Packages Starting @ $2,500
Photo, Video, Elopements
Travel area: No travel restrictions See details
Videography services available
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10% discount for The Knot couples
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Russ & Clara
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (8X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Chasing Light | Photo & Video is a wedding photography company based in San Diego, CA. The team here believe in using their cameras to document the authentic magic and emotion of life's biggest moments. They're happy to travel for elopements, as well as ceremonies and receptions.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Russ and Clara have more than a decade of experience in this industry. They understand how important it is to document those milestone moments. They favor a more candid style of photography, capturing each detail as it unfolds organically. Russ and Clara work alongside two best friends, offering a combination of photography and videography services.
Russ, Clara, and their team at Chasing Light | Photo & Video will tailor their packages to better fit each couple's unique needs. Some of the features available include an engagement session. Images from this photoshoot can then be turned into sweet save-the-dates On the day itself, a second photographer can attend to make sure no detail goes unnoticed. The images they capture are available in various formats, including as digital files, prints, and albums.
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Photo Shoot Types
Bridal Portraits
Day After Session
Engagement
Trash The Dress
Photo & Video
Digital Files
Drone
Film Photography
Online Proofing
Photo
Same-Day Edits
Second Shooter Available
Social Media Sharing
Wedding Albums
Photo & Video Styles
Artistic
Classic
Documentary
Lifestyle
Modern
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Russ & Clara
Owner
My wife, and I have been shooting Wedding Photo & Video for almost 10 years. We love what we do and are very passionate about it. We love all things creative, traveling, and meeting new people. We have a one year old baby girl so we know the importance of family and capturing these moments. We're very much the candid more natural style and nothing is more important to us than capturing you. Anyone can take a great photo, however capturing a couple at their best just being themselves is what we live for. We're the Photographers who will shoot a thousand photos just to catch that one.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0186 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.
Chasing Light photo & Video has received outstanding recommendations from multiple reviewers for their exceptional service, professionalism, and stunning quality of photos and videos. Russ and Clara are highly praised for their personable approach, attention to detail, and ability to make couples feel at ease on their wedding day. Reviewers have highlighted their quick turnaround time, captivating storytelling through images, and the team's overall skill in capturing special moments. From engagement shoots to the wedding day, Chasing Light was described as remarkable, with many expressing gratitude for the beautiful memories captured.Review photos
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Kylie G
5.0
12/22/2025
1000/10 would recommend!! We absolutely love Chasing Light photo & Video!! Russ is amazing to work with from our engagement shoot to wedding day he's absolutely fantastic and Clara...
is just wonderful!! The perfect duo!! They were so professional but also felt like someone we knew forever, they made us so comfortable in front of the camera. You can tell they are dedicated to providing the best quality of photos and videos!! We are so in love with our photos and video! I couldn't ask for more, everything is perfect! We are so blessed to have had them capture our memories.
Farah L
5.0
12/10/2025
We are beyond thrilled with the photo and video team who captured our wedding. They went above and beyond in every way, keeping us organized, guiding us through each moment, and ma...
king the entire experience feel natural and enjoyable.
Their teamwork, professionalism, and attention to detail really stood out. They took so much stress off our shoulders on a day that can easily feel overwhelming, and they did it with kindness and patience.
Our photos and video turned out absolutely stunning, and we received everything in such a timely manner. We couldn’t have asked for a better team and would recommend them to absolutely anyone looking for exceptional wedding photo and video services.
Any questions?
Katrina N
5.0
11/18/2025
Working with Russ and Clara was an absolute pleasure! They expertly documented our wedding day, delivering results that exceeded all expectations. Hiring them was truly the best in...
vestment we made, providing us with lifelong photos and videos that we will look back on with joy. They consistently went above and beyond their duties, even offering coordination help where they saw a need. Their considerable experience in the wedding industry was evident, particularly when they effortlessly assisting with my complicated bustle and helped securing my veil. Their level of commitment and care is obvious in their work. We highly recommend them for your event needs, you will not regret it!
Sara T
5.0
10/21/2025
Chasing Light was so easy to work with and really did such a great job on capturing our day so perfectly. My pictures are photographs I will truly cherish forever. I look at them a...
ll the time. Russ and Clara are super easy and fun to work with. We had an absolute blast! Thank you so much for making our experience the most beautiful one.
Melody U
5.0
10/20/2025
Hiring Russ and Clara for our wedding was one of the best decisions we made! From our very first meeting, they were warm, professional, and clearly passionate about their work. On ...
the big day, they were a calming presence, blending in effortlessly while still managing to capture every important moment and so many beautiful candid ones we didn’t even realize were happening.
