12/13/2024
Wow, where do I even start with April? She is seriously the best photographers we've worked with. From the second we met her, she made us feel like we were just hanging out with a ...
friend – no awkwardness, no pressure. She really knows how to capture the moment and her photos speak for themselves. The whole day was so fun and the pictures were beyond what we could have ever asked for. Book her if you want to have fun, feel comfortable and be relaxed that everything is gonna be awesome! Trust me, April’s your person!
Sierra S
5.0
12/13/2024
We absolutely loved working with April! She's an amazing photographer who not only takes stunning photos but also makes you feel so at ease the whole time! It’s like hanging out wi...
th a friend who just happens to be a pro behind the camera! Haha! We were a bit nervous at first about the whole photo process, but she totally put us at ease and made the whole experience super fun! The pictures turned out better than we ever imagined and we love going back and looking at them over and over again! I highly recommend April if you want someone who’s talented and genuinely fun to work with!
Sarah L
5.0
12/03/2024
We had an amazing time working with April! From the very first communication we had with her to receiving our photos, everything was handled with such professionalism and creativit...
y. April has a true talent for capturing special moments in a way that feels timeless and personal. Our photos are beautiful! The pictures are candid and natural. We felt so comfortable throughout the entire preocess, and it was clear that April truly cares about making sure every detail is perfect. I can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone looking for someone who will make them feel at ease while taking and delivering gorgeous photos.
Kayla M
5.0
11/30/2024
April is the most kind hearted soul and puts her all into her work! We hired her for our wedding at Terra Mia in Paso Robles and the photos came out beautifully! My husband isn’t o...
ne to really like the photo process but she made him at ease and we couldn’t stop laughing 😂🤍 April exceeded beyond our expectations and we would definitely hire again! For a wedding, family photos, or just anything! We love you April 🥰
Rebecca G
5.0
11/19/2024
We couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience working with April! From start to finish, she was incredibly communicative and attentive, always making sure our vision for our wed...
ding and engagement photos was understood. April made us feel so comfortable throughout the process, which was especially important for us as we’re not used to being in front of the camera.
The photos themselves are absolutely stunning! Each shot beautifully captures the love, emotion, and special moments of our big day. We were blown away by how she was able to seamlessly blend candid moments with beautifully composed portraits.
What really sets April apart is how they went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly. Whether it was helping with last-minute adjustments on the day of or offering thoughtful suggestions during our engagement shoot San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, she made us feel like we were the top priority.
We can’t recommend April enough for anyone looking for a wedding or engagement photographer. If you want someone who’s professional, easy to work with, and capable of delivering truly breathtaking images, she is the perfect choice! Thank you again for making our day so special and for capturing memories we will cherish forever!
Service area & Contact info
Travel area: Within 300 miles
Additional charges may apply
Curious to learn more?
Start the convo
*=Required
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
April Simmons Photography
April Simmons
|
Owner & Lead Photographer
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in Templeton
- Wedding Vendors/
- Wedding Photographers/
- California Wedding Photographers/
- Templeton Wedding Photographers/
Why use The Knot to message vendors?
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure. Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place. Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go. For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.