Hello and thanks for checking out our little business. I'm Carolyn (the one with too much hair) and Brian (the one with no hair) is my husband/photo partner extraordinaire. I'm actually the worst surfer on earth but this is one of very few photos that we have together, so I give you: example a from posing for photos 101.
We've managed Soil + Sea together for over six years and have been married for almost ten. Our team is comprised of two primary photographers and three associate second shooters. We hold portrait sessions primarily outdoors along the wild Pacific coast or at clients' homes, and shoot weddings and elopements wherever we are needed.
We've managed Soil + Sea together for over six years and have been married for almost ten. Our team is comprised of two primary photographers and three associate second shooters. We hold portrait sessions primarily outdoors along the wild Pacific coast or at clients' homes, and shoot weddings and elopements wherever we are needed.
Services
We are now allowing more than one newborn booking/week! For the safety of our crew and our clients, all photographers are fully vaccinated and wear masks for the duration of all in home sessions. Standard hand washing and prop sanitizing is observed. Feel free to inquire using the contact form if you have additional questions.
Soil + Sea Photography is based in Santa Cruz, CA and also offers wedding and portrait coverage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and beyond. Travel dates can be found HERE. We require a 50% retainer fee and a signed contract in order to reserve a wedding date. We also like to chat over the phone with each couple to go over the basics of our coverage style, ask questions about your big day, and answer any questions you may have for us.
Reviews (20)
Shirley L.
Oct 13, 2021
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What a great experience! I had asked my friend who took her photos -- they were so beautiful -- and she recommended Carolyn, also noting that a few of our other HS friends had worked with her as well. So glad we booked with her!
Photos
-Photos were great -- a lot of very natural shots but also more than enough portraits where everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. Win win!
Logistics
-Super responsive and easy to work with. Brian was so patient when I couldn't decide which location and whether I wanted to bring our dog. He gave us a few great options and was really understanding
Photos
-Photos were great -- a lot of very natural shots but also more than enough portraits where everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. Win win!
Logistics
-Super responsive and easy to work with. Brian was so patient when I couldn't decide which location and whether I wanted to bring our dog. He gave us a few great options and was really understanding
Emily B.
Sep 12, 2021
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We feel so thankful that we hired Soil and Sea Photography to photograph our wedding celebration! Brian and Carolyn are a dream team to work with. Brian was incredibly prompt and professional in responding to any communication we sent his way. When our plans majorly changed due to COVID, Soil and Sea Photography was accommodating and willing to work with us to bring a new vision to life. Carolyn was a delight to be around and have at our event. She was calm and collected, and in an easy-going manner made sure to keep us on track so that we got all of the photos we had said we wanted. Then we got
Sheri P.
Aug 20, 2021
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AMAZING! Incredible photos and really personable, creative and talented photographer. Well organized and smooth process in every step of the way.
I booked a photo shoot with Soil and Sea for my sister and her hubby and their kids. My sis wanted to get some family photos with her two kids (both under 10) and also some anniversary photos.
It was an easy process to book. Carolyn also assisted my sister & fam with choosing outfits and colors.
The day of the shoot was complicated--it was really windy and there were some other people on the beach doing their own photo shoot that had a very different
I booked a photo shoot with Soil and Sea for my sister and her hubby and their kids. My sis wanted to get some family photos with her two kids (both under 10) and also some anniversary photos.
It was an easy process to book. Carolyn also assisted my sister & fam with choosing outfits and colors.
The day of the shoot was complicated--it was really windy and there were some other people on the beach doing their own photo shoot that had a very different
Melissa Y.
Jan 23, 2021
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Carolyn is an amazing photographer and artist. I actually knew her in high school and so when I decided to do family photos with me and my dogs a couple of years ago (yes, we're a family), I knew she was the only one I wanted to take them. I had followed her since she started posting online and have always gushed about her profile to everyone because she's not a stock photographer. She takes amazing real life photos. Plus she's one of the funniest people and that shows in her posts. :)
When we met on photo day, it was kind of foggy and the sunset wasn't amazing, but Carolyn
When we met on photo day, it was kind of foggy and the sunset wasn't amazing, but Carolyn
Leanna J.
Jan 23, 2021
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I highly recommend Soil and Sea! We have had 4 photo shoots with Carolyn. She does an amazing job with newborns- she seriously is a baby whisperer. Her eye for color and texture and light is really special. She also did my maternity photo shoot, two family photo shoots, and a studio shoot with my baby. Our photos have always turned out beautifully. She is a nature lover like me, and we always find gorgeous places outside for our pictures. Her composition is great. And I especially love the way she captures real moments- nothing ever feels posed or uncomfortable. Whenever I get my gallery- it brings
Sarah C.
Jan 23, 2021
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Donna S.
Jan 23, 2021
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Cleo T.
Jan 23, 2021
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My husband and I had an amazing maternity session with Carolyn this past October. We loved the work she had done for our friends and she did not disappoint! Not only was she willing to shoot at a location she was unfamiliar with, she went above and beyond to make sure she captured all types of incredible images. Carolyn's warmth, humor, and enthusiasm for her art made our session comfortable and fun, and the photos ended up being amazing. She should charge way more than she does for the caliber of work she delivers, and we are looking forward to doing some family photos with her in the future
Andrea L.