The photos are breathtaking. Every image tells a story full of emotion, light, and all the little details that made our day special. Clara has such an incredible eye and a true talent for capturing the feeling of the moment, not just the image.
We received our gallery faster than expected, and we were blown away by the quality and care put into every photo. These are memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime, and we’re so grateful to have had such a skilled and thoughtful photographer by our side.
If you're looking for someone who will not only deliver stunning photos but also bring calm, kindness, and professionalism to your wedding day they are it. We can’t recommend them highly enough!
Alexandra H
5.0
7/21/2025
Russ and Clara were amazing! We had rain the morning of our wedding, which brought on some stress, but once Russ and Clara got there, they brought such a calming presence! They did...
such a great job of making our pre-ceremony timeline run so smoothly. They were professional, communicative and talented. They did such a great job guiding our families and wedding party and kept everyone on track. We couldn’t ask for better photos! The video they put together was also incredible, all of our friends and family were in awe. We can’t wait to see the rest. They captured our day so beautifully, and we will cherish these memories forever!
Kristian S
5.0
7/10/2025
We are so grateful we chose Chasing Light! Russ and Cara were incredible every step of the way. We booked their photography and videography package, and it was one of the best deci...
sions we made for our wedding. My husband and I usually feel a bit awkward in front of the camera, but they made us feel completely at ease. The turnaround time for our photos was so fast, and every image was absolutely stunning. We truly can’t recommend them highly enough!
Jenni L
5.0
6/24/2025
Russ was so great to work with!! Very easy going and professional. Our engagement photos were beautiful and we cannot wait to see how our wedding day photos turned out.
Jeffrey K
5.0
5/06/2025
There are so many things that we loved about Russ and Clara but the bottom line is, we couldn't be happier with our decision to have them as part of our wedding.
It goes without s...
aying that we couldn't be happier about how our wedding photos and video came out. They did such a great job of not only capturing the moment, but also the feeling and emotion behind every moment. On top of all that, they were also able to turn around the photos and videos so quickly which is underrated as that usually is not the experience for most other vendors.
Where they go above and beyond however, is what really makes them special. They are true professionals in the sense that they know how to work with their audience--whether it's making the bride and groom feel comfortable, managing bridal parties, or dealing with a difficult parent, they really know how to get the most out of everyone.
They are so friendly, passionate, and simply who you want in your corner on your special day--couldn't recommend them enough!
Brie N
5.0
4/21/2025
I couldn’t say enough how PERFECT both our engagement photos and wedding photos turned out!! Clara and Russ both made it so easy to work with them!! You can tell they come from a g...
reat family and it felt like we knew them forever!! I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!! BOOK THEM!!!
Brittany W
5.0
2/08/2025
Chasing Light is a MUST! From the day I got engaged I was on the hunt for the best photographer & videographer. I read through a bunch of reviews and talked with a few, but I knew ...
Russ & Clara were who we wanted to work with. From the initial phone call with Russ, he was professional, honest, and had great energy. Before committing to a vendor, he gave me insight on what to look for/ ask before booking and signing contacts. We initially chose a photo only wedding package, but after our incredible engagement photoshoot, we booked them for video the day of and a photographer for our rehearsal dinner. (Rehearsal dinner photos are a must!) When we met it felt like we already knew them, they made us feel relaxed and at ease. My husband hates photos, yet we ended up taking pictures in the ocean because we were having such a fun time. We got our photos/ video back quickly, & get to keep all the proofs! They were very responsive and answered all my random questions leading up to the day. I can go on and on but seriously, I had the most perfect day & so happy we decided to capture it all with Chasing Light!
Kelly G
5.0
1/02/2025
Russ and Clara,
We feel so beyond lucky to have found you guys and it has truly been an honor working with you both. I (Kelly) was really going through it the morning of the weddi...
ng and everything got better the second you two arrived. Our video and photos are literally PERFECT, we are so thankful for all the work you’ve done. You have very clearly gone above and beyond and we couldn’t be happier.
-Kelly & Nik
Anastasia S
5.0
1/02/2025
We cannot say enough amazing things about Chasing Light! From start to finish, they were incredible to work with. We opted for the engagement + wedding photo and video package, and...
it was worth every penny. Pricing is reasonable, and the turnaround time for photos is lightning fast—we had ours back within just 14 days!
What truly sets Chasing Light apart is their expertise in the wedding industry. Honestly, they were just as good—if not better—than our day-of coordinators. Despite the day running behind schedule, they worked seamlessly to adjust, prioritize, and make sure we got the most important shots. While we couldn’t take all the family photos I’d originally hoped for, their ability to pivot and focus on what mattered most to us was truly impressive.
