Kelowna Elopement Photographer

My photography style: Genuine, romantic & playful.

Hi, I’m Jessica

I feel so fortunate to be a photographer; to have the privilege of showing others, through my photos, the warmth and love I see in their lives.

I’m passionate about capturing sincerity and inner happiness, and I pride myself on being able to help people relax and loosen up to achieve that. Hunting the candid moments that happen all on their own is also a passion of mine.

Why Work With Me

Knowledge

I’m a local to Kelowna and have been running with my photography business full-time for 15+ years. I know all the local spots and love to share my exuberance for all things Okanagan!

Creativity

Natural light photography is my jam! I never lack inspiration because it’s always right in front of me in the clients themselves. My drive to pull out and capture peoples’ personalities lights me UP!

Experience

I have photographed well over 200 weddings in the Okanagan plus countless more portrait sessions. Through this experience, I’ve learned what works best in all areas of my business.

Kelowna Elopement Guide

Elopements these days are no longer just a secret trip to the courthouse. More and more people are craving the relaxed, fun and romantic experience of eloping. You can elope just the two of you or even invite those closest to you to make it a hybrid micro-wedding elopement.

Click to read more about how to elope to the Okanagan, including tips and location ideas!

View The Guide

I am jumping at the chance to hire her again. Thanks, Jessica!

I started my marketing consulting business this year and hired Jessica to take photos for my website. I think I speak for most when I say being in front of a camera isn’t my comfort zone.

Not only did Jessica put me at ease throughout the shoot, she delivered stunning results! I had an idea in my mind of what I was looking for and without even articulating it, it was as though she entered my mind and captured my vision. I am jumping at the chance to hire her again. Thanks, Jessica!

-Miriam

Jess Is Your Girl!

My husband (still weird to say) and I eloped in New Orleans after being together 10 years. Neither of us are comfortable in front of a camera, but we wanted to document this special moment! After the nuptials we went with Jessica over to City Park where we lucked out on a beautiful day. She captured such stunning photos! Despite knowing how skilled and professional of a photographer she is, I’m pretty self-critical and was worried I wouldn’t feel comfortable with any photos. But when she sent me the gallery I had a hard time ruling any of them out! She has a unique way of making you feel good in front of the camera. If you’re looking for a talented photographer for your wedding, engagement, elopement, boudoir, family photos, branding photos, commercial photos, or anything else–Jess is your girl!

–Xio + Lane

Jessica Made the Whole experience so comfortable

Jessica was one of the best parts of our wedding. As a lesbian couple, it was essential for us to feel we could be our authentic selves with the photographer. Not only were we able to be ourselves, Jessica made the whole experience so comfortable she was able to capture our laughter, goofiness and cheesiness in a way that didn’t feel cheesy at all!

–Tara + Kylie

Her Photos have always exceded my expectations!

Jess is a wonderful and professional photographer! She has captured some really beautiful moments of my family over the years, and I can’t recommend her enough. She is a delightful person, and a natural at giving direction to awkward people, and to families with young children who are not so easy to photograph!! Her photos have always exceeded my expectations!

–Dylan + Liz

She lived up to all of our expectations & more!

We were so happy that Jess was able to shoot our wedding this past October. She was super easy to work with, very patient and helpful when trying to organize our multiple friends and family into different poses and shots, and our photos are so beautiful! We have had nothing but raving reviews from everyone who has seen them. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to Jess to be our photographer and she lived up to all of our expectations and more! Thanks Jess!

–Kaylan + Claire

The photos are absolutely perfect!

We had Jessica as our photographer at our wedding last month and the photos are absolutely perfect. This is the second time we have used her and even though my husband and I are not camera naturals, the shots that she captured made us look so good. The family portraits were amazing and she made everyone feel super comfortable. Her years of experience really makes a big difference as she knows how to keep the flow going and let you enjoy your day.

–Alicia + Jeff

I treasure all of the photos she has taken

I met Jessica Zais when looking to have some engagement photos taken in 2009. I had been following her blog for a few months and loved how she brought out genuine smiles from her clients. Her style is timeless, and I love how she used light and colour in her shots. After speaking with her over the phone, I knew that she was perfect. Since then, not only has Jessica captured our engagement, but also our wedding and 5 years of family shoots as our family has grown. I’m so happy to have met her through her incredible talent. Her smiley bubbly personality makes everyone who gets in front of her camera feel immediately at ease. I treasure all of the photos she has taken, and look forward to booking her for years to come

– Carley & Graham

I’d also gained a new friend!

