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Weddings

About

Cottonwood Studios is an international wedding photography studio established in 2007 by Caleb and Kari Nichols. Caleb and Kari strive to give each client a unique and timeless set of images. All of the materials the studio uses for marketing, packaging, and albums are eco-friendly, sustainable materials to ensure our earth will be beautiful for centuries to come. Kari and Caleb are based in New York City but have shot weddings and sessions all over the world. They accept only 12 commissions each year. They are currently booking weddings for the 2023 and 2024 wedding seasons.

  • LGBTQ+-owned
  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Digital Files

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

2nd Shooter
Add'l Hours
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Digital Files

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Photojournalism

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
One Event / Day
Second Shooter
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Prints

Reviews of Cottonwood Studios

Russell
Russell Sent on 08/18/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The Best There Is

Cottonwood Studios could not have done a better job working with my wife and I before, during, and even after our wedding. Not only was she exceptionally pleasant to work with along the way by clearly outlining options and expectations, but she delivered at a caliber that drastically exceeded my already high expectations. In addition to ensuring that every step of the way was seamless (and even fun), Kari is simply just the most talented photographer I have ever met, and ultimately delivered content that was nothing short of perfect. The services and content offered by Cottonwood Studios is nothing short of phenomenal, all provided at an unbelievably reasonable price point. If you want the best photographer, you call Kari.
J
Jennifer Sent on 04/03/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Nobody better!!!!

I can not rave enough about Kari & Caleb. They are seriously the dream team. They just get it- they keep the entire day totally chill, calm, cool, and collected while also capturing the most PERFECT shots. They have a vision that is absolutely unmatched and they don’t even need direction to capture it. They are truly the best and I don’t have enough positive sentiments to share about them. You're missing out without them!!!!
M
Maddie Sent on 11/20/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic experience all around!

Kari and Caleb were such a pleasure to work with! I cannot say enough good things about them.
Personality-wise, they were a great presence to have around on our wedding day - fun, personable, professional, relaxed, and looking out for my husband and me the entire time.
Photography-wise, I am even more impressed. Kari and Caleb expertly guided us through our first look and couples session before the wedding. They found amazing locations to shoot in, helped us pose, and kept track of the time to make sure we got where we needed to be. During the ceremony and reception, they were incredibly dynamic. When I saw the photos, I couldn't believe they were able to capture so much of the night from so many angles. The images are STUNNING. They are fun, unique, candid, expertly shot and edited, and I love them all so much. I would work with Kari and Caleb again in a heartbeat.
A
Amy Sent on 10/29/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I can’t say enough about kari and Caleb. Our first meeting was for our engagement pictures. Our session was fun, comfortable, and the pictures were outstanding. They get to know you - I’d want to hang with them on the weekends!
As for our wedding day was 10/7/2017, and I don’t know if I would have survived without them. Kari was with the girls, and Caleb with the guys. It worked out perfectly. Kari was great at directing not only my husband and I, but the whole bridal party and my family. Both kari and Caleb have great ideas for photo opps, but they make it fun! And those are the most genuine type of photos. They captured so many moments. Everyone is raving about the photos - they brought me to tears. I am so, so happy we found cotton wood studios. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone - remember that your photographer is in charge of capturing your day. It flies by. Kari and Caleb did just that!!!
M
Michael Sent on 09/02/2017
5 out of 5 rating
When my wife and her friend were searching online for wedding photographers ~1 year before our wedding date, they stumbled upon Cottonwood Studios' Instagram. My wife, who has even higher standards for photographers than she has for a husband, was extremely impressed, and she made it clear that we HAD to get Cottonwood at all costs - even if it meant moving our wedding date if Cottonwood was unavailable!

Starting with the engagement shoot, it couldn't have been easier working out a shooting day with Cottonwood. FYI, Caleb and Kari live outside the U.S. and work events all over the world, so it is good to discuss with them when they will be in your region. Fortunately for us, they were in NYC already when we wanted to have our engagement shoot, so we coordinated a shoot in Brooklyn. Speaking of that shoot in Brooklyn, we were able to leverage Caleb and Kari's expertise - they had shot in that location years ago and still remembered some really cool areas to shoot. The whole evening/night, they were extremely personable and we had a lot of fun. They helped us carry around some 2nd outfits which we changed into and they didn't seem tired even though we put a few miles on our feet that night. So recap, they were accessible and helpful during the shoot and were great at suggesting poses, positioning us, and getting some great, natural reactions out of us. (skipping wedding paragraph due to word limit).

