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Marissa | Orange County Photographer

@marissakayphoto

5.7K

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2650

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Southern California photographer for couples, intimate weddings & elopements
Los Angeles • Joshua Tree • Big Sur
All love welcome here ♡

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When @janieanderson inquired with me, she said: “I’ve always know I wanted to do engagement pictures at the beach. Ben and I go on beach walks in Corona Del Mar several times a week, so I think it would be really special to do our engagement pictures there.”

It was such an honor to capture this beautiful couple in a place that is so special to them. 🥰

#newportbeachphotographer #lagunabeachphotographer #orangecountyengagementphotographer #beachengagementphotos #ocphotographer taken in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California by @marissakayphoto

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4 days ago

Can summer just last forever?

When summer FEELS like this, I never want it to end.

This shoot came about after I did a model call on TikTok looking for a mixed race couple in the Orange County/LA area. I was totally not expecting the hundreds of couples that reached out, wanting to be my models for the shoot. My heart was incredibly full seeing so many beautiful diverse couples madly in love. It was so hard to narrow them down, but I finally chose Naylon and Leicea.

The moment I met them in person, I knew I’d chosen well. Yes, they’re stunning – that’s part of why they stood out. But, when I looked at their TikTok videos, I saw how much fun they had together and how they interacted so easily with one another. And, as soon as I began photographing them, their love for one another was so evident. Creating with them didn’t feel like directing a shoot – it felt like spending an afternoon with two of my friends, who just so happen to be effortlessly photogenic while doing it.

I have always wanted to get photos like these at sunset. Photos that just *feel* like love in the summer.

#cinematicengagement #cinematicweddingphotography #socalengagementphotographer #orangecountyengagementphotographer #beachengagementphotos Southern California engagement session in Newport Beach couple touching hands with ocean glistening behind them taken in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California by @marissakayphoto

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a month ago

I pulled some of the latest wedding data to see how Gen Z weddings are actually evolving compared to Millennials… and some of the differences surprised me.

Which shift are you here for, and which one are you NOT ready to give up? Let me know in the comments!

#losangelesweddingphotographer #genzvibes #lagunabeachweddingphotographer #bigsurweddingphotographer #malibuweddingphotographer by @marissakayphoto

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2 months ago

Kris + Megan had such a beautiful, intentional day in Newport Beach with a few of their closest loved ones.

We met at Crystal Cove at 6 am to start the day off with sunrise portraits. I was so worried that it was going to be overcast and drizzly, because that’s what the weather had been like for several weeks every morning. But, the sun came out to play, and my little photographer heart was ecstatic.

They had an afternoon ceremony on the cliffs of Crystal Cove (which I officiated 🙃). And, they finished up the night with a beautiful dinner at Mastro’s.

I love being able to capture and witness love stories like this one.

#newportbeachphotographer #lagunabeachphotographer #orangecountyweddingphotography #orangecountyelopementphotographer #beachelopement taken in Crystal Cove, Newport Beach by @marissakayphoto

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2 months ago

I don’t think I’ll ever be over these two or this wedding day. 😍 taken in Joshua Tree, California by @marissakayphoto

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3 months ago

These photos are my forever argument for sneaking away at sunset.

I know it can feel hard to step away from your guests (trust me, I get it), but I will always encourage my couples to disappear with me for just 10 minutes. You never know what the sky is going to do… and sometimes it decides to completely show off.

This was one of those nights.

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#luxuryweddingphotography #southerncaliforniaweddingphotographer #joshuatreeweddingphotographer #joshuatreeweddingphotography editorialweddingphotography

Bride: @dylan_olivia
Groom: @_fetty_af
Wedding Planning App: @wedy.ai
Day of Coordination: @wedy.ai
Venue: @nxwherecalifornia
Florals: @thingsandthingsflowers
Bridal Hair & Makeup: @sesentiraimee
Dress: @galialaha taken in Joshua Tree, California by @marissakayphoto

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3 months ago

If this is what summer feels like, bring it on. ☀️

#lagunabeachphotography #lagunabeachengagementphotographer #lagunabeachweddingphotographer #orangecountyengagementphotos #orangecountyengagementphotographer taken in Laguna Beach Thousand Steps Stairs/Beach by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago

Bridesmaid photos don’t have to be boring.

Yes, we’ll get the classic “everyone lined up” photo. Mom wants it. Grandma wants it. Future you will probably want it too. 😂

But then?

We’re making magic.

I’m talking movement, personality, inside jokes, genuine laughter, editorial moments that look like they belong in Vogue, and photos that actually feel like your people—not just a group of women holding bouquets.

Your bridesmaids aren’t props. They’re the friends who helped you survive heartbreaks, celebrated your wins, answered your 47 wedding texts, and showed up for you on one of the biggest days of your life.