We knew when we saw Jess’s previous work that she was absolutely the photographer for us. Then, when we conversed back and forth and finally got to meet her for our engagement shoot, it was even more clear. Being in front of a camera for things like engagement photos and wedding portraits is intimidating, but Jess has this bubbly, easy going personality that makes you feel instantly comfortable. By the end of our wedding, I felt like I’d not only worked with an incredible photographer, but that I’d also gained a new friend! I wish I could get married again just to have this incredibly talented lady capture the memories!

– Lanette & Brody

Your ability to capture true emotion on film is astonishing

Mike and I are in love with the shots from the wedding day and the day after shoot!!! Your ability to capture true emotion on film is astonishing, and I feel like I am re-living the day every time I go through the film! You are so wonderful to work with and I really look forward to many many more shoots to come. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to your art.

– Christine and Mike

We absolutely loved working with Jessica

We absolutely loved working with Jessica for our engagement and wedding photos!! She is such a talented photographer and was professional in all of our interactions. Jessica put us at ease and made us laugh throughout our wedding day – all while providing helpful instruction – which resulted in an amazing collection of pictures that completely captured the happiness and excitement of our day. We cannot recommend Jessica enough – she’s an amazing photographer and a lovely person!

– Pamela & Neil

Having Jess as our photographer was a truly wonderful experience.

Having Jess as our photographer was a truly wonderful experience. We don’t live in Kelowna so we had to interview her by Skype, but right away we could tell she was very personable and friendly, and would provide us with the experience we wanted for our big day. We bonded right away after our engagement photo session with Jess and she made it a lot more fun than we thought it would be. On the actual wedding day, it felt like we had another friend at our wedding instead of just a stranger we hired to take our photos. We received our wedding photos in a very timely manner after the wedding and were very happy with the quality and artistic touch that went into her photography. We would definitely recommend her for any couple looking for a wedding photographer (or any other types of photo shoots). She’s excellent at balancing the professional side of photography while also providing a very personal experience.

– Jaclyn and Joel

Jessica’s work is exceptional!

Jessica’s work is exceptional! Not only is she professional but she’s also down to earth and really fun to work with. We will cherish our wedding photos forever. I’d highly recommend her!

– Kristen & Devin

She was an absolute dream to work with.

I cannot tell you how excited we were to get to work with Jessica. She was an absolute dream to work with. She is personable, creative, enthusiastic. We loved working with her and will definitely be going back to her for any family photos that we will want in the coming years!

– Tanis & Ryan

You are a perfect peach and a gem to work with.

Jessica, it was an honour and super fun to be photographed by you. You are a perfect peach and a gem to work with. It is impossible not to fall in love with you. You’re The BOMB!! Thanks again for the amazing photos.

– Melissa and Rhys

She was so easy to work with.

We got married May 2016 in Kelowna and are very happy that we chose Jessica to be our photographer. Her bubbly yet laid back demeanour immediately put us at ease and the photos from both our engagement shoot and wedding turned out beautifully. She was also very accommodating of our schedule and our desire to spend as much time with our guests as possible, all without compromising the number or quality of photos. She was so easy to work with, incredibly responsive to our emails and got the finished photos to us almost before we were back from our honeymoon!

– Janel & Donovan

Simply put, Jessica completed the best day of our lives!

After Garrett and I got engaged, and the planning began, my first thought wasn’t the dress or the venue, it was the photos. Perhaps I’m not the typical bride, but the most important part of the wedding to me, is the captured memories. Even though our wedding package we booked in Costa Rica included a photographer, I talked my (now) husband into bringing Jessica with us instead. Who knows what kind of photos you’d get from someone in a foreign country! She was definitely the best money we spent on our entire wedding! Jessica just seems to have an innate quality about her. She knows how to bring out the best in people -no matter how grouchy, irritated, hot or un-photogenic they may be. When she’s around, you can’t help but smile. Her upbeat and giggly demeanour made everyone feel at ease, not an easy task since it was 38 C the afternoon of our wedding! The response we have got from our photos has been overwhelming!

I can’t tell you how many of our guests commented on how wonderful and professional she was. Many of them have said they plan on using her for their next events. My husband, (like a lot of guys) wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as I was, about getting our pictures taken. I think he thought of it as a necessary evil… but I can honestly say, that even he had a good time while we were being photographed! I think that if you have a destination wedding, you owe it to yourself to have a great photographer. You will not often go back to the same location, and every time you look at your photos, you will re-live the feeling of your wedding day. I would absolutely recommend Jessica for any wedding, whether at an exotic location, or in your own back yard. Simply put, Jessica completed the best day of our lives!

– Amanda & Garrett Hidber

I cannot say enough positive things about working with Jessica.