One of the neat things I noticed was how excited Caleb and Kari were immediately after they took great photos. Caleb or Kari would show each other thumbnails on the camera, and they would both get so excited - which got me and my wife very excited, too! Then they would show us, and we could see first-hand how their vision would pay-off and that we would get the same type of great pictures we saw on Instagram months earlier but with us in the pictures this time! Couldn't be more satisfied with Cottonwoods' work!
M
Maria Sent on 08/28/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Kari and Caleb are the best wedding photographers!!! You can't beat this wife and husband duo! We cannot recommend them highly enough. From our engagement shoot to our wedding day, they were so accommodating and easy to get along with. They truly care about the clients' experience and happiness with their photos. During our engagement photo shoot, they had us check out the photos throughout the shoot to make sure they were what we envisioned. They were prepared with what shots they had in mind, but were also flexible to what we had in mind as well.

Something we couldn't stop raving over was they were so helpful in making our wedding day run smoothly. They knew the shots we wanted and they made that happen. For our wedding ceremony, it was crucial to stay on time. Kari and Caleb were prompt and captured all the family photos we wanted in the short amount of time we had with style, grace, and smiles on their faces :)

When my husband and I had our photos done while our guests were at the cocktail hour, Kari and Caleb had an emergency kit together for us with touch-up make up, deodorant, mints, tissues, water, etc in their rental car. What other wedding photographers have the bride and groom's backs in that way?! They are WAY more than regular wedding photographers; they are super-people. They truly care about you as people - THAT is the best part about them (not to mention the best photos ever). The photos were delivered ahead of time and the quality was superb.

Since they are a wife and husband team, they know how each other works and they have a game plan coming into every event - tight and wide shots, bride's and groom's reaction. You will have timeless photos captured with artistry.

If you're looking for the right wedding photographers, look no further. You've found them.
J
Jason Sent on 12/25/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Unbelievable service. Top notch quality.
U
User2471555 Sent on 12/16/2015
5 out of 5 rating
My husband and I highly recommend Cottonwood Studio. After our initial wedding photographer suddenly cancelled on us, we were so glad to find a husband/wife photographer team who was so accommodating, professional and friendly. They were very responsive throughout the whole process and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Although we originally only budgeted for one photographer, I am so glad we ended up with two photographers to fully capture the day. They were worth every cent!
E
Elizabeth Sent on 12/13/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Kari and Caleb work very well as a team to produce high quality wedding photos. They proved to be very experienced with weddings, and they helped us anticipate and plan for any bumps that can arise on the big day. You want someone who knows what to expect and someone who can give clear directives to a large group of people in a kind and effective way. Kari and Caleb did a remarkable job with our guests and with our photos. They listened to our needs, and they felt like part of the team in our wedding party, from helping me with my makeup to helping the groomsmen with their ties. They know what they're doing. You'll be in good hands.
T
Trudy Sent on 12/12/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Kari and Caleb are amazing! We liked them from the moment we met them, and the photos came out absolutely beautiful. Neither my husband or I like having our picture taken but they made us very comfortable. They were always quick to respond and they definitely have their shit together. On top of the photography, they were both very helpful during the getting ready process for both of us and throughout the day. They are clearly wedding pros! We couldn't be happier with how the photos came out either! Would highly recommend them to anyone!
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Awards

50
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Nathan Willis Wedding Films Nathan Willis Wedding Films Wedding Videographers

Kari and Caleb Nichols are not only some of the friendliest photographers I know, they're also AWESOME at taking pictures. They have a gift for capturing images that exemplify the joy that comes with getting married. Any couple that hires them to photograph their wedding will certainly not be disappointed.

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Nathan Willis Wedding Films
5.0 out of 5 rating , 19 reviews
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Map

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Cottonwood Studios frequently asked questions

Cottonwood Studios includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Digital Files
Cottonwood Studios includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • Add'l Hours
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Digital Files
Cottonwood Studios offers the following photography styles:
  • Contemporary
  • Photojournalism
Cottonwood Studios offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • One Event / Day
  • Second Shooter
  • Wedding Portraits
Cottonwood Studios offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Prints
Cottonwood Studios is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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