
Wedding traditions exist for a reason. Many of them work well, and for couples who value them, they can add structure and meaning to the day. But as a wedding photographer in San Francisco, I’ve seen a wide range of couples explore non-traditional wedding ideas that better reflect how they actually want to spend their […]

Planning a wedding? Here are the 20 most common regrets couples have about their big day – and how to avoid them. I compiled this list myself from years of stalking Reddit, wedding planning podcasts, Instagram, TikTok, and other online research, as well as learning directly from the 500+ weddings I’ve photographed. Don’t make these […]

San Francisco City Hall is a breathtaking architectural marvel that has become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the Bay Area. Every year, thousands of couples choose to get married within its stunning marble halls, grand staircases, and ornate rotunda. But not all City Hall weddings are created equal! While civil ceremonies are […]

In this blog post and accompanying video, I hope to share with you everything you need to know about civil ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall. I’m a wedding photographer who’s photographed around 400 ceremonies, specifically within this building, so I’ve seen a thing or two about how it all works. If you prefer to […]

Here’s the thing about weddings: everyone’s got advice. Your mom insists you need a receiving line. Your best friend swears by their wedding planner. And don’t even get me started on what Pinterest thinks you should do. But after photographing hundreds of weddings, I’ve noticed something interesting. The most beautiful, memorable celebrations often ignore the […]

What’s our FAVORITE reception venue for a meal after your San Francisco City Hall ceremony? There’s nowhere better than the Wayfare Tavern! This cozy, old-world restaurant has long been a San Francisco staple, chosen by countless couples for their post-City Hall celebration meal. Think Barbary Coast-speakeasy-meets-British-pub. History rubs shoulders with modernism here, giving it a […]

I’m delighted to introduce to you my favorite hotels in San Francisco that are fit for your the night before (and after) your San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony! These primarily 4- and 5-star hotels are ideal in terms of their location, amenities offered and high standard of excellence. Whether you live in the Bay […]

We’re diving into 61 of the best San Francisco wedding venues here on the Zoe Larkin Photography blog. Oh Lord, there are just SO many amazing wedding venues! In a city known for being dynamic, fun and innovative, is it any wonder that the places to get married in San Francisco are so varied and […]

Hey friends! Phew, I’ve been blogging like crazy for a minute, and I thought it would be fun (and a good idea) to create one centralized resource page with all of my favorite FREE blog posts for couples who are planning their weddings. Organization, yay! I’ve been blogging about wedding planning and wedding photography for […]

Planning your San Francisco City Hall ceremony and need a guiding hand? In this article, I’m going to guide you through how to create the perfect SF City Hall timeline for your wedding. Because seamless, stress-free wedding days don’t just happen, they’re planned! There are numerous benefits to creating your timeline, no matter how casual […]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I also commend you on your excellent taste – you won’t regret choosing San Francisco City Hall as your wedding venue. This iconic building, with its exquisite Beaux-Arts architecture and remarkable history, serves as a breathtaking and photogenic backdrop for your special day. This article will introduce you give you […]

Wondering where to have your reception after your San Francisco City Hall wedding ceremony in 2026? In this article, I’ll guide you through my favorite restaurants in San Francisco that are perfect for hosting a wedding day meal of any size. The 37 awesome restaurants on my list all serve excellent food and will take […]

In this post I’m sharing the 36 best engagement photography locations in San Francisco. The places on this list are San Francisco spots that are amazing for wedding or engagement photos. What makes spots for couples photos any different from general cool photo spots? Well, for one thing, they each have a wide variety of […]

What are family formals on your wedding day? These are the posed photos in which everyone looks at the camera and smiles! Some other names are formal group portraits, posed groupings, or group photos or portraits. I tend to call them ‘formal groupings’, since the groupings that matter depend on your relationships and may not […]
If you’re thinking of doing your engagement photography session at San Francisco’s stunning Lovers’ Lane location… seriously, just do it! It offers so much and is really photography-friendly. In this blog post I’m going to showcase some of my favorite photos I’ve taken at Lovers’ Lane at the Presidio, as well as provide you with […]

April 5, 2021

Wondering how to write a positive review or testimonial for your awesome wedding photographer ; ) with a ton of sample templates you can use? If you’ve landed here it means either a) I sent you this link and you’re being very nice by humoring me, and opening it up. And b) you’re also very […]
March 29, 2021
Looking for a San Francisco engagement photography location that TRULY has it all? Easily accessible, wide-ranging terrain and backdrops, combining beaches, unique architecture, flora & fauna together with epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge? Then Crissy Field is for you! It even made my 10 best photography locations in San Francisco! In this article, […]

March 8, 2021

I’m going to dive deep into the topic of photo retouching when it comes to your wedding photos. Each photographer will have their own way of addressing this issue, so I can only speak to what works in my business at the current time and is applicable to the clients of Zoe Larkin Photography. What […]
February 15, 2021
I am so excited to share these Ruby Hill wedding photos! Sure, I say that for every wedding, but what can I say. As a wedding photographer, I’m your hype girl! Seriously though, there are four main reasons why this Ruby Hill wedding was so special. It’s an Indian wedding. (where my Bay Area Indian […]

