Hello friends!
I am so happy you are here! I can't wait to meet you!
My name is Kiaya, and I am a wedding photographer and videographer living in Santa Cruz.
If affordability, promptness, attention to detail, adventure, and human connection are all important to you, then you are in just the right place.
Planning a wedding can already be SO stressful at times (or most of the time). I want to create an easy going experience for you, so you can confidently check off this part of the list and know, you will be taken care of. I am genuinely invested in you as a couple and all that you want your wedding day to be, so hopefully you can feel a little more at ease throughout the planning process with me by your side.
I am in the business of capturing Love in its most sincere forms. Real, authentic moments are what creates the most genuine magic inside a photograph. That means when you hire me, you are getting more than a photographer, you are getting a friend too! I don't want you to feel like a stranger is following you around for a whole day, I genuinely want to get to know you, your story, and your values so that I can deliver photos that tell your story and are representative of you guys! My approach helps to capture those real, authentic, candid moments while also making sure that all of your expectations are met. Working with me is a blend between a guided photography experience, where I will coach you with fun prompts and direction to help you feel at ease in front of the camera, and a photojournalistic/documentary approach, where I take a step back while you guys are in the moment and present with one another. I will blend and shift between my two approaches as necessary during your wedding day in order to deliver gorgeous candid photographs that really capture the feeling of the day with a cinematic style.
I aspire to create a warm, empathetic, and comfortable environment that allows you to thrive and be in the moment. I never want you to feel like you have to put on some crazy performance for me to make the photos work. Both magic and art are created when you can simply be yourself, and in order for you to be able to do that I aim to foster the most nurturing environment possible.I am motivated to make sure you feel the presence, warmth, and joy of your day when you get your final gallery!
I want to support you as much as I can through this process! I will work with both you and the wedding planner to help establish a timeline for the day. The most important thing to me is that you are fully able to be present and just enjoy your wedding day- I want to keep things as low stress as possible! The more we talk and iron out the details, the easier it is for me to be in just the right place at just the right time to deliver a stunning finished product.
I cant want to connect and get this party going! Let’s make sure you have a wedding day that you will never forget!
Much love my friends,
Kiaya
1 Reviews for Kiaya Marie Photography
Recommended by 100% of couples
Sarah B. · Getting married on 02/18/2022
Absolutely perfect! Everything I wanted and more.
Kiaya did our engagement pictures, and they were absolutely stunning! I told her I wanted pictures in a forest and she picked the most perfect spot. She created a whole itinerary with locations, vibe and every detail that I wouldn’t have even thought about! She made my fiancé and I feel so comfortable, which reflected in the pictures. She was prompt and responsive during and after the shoot. I loved the whole experience and would recommend her whole heartedly. I even booked her for my wedding next year!
Sent on 02/03/2021
Team of Kiaya Marie Photography
Kiaya Smith
Owner & Lead Photographer
Hey everyone! My name is Kiaya (k-eye-yuh), and I am the owner of Kiaya Marie Photography.
I love hiking, camping, exploring all of the national parks, pretty much anything outside and I am down!
Living in Santa Cruz basically means I spend every spare moment on the beach hanging out in the water, building epic sandcastles, and collecting shells!
I am a child of the classic rock and roll.
I LOVE chocolate.
I am definitely a people person, I love making new friends and connections, and I especially love going to get coffee with my brides and grooms (I am a caffeine connoisseur). And most of all, I love attending all of your beautiful love days! Each wedding is something new and different, and I have appreciated every single one, big and small! Showing my passion for photogrpahy by captruing some of your guys most beautiful days is such an honor. So, welcome new friends! I can't wait to meet you, let's be freinds! :)
Matthew Kropschot
Videographer
Hey everyone! I'm Matt and I am the videoogrpaher here at Kiaya Marie Photogrpahy. I love everything about the outdoors, working out, acting on the stage, cold brew cofee, and creating videos for you lovely people! Kiaya is my partener in everything we do, which is why our work is so unique. She inspires me to work harder and to always be thinking outside of the box to give our clients the expereince they desire and deserve. Every wedding is such a great expereince, theres something uniquely great about each one! I can't wait to meet you all!
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Kiaya Marie Photography includes the following photography services in the starting price:
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Kiaya Marie Photography includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
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Kiaya Marie Photography offers the following photography styles:
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Kiaya Marie Photography offers the following photography services for weddings:
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Kiaya Marie Photography offers the following photography materials for weddings:
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