James Lester Photography

SLO, SB, SF, LA, LOVE to travel!

About This Vendor

Soulful + Cinematic Wedding Photography

Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, James Lester Photography is a creative company that provides wedding photography services. This industry pro believes that photography plays a vital role in capturing the memories of any wedding celebration. From saying "I do" to dancing the night away to all the moments in between, they can frame the key elements of your special day. James Lester Photography specializes in artistic, atmospheric imagery that plays with soft light and dreamy canvases. Owner James edits each image carefully to ensure beautiful results, handcrafted with care. Having photographed over 100 weddings, he is an expert at creating vibrant and evocative snapshots. Just as no two couples are the same, James works hard to deliver a unique and personalized experience for his cherished clients. At James Lester Photography, you can choose from a variety of packages to cover your engagement, elopement, or wedding day. From minimal coverage to all-day services, James can help you find the perfect option for your style and budget. When your photos have been carefully selected and edited, you will receive them as an online gallery of digital files. Prints, cards, and wall art can also be ordered by request.

Details

Business Attributes

LGBTQ+-owned Business

Destination Weddings

Destination Wedding Packages

Photo Shoot Types

Boudoir, Bridal Portraits, Day After Session, Engagement, Trash The Dress

Photo & Video

Digital Files, Drone, Online Proofing, Photo, Printed Enlargements, Printed Proofs, Second Shooter Available, Social Media Sharing, Wedding Albums

Photo & Video Styles

Artistic, Classic, Documentary, Dramatic, Lifestyle, Modern, Vintage

Wedding Activities

Getting Engaged, Rehearsals & Parties, After Party, Wedding

Awards and Affiliations

James Lester Photography Reviews

Reviewed On 8/14/2022 by Brian Y

James was such a pleasure to work with for our wedding photos! He was very thorough and prompt in all of our communications leading up to the big day. During our wedding, he was incredibly easy and fun to work with. We normally feel very awkwar...

d posing for photos, but James made us feel so comfortable with his calm and fun personality. He got all of the most important shots, while being very discrete. He has a great eye for details, as well as portraits and shots of the general scenery. We recently got all of our photos and we were blown away. We can not recommend James enough!

Response from the Vendor on 11/04/2022

Brian, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! I had such a great time working with you & Amy throughout your wedding weekend. From rehearsal dinner to our trash-the-dress session after the wedding, it was truly a pleasu...

re to get to capture so many sweet moments & fun memories. Wishing you two all the best!

Reviewed On 1/01/2023 by Anthony M

Our experience working with james, was absolutely wonderful! It felt like he really understood what we were looking for in our photos and delivered on that perfectly! As a bonus, it felt like we were working with a friend! We had two shoots wit...

h him, a private reading of our vows to one another, and an official ceremony with family and friends. We are in love with how the photos turned out and are so thankful. We’re also excited to have them printed and put into a photo album. This should go without saying, but we recommend him, his work is exquisite! Thank you james for capturing all of those moments and memories.

Reviewed On 12/24/2022 by Megan M

I had never had professional photos done before and had to find someone four hours away from my home for my wedding. I was super nervous about it, but James offered to hop on a zoom call right away. My decision was made as soon as I talked to h...

im. Booking with James is like getting an instant friend lol. Not only is he just a genuinely really kind human, he cares about your vision and capturing what is special to you on your day. My husband and I went up for engagement shots two months before the wedding. He made us feel at ease right away. It was like being with an old friend. If you’re worried about feeling awkward, this is your guy!! Not only that, he took photos that were absolutely stunning that I will cherish for the rest of my life. On my wedding day, he was a grounding force on a day full of nerves and emotions. He kept making sure we had everything we need. Even some guests made comments that he was “nonstop”. We had an untraditional ceremony and he captured the heart of who we are so well. We plan on making a trip once a year to take photos with James. He’s one of a kind and his work is remarkable. Thank you so much for everything you did for us!! Love, Megan and Sterling

Reviewed On 12/11/2022 by Genevieve S

My husband and I LOVED working with James! He offered us a package that included both our engagement photoshoot and full day wedding day photos. It was a great deal and very fair pricing for excellent quality pictures. Having the engagement pho...

to session was super helpful because we had never taken profesional pictures before, and it was good to get to know James prior to our wedding day. He’s also an extremely nice and accommodating person! 10/10 would recommend for any of your photography needs :)

Reviewed On 11/25/2022 by Megan V

I have had the pleasure of knowing James since high school and have been following along his photography career through social media. So when it was time to pick a wedding photographer, I knew exactly who to turn to! James not only captures inc...

redible shots, but he is professional and kind while doing so. James makes you feel comfortable and captures some truly special moments. I have so many incredible photos from my wedding day from James that I will cherish for the rest of my life!

Reviewed On 6/18/2022 by Amanda J

James was wonderful to work with. He was communicative and kind throughout the process. He was a calming presence throughout the photo session and I was wowed by the product we received. James was familiar with our venue and has a good eye. He ...

captured all of the right moments and made us look great!

Reviewed On 12/14/2021 by Alizah M

James was fun, chill, skillful, and very professional. He captured our love so effortlessly. He made us feel comfortable, resulting in more natural, intimate, and genuine photos. My husband who hates posing for pictures had a blast the whole ti...

me during our shoot. James’s style is also very unique with a subtle moody vibe, worthy of a vogue magazine cover. We could not have asked for a better experience and photos to cherish for the rest of our lives. Lastly, James was very responsive and flexible. He offered to drive down to Santa Barbara without extra charge when we had a last minute change. Thanks again James for saving the day!

Reviewed On 9/14/2021 by Kayla G

James provided my fiancée and I with incredible photographs. An expert photographer who knows how to encapsulate nature’s beauty while bringing out the best in you through photographs. I highly recommend James to anyone looking for the best pho...

tographs!

Contact Info for James Lester Photography

SLO, SB, SF, LA, LOVE to travel!

(805) 400-8072

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Meet the Team

James Lester

Owner

Hey, I’m James! I live for the simple things: good food, good people, good times. Big fan of music festivals, spontaneous road trips, and getting outside to hike, camp, cycle and climb. I am also blessed with a beautiful + supportive partner named Jamie who teaches meditation ~ she keeps me chill. Above all, I love connecting with others and taking photos of them! I feel incredibly lucky that I get to hang out with amazing people during some of their biggest moments and make art out of memories.

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