Seeking poetry in the prosaic. Tenderness and light.

Your wedding will be filled with seconds that can only be held by a photograph. Surrounded by your favorite people. Where you feel at home. This is the magic I look for.

“I cannot say enough good things about Kate. She is not only a pleasure of a human, her talent and work far surpassed our expectations. My photos are some of the best I’ve ever seen.”

– GIA & ADAM

“It’s like having your best friend take your wedding photos. Kate is amazing! She totally caught the vision of our wedding and really taps into the people she’s working with.

– Katelyn & Jesse

My Style

A documentary approach that allows you to fully share and be yourselves on your wedding day. Story focused and centering the elements that mean the most to you and your partner. Candid moments unfold honestly and as they happen. Portraits are directed as needed resulting in an effortless editorial feel.

My Story

When I was 13, I took my Mom’s 35mm Minolta to school and ended up with a yearbook of couples. Those relationships bloomed and faded but the pull towards visual sentiment was permanent.

A commercial degree in fashion photography taught me to see light incrementally and problem solve on the fly. Fine art graduate study returned my focus to emotion and mood. In weddings I have found a synthesis of art and purpose.

Ritual and relationship made heirloom

Thoughtful

You want to maximize your time with your favorite people. Through careful consultation and coordination with you or your planner we’ll center the elements that mean the most and skip the rest.

Northern California wedding photographer Kate Donaldson, based in Humboldt County

Behind the Lens

Hi, I’m Kate

I’m here to celebrate you and yours. The hand that always meets yours in the dark, your kitchen dancing partner. Your person. The other half that makes you a better half, the inside joke that makes you laugh so hard your dog is genuinely concerned.

Your community. Your family. The home that finds you wherever you may be. Today this beautiful map of human constellations and connections that consistently lifts you up converges. Here. Together. For a limited time only.

Heirloom keeper is an honor I don’t take lightly

Family is my why

Currently renovating our first home in Northern California with my partner of 20 years, Aaron, two bonkers malinois shepherd mystery mix rescue pups and one 7 year old playground astronaut/artist named Cal. Our van is never not full of sand.

Remember everything without missing anything.