Nov 24, 2020
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Katie B.
Oct 23, 2020
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I had a great experience w Soil & Sea Photography!! We had our maternity photos cancelled in early April because of shelter in place and so we did 6 month family photos on the beach instead. The team was super accommodating of our schedule as well as very organized and communicative. And then Carolyn was a joy to work with! She did a call in advance with me to help us with outfits and questions we had, made my husband who hates photos feel super comfortable, and was so sweet and goofy to our little guy, getting tons of cute photos of him!! She was also extremely respectful of covid protocols
Christie R.
Jun 27, 2020
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Carolyn has done family photos for us twice now. We were supposed to have a newborn session, but our baby was born during quarantine and she happily rescheduled to a family session once restrictions were lifted. She is easy and flexible to work with, caring, and provides beautiful photos. She has over delivered on photos for us and we couldn’t be happier.
Leanna Jensen
Feb 03, 2020
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Carolyn is an amazing photographer. We used her for my maternity photos, as well as the newborn photos when our baby was born. She made us feel at ease and comfortable in front of the camera. She helped us find a beautiful beach location for the maternity shoot, and came into our home for the newborn photos. I am absolutely in love with how the photos came out. I can't recommend her enough!
Amy B.
Oct 06, 2019
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Carolyn is awesome!! We booked her for our wedding and our engagement shoot. She made the process super easy, made us feel totally comfortable in front of the camera, and captured us so beautifully!! We're so thrilled with how all of our photos turned out, and Carolyn and Brian were a joy to work with. Carolyn's online galleries are so convenient and made it so that downloading our photos was a breeze. We would definitely hire them to do more photos for us in the future, and 100% recommend them.
Laura M.
Aug 23, 2019
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Carolyn did newborn photos for us in late July 2019 - she was absolutely amazing! The photos are stunning and everything we could have ever hoped for. Such a great variety of shots, scenes, lighting, and poses. And she also let us be creative and do some fun poses as well! Carolyn was so patient and loving with our little girl, and brought all her own props so that we could do our photoshoot in the comfort of our home. We are so glad we chose Carolyn for our photoshoot! Would highly recommend - you won't be disappointed!
Courtney L.
Jul 31, 2017
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Carolyn is fantastic. She took the photos at our Post Elopement Reception and we love all the photos she took throughout the event. Carolyn gave us so many photos that completely captured the love and happiness that we felt that evening and also showcased the beauty of the venue. It was a perfect evening and I am so glad we had Carolyn there to capture all the special moments.
Joanne K. B.
Jun 16, 2017
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Carolyn is the best! We absolutely loved our newborn shoot and the pictures are gorgeous. We loved her willingness to try something unusual and do them outdoors in a state park. Our son was not pleased about being in a field at twilight but Carolyn still captured amazing pictures where he looks very happy and not as grumpy as he was. I really recommend her natural and outdoor shoots.
Georgia C.
Nov 26, 2016
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I have been getting my family pictures taken by Carolyn ever since my first daughter was born. She is nothing short of amazing and always captures amazing moments. My children are extremely difficult to photograph and Carolyn's skills and willingness to go above and beyond always result in capturing their little personalities perfectly. I will never go elsewhere. I'm a lifer with Carolyn Kelley Photography!
Tyson D.
Nov 22, 2016
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Wow! Carolyn is a fantastic photographer. In an hour she captured at least 100 amazing shots of our family. That's including our VERY active two-year-old son and our pup, Gabby. Carolyn was super friendly, worked efficiently and got us sample photos same day and a DVD in less than a week. Working with her was a great experience and we will be scheduling at least two other sessions with her very soon.
Austin K.
Feb 25, 2014
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We're absolutely thrilled by Carolyn's newborn photos of our son! She's truly an amazing photographer and if I could give her more than 5 stars, I would.
Here's why: Our little one had just turned three weeks and was having one his fussy moments during the entire session. Completely unaffected by our son's fussiness (crying/wiggling/etc.), Carolyn was able to soothe our baby and allow her to get some fantastic pictures (and some cute fussy ones too)! She is fabulous with babies, comfortably hands-on and had a lot of innovative photo ideas and props to accompany her process
Here's why: Our little one had just turned three weeks and was having one his fussy moments during the entire session. Completely unaffected by our son's fussiness (crying/wiggling/etc.), Carolyn was able to soothe our baby and allow her to get some fantastic pictures (and some cute fussy ones too)! She is fabulous with babies, comfortably hands-on and had a lot of innovative photo ideas and props to accompany her process
Gatisa G.
Dec 12, 2013
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We couldn't be happier with the engagement photos Carolyn took for us! She made me feel at ease during our session, and was able to capture some authentic, sweet moments. I was impressed with her patience and creativity. Her passion for her work really shows. So far we've used some of her shots to make our save the dates, and also some canvas prints and calendars. I can't wait to have Carolyn photograph us again!
