I'm Manali
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 connection you share with your partner you will need to feel at ease while you are getting your picture taken, just as you do when it’s only the two of you together. This is my specialty. First, I assess the setting, put you in beautiful light and choose the lenses I want for the scenery and mood. Then I focus on the fun you bring by giving simple prompts that are aimed at bringing forward the connection you two share. Maybe you 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.
Receive more information and detailed pricing
Set up a free consultation to see if working together is a good fit
follow @manaliannephoto on instagram
So freaking excited for these two! They kept it sweet and simple with a private elopement in San Francisco`s golden gate park and they also had an enormous amount of luck when they planned to get married on Wednesday when we had a break in the rain here in the SF Bay Area. It was such a joy to capture this moment ❤️
Last call for family mini photo shoots in San Francisco! They`re happening this Sunday afternoon 11/10 in the Golden Gate Park and I still have a few slots available. Treat yo`self!
And if you are based in the East Bay or prefer the redwoods I am doing a second day of these mini sessions the following weekend in Oakland on 11/16.
Info and booking at link in bio
Just going to put this here... my first attempt at putting myself in front of the camera! Everyone else is doing it so I`m giving it a shot now too.
This is from Christy & Dory`s gorgeous wedding at Straus Home Ranch, in Marshall, CA. It is one of my favorite venues and this was a very special wedding. Even though this is a more serious moment there is tons of laughter that happens between these two. Christy has the most contagious laugh. I`m sure you`ll be smiling when you take a peek. Check out the link in bio.
📍 Wedding Venue: Straus Home Ranch @straushomeranch
💐 Florals + Planning: Three Summer Days Events, Ashley Babin @threesummerdaysevents
🧀 Catering: The Girl and the Fig @figcaters
🎵 Band: Lucky Devils @luckydevilsband
💄 Hair + Makeup: Lea B Gorgeous @lea_bgorgeous
I love seeing more couples opt for a private vow exchange during their first look. Emily and Will did that on their day and yes it got emotional 🥲
📍Venue: Cavallo Point Lodge @cavallopoint
💐 Florals: @angellafloraldesign
💄 Hair & Makeup: @jacqueline_banuelos
You know how some of the best stories start at the end and then work their way back through the events? I`m going in reverse chronological order for Emily & Will`s beautiful San Francisco wedding, starting with this dreamy kiss under the lantern lights.
📍 Wedding Venue: Log Cabin at the Presidio @wedgewood.logcabin
💐 Florals: @angellafloraldesign
🧀 Catering: @wedgewood.logcabin
🎵 DJ: @imobiledjs
💄 Hair & Makeup: @jacqueline_banuelos
Enjoy fleet week San Francisco. Hope you enjoy it as much as this mother of the bride!
The most memorable moments are the unexpected ones. We were getting lined up for family photos when we could hear the blue angels starting up (very loudly) and flying overhead. Emily & Will got so lucky they didn`t fly over while they were exchanging their vows and only started up just minutes after they said "I do."
Also when taking this photo I was disappointed for a split second that I didn`t have a long close up lens on me so I could get a better photo of the planes, but then I realized my wide angle lens was perfect for allowing me to get everyone`s reaction to the planes just before they zoomed out of frame.