an engaged couple sitting in the grass next to the owen's river at sunset for their engagement photos
Bishop engagement photos of a good looking couple in front of snow capped sierra nevada mountains holding disco balls wearing fur coats
cowboy wedding sunset photo of a bride and groom high up on a hill by mammoth photographer kelsey kay
An outdoor wedding setup in front of a large, castle-like stone building with multiple turrets. White chairs are arranged in rows on a green lawn, flanking a central aisle. Two large floral arrangements in white pots sit on wooden barrels at the entr
Elegant dining table decorated with pink and white flowers, orange slices, tall candles, glassware, and pink napkins set for a formal event in a winery or barrel room loft.
A young couple shares a kiss in a mountainous outdoor setting with snow-capped peaks in the background, a river flowing through the valley, and sparse vegetation.
La Lomita wedding with a cowboy bride and groom in stylish elegant attire
A couple in wedding attire kissing at the top of Mammoth Mountain in snowy conditions, with snowboards in hand, standing near a wooden signpost that reads 'Mammoth Mountain Elevation 11,053 Feet' and 'Daves Run,' with snowy mountains and a clear blue
A man and woman holding hands standing in the middle of a mountain road, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
An elegant western wedding at Thousand Hills Ranch in the gorgeous rolling green hills of San Luis Obispo

MAMMOTH LAKES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Premium colorful + airy photography for joyfully loving couples

A smiling woman photographer with long, wavy brown hair wearing a black long-sleeve top, standing in front of a pink and gold patterned background.

I'm so happy you found me — I'm a Mammoth Lakes wedding photographer and love photographing couples in this alpine paradise!

If you're anything like me, you want to get married in the Eastern Sierra because this place is special to you too. I moved here in Winter 2025 from the rolling golden hills of California's Central Coast, wanting to combine my love of adventuring outdoors with my passion for photographing couples in gorgeous places. So, voilà — here I am, living my dream life, doing my dream job as a wedding and elopement photographer in the Eastern Sierra.

I've been a professional wedding photographer for over 15 years, capturing elopements and weddings for couples from elegant big-city skyscrapers, rustic barns, to luxury winery estates — and now, the granite peaks and alpine lakes of Mammoth Lakes.

Your wedding photos should be fun and stress-free. I love capturing the real, beautiful moments that make your relationship yours. Polished, gorgeous photos don't have to feel formal or posed — with a joyful and easy-going personality, it’s easy for me to bringing out your personalities naturally so your relationship truly shines through.

With years of experience and genuine heart, I guide you through the process, helping you feel confident, comfortable, and present with your partner in front of the camera. The result: premium-quality, airy, colorful images that take you right back to every moment of your wedding day or elopement.

My goal is simple — when you look at your photos, you feel and relive your wedding day all over again.

Neon sign with the words 'Hello, I'm Kelsey' in light blue and white on a black background.
  • beautiful boho chic ceremony floral arrangement in san luis obispo at edna valley ranch wedding by photographer kelsey kay
  • villa loriana wedding reception in san luis obispo by photographer kelsey kay
  • colorful and elegant reception florals at see canyon fruit ranch wedding in san luis obispo by photographer kelsey kay
  • warm colored abundant floral arbor at chateau noland wedding in san luis obispo by photographer kelsey kay
kelsey kay mammoth wedding photography portfolio
a colorful casitas estate wedding by san luis obispo photographer kelsey kay
Text that says featured on the BLOG with the word BLOG in large pink outlined letters and a small arrow inside the G.

SWEET + LOVELY ESTATE WEDDING | THE CASITAS ESTATE

SEE THE POST

booking 2026 & 2027 ELOPEMENTS + WEDDINGS + LUXURY EVENTS

Mammoth Lakes Wedding Venues I Love

One of my favorite parts of being a Mammoth Lakes wedding photographer is how much variety this small town packs in — from ski-resort glamour to intimate lakeside or elopements at hidden gem sanctuaries in the forest, all within a few miles of each other.

Mammoth Mountain is where a lot of couples dream of saying "I do" — and I get it. Whether you're exchanging vows at The Summit, 11,053 feet up with nothing but granite peaks in every direction, or keeping things cozy at McCoy Station or Eleven53, the views alone do half the work for your photos.

Right in the heart of the village, is Limelight Hotel Mammoth — an upscale, mountain-modern basecamp for couples who want their wedding weekend to have a more elevated feel. The courtyard and fire pits make for gorgeous golden-hour portraits, and it's an easy walk to the gondola if you want alpine shots without the drive.

For something more intimate and story-book, Forest Chapel at Tamarack Lodge is hard to beat. Guests cross a footbridge over Twin Lakes into a hidden grove of pines — it's the kind of spot that photographs like something out of a dream even with zero styling.

Convict Lake Resort is one of my personal favorites for weddings and elopements — that impossibly blue water against the jagged Sherwin Range backdrop is pure Eastern Sierra magic, golden, and completely yours.

Want to get married somewhere else in the Eastern Sierra — June Lake, Bishop, Lundy Canyon, Tuolumne or even Yosemite? I'd love to hear what your dreaming up for your location. Some of my favorite weddings and elopements have happened at spots that never make anyone's venue list. The off-the-beaten-path options in the Sierra’s are endless.