If you’re considering them, don’t hesitate—seriously, Chasing Light is a dream team! We couldn’t recommend them more highly.
Caleb R
5.0
1/02/2025
Everything worked out wonderful! All the photos and videos capture every precious moment and they will last a lifetime. The photos are edited in a timeless fashion and are gorgeous...
. They also took our engagement photos free of charge and we really like those.
We loved that we get the raw+edited photos and video which makes it easy to make amateur edits for IG reels and YouTube.
Overall it was a great experience and they delivered tremendous value for the price.
Britany R
5.0
12/08/2024
I have so many wonderful things to say about Russ and Clara. We are forever grateful we chose them to capture our special day. From the moment we met at our engagement shoot I knew...
we had made the right decision in having them be our wedding photographers. They’re so nice, so sweet, and so professional. Our pictures from both our engagement shoot and wedding day will be photos I cherish forever. My family gave me so many compliments and even said the pictures are magazine worthy. I agree!!! They are top level. Please don’t hesitate to hire them for your event. You will NOT regret it I’m sure of that. Thank you again Russ and Clare. We appreciate you both!
Brendan D
5.0
12/02/2024
Chasing Light was great to work with! Even from our first phone call, we knew Russ was the type of vendor we wanted to work with for our wedding. The photos also came out amazing o...
f course. Would definitely recommend working with them again.
Skye D
5.0
11/22/2024
My husband and I recently got married in San Diego, CA and I found Chasing Light on a different wedding planning website. Lets just say I wouldn't have chosen anyone else! Russ a...
nd Clara were literally amazing. The package we chose included an engagement shoot, wedding day photo and video, plus some other awesome perks and were so happy with how they turned out. I loved the idea of them doing including an engagement shoot because it gave us a chance to work with them before our big day to make sure we were a good fit and we could get a chance to see their work for ourselves. The shoot was so much fun and Russ was amazing at giving direction. He was extremely conscious about how the lighting would look in certain photos and where we should stand to get the best photos (hence the name chasing light :) . Then on our wedding day we opted to have them do our photography and videography and we couldn't have asked for more! We had a decently strict timeline to get all of the photos we wanted taken and Russ and Clara really stuck to it but never my Husband or I feel like we were being rushed. They caught some amazing candid shots and videos of us and our guests dancing and we will cherish them forever! They asked us a bunch which shots we wanted and really catered to what we were looking for which really just made our day that much more special. We got our photos back super quick and the video back not too much long after that so they work pretty quick. So If you're looking for a photo and video company for your big day, I cannot recommend them enough!!
P.S- I cant upload our pictures to the review for some reason but I just suggest going to their website to see for yourself!
Riley k
5.0
11/20/2024
Our experience with Chasing Light was honestly surreal. They are beyond talented, so easy to work with, and captured some of the most beautiful/intimate wedding photos and video we...
've ever seen. Their portfolio blew us away to begin with, but seeing our vision come to life in an equally spectacular way was so exciting. We have over a dozen photos framed, and even got asked by a stranger if they could buy one of the photos when we were printing them! The wedding video leaves everyone who watches it speechless.
Work with them!! It will be one of the best decisions you make in your wedding planning journey.
Andrea Z
5.0
11/19/2024
We are beyond grateful to Chasing Light for capturing our wedding day so beautifully! From the moment we met Russ, he made us feel comfortable and confident in his work. My husband...
and I are not naturals in front of the camera, but he made sure to give us the perfect amount of direction to calm our nerves! The photos are stunning, and the video they created truly brought our day to life in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Every moment, big and small, was captured perfectly. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a talented, professional, and thoughtful photographer/videographer!
Shannon S
5.0
11/15/2024
We found Chasing Light through extensive Instagram research because one of us is a photographer and very selective about the style he likes. But Chasing Light checked all of our bo...
xes! We had an initial consultation with Russ and immediately knew we'd book with them. There was a miscommunication in booking our engagement shoot and we ended up having 12 hours to prep for it, but once we met Clara, any frustration melted away. She's easy to work with, boosts your confidence, watches out and corrects the details, and so skilled.
We loved our photos from the engagement and that was still nothing compared to the wedding photos which we are drooling over. Russ and Clara know what they're doing and have a formula that works which, in our case, resulted in a few course corrections to convey our vision and details that mattered to us ahead of the wedding but the communication was open and supportive.
Clara won over the hearts of everyone in our family and wedding party and, even without the support of a second shooter and wedding coordinator, seemed to be everywhere she was needed and MORE. We were shocked looking at our photos to see how much she had captured, and extremely creatively. And, we got our photos back in 2.5 weeks which is almost unheard of. It's so fun to relive the day through our photos and we will be plastering our walls with her artistry, lol.
