Nice to meet you, we are Christina & Matthew. palm springs Photographers, film makers, story tellers, parents and restless travelers. We met on a photoshoot over ten years ago and we haven't been apart since. We spend our summers traveling on the road and often with destination weddings (we escape the Palm Springs desert inferno every summer).

the storytellers

we are

We live for cherished moments - small things, the big things, the things that are so special, but so quickly lost. Photography has this incredible power of capturing these times and making them last forever. A good photo has the power to remind you of scents, feelings...a good photo doesn't just show, it helps to relive. 

our why

We are inspired by film, campfire nights, sharing a bottle of wine with friends, classic cinema, Kodak colors, our children, hiking anywhere outdoors, roadside oddities, travel, road trips with no destinations, a good book, Robert Frank, Gary Winogrand, Diane Arbus, plenty of whisk(e)y, and serendipitous happenings. We love a good surprise.

art-music-cinema

travel

photogrpahy

Family

When we married, we never imagined a future or life with children (we were too busy enjoying our travels and love of wine drinking and general debauchery) But now, they are all that we live for. No greater gift or blessing have we been given that that of our two sweethearts. To experience the same old things but through their eyes, is to experience something totally familiar, as new again.

family

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We both went to art school for photography and we are both film junkies in our own way. Christina still savors time in the darkroom while Matthew’s first love has always been landscapes and still photography.

Photography 

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We’ve got a hardcore case of restless wanderlust. Before children we flew all over the place, but since kids, life on the road has been pretty grand in our RV. In the summer, its become our home base. Traveling with little kids is hard AF but at this point - its more about the journey and no longer just about the destination. 

travel

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The things that tickle our senses. Being art school casualties has its perks. We are firm believers that things that stimulate and makes us think...also teaches us to think out of the box. Freedom, a love for the obscure and absurd...and with weddings...we attempt to think beyond textbook wedding narratives. Inspirations for us are discovered listening to an old LP...on the walls of MOCA or the Huntington Library...some ridiculous thrift store found photo - or thru a really great concert. Some memorable past shows we’ve seen...Bauhaus, Slayer, Neil Diamond, Silver Apples and Kraftwerk. Random. I know.

art music cinema

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our favorite things

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travels

our RV

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travels

worldwide

We aren't into traditions that encumber - textbook wedding photos or photos that lack real life, depth and meaning. Real life is so raw, so powerful, so full of true connection, that we find all we have to do, is to watch, with our fingertips ready on the shutter. We thrive on the real genuine human connection. 

We are so excited and honored by the stories we get to tell, the adventures we are invited into, and the love we get to witness. For us, this isn't a vendor relationship, but the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

raw powerful connection

our approach

it's all about

work with us

Whenever we can! And yes - but not all the time. We typically shoot a mix of film and digital. 

A:

Q: Do you guys only shoot in film?

Absolutely. We deliver about 150 photos within 24 - 72 hours of your wedding day.

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Q: Will we get any sneak peeks?

On average, expect about 100 images an hour - more photos with two photographers, less with just one. 

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Q: How many photos will we get?

We typically are able to deliver our galleries within about 3-6 weeks. 

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Q: What is your turnaround time?

We used to, and on occasion we do. Having kids have changed the way we do things. Christina is the primary photographer, and has a crew of amazing friends to assist and shoot alongside with. 

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Q: Do you guys shoot together?

We take on a very limited number of family portraits a year, and mostly reserve time for folks we’ve shot before.

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Q: Do you photograph families and maternity?

Christina: 17 years Matthew: 26 years

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Q: How long have you been a photographer?

We love and live for those real, authentic, candid, organic, beautiful in between moments. We aren’t into heavily posed traditional textbook wedding poses. We don’t heavily retouch our images to have a faux golden hour tint and we are into real life colors and hues. We give some direction for sure when needed, but mostly let your real life relationship and chemistry play out naturally. Your story will always be so much more interesting than a slideshow of poses and uncomfortable angles. 

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Q: What's your photo philosophy or style?

Matthew started this little business several years ago before he handed it over to me when he left to start a career working with Hasselblad. At the time I was working as a photo editor and designer for a major publishing company (buy me a drink and I’ll tell you all about it!) Our client base was growing quickly - and I hesitated to shut down the studio, so I ended up quitting my full time job to take it over. We decided to keep the name as we still shoot together when we can and since I still shoot editorials and non wedding stuff - I decided to keep my own name for that line of work. 

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Q: SO...IF CHRISTINA IS THE MAIN PHOTOGRAPHER - WHY ARE YOU GUYS CALLED MATTHEW DAVID STUDIO?

FAQ's

 FAQ booklet

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