Get to know me
Rapid Fire
Roots in Film
I studied Film & Digital Media at UC Santa Cruz, and it changed the way I see the world. I’m constantly noticing little scenes in real life and thinking, that was like a movie. The way someone walks toward their person, an uncontrollable laugh that breaks an otherwise calm portrait, the tears you didn't plan for. I’m always looking for those little pieces of a story.
Professional Extrovert
I spent several years teaching high school English, and somewhere along the way, I realized that getting to know people was my favorite part of the job. Building relationships, making people feel at ease, and reading the room came naturally to me. Those skills have turned out to be useful behind a camera, too.
Santa Cruz Native
I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, and my connection to this community has only grown as I’ve gotten older. I’ve taught at my own high school, built friendships and creative connections here, and developed a deep appreciation for the people who make this place what it is. Getting to build a creative career without having to leave my favorite part of California has honestly been a game changer. I get to photograph the people and places I love, while continuing to be part of the community that shaped me.
Quiet Observer
People Person
Sentimentalist
Heart-led Creative
Love Stories
BY CHUCKIE
Hi! My name is Chuckie, and I’m a filmmaker, photographer, and educator creating Wedding & Couples photography and videography throughout Northern California.
I'm a sentimentalist at heart, passionate about creating photographs and films that help people remember where they've been, celebrate what they've built, and reconnect with the moments, stories, and people that matter most.
Every time I edit a gallery or finish a film, strange as it may sound, I literally will find myself smiling. I never really get over the fact that I'm helping preserve something that matters. There's something special about knowing those moments won't simply disappear with time.
Through my business, I have the opportunity to pursue my passion for visual art while continuing to do what my extroverted heart enjoys most— turning intangible experiences of connection, passion, and identity into something that can be seen, shared, and remembered.
“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”
Kaite Thurmes
MY STORY
preserved on screen
As long as I can remember, film has had my heart. Long before that evolved into self-made GoPro music videos in high school or television scripts in college, I spent afternoons replaying my family’s VHS tapes, reliving our 1998 Christmas party, my sister’s 8th birthday, and other moments that felt magical simply because they were ours. I’d sift through photographs from my dad’s going-away party when he moved to the West Coast, and my oldest sister’s wedding day, just to feel close to those moments again.
At the same time, I often think about the memories that were never documented, like my parents’ simple courthouse wedding that exists only in its story. That absence reminds me that some of life's most meaningful moments deserve more than memory alone.
Looking back, I have measured my life in stories, both lived and watched on screen. I was the sibling that looked forward to long car rides because it meant bringing along the portable DVD player, and from BIG to Elf, and The Way Way Back, I could immerse myself in my favorite movies several times over.
Once I had a camera in my hands, it was all I could think about. From underwater music videos to school projects packed with blooper reels, I was driven to create something vibrant and immersive that people could experience, connect with, and remember.
With a deep love for cinematography, storytelling, and preserving meaningful moments, I earned a degree in Film & Digital Media before spending several years as an educator of Literature and Media Journalism. My experience in the classroom sharpened my ability to connect with people, understand their stories, and help my students to express their creative vision.
Today, I bring those skills into my work as a photographer and videographer, capturing authentic moments and crafting visual narratives that people can value for years to come.
Experience
Portfolio