Amanda W
5.0
9/15/2024
The Chasing Light team is exactly who you need to photograph and video your most important day. What we loved most was their attention to detail and artistry as well as their charm...
ing personalities. We had the privilege to work with Clara, Russ, and Alex; all of whom were special in their own ways. They had us cracking up the whole time and made the process really fun.
Jacqueline U
5.0
8/25/2024
The Chasing Light team was phenomenal! From start to finish, for our wedding, Russ and Clara were always very responsive and made us feel comfortable through everything. They were ...
great at directing everyone and had a special eye for capturing the best moments. Their professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail are truly special. They made our big day go by so smoothly and really helped alleviate a lot of stress. All of our friends and family can’t stop gushing about how our pictures and video came out! Highly recommend them to anyone for your wedding, engagement shoot, or any special occasions! We can’t thank them enough.
Destini L
5.0
8/24/2024
From the beginning, we really connected with Russ from our first call with him. He made us feel so at ease when planning out our engagement photos and wedding day. We had a cloudy ...
day for our engagement photos, and were really bummed at first. It didn't phase Russ at all, he made us feel like it was the perfect day and his photos really reflected that! On wedding day, his wife Clara did our photography and she was amazing! She went so above and beyond her photographer duties (helping the girls while getting ready, putting on the boys boutonnieres, etc.) and also captured our special day so beautifully. We were so thrilled when we saw the pictures, but then we got our Wedding video and it truly captured our day so perfectly. We really couldn't have imagined a better summary of the day and we have been watching it non stop since we received it :) They are truly such a wonderful couple to work with and made us feel so special! Extremely quick turnaround on photos and video compared to other vendors as well! Would highly recommend to anyone in search of photography and videography for their wedding day!!!
Shay S
5.0
8/23/2024
We had the immense pleasure of hiring Chasing Light for our wedding at Galway Downs in Temecula, and I cannot emphasize enough how extraordinary their work was. From the first phon...
e meeting to the final product, they displayed a level of professionalism, creativity, and dedication that truly set them apart. We even had an engagement shoot with Clara the photographer before hand and the photos were so beautiful. She made us feel comfortable, at ease and laughed the entire time.
On the day of our wedding, the Russ & Clara arrived early and immediately put us at ease with their friendly, yet unobtrusive, demeanor. They were like silent storytellers, capturing every candid moment, every laugh, every tear, without us even noticing they were there. Their ability to seamlessly blend into the background while still capturing the most important and intimate moments is a true testament to their expertise.
The photos we received are nothing short of breathtaking. They perfectly encapsulate the romance and elegance of our day, with a touch of artistry that makes each shot feel like it belongs in a magazine. (Everyone has been saying they belong in a magazine!!!) Whether it was the stunning landscapes of Galway Downs or the intimate moments between us and our loved ones, every photo tells a story. The lighting, the angles, the composition, everything was thoughtfully executed to create images that are not just beautiful, but timeless.
Then there’s the wedding video..We were absolutely blown away. The editing is masterful, seamlessly weaving together the highlights of our day into a narrative that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. The way they captured the vows, the ceremony, the little in-between moments—it’s like they knew exactly what we would want to remember most. The music they chose perfectly complements the emotion of each scene, making the entire video a moving tribute to our love story. They worked in our wedding song which was so thoughtful and exactly what we were hoping. We’ve watched it countless times, and every time we do, it feels like we’re right back there, experiencing it all over again.
One thing that particularly impressed us was their attention to detail. They didn’t just capture the big moments; they also focused on the small, meaningful details that made our wedding unique. From the intricate design of my dress to the way the sunlight filtered through the trees during our ceremony, every detail was thoughtfully and beautifully documented.
Working with Chasing Light was an absolute dream. They were responsive, accommodating, and genuinely passionate about their work. They took the time to get to know us and understand our vision, and it truly shows in the final product. Our wedding photos and video are more than just memories, they are works of art that we will cherish forever.
If you’re searching for a photography and videography team that will go above and beyond to capture the essence of your special day, go with Chasing Light!!! We are forever grateful for the incredible memories they created for us.
Tom I
5.0
8/22/2024
We can’t say enough amazing things about Chasing Light. We knew we wouldn’t be disappointed, but our wedding photos and video turned out to be even more incredible than we could’ve...
ever imagined. Russ and his team were so easy to work with and they are simply incredible at what they do. Their passion and creativity are unmatched, and their work speaks for itself. Our wedding day flew by so quickly, but Chasing Light captured every detail of our perfect day for us to have forever. They brought our vision to life and more, and we are so grateful. Highly recommend- you will be blown away.
