Business Details
Award-Winning Wedding Photography for Timeless Memories
I founded Ilumina Studios with a commitment to capturing authentic, moment-driven wedding photography that transcends trends. My journey began at age 11 with a passion for skateboarding photography, which evolved into wedding photography after years of perseverance. Over the past eight years, I have documented over 120 weddings across 16 countries and four continents, refining my approach to storytelling through candid, emotionally resonant imagery. I prioritize venues that enhance the narrative of each couple's unique story, ensuring their wedding day is preserved with artistic integrity. My work has earned recognition through invitations to speak at photography conferences and host international workshops.I emphasize transparency, dedication, and ethical practices, guaranteeing 110% effort for every client. My global experience informs a versatile style adaptable to diverse cultural and geographic settings. I maintain a client-centric philosophy, focusing on personalized service and meaningful connections. The studio's portfolio showcases curated selections from destination weddings, local ceremonies, and engagement sessions. Through continuous education and mentorship, I strive to elevate industry standards while maintaining accessibility through iPhoneography demonstrations.
Services
Wedding Photography
Engagement Sessions
Travel Photography
iPhoneography Workshops
International Workshops
Highlights and features
- We offer 8+ years documenting 120+ weddings across 16 countries
- Our founder transitioned from skateboarding photography to wedding storytelling expertise
- We provide international workshops for aspiring wedding photographers
- Our portfolio includes conferences and teaching engagements nationwide
- We specialize in venue-specific storytelling that enhances wedding narratives
Services
Wedding Photography
Documenting weddings with authentic, moment-driven storytelling. Our approach captures candid emotions and artistic details across diverse cultural and geographic settings. Each package includes full-day coverage, high-resolution images, and personalized editing to preserve lifelong memories through a documentary-style lens.
Engagement Sessions
Creating intimate pre-wedding portraits that showcase couples' unique relationships. Sessions focus on natural interactions in curated locations, providing both editorial-quality images for invitations and relaxed, authentic captures for personal keepsakes.
Travel Photography
Specializing in global wedding documentation across 16 countries. Our travel packages include location scouting, cultural adaptation expertise, and logistical planning support for destination ceremonies in venues ranging from beachfronts to historic landmarks.
iPhoneography Workshops
Educational sessions teaching professional photography techniques using smartphones. Curriculum covers lighting mastery, composition principles, and storytelling approaches for content creators seeking to maximize mobile device capabilities.
International Workshops
Hands-on training programs for wedding photographers worldwide. Curriculum includes storytelling philosophy, technical skill development, and business strategies, delivered through in-person workshops and conference presentations across multiple continents.
People
Carsten Schertzer
Founder & Lead Photographer
Award-winning photographer with 8 years documenting 120+ global weddings. Transitioned from skateboarding photography to wedding storytelling after living out of his car in San Francisco. Now teaches through international workshops and conferences.
Questions
What photography style does Ilumina Studios specialize in?
We focus on authentic, moment-driven storytelling with artistic composition. Our documentary-style approach prioritizes candid emotions and natural interactions over posed shots.
Do you photograph weddings outside Los Angeles?
Yes, we offer worldwide coverage. We've documented weddings in 16 countries across four continents, with experience adapting to diverse cultural and geographic settings.
What's included in your wedding packages?
Packages include full-day coverage, high-resolution images, personalized editing, and venue-specific storytelling. Custom options available for destination weddings and special requests.
Do you offer photography education programs?
Yes, we host international workshops and speak at photography conferences. Our curriculum covers storytelling philosophy, technical skills, and business strategies for wedding photographers.
How do you handle different lighting conditions?
Our expertise includes natural light mastery, demonstrated through both professional equipment and iPhoneography workshops. We adapt techniques to optimize available light in any environment.