I cannot say enough positive things about working with Jessica. She is super friendly, and honestly a bit of a dork which I LOVE (she’s totally relatable). She was very professional and helpful leading up to, during, and after the wedding. She always got back to us promptly with any questions we had, and even had our pictures online before we’d come back from our honeymoon. Having great photographs was really important to us, and we could not be happier. All the pictures she sent us were beautiful; what you see on her blog is what you get. Jess, if you’re reading this – THANK YOU!

– Janine and Dave

Next Steps

Reach out and let’s talk! I will gather and share more info on what you are envisioning so far so that I can give you some ideas and we see if we’re the right fit!

Once you book, I will help you with the details; whether it’s helping you choose a location for portraits, making a custom wedding photography timeline or giving elopement ideas based on your interests.

Let’s create some epic memories! I want to create something that transports you back to this time in your life and fills you with all the feels.

Get In Touch

Elopement Investment

Included in All Packages:

Pre-wedding consult (zoom, phone or in-person)
Personalized location and activity ideas to make the most of your elopement in the Okanagan!
Planning assistance, including: personally customized timeline for your day, elopement tips & local vendor recommendations!
Edited High-Resolution images, with copies of many in Black & White.
Personal Online Gallery to download, print (optional) and share with your family and friends.
Complimentary photo-book design.
Travel included within the Okanagan.

Elopements Begin at: $2600

Get in Touch to Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a really positive attitude and try and keep things happy and relaxed as your photographer! I strive to capture as many candid moments as possible but I will usually make sure we are positioned for the best light and backdrop first. I then give pose prompts or an active direction that will encourage natural, candid moments to unfold within that. Most of us need some direction in front of the camera and nobody wants to be left awkwardly standing, not knowing what to do or wondering if their hair is all out of whack! I’ve got you! 😉

Absolutely! I grew up in Kelowna and I love to location scout and explore the Okanagan. I never knew this pastime (and current love) of day trips to different corners of the Okanagan would eventually come in handy for my profession! For weddings, we often don’t even have to leave the venue location but I will advise you on that and suggest great spots that aren’t too far off course between your ceremony and reception venue if we need to go off site.

For other shoots, I can recommend spots based on the time of year and time of day you’re able to do your shoot. If you have a specific spot in mind for your shoot, that’s great too – I can let you know the perfect time of day to shoot there for best light!

This is such a common worry that is so relatable! One of my abilities I’m most proud of is being able to put people at ease. We all want photos capturing our real smiles and dynamics and the way I achieve that is by giving lots of direction. Because, being told to “just be candid!” with a camera on you will inspire anything but that for most of us.

I encourage play, movement and give prompts to foster intimate, genuine moments for you to relax and sink into the experience. I’m sure I’ll make you laugh with my dorky jokes as well. 😉 Once you get into the flow, just know if I’m quiet at times it’s because you’re rocking it and I don’t want to interrupt the magic!

I sure do! I want you to have the images to share, back-up and make as many prints and enlargements as you want. I also have store options for products in your gallery if you’re looking for something a little more special like a book, etc but there is never any pressure to get any of these products.

Absolutely! Travel within the Okanagan is included in wedding packages. For portrait sessions, there is a small travel fee based on mileage outside of Kelowna. For other areas in BC, and beyond that, accommodation may need to be factored in but I try to keep these costs down as much as possible.

If you’re thinking of having your wedding abroad, I have a set international travel free (unless it’s super remote) if you’d like more info on that! I’ve photographed weddings in 7 international destinations and I adore traveling!

If it’s your wedding day (AKA the show must go on!) I have awesome, large, clear dome umbrellas that can squeeze 2 people under each one. They look great in photos and I have enough for a wedding party of 10! I’m a weather nerd and keep an eye on the weather radar and satellite imagery when the forecast is looking sketchy. I’m not an expert of course but this nerd power has come in handy countless times! I’ve been able to advise to hold off starting a ceremony for 10 minutes as I could see the rain was about to pass and same goes for hiding indoors, during portraits for a shower to pass.

For portraits, it’s actually pretty rare that I need to reschedule – I just ask clients to keep a bit of flexibility on the day of their shoot and often we can avoid rain by starting an hour or two earlier. Luckily rain passes pretty quickly in the Okanagan, more times than not.

For most weddings and elopements, I photograph solo. Outside of giving direction for portraits and some of the getting ready, I like to remain stealth for capturing candids and blend into the background which is easier when I’m flying solo. You can absolutely add a photographer for an extra fee if you like but I find that, unless the guest list is over 150 people it’s not necessary. I’m happy to talk that out with you more though!

Once you book and we choose a location, I can give tips based on that spot and am happy to share a Pinterest board with outfit inspiration. If you’re unsure about an outfit, feel free to email me a photo before your shoot and I can give feedback if you’d like a sounding board.