February 8, 2021

As a wedding photographer of color, I wanted to use my platform to explain a little about my work as a minority woman. I expanded the scope of this project to share a little more about my story, in the hopes that other BIPOC wedding photographers in the Bay Area may do the same. I’m […]
February 1, 2021
Looking for photography inspiration for your Gamble Garden wedding? You’ve found it! I’m delighted to bring you a small selection of photos from Diana and Rodrigo’s beautiful wedding which took place in December 2020. But I want to give you more than pretty pictures in this blog post. I also want to share information that […]

January 25, 2021

Ahh, the Palace of Fine Arts – how I love thee! It’s one of my top SF locations for photography, and one at which my team and I frequently find ourselves. It’s one of San Francisco’s most distinctive wedding locations with scads of history and style. With its monumental rotunda, classical architecture, and waterfront setting, […]
January 18, 2021
If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly photographer in San Francisco and around the Bay Area, I would love to tell you a little about my approach to photographing LGBTQ+ weddings and engagements. I’m Zoe Larkin and I photograph weddings and engagements in Northern California with an emphasis on candid, natural moments. We favor an […]

January 14, 2021

Want an affordable, beautiful Bay Area wedding venue that’s centrally located and still something of a hidden gem? OK – you’ve basically just described the Highlands Country Club! Nestled in the Oakland Hills and overlooking the entire bay, this is a stunning yet budget-friendly East Bay wedding venue. So, I was here in 2019 for […]
January 11, 2021
Another beautiful wedding to bring you today, this time from the beautiful Oceano Hotel, located in Half Moon Bay, California. This wedding venue is actually situated on the Pillar Point Harbor, about 5 miles north of the coastal city, Half Moon Bay. It’s a Bay Area seaside venue, that boasts picturesque views overlooking the bay, […]

December 27, 2020

Looking for creative client gift ideas this holiday season? Look no further than Greetabl! Client appreciation gifts are a simple, inexpensive way to show your clients you’re thinking of them and appreciate their business during the year. What I love about Greetabl is how customizable their gifts are, while still being affordable (generally within the […]
December 4, 2020
Are you searching for an affordable boho wedding dress? My list of 20 bohemian-style wedding dresses may be right up your street! ALL of my curated selections are available on Amazon! This means you can read the reviews, check out previous customers’ photos and in most cases return the dress in case it isn’t quite […]

November 16, 2020

Hey friends! Phew, I’ve been blogging like crazy for a minute, and I thought it would be fun (and a good idea) to create one centralized resource page with all of my favorite FREE blog posts for couples who are planning their weddings. Organization, yay! I’ve been blogging about wedding planning and wedding photography for […]
November 12, 2020
I’m going to enlighten you on a topic that gets wedding photographers’ hackles up! And that is the topic of why photographers are so expensive. First off, it’s worth pointing out that this is quite a misunderstood topic. I’m going to clear up some of those misconceptions here. When people ask why photography costs ‘so […]

November 9, 2020

In this personal opinion piece, I’m going to share whether I believe tipping is necessary for wedding photographers. The to-tip-or-not-to-tip debate is generally split about 80 / 20 according to sources I’ve found around the web. The majority say that tipping your wedding photographer is not required. Remaining voices say that yes, you should tip. […]
October 29, 2020
Learn the ins and out of negotiating with your wedding photographer – from a wedding photographer who’s seen it all! Ask any wedding photographer what the biggest bane of their job is, and chances are, ‘clients asking for discounts’ is in the top three. The subject of negotiation is a little tricky to bring up. […]

October 9, 2020

Today and yesterday I have received two suspicious, scam / spam emails. I am unsure exactly how the scam works, but my Google My Business listing is being targeted. If you are also being targeted for the scam, let me know in the comments so we can share resources! I’m a wedding photographer who has […]
September 22, 2020
A lot of wedding photography businesses use so-called ‘associate photographers’ as an available option for their clients. An associate photographer is also known as a ‘partner’, ‘ambassador’, ‘lead’, or ‘mutant clone’. OK, I made up that last one, but the idea is spot on. Having associates enables the business to shoot multiple weddings at the […]

September 21, 2020

If you’re looking for cute supplies for your home office, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’ve found yourself working from home, or are finally getting around to creating that office you’ve always dreamed of. Either way, cute desk accessories can make a huge difference, even inspiring you with your endeavors. As a wedding […]
September 17, 2020
I'm Zoe and I lead a team of Bay Area wedding photographers. I still personally help you plan your wedding timeline so you can relax and savor your wedding day.
We blend an unobtrusive approach to capturing images with a directive way of capturing the posed shots of you and your guests.
With over 500 weddings personally photographed by Zoe, hundreds of reviews on Yelp and Google, and over
MOMENT CATCHERS, LIGHT CHASERS, photojournalists
As a seasoned professional and true artist, I transform wedding moments into timeless memories, captured photojournalistically.
In short, our images make memories last forever.
Looking for a wedding photographer that will honor your unique, beautiful story?
470,000 words of inspiration and and advice on the blog, we're the leading wedding photographers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Since 2016, I've poured my heart into Bay Area weddings, specializing in San Francisco City Hall ceremonies and shooting all love. Our goal is to create personal images with an intimate feel - images that evoke emotion and transport you back to the moment.
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