@heykelseykay

Cue up those heart emojis and follow me to get your fill of love + color!

FRESH on iNSTAGRAM

View fullsize 🩷 Details from Nicole and Grant’s Cass Winery wedding in the rolling hills of Paso Robles wine country. A warm breeze, grapes on the vines, and elegance all around. 🍇 Nothing quite like a warm lit barrel room and a celebration as elegant as
View fullsize ⛰️ There’s something about photographing engagements in the mountains that feels both wild and incredibly sweet. Big views, quiet moments, and a little adventure woven in between.🌲
View fullsize ✨ Photographing unique Sierra Mountain elopements is such a dream. There’s just something about slowing down, exploring beautiful places together, and creating a day that feels easy, fun, and true to who you are. If you’re dreaming of a
View fullsize 🩵 Can’t wait to share more from this Cass Winery wedding in Paso Robles, CA. The timeless vintage car, elegant florals, beautifully curated tablescapes, and every intentional touch came together to create a celebration that felt effortless fr
View fullsize The magic of the Sierras—alpine air, the smell of pines, and unforgettable views. There’s no better place to start your next adventure together. ✨🏔️💍 I’d love to be there to capture every meaningful moment along the way. 🤍 📸
View fullsize Summer elopement season is here, and these peaceful detail moments before the adventure set the stage beautifully. 🤍🏔️
A black and white soccer ball with a white pebble background.
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on 100 layer cake
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on green wedding shoes
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on junebug weddings
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on ruffled
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on carats and cake
san luis obispo wedding photographer kelsey kay published on wedding chicks

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING:

  • san luis obispo town of harmony wedding with a stylish and elegant bride and groom

    “We just went through the photos and got all emotional - they turned out better than we could have imagined!!! You are talented beyond words! Thank you for all your hard work & for being, well, just AMAZING - we love you!”

    K + T

  • a bright and colorful san luis obispo wedding at edna valley ranch of a stylishly chic bride and groom with abundant boho florals photographed by kelsey kay

    “OH MY GOSH THESE ARE ALL SO BEAUTIFUL!!! We just went through them with my parents and we are all speechless! You are so talented and we are so grateful we found you to photograph our special day. Thank you so much for getting these to us so quickly and for being so amazing!”

    M + M

  • sweet bride and groom at colorful luxury wedding at opolo vineyards in paso robles by photographer kelsey kay

    “I am literally weeping. I had no doubt that you would do an amazing job capturing our day, but you have totally blown me away beyond expectation. These are beautiful. I am so grateful we had you to see all these special moments. I don't know what to say except that you are some kind of magical unicorn. Thank you so much.”

    D + B

  • colorful montana de oro elopement with sweet and joyful couple by photographer kelsey kay

    “I'm sitting at my desk, alone in the office (first day back), laughing and crying out loud. These photos are absolutely amazing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for capturing our day so thoughtfully and so beautifully. You are so talented and we're going to need to come down to see you every time we want pictures taken. Thank you, again! SO MUCH!!!!”

    C + M

  • sweet and joyful bride and groom at floral-filled winter elopement at the casitas estate in arroyo grande photographed by kelsey kay

    “Thank you SO much! We just went through the album and we are completely blown away with how perfect the photos are! You did a phenomenal job capturing our wedding day. It was such a pleasure working with you! You were so efficient and made everyone feel so comfortable. Our family and friends kept telling us how awesome you were :) You’re the best!”

    K + H

  • black bowtie groom and elegant wedding gown bride at sunset at opolo vineyards wedding in paso robles by photographer kelsey kay

    “Oh my gosh, looking through these photos was like getting to relive the day again. They came out more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. You are extremely talented, we can’t thank you enough for all of your work. It was amazing to share the day with you, and so fun to look back through the photos. Thank you so much!!”

    A + A

  • stylish bride in cowgirl boots and well dressed groom and floral inspired wedding at edna valley ranch in san luis obispo by photographer kelsey kay

    Omg!! The photos are phenomenal!!! We loved all the pictures and I found myself floored by the details and the facial expressions you captured! Thank you for capturing our wedding and being so amazing and supportive to us on that day!! You were spectacular and you will definitely see more of us in the future!! I adore your photography soooo very much!! You truly are incredibly talented!!

    A + B

  • bright bougainvillea flowers with elegant bride and groom in front of them san luis obispo wedding by photographer kelsey kay

    “I don’t even know what to say... we’re speechless. The photos are Phenomenal! True works of art!! There’s not one that we didn’t like. You captured the Love, the Fun, & the Celebration of our marriage! We are FOREVER grateful! Thank you for being amazing! The pleasure of working with you was all ours!!”

    A + E

  • sweet and joyful bride and groom at beach wedding at oceanpoint ranch by photographer kelsey kay

    “Wow, we are over-the-moon with our photos! You did such an amazing job capturing us and making the photos feel so natural, warm and loving. We absolutely love them!! Thank you for being so fun and easy to work with.”

    M + E

Can’t get enough of all this love + color?!

Let’s connect and talk about your wedding day. Click the link below to fill out the contact form and we’ll be in touch soon!

LETS CONNECT