Kylie N
5.0
8/22/2024
Chasing Light was amazing! We had Clara do our engagement shoot and our wedding day, and she was amazing both times. They were very on top of everything, and allowed us to not feel...
any stress about getting the photos we wanted on our wedding day. Our video also came out absolutely incredible, we couldn't be more happy with it. Don't second guess booking them! One of the decisions we made for our wedding.
Nicole D
5.0
6/14/2024
I cannot express to you enough how much we loved going with Russ and Clara! From our engagement shoot to our wedding we loved it all! They listened to exactly what we wanted and to...
tally captured our vision and our love perfectly! So blessed we will have these amazing photos and video we get to cherish for the rest of our lives! If you’re looking for a photographer, this is your team, you will not be disappointed!
Alena A
5.0
5/13/2024
Choosing Chasing Light to capture our wedding day was one of the best decisions we made! From our initial consultation to the final delivery of our photos and videos, the team was ...
professional, attentive, and dedicated to ensuring that every moment of our special day was beautifully preserved. They took the time to understand our vision and preferences, and their collaborative approach made us feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process.
We had our engagement photoshoot 1 week before the wedding with Clara - our photographer. From the first minute there was a click and working with her was very easy and intuitive.
On the day of our wedding, both Clara and Vance seamlessly blended into the background, allowing us to enjoy every moment without feeling intrusive. Their ability to capture genuine emotions was remarkable, and the resulting photos and videos are priceless treasures that we will cherish for a lifetime. When we were looking for photos/video for the first time, I truly couldn't believe my eyes and sometimes was like "How is it even possible?!"
In addition to their exceptional talent behind the lens (which are of a very-very high quality), the team at Chasing Light was a joy to work with from start to finish. One of the guests came to me and told me, that after working with our team his fear for the camera went away. They made him comfortable, relaxed and he was truly enjoying it. I also want to mention the communication with Russ that was smooth and professional. Photos were delivered pretty soon; and while the video took longer - it is truly a piece of art. We had both Russian and English speaking guests at the wedding and I have no idea how they managed to translate and blend it all together in such a great film. I cried:) as well as almost everyone who saw it.
Thank you, guys, for turning our wedding day into a fairytale. Your talent and passion are truly extraordinary, and we are forever grateful for the beautiful memories you have given us.
Alena & Sergey
Sara C
5.0
5/02/2024
I am at a loss for words to express just how incredible Russ and Clara are. From our engagement shoot to our wedding day, they made every moment unforgettable.
Russ and Clara have...
a magical way of making you feel completely at ease in front of the camera. My husband and I felt so comfortable throughout the entire process, and our families couldn't stop raving about them either. They were so professional in every step but also brought such warmth, humor, and kindness to every interaction.
The photos and video they delivered are beyond breathtaking. Every moment was captured with such precision and artistry. They have a keen eye for detail and a talent for finding the beauty in every shot. Our album and video are like a dream come true, and we find ourselves reliving our special day each time we look at them.
Russ and Clara's work is not just about capturing images; it's about encapsulating emotions and memories that will last a lifetime. Their passion for what they do and their incredible talent shows in their amazing work.
To Russ and Clara, thank you for your incredible talent, your kindness, and for giving us the most beautiful mementos of our wedding day. We are forever grateful for your exceptional work!
We will always be recommending the Chasing Light team and will be so excited to work with them in the future!
Jordan R
5.0
4/04/2024
We couldn't be happier with our decision to use Chasing Light to photograph and video our wedding. Russ is a real artist and a true professional through and through. The moments th...
at he and his team were able to capture are so intimate, special, and downright impressive given that both my husband and I are the two most awkward photograph posers we know. The fact he was able to make us look somewhat respectable is all the proof you need!
What we enjoyed most is that Russ truly takes the time to get to know your personality and then suggests photos that compliment you. This certainly shows in the final product. For us, that was shooting somewhere in nature with our dog, and Russ immediately suggested Joshua Tree, a perfect match. We met him for a sunset shoot, and despite having only ever really taken selfies together, Russ made my husband and me feel so comfortable in our skin and encouraged us to be completely ourselves. He climbed up rocks, stopped traffic, and befriended our pup all for the sake of the perfect shot. It is awesome to watch him work. His attention to detail and passion for his craft is what you hope for in someone shooting your big day. Perhaps most importantly, he made it fun and was a joy to be around.
