MENDOCINO Wedding Photographer
Be present on your wedding day. Feel seen in your photos.
I document people — on their wedding day and in their everyday lives — truthfully and with care. For me, that means seeing with an open, curious mind and attending to the present moment. As both an observer and a participant, I provide gentle guidance while focusing on the natural unfolding of the day. My intention is to create transportive images that evoke feeling and memory; a reflection and a portal to the past.
Creating an affirming, safe, and inclusive space, especially for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, is of utmost importance to me. It matters that people feel seen, and can see themselves reflected in their photos. I show up with curiosity rather than preconceptions of what a wedding should look like, and I prioritize the way couples want to experience their day.
MENDOCINO Wedding Photographer + Traveling Anywhere
Mendocino Celebrations
Over a decade of photographing weddings in Mendocino and I’m still in absolute awe that this corner of our planet exists. The landscape is an expanse of natural wonder – coastal bluffs, ocean and rivers, wildflower meadows, and towering redwoods (just to scratch the surface). It’s a community of ecology-minded folks, artists, and stewards of the land who are inspirations in sustainable living. Mendocino is a DREAMY place to get married for anyone who wants to be immersed in nature, and the options are seemingly endless.
I love weekend-long celebrations that have lots of relaxed downtime built in, because there’s so much life to capture when the constraints of a rigid timeline are loosened. Some of my favorite moments are the casual ones – hanging out with friends, a family dinner the night before, ocean plunges and campfires. Mendocino is a perfect place for longer stays, to really retreat into nature and spend time connecting with friends, family, and each other. There are countless amazing venues in Mendocino, but below are a few places I would return to again and again.
Relaxed, Nature-Immersed WeddingS in Mendocino
I’m a queer documentary wedding photographer (she/her) living on the foggy coast in San Francisco. I photograph weddings and families primarily in Northern California, and occasionally in other parts of the world.
Working with me is as relaxed as it gets. I’m a grounded and calming presence on your wedding day, comfortable blending into a wide range of dynamics and environments. I show up with enthusiasm, joy, and deep gratitude for the privilege of bearing witness.
wedding client Note
“Rachelle, we want to share how much we LOVE all the photos. We have been mesmerized. You really captured the celebration just as it was. And so romantically. Truly, we are in awe. Thank you so much for everything!! Any chance we can get to work with you again would be a dream come true.” -G & R
Rachelle Derouin is a Mendocino wedding photographer, documenting weddings throughout Northern California and occasionally in other parts of the world. Available to travel worldwide. Digital + 35mm film.