
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 34 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 […]

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 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 36 awesome restaurants on my list all serve excellent food and will take great care […]

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 […]
Why does it take so long to get your wedding photos? This question has been answered by many wedding photographers over the years (including myself in a previous article I wrote – see below), but I’ve never seen a satisfactory way of describing the reality of what our work involves. You see, there seems to […]

April 18, 2025

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 […]
April 8, 2025
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 […]

February 1, 2025

Why hire a film wedding photographer? Digital photography has been the norm for over 20 years. So why would you want analog photos, with actual rolls of 35mm film shot on old camera? In this article, we’ll dive into the allure of film photography and explore why more and more couples are opting for it […]
January 13, 2025
Wondering what you should receive in your wedding photography package? You might be feeling overwhelmed trying to decide what you should receive as part of your wedding photography package deliverables! If you’re searching for a wedding photographer, you’re no doubt faced with a barrage of unfamiliar terms that come with photographers’ packages. No doubt you’ve […]

January 26, 2024

As a wedding photographer who’s spent years behind the lens capturing the magic of wedding days, I’ve come to understand the dreams, expectations, and – yes – the realities of weddings. One request I’ve heard is, “I want to get a photo of every guest at my wedding.” While I completely understand the sentiment behind […]
October 18, 2023
With its emphasis on narrative and unscripted moments, the photojournalistic style of wedding photography has become highly sought after by modern seeking to preserve their special memories in a timeless, honest and heartfelt manner. If you’re looking for a photojournalistic wedding photographer in the SF Bay Area, it’s important to find a photographer that captures […]

April 7, 2023

We’re diving into 34 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 […]
December 7, 2022
Get the best wedding photos on your big day! Posing you is your photographer’s job, but there are also many things you can do that will help us get the best possible photos. Also, understanding a little about the principles behind what you’ll be asked to do for your wedding photography poses, can help demystify […]

March 22, 2022

The term ‘sneak peek’ gets thrown around a lot by wedding photographers, but few take the time to explain what it means and why you’d want one! In this guide, I’m going to share what a sneak peek actually is and try to break down some of the mystery. What is a sneak peek? How […]
January 19, 2022
What do you do when you want two different events covered on your wedding day? Basically, when there’s a big gap in proceedings – morning ceremony and evening reception, for example? Every now and then, I get this question: We’re having an early wedding ceremony, then a gap in our day before our reception / […]

December 2, 2021

I’m Zoe and I’m a San Francisco elopement photographer! It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, I’m so glad you found me! By the end of this informative article, we will make sure we’re on the same page here and you’ll know whether I’m a photographer you want to reach out to for your upcoming […]
November 21, 2021
Let me level with you guys – as a wedding photographer I have a few pet peeves. One of them is this: You’re standing at the altar or the arch – the most sacred spot, gathered together with your nearest and dearest community. You’re a giddy mess of joy, nerves, excitement, a little sweat, happiness, […]

November 16, 2021

San Francisco is a great city in which to get married, whether you’re doing a simple City Hall ceremony, eloping on the beach or something more elaborate at one of San Francisco’s gorgeous wedding venues. San Francisco doesn’t have many go-to indoor or covered spots for rainy days, which can make things tricky for weddings. […]
November 15, 2021
And now for something completely different! Who’s heard of a Holga camera? This is my Holga, a medium format 120 film camera from Hong Kong. The Holga is known as a toy camera. It has an incredibly low-cost construction with a plastic meniscus lens (two spherical curved surfaces, convex on one side and concave on […]

September 5, 2021

The wedding day goes by in such a blur – so follow these 5 practical tips to allow you to take it all in! Practice the art of ‘letting go’ and you’ll be rewarded with SO much that goes beyond that you may expect. Letting go – of everything – basically allows you to enjoy […]
May 24, 2021
Are you looking for a photographer for your San Francisco Bay Area micro wedding? You’re in the right place! My name is Zoe Larkin, and I’ve been specializing in micro weddings and intimate weddings since 2016. In this article, I want to answer some questions you may have about the micro wedding trend,. I’ll share […]

May 6, 2021

What is a first look? A first look is a staged moment during a wedding day when the soon-to-be-married couple sees each other for the first time in their wedding attire. This intimate event is captured by a photographer and allows the couple to share a private, emotional experience before the ceremony begins. First looks […]
April 19, 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

Livestreaming your wedding is totally a hot topic right now! I thought I would jump in with a blog post that’s useful so I could help you guys out. As a wedding photographer, I am often asked about livestreaming. And while I’ve thought about learning the skills, investing in professional equipment, hiring another member of […]
March 11, 2021
I lead a team of Bay Area wedding photographers 👋🏾 I 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?
420,000 words of inspiration and and advice on the blog, we're the leading wedding photographers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Since 2017, 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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