Come our wedding day, we felt so comfortable with Russ and knew he'd do an incredible job. Still, he somehow managed to blow our expectations out of the water! He captured so many special moments and details that we'll cherish forever and all the wild, fun ones as well. He didn't skip a beat when our crazy dog went swimming behind our ceremony or when the flower girl ran away. He got it all and his work helped paint the story of our day in a special way that we feel only he could. As we looked over his footage, we found ourselves constantly saying "wow, how did he do that?!" I think that's pretty special to get from your photographer and cameraman. The emotion he is able to capture and convey in his work is wonderful, and the best part is he does it all while making sure you're having fun and completely at ease. We're so grateful Russ went above and beyond to make our wedding so special and so perfectly us.
So, if you're looking for a photographer/videographer for your wedding, congrats, the search stops here. RUN, don't walk, to secure Chasing Light. Rest assured, he'll capture the essence and vision of your special day!
Haylymrie C
5.0
2/13/2024
Don't even hesitate, just book them! The best decision we made for our wedding was booking Chasing Light. Our wedding pictures are breathtaking and beautiful. They killed it. The e...
ntire process for both our engagement and wedding pictures was fun and exciting. Russ and Clara are two of the most genuine, down to Earth people you will ever meet. They made the entire photography process a dream. They also helped out with so much more than photography. They gave us advice, helped during the planning process, and were even a helping hand on the morning of the wedding. They have the fastest turn around we have ever seen in wedding photography and you receive so many pictures it's amazing. We are not very photogenic people but from the start of the engagement shoot we were able to just be ourselves and enjoy it. Our wedding would not have been the same without Chasing Light. If we could get married again, we would just to have this photography team!
Lizzy H
5.0
2/09/2024
Our wedding was intimate (45 including us) and held both inside and outdoors at the Museum of Contemporary Art. To us, the photography of the day was the most important part… as th...
is is all we will have to look back on for the rest of our lives. After combing through countless reviews and IG profiles, I kept coming back to Chasing Light. Their pictures were refined, clean, creative, and beautiful. Even with a limited budget, I decided to truly invest in this husband/wife team. After speaking with Russ, I immediately felt happy with my decision. He was so professional, yet easy going… and really knew exactly how to schedule the day based on the venue, timing of sunset (which was tricky for us), and weather. When I met Clara on my wedding day, I immediately felt at ease. She was so kind and gentle, yet had real ownership and leadership over the priorities of the day and listening to her direction was easy and fun. My wedding day was a blur, but Clara knew all the right angles, the right moments, the right people, the right backgrounds… and I had no doubt my pictures would turn out amazing…
And then we got them. I honestly cannot thank this team enough for truly giving us the most precious part of my wedding. I have heard countless times from my guests and even those who didn’t attend my wedding but saw my pictures, that I had the most beautiful and gorgeous wedding photos.
Chasing Light took the time to understand who we were as a couple, they learned the venue and did all of their homework ahead of time, and their raw talent for capturing the most significant and beautiful moments really made my wedding album out of this world.
The day went by so fast. Things were a blur, but the images are what last a lifetime. I cannot recommend Chasing Light enough, they are not only really dependable and highly talented people, but they are cool, creative, kind, and extremely thoughtful and responsive as well. If you want to take one worry off your plate, I would immediately book them as your photographers.
Rachel W
5.0
1/27/2024
Professional, quick to respond, and photos we will cherish forever! It was such a pleasure working with them. Our venue wasn’t totally ready for our arrival and put us behind sched...
ule, but Clara still got every photo promised! They all turned out so beautiful and we couldn’t be happier. After the wedding, we got an online album of photos plus a thumb drive with every photo taken (literally thousands). Thank you so much again!!
Michelle C
5.0
1/05/2024
The Chasing Light | Photo & Video team are the absolute best. From planning, to engagement shoot, to day of, and post-event - every interaction has been a delight.
Their skilled t...
eam has a keen eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, ensuring every precious moment is beautifully preserved. With a blend of candid shots and artistic compositions, Chasing Light creates timeless memories that couples cherish for a lifetime.
My husband and I are NOT photogenic at all, their creative directions made us feel so comfortable and fun! It truly shows in every picture and video we have. All our family and friends are raving at the amazing video and photos the Chasing Light team has created for us.
Kelly H
5.0
12/03/2023
Chasing Light - Russ & Clara just sent the photos they took of my newlyweds Madi and Matt’s November wedding and I just can’t stop looking through the hundreds of gorgeous photos t...
hey took. I knew my daughter and Matt loved this dynamic duo from the relaxed and happy engagement photos they took. But the wedding photos are quite simply amazing. Russ & Clara are true to their name and truly do “chase the light” to find just the right angle, the perfect light to arrive at the beautiful artistic photos they produce. And they do it all so smooth, seamlessly with patience and a great sense of humor. I am so grateful Madi and Matt found Chasing Light to truly capture their happiest day thus far absolutely perfectly♥️
Catherine R
5.0
11/25/2023
Our engagement shoot with Chasing Light was a dream. Russ suggested Palomar Mountain, an area I wasn’t very familiar with. However, Russ knew exactly where to capture the perfect p...
