Black and white double exposure photo of a bride in veil surrounded by blooming flowers and trees.
A black and white photo sequence shows a couple dancing at a wedding reception, with the bride's dress swirling in motion.
Man in open white jacket raises champagne glass outdoors, overlooking blue sea, with woman in white hat beside him.
Artistic black and white photo showing smoke trails around a figure in an unbuttoned white shirt against dark background.
A series of intimate black and white close-up wedding portraits showing tender moments between newlyweds.
Woman in white off-shoulder wedding dress and veil laughing joyfully at outdoor evening celebration.
Blurry black and white photo of people dancing, capturing motion blur and ghostly movement at a social event.
A couple shares an intimate moment during sunset in their wedding attire with a soft purple sky backdrop.
A smiling woman with tattoos wearing a white dress poses gracefully against a light background.
Black and white wedding photo of bride in lace gown embraced by groom in suit outdoors.
Black and white photo of elegantly dressed guests socializing at an outdoor wedding reception event.
A romantic couple in formal attire shares a tender moment on a dark lawn decorated with glowing lanterns.
Black and white wedding photo of groom kissing bride on cheek while embracing outdoors near palm tree.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing a romantic moment on a rooftop, her veil flowing in the breeze.
Black and white photo of a groom embracing his bride at a wedding ceremony with smiling groomsmen in the background.
Black and white photo of two people sharing an intimate embrace outdoors, with a flowing bridal veil in a desert landscape.
Black and white photo sequence showing couples dancing together at what appears to be a social gathering or party.
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.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a crowded dance floor during an evening reception celebration.
A couple shares their first dance at a wedding reception with twinkle lights and guests in the background.
A black and white collage of wedding reception photos showing guests dancing and socializing at a formal event.
Woman in pink floral dress dancing joyfully at an outdoor evening party with guests in formal attire.
Black and white photo of couple dancing at lively party with confetti falling and crowd celebrating in background.
Blurred motion photo of people dancing energetically at a lively party or wedding reception event.
Blurred motion landscape photo at dusk with dark hills and light trails against a deep blue sky.
Blurry black and white photo of a couple embracing and kissing at night, motion blur creating dreamy effect.
Black and white photo of a crowd dancing and celebrating at what appears to be a lively party or nightclub.
A wine bottle lying on a pink tablecloth beside white flowers and elegant glassware at a formal event.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom at an outdoor evening wedding reception with guests mingling in background.
Black and white photo of a couple kissing beside a tiered wedding cake with fireworks in the background at night.
Blurred motion photo of a bride in white dress and groom dancing outdoors at a nighttime wedding reception.
A group of children in white dresses and formal wear stand together outdoors in a black and white photograph.

MY PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE IS ROOTED IN A DEEPLY EMOTIONAL APPROACH AND ALWAYS INSPIRED BY YOU: RANGING FROM POETIC & PLAYFUL TO DOCUMENTARY & CANDID IMAGERY THAT IS UNSCRIPTED AND SOULFUL. PHOTOGRAPHS THAT NARRATE Of LOVE, CONNECTION AND EXPERIENCE, CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF YOU AND THE DAY, ALL THE MOMENTS YOU HOLD CLOSE -




EMBRACING ALL RACES, GENDERS, SEXUALITIES, AND RELIGIONS.


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