There’s something incredibly mysterious and thrilling about photography which is what originally inspired me to try and figure it out.
For the past 20 years, since I started photographing, I have been many things. I have been an eager and fumbling high school student learning how to develop my own film, a traveler seeking out as much of the world as possible with my camera, a college student diving deeper into technique and earning a BFA in fine art photography, and now a working wedding photographer.
When I take a photograph today, I am feeling my way through intuition and carrying those past experiences of what does and doesn’t work, so that when I release the shutter, I know I am taking the best photo of that moment.
To get authentic photos of the beautiful moments you share with your partner you need to feel at ease, just as you do when it’s only the two of you together. Focusing on your connection is my specialty. If you need a moment to relax together before we start photos then I give you the space to do that first. Your playful connection is the reason your guests are traveling to celebrate alongside you so let's capture the thrill of marrying your best friend and let it feel easy.
I offer simple prompts, that keep you in the moment and don't make you feel like you're on a film set. Maybe you feel the urge to dance or maybe you break out into a run, or maybe you just hold each other close, but we definitely laugh and take beautiful photos.
"It's obvious that Manali is a total pro and knows her way around a wedding like nobody else. I would hire Manali again in a heartbeat."
Inessa - Google
After years of doing this I have perfected a process that gets us organized in advance and allows the wedding day to run very smoothly. We start about six weeks before your wedding and work collaboratively with your wedding planner.
After the wedding day, your photos go through a 4 step process to get selected and color corrected. My editing style mimics the tones and warm colors of Kodak portrait film, as a throwback to the many years I spent photographing on film before switching to digital.
In the end, your photos are print-ready and get uploaded to an online gallery that is easy to share with friends and family. All coverage includes a high-resolution download.
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That HELL YES feeling
Hell yes, this is my person
Hell yes, we planned a wedding, and it was harder than we thought, but we survived
Hell yes, we just said our vows in a beautiful place that felt authentic to us
Hell yes to the rest of our lives
S+M got married in the redwoods at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, surrounded by friends and family, and it was perfect
📍 Wedding Venue: Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, CA
📸 Photographer @manaliannephoto
#sanfranciscobayareawedding #oaklandwedding #berkeleywedding #redwoodswedding
Permission to relax.
The big moments you planned are done, and now it`s time to chill and connect with the folks who came out to celebrate with you.
The image is a 35mm film scan with my cute little 90`s Konica point-and-shoot. I`ve been working in more film and having a blast. More film to come.
📍 Wedding Venue: Noria Winery in Berkeley, CA @noriawines
📋️ Planner @embermicroweddings
📸 Photographer @manaliannephoto
🧀 Catering @thairicespoon_catering
#sanfranciscobayareawedding #oaklandwedding #berkeleywedding
You can really feel it when a couple`s community is integral to their day. After 15 years together, Sarah & Matt`s wedding guests were so excited to see these two get married. Some folks sang, and some played music during the ceremony, and a friend officiated. When it came time to walk down the aisle after the ceremony, I was moved by how many folks were inspired to reach out and touch them. It shows a deep sense of connection to their community.
For me too, it was a beautiful day to be a part of. They are silly, and they are loving with one another, and we had a blast taking photos together. It fills my heart to be able to capture moments like these.
Much more about these two and their beautiful day is on the blog. Link in bio.
📍 Wedding Venue: Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland, CA
📸 Photographer @manaliannephoto
My Fall 2026 Mini Photo Sessions are live and available for booking!
Treat yourself and your family to beautiful memories of this time in your lives. Good for family photos, maternity photos, or photos with your dog.
I am a professional portrait and wedding photographer and mom to a 4-year-old. I`ll be silly with your kids and get special photos within a short timeframe, even with kids who aren`t so cooperative when the camera comes out.
I just released these yesterday to a parent group I am in, and the slots are already filling up! Grab yours before they book out. Full info and booking links in bio
Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland 🐶
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Fort Funston, San Francisco 🐶
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Lake Temescal Park, Oakland
Sunday, November 15, 2026
San Francisco Family Photographer / Oakland Family Photographer
#fallminisessions #sanfranciscofamilyphotographer #oaklandfamilyphotographer
Some wedding magic from the past weekend with Vivian and Adam at Thomas Fogarty Winery ✨️
📍 Wedding Venue @fogartywineryevents @thomasfogartywinery
📋️ Planner @sassydivadesigns
📸 Photographer @manaliannephoto
💐 Florals @sassydivadesigns
🧀 Catering @toastbayarea
🎵 DJ @bigfundj
String quartet @synchronicitystrings
#sanfranciscobayareawedding
What an incredible celebration! Phillip & Meghana are warm, caring, and just wonderful freaking people to be around, and I am so glad I got to be a part of the fun, twice over.
They had multi-day, multicultural Hindu and Catholic wedding ceremonies and an incredible party to celebrate it all at San Francisco`s Officer`s Club in the Presidio.
A mix of digital and film on an old 35mm point-and-shoot camera.
📍 Wedding Venue @wedgewood.officersclub
📸 Photographer @manaliannephoto
💐 Florals @angellafloraldesign
