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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS?
As a former educator and natural extrovert, I’ve always been drawn to people. That instinct carries into every wedding I photograph. My priority is to make you feel comfortable, cared for, and completely present in your day. I’ll help troubleshoot the little surprises alongside your planner, keep things moving when they need to, and know when to step back and let you enjoy it. I’ll be laughing with you while you get ready, celebrating alongside your people, and finding my way onto the dance floor when the party starts. I’m there to photograph your wedding from the inside of the experience—not as an outsider, but as someone who feels like part of your team.
What about Travel?
Travel is FREE within the limits of Santa Cruz County. Since I split my time between Santa Cruz and Grass Valley, travel charges for Nevada County locations are applied at a reduced rate.
Does FIlm Cost Extra?
Nope! I’m a hybrid photographer, so while I primarily shoot digitally, I also incorporate a variety of 35mm and medium-format film throughout your day. If having certain moments captured on film is especially important to you, just let me know which parts of the day you’d love to prioritize, and I’ll make sure they’re on my radar.
HOW MANY IMAGES CAN WE EXPECT?
You can expect roughly 50-60 high-resolution images per every hour that I shoot, though I often yield more than that as a chronic over-shooter!
COFFEE ORDER?
Iced, always.
DREAM SUNDAY?
Farmer's Market→Long lunch → Nowhere to be
ROADTRIP ESSENTIALS?
2000s R&B Playlist, Chex Mix,
Nerds Gummy Clusters
DREAM TRAVEL LOCATION?
Rome, Italy
CURRENTLY ON REPEAT?
Role Model, Still Woozy,
Solange, Ella Langley
FAVORITE PLACE IN SANTA CRUZ?
The Observation Deck
at Henry Cowell!
READY TO CONNECT?
Let’s capture your celebration
