It's a Day Devoted to Love

And we're here to magnify your

magnificence

mirth

moments

We'll have fun celebrating the trust and strength of your bond and the people and pets who inspire it.

say Hey

unscripted

My PEEPS

Are we a fit?

If you march to the beat of your own distinct drum, are perhaps a little brash, or maybe have seen behind the curtain of the first wedding marketing machine and the bridal magazines you are likely one my peeps. If you are willing to share your life and express your love in your own quiet to loud way regardless of gender, class, societal and other orientations, we will definitely get along. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is one of the most photographed places in all of California for a reason and we will use it as our canvas for expressing your best. My office and studio is literally three blocks down the street and I have been photographing here since 2009.

loving it

I offer hourly courthouse wedding photography and videography coverage because my assistants and associate photographers go all in and full out. No half assery, no mini sesh fluffery, all thriller and no filler. If that sparks some excitement or inspiration as far as what you would like to remember for a lifetime, lets collab.

Doug photographed my wedding and he is amazing! He made our small wedding party feel totally at ease and captured some great moments. He was professional, easy to work with, and his prices were reasonable. I recommend Doug if you'll be getting married in the Santa Barbara area!

Hamdi & Leyla

“We are beyond thankful for how our special day was captured and we will cherish our photographs forever.”

Stacy & Thomas

Meet Doug Ellis

A documentary wedding & family photographer based in Santa Barbara.

A Little About Me

That's me up there. I have eighteen years of experience as a Santa Barbara elopement, proposal, and wedding photographer and my office is three blocks away from the courthouse. You've made a solid and timelessly elegant decision to choose to get married or elope at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The mediterranean climate and the Spanish grandeur of structure and the gardens ensures that your venue choice is no compromise and gives us room to swing out creatively too. I see every wedding photography project as a chance to celebrate what's unique about your lifelong love and connection and to find ways to amplify and magnify that with what friends and family (both two and four legged) bring to the occasion. The group energy, the history and power of this beautiful space, your vows, and my own desire to keep fresh eyes and surprise and amuse myself after all these years, create a perfect alchemical storm for beauty.

insta:

@sbcourthouseweddings

email:

doug@dougellis.com

Prıcıng

Two collections. High res images. No sales sorcery or album forcery.

Which payment methods do you accept?

Pretty much everything except cryptocurrency. Or money orders. Or travelers checks. Do they still have those?

How far in advance do you book?

I am currently booking for 2026 ceremonies only.

How many images do we get and how soon?

Generally 125+ images per coverage hour delivered within two weeks of your ceremony date. You can also order expedited processing and other flourishes but that is generally plenty. For more info on cancellations and other policies see my terms and conditions page.

Can we do engagement/proposal photos too?

Absolutely, if we do your wedding together the engagement/proposal session is half price.

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Have any other questions?

I have literally bent over backwards and slid on the ground like a reptile to get the best angle. I am fluent in Woo and am seasoned enough to be unshockable. So go ahead and try!

just ask

what if..