Bride in white gown and floral crown walks with groom in black suit toward calm blue ocean on wedding day.
A black and white photo sequence shows a couple dancing at a wedding reception, with the bride's dress swirling in motion.
Black and white photo of a bride in floral veil and lace gown surrounded by garden greenery.
Artistic black and white photo showing smoke trails around a figure in an unbuttoned white shirt against dark background.
Black and white photo of a laughing bride in strapless white gown with floral tattoos on her arms.
A series of intimate black and white close-up wedding portraits showing tender moments between newlyweds.
A group of friends pose together at a celebration, with one wearing a light blue formal dress in the center.
A person in a suit sits on a chair at an event, turning back with an animated expression while string lights glow above.
A couple shares an intimate moment during sunset in their wedding attire with a soft purple sky backdrop.
A couple shares their first dance at a wedding reception with twinkle lights and guests in the background.
Blurred motion of people dancing in white outfits at a lively celebration or wedding reception.
A group of children in white dresses and formal wear stand together outdoors in a black and white photograph.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing on a beach in wedding attire with ocean waves in the background.

GUIDED BY AN EMOTIVE AND ARTFUL SENSIBILITY, AND INSPIRED BY HER SUBJECTS, THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CLARISSA KOENIG WEAVE TOGETHER POETIC authenticity WITH AN OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY APPROACH THAT FEELS UNSCRIPTED, SOULFUL, AND DEEPLY PERSONAL.




Black and white romantic sequence shows a couple embracing and kissing in four progressive frames.
What attracted me to Clarissa's style was the elegance and timelessness that she captures in her photos, an uncanny ability to capture love in peoples faces and light between moments. It's like nothing I have never seen.

Molly Jensen 2025


A romantic black and white wedding portrait showing a couple embracing by an ornate iron railing overlooking a scenic view.
Thank you for these beautiful and deeply moving images.  Your art is a treasure — a gift to be cherished for all eternity.

Sophia + Irmak 2025


Wedding guests dancing and celebrating in candid black and white photos showing joyful moments on the dance floor.
She captured moments I would have never seen if it weren’t for her and truly captured the essence of the fun at our wedding.

Andrea + Alejandro 2024


A romantic black and white wedding photo shows a couple in an intimate moment during their first dance.
Clarissa, I think what your pictures do is make us see the breathtaking beauty and strength and fragility in everyday people - and then wonder if we aren't just amazing ourselves. Very powerful.

Sabine Gesell, PhD. 2011


Black and white wedding photo of couple walking hand in hand on lawn with Spanish-style building in background.
She was more than just a photographer; she was like a friend amongst our guests, capturing the most candid, sweet moments with a unique style that perfectly blended romance and fun.

Melanie + Dmitry 2024


A heartwarming black and white photograph shows an affectionate elderly couple embracing and laughing together outdoors.
She made everyone comfortable and her brilliant and rich photos captured both mood and setting in a way that elevated everything.

Alexis + Ryan 2015


A romantic black and white portrait of a couple in an intimate embrace sharing a tender moment in soft lighting.
I am blown away by her eye - she sees us: our love, our humor with such beauty and light.

Carrie + Jacob 2016


A black and white portrait of a mother tenderly holding her baby daughter in a white dress outdoors.
Clarissa is a wonderful photographer. She is kind, smart, gentle and embracing.

Mudra Love 2022


ABOUT CLARISSA KOENIG


Clarissa is a German-born photographer based in Santa Barbara, California. Her background in television and film production, combined with years of working with fashion and fine art photographers, has cultivated a keen sensitivity to the subtle nuances of image-making. A devoted film enthusiast, she works across both analog and digital formats to create a distinctive visual language. With more than 15 years of experience photographing intimate wedding gatherings, wedding weekends and elopements throughout the United States and abroad, she has documented a wide range of celebrations, each with its own character and expression. She brings to her work her heart and a profound understanding of human nature, always photographing from a place of kindness and appreciation. Her images stand out for their poetic authenticity, beautifully reflecting the connection and lived experience of her subjects.




@PHOTOGRAPHSOFLOVE

A black and white dog sits patiently in front of white curtains and greenery.

Clarissa Koenig is a wedding and elopement photographer based in Santa Barbara, California and specializes in capturing poetic, documentary and candid moments. Provides services for weddings and elopements across the U.S. and around the world.

SOULFUL DOCUMENTARY

SANTA BARBARA + DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

 imagery for the passionate, poetic and unscripted moments of life