hotos, and chase the beautiful sunset we were lucky to have that evening. He was extremely easy to work with, knew exactly how to pose us, and his direction was easy to follow. Our wedding was the following week, Russ and Clara worked so well together capturing all of the important moments, whether small or big. Considering they’re parents to two children, they worked so well with our baby girl, making her smile, and working fast to avoid any child meltdowns. They corralled our big families to capture those family portraits, and got all of the most important moments while making us laugh and smile through out the day. We are so pleased with our engagement photos, and we truly can’t wait to see all of the wedding photos and video!! Thanks again Russ and Clara. From the Zepeda family.
Melanie R
5.0
11/16/2023
Working with Russ was an absolute pleasure! His easygoing, rock-and-roll vibe was the perfect catalyst for capturing the natural chemistry in our photos. Russ possesses exceptional...
skill and mastery, showcasing his ability to think on his feet and utilize the environment creatively, resulting in unique and stunning shots.
On the wedding day, Russ moved through the crowd like a ninja, seamlessly capturing moments without being obtrusive. His easygoing yet firm coordination during family photos was nothing short of a miracle, reflecting his talent for handling diverse dynamics with respect and smoothness.
Russ's dedication to his craft shone through as he delivered our entire wedding album in about two weeks—a testament to his commitment to providing timely, high-quality work. If you're seeking a photographer who not only captures moments but enhances them with an artistic touch, Russ is the one. Highly recommend his talent and professionalism—10/10!
Haley M
5.0
11/03/2023
My now husband and I booked Chasing Light upon finding him on the Knot for both our engagement shoot as well as our wedding.
His quality of work was evident from the start by the...
various galleries and videos viewable on his website as well as photos shown on Instagram, but he truly blew us away with the photos and videos delivered to us and gave us priceless memories we will cherish forever.
I even added a Boudoir shoot with his wife, Clara, after seeing how well the engagement shoot photos turned out and was not disappointed. She crushed it and made me feel so confident and comfortable!
I highly recommend Chasing Light and can't emphasize enough the value in their work. The products delivered far exceeded our expectations and will be loved forever!
Rebecca G
5.0
11/01/2023
This is a long review and I apologize but it is hard to summarize how amazing our experience with Chasing Light Photography was from start to finish. As an interracial couple with ...
a diverse wedding party, it was our top priority to find an experienced photographer that could ensure everyone would look their best. Russ and Clara are the talented duo behind the lens and function as a well-oiled machine. Even when we got behind getting ready, they ensured that we got all of the photos we asked for. My husband and I are admittedly not comfortable in front of the camera and the Chasing Light team provided such clear direction that we were able to get better photos of us than I ever thought was possible. When you get married, it can feel so overwhelming because there will always be things that you don’t think of, but the knowledge and experience of this team made our day seamless. Beyond their skills with cameras and lighting, the team was so thoughtful with other aspects of the wedding. From Russ having bobby pins and putting in my veil to Clara having safety pins that helped with a dress malfunction at the reception, they were an integral part of our day. We couldn't be more delighted with the results, and we wholeheartedly recommend these photographers to anyone seeking to have their wedding day beautifully and authentically documented.
Andy B
5.0
10/30/2023
Choosing Chasing Light to do our wedding photography was one of the best decisions that we made during our wedding planning process. Russ and team are incredibly skilled and experi...
enced photographers that captured our big day perfectly. They guided us through each shot in a way that made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera which seemed impossible with us being a rather non-photogenic couple. I also appreciated the extra mile that they go to make our big day go as smoothly as possible. They weren't just photographers trying to stay out of the way and get good shots on our wedding day. They played an active and big part in the super team that helped make our wedding day a huge success.
Emily B
5.0
10/26/2023
Russ and his team were an absolute dream to work with and all of our photos came out better than I could've ever hoped. He made us comfortable and was amazing at posing everyone (a...
nd wrangling the entire family for photos haha).
He made a huge effort to capture all of the best shots and make the most of the lighting throughout the entire day. Russ even put in my veil (perfectly) and asked a stranger for baby wipes to clean off the hem of my dress. 10/10 human being and exceptional wedding photographer.
I would recommend the Chasing Light team to literally anyone I knew for their engagement and wedding photography.
Briana J
5.0
10/12/2023
I had an AMAZING experience with Chasing light. Russ spent a good hour on the phone with me to answer all of my questions, and explaining how Chasing Light works. Clara ran the sho...
w at my wedding (THANK YOU!). She facilitated the post-ceremony photos and made sure to get photos of every combination of families on both sides that we could have wanted, quickly. She made me feel relaxed, comfortable, and confident to take our photos after the ceremony (not my best skill, lol). I couldn't be happier with my experience with Chasing light. I would recommend to anyone, and have already told my engaged friends to reach out to them.