Those relationships deserve more than a handful of stiff poses.

So yes, we’ll get the timeless photos.

But we’ll also create the ones you’ll keep coming back to because they remind you exactly how it felt to be surrounded by your favorite humans.

✨ Save this for wedding photo inspiration.
🤍 Follow along for candid, editorial wedding photography that feels as good as it looks.

#luxuryweddingphotography #southerncaliforniaweddingphotographer #joshuatreeweddingphotographer #joshuatreeweddingphotography #editorialweddingphotography

Bride: @dylan_olivia
Groom: @_fetty_af
Wedding Planning App: @wedy.ai
Day of Coordination: @wedy.ai
Venue: @nxwherecalifornia
Florals: @thingsandthingsflowers
Bridal Hair & Makeup: @sesentiraimee
Dress: @galialahav taken in Joshua Tree, California by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago

Alex and Dylan’s Joshua Tree wedding was the kind of day that instantly makes you feel happy just being there. These two are so fun, so easygoing, and so clearly loved by everyone around them. From emotional moments with family to prank first looks and a full surprise flash mob at the reception, the entire day felt joyful in the most genuine way.

And honestly? It all felt very full circle. Their relationship actually started with a spontaneous road trip to Joshua Treeduring Covid. They barely knew each other at the time, but decided to spend a week exploring the desert together anyway (which could’ve gone very badly for normal people 😂). Instead, it ended up being easy, exciting, and the start of everything.

So getting married at Nxwhere California felt incredibly fitting. 🙃

#joshuatreeweddingphotographer #joshuatreeweddingphotography #joshuatreewedding #orangecountyweddingphotography #desertweddings

Bride: @dylan_olivia
Groom: @_fetty_af
Wedding Planning App: @wedy.ai
Day of Coordination: @wedy.ai
Venue: @nxwherecalifornia
Photo Booth: @oakandbloombooth
Photography: @marissakayphoto
Videography: @vmhproductions
Content Creation: @reeltimeedit
Catering: @harvest_kitchen
Bar: @sippinhitchedmobile
Cake: @picnicbakedgoods
Florals: @thingsandthingsflowers
Bridal Hair & Makeup: @sesentiraimee
Rentals: @wonder.eventrentals
Rentals: @archiverentals
Signage: @dylan_olivia
DJ: @frankchoocean
Lighting: @zevxyork
Officiant: @chefbroth
MC: @vipoole
Drummer: @jessewilliamfarmer
Violinist: @calebtizon
Guitarist: @hippieninjasap
Soundbath: @alex_willy
Shuttle: @firststudentinc
Restrooms: @radiantluxuryrestrooms
Dress: @galialahav @babyboo
Alterations: @asitbridal @frenchlovebridal
Face: @rootswellnessfm @theskinbychristie
Hair: @shahe.gh @hairby.fernanda
Suit: @stylemarios
Rings: @sofiakaman @holdenrings @brillianceindiamonds
Shoes: @dolcevita @allenedmonds taken in Nxwhere California by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago

THESE. 👏🏻 TWO. 🔥

I just adore them. I love all my clients, BUT some clients just speak to my soul. Some clients’ love stories just alter something in my brain chemistry. Some clients’ weddings just make me fall in love with love all over again. And, some clients’ connection just remind me why loving and being loved is so crucial to being a human being, and how incredibly beautiful it is to find that person that makes you feel like you’ve never felt before. And, it’s so incredible when this can be witnessed by those around you. And even more incredible when you get to capture it and share it with the world. And, that is why it is my honor to capture Meg and Sammy and to share their beautiful love story with all of you.

#orangecountyweddingphotographer #orangecountyweddingphotography #lagunabeachweddingphotographer #lgbtqweddingphotographer #wlwcouple taken in Carbon Canyon Regional Park by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago

Photographing these two lovebirds was a dream. Their love felt so easy, so natural, so effortless. And, as I guided them through our session, I just couldn’t help but smile. Their joy for life and their excitement over one another is contagious.

#orangecountyengagementphotographer #orangecountyengagementphotos #losangelesengagementphotographer #losangelesengagementphotos #huntingtonbeachengagementphotographer Close up of lesbian couple looking into camera taken in Huntington Beach, California by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago

A few snapshots from the dreamiest intimate wedding in Palm Springs.

Before their wedding, Kyle and Erin sent me a PDF they titled, “We Look Better Blurry.” It was filled with tidbits about the two of them and style cues on what they envisioned for their wedding photos. I just love the last photo in this set … it definitely belongs in their self-titled document 😜

Venue: @villa_leche

#palmspringswedding #palmspringsweddingphotographer #palmspringsweddingvenue #palmspringsphotography #palmspringselopementphotographer taken in Palm Springs, California by @marissakayphoto

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4 months ago