Nightingale Photography

Hi, I'm Christina Hernandez, and I am passionate about emotional, documentary photography. After working 15 years as a staff photojournalist at the San Francisco Chronicle, I've taken my years of experience to create rich, memorable images for my couples. My goal is to create a photo gallery that tells YOUR story. You are unique and your images should be, too.

I cry at weddings. I can't help it! I get emotionally invested and I won't apologize for it. It allows me to get into the zone where I am completely immersed in the moment and I strive to make images that reflect that. I love being inspired by new locations, and I go with the flow. Photojournalism has taught me to constantly adapt and embrace changing environments, lighting conditions and the unexpected. I am most proud of my ability to capture genuine moments.

Do I shoot formal portraits? Absolutely. They are important! But my passion is to find the moments between the moments. The great images are the spontaneous embrace, unexpected tears, and relaxed laughter. My couples are very special to me because they invite me to witness true intimacy.

Other fun facts:

I am a native of Oakland. I hear that's quite rare.

My family came to San Francisco during the Gold Rush, and we've never left. Can you blame us? I love being able to shoot here because there are so many off-beat locations I know and love.

I have an amazing family. Richard and I have been married for 23 years and have a marvelous daughter, Sophia, age 19. Now... our wedding was not quite the type I shoot, nowadays. We got married on the beach, south of Santa Cruz with a Mexican trio serenading us and a table holding pitchers of margaritas. I LOVED our wedding. Richard's family made all the food: beans, rice, tortillas, and tri-tip. Oh yeah, and more margaritas. We bribed the musicians to stay longer by raising more funds with a money dance. We hold our wedding dear to our hearts.

We also have two dogs: Ruby and Roomba...yes, named after the vacuum, don't ask. Richard is a professor of journalism and new media at UC Berkeley and just created the Nightingale Wedding Films. We are so excited to offer this! I gotta brag...Richard won an Emmy a few years ago for a documentary, so I thought he might be qualified to work with me...ahhaha.

I hope you are getting excited about your wedding. Don't forget: as long as there is love, lots of laughter, some food and wine, your wedding will be a blast. Feel free to contact me with any questions at all.

xoxo Christina