Bri C
5.0
10/07/2023
Russ and the Chasing Light team were FABULOUS.
Number 1: the pictures and videos turned out incredible. I can’t stop looking at them!! I cry every time I watch the video and it s...
o beautifully captured our day. It’s so hard to be in the moment at your own wedding and watching our video really allowed me to solidify those feelings and memories ❤️ The angles and lighting in every picture and video shot show what an amazing team they have!
Number 2: They are efficient and effective! Both for our engagement and wedding shoot we unintentionally ended up with a less time than we expected, but Russ got every shot and did it well! I never had to worry or feel like I need to direct. He is a Pro!
All in all 10/10 and would book again!
Kaitlyn S
5.0
10/02/2023
Photos are one of the only tangible things you take from your wedding day and I'm beyond happy with our decision to go with Chasing Light. They were a dream to work with, from our ...
engagement photos, through wedding day. Every moment was captured perfectly and we are obsessed with how the photos turned out.
Russ was awesome at giving direction and making us feel comfortable in front of the camera. He is confident in his work and knew all the best photo/lighting spots as soon as we got to the locations. Plus, he makes it fun!
I've also received so many compliments from our bridal party and family on how smoothly the wedding day went with photo taking and how much they loved the Chasing Light team too!
Dara M
5.0
9/29/2023
Russ had photographed two of our friends weddings and did such a wonderful job that we wanted to work with him and his team as well! His wife Clara photographed our wedding and the...
photos are beautiful. She captured the emotions and fun of the day / evening beautifully.
Chantelle K
5.0
9/28/2023
I cannot even express how much we adored and loved everything about Chasing Light. They were professional, knowledgeable and fun! We were able to do an engagement shoot before our ...
wedding so we got to know the photographer before, which made our wedding day go smoothly. They captured every moment we wanted and didn’t even know we needed, without us feeling overwhelmed. I really feel like they listened and made sure we were comfortable in every moment.
Angelica C
5.0
9/19/2023
We hired Russ and the team to provide photography and videography for our wedding. For a couple of fairly awkward photograph subjects, Russ was able to direct and guide us into get...
ting some of the best photos we have had together. The team knew the venue and came prepared with potential locations for our first look/couple shots. He even found a way to photograph us at the cliffs at La Jolla Cove on a busy summer afternoon. We also had a BIG family for our family shoots and Russ was able to coordinate us effectively. They were very professional and got all of the shots done in time to keep things flowing according to schedule. The turnaround time for the photos was quick and the photos turned out lovely, matching the overall aesthetic of the venue and our wedding day. We definitely recommend Chasing Light to help with photography and videography for your big day.
GABRIELA G
5.0
9/18/2023
AMAZING, EXCELLENT, LOVE THEM SO MUCH. HAD OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS / WEDDING PHOTOS & VIDEO DONE WITH CHASING LIGHT, BOOK THEM NOW !!
Michelle C
5.0
9/14/2023
Chasing Light was excellent for our wedding on 9/2/23 & we're so glad that we chose them. We worked with Russ, Clara, and their videographer on the wedding day and also had an enga...
gement shoot last year with Clara. We are sooo impressed with how our photos turned out and we received them only 9 days after wedding day-- way sooner than we even expected.
They're extremely professional, efficient and organized while being so creative and artistic. In less than 2 hours before the wedding, they were able to wrangle our wedding party quickly for photos as well as get our first look photos and tons of detail shots around the property (Old Rancho in Carlsbad). Post-ceremony, they were super patient with our large group of relatives to get all the family shots we needed. We are blown away with our couple's shots, family photos, ceremony, and reception photos-- all of it! I didn't feel that anything was missed and, if anything, they captured way more moments than we expected. We can't wait to see the way the film & video footage turned out, but have no doubt that it will be of an equally exceptional quality. Highly recommend their services & feel that their work is a really great value, especially considering other photographers I was considering didn't provide film as an option or charged just as much without the video option.
Jennifer P
5.0
9/07/2023
Russ and Clara were incredible to work with - from our engagement shoot last year through the wedding day! They are professional, calming, so incredibly talented, and just really s...
et the tone for the whole day of our wedding. Everyone commented how at ease Russ and Clara put them, and they are 100% right. The photos are amazing and me and my husband (and my whole family) are thrilled! As arguably the most important vendor at your wedding, we couldn't have been more lucky to work with Russ and Clara. Please book them!
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