Our wedding photos by Ken Viale blew us away! STUNNING. Ken captured everything about our amazing day, a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired wedding in March 2017 (at Calistoga Ranch resort). With Ken's mix of sweeping landscapes and detail shots, we can relive the look, feeling and memories of that day: a sweet embrace in an enchanted forest. The rain. Passionate ceremony kiss while overlooking a lake. Our pirate reception in a wine cave, our guests being surprised. Brides & Grooms: on your big day you will have "bliss brain." You'll be in a fog. You need a pro like Ken who will capture more than you can imagine--sometimes by guiding B&G/guests in photos or shooting quietly to get authentic moments. Ken is easy-going and fun. Understands outdoor & indoor lighting. Excellent communication & follow-up. Tips: ask Ken for a second shooter (ours focused on reception décor while Ken focused on our pre-ceremony photos). Talk to him about your vision a few weeks before your wedding--he really listens. I only wish we had more time with Ken because we booked a smaller package; the day goes by so fast and his photos are so fantastic, I want even more! For all of the time and money you spend on a wedding, make sure you get a great photographer. read more

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My husband and I got a list of names from our venue and quickly decided the Ken had the best actions shots, bridal poses, stills, candids and had everyone smiling in pictures. I think we both truly fell in love with the idea of having him as our photographer when he called for a consultation after I had given him a three page picture request. My husband who wasnt very attached to the wedding planning, like most men, started yelling about the hockey game and Ken asked what the score was.. It was so amazing because Nick got connected to the experience so quickly because of that. He was pumped and thrilled for the event to be so close, finally! Ken was able to adjust our timelines willingly, and made it better off for me by changing the location for when we started. He clarified all our questions, set out a timeline and inevitebly gave me the confidence to show up to the venue and hour before they told me to be there. When I stumbled on ideas of where to go when he was right there with a perfect solution. Our wedding day was quick, and he was right on top of everything. He had a constant flow of places to take pictures at, he was instructed to make sure everyone was smiling and the pictures proved he kept to it. He gave us pictures that we would have never thought to have. If people are whispering in your ear that the professional pictures might not be what you expect (because people did it to me).. tell them they are wrong!!! Ken is as amazing as his portfolio shows, his talent for placement of people, lighting and getting the most amazing person shot for you is just what you would expect. I had over 1,000 pictures in the end, that captured the most wonderful day of my life. From the start, to the silly pictures, the posed ones, the true to myself ones, and everything I wanted ones he delivered. The timeframe for waiting was reasonable, and you get perfection in the end.. so be patient and seriously book Ken Viale to be your photographer. You will be so glad you did. read more

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Ken can find all the beautiful photo spots in a venue and makes the photography experience so fun! We had our wedding at V. Sattui and he knows the venue so well. He directed us through so many amazing poses and knew exactly how to get the timing right so that we could catch the golden hour and sunset. We have a chatty crew that moves slowly but he has a very graceful way of keeping everything on schedule so that we did not miss out on any photo opportunities. It was such a fun experience and we became so comfortable in front of the camera. read more

You have to work with Ken, he is phenomenal! I wish I could leave 1000 reviews. I never post on yelp, but I knew I had to start with him. Ken is an amazing photographer-- my husband and I did our engagement shoot with him last year and just recently, our wedding this week! He is attentive, kind, creative, and able to capture exactly what I wanted in my photos. We discussed what kind of lighting I wanted, who I wanted in my family photos, and reviewed my pinterest boards to get an idea of what kind of shots I wanted. I received countless compliments on my engagement photos and almost everyone at my wedding commented on how amazing it was to see him work. He was respectful of private moments with family and friends, but also mindful to guide me through the super busy day to make sure we didn't leave any photos I wanted off my list. He even recognized I was feeling tired in the middle of our shoot and needed a break from it all-- pulled me aside for a cold beverage and some breathing room. I was so touched! Ken is a true professional. He is a master of his craft, caring, and such a calming presence in an otherwise stressful day. Exactly what you need in someone who is capturing all your special moments! He has an expert eye for catching the right shots and I follow him on instagram (highly recommended!) so I can also enjoy him capturing the love of other couples too. I'd better stop before I get too teary-eyed writing this review. Thank you Ken, for an amazing experience! read more

Ken Viale Photography - Engagement shoot! - Event Photography Near Me

Ken is absolutely amazing and a must hire. Throughout the planning process he was responsive, professional and flexible. A couple weeks prior to my wedding, we walked through a detailed version of my expectations and timeline. Day of - his energy level is unmatched! He arrived on time, was friendly and executed on every photo (and more) that I requested. I hosted my wedding at V. Sattui Winery - Ken is extremely familiar with this venue and flowed through photo spots seamlessly. Ken brought so much joy to our wedding day and was a fantastic vendor to work with. Our initial photos we have received from the wedding day are absolutely breathtaking and beyond expectation - such a phenomenal job! read more

My husband and I got married at V Sattui Winery last November. The venue provided us with a list of vendors that they recommended for catering, photography, flowers, etc. Ken Viale was one of the photographers on that list. We made an appointment to meet him and he suggested meeting in the lobby at The Marriot Hotel in Napa Valley. It was a very relaxed meeting Previous to meeting with him I had taken the time to look through all the photos in his portfolio on his website. I fell in love with all the photos! I really liked his style, especially the candid pictures. From the moment we met Ken we liked him very much! He appeared to be very easy to get along with, a professional, and a genuinely nice guy. He told us that the way he works, we wouldn't even know he was there. He "hides" in the background. When my husband and I got our pictures from Ken, and we were looking through all of them, I mentioned to my husband that I didn't even remember seeing Ken during our ceremony or at the reception! Ken really is a professional. On the day of my wedding I found out that Ken was dealing with a double ear infection. He never complained and never showed that he was uncomfortable or in pain. He was so focused on getting the best pictures for our wedding day. Thank you Ken! He was very open to any ideas we had. Because he photographed many times at the venue where we married, he let us know that he knew exactly where to get the best shots. And he did get those magnificent shots! My husband and I had our ceremony outside in November and at that time of year it gets dark early. Ken was familiar with our timeline and assured us that he would get some great "first look" photos before the wedding. We couldn't have been more pleased with the beautiful shots Ken took: from me in my wedding dress alone (he made me feel so special) to pictures of me and my husband in the vineyard to our reception. We were lucky to have Ken there to capture our absolute joy! One thing that was funny and very nice of Ken was when he was photographing just me alone (bride). I was a little worried and maybe nervous about everything going smoothly. He was photographing me and then would occasionally reach into his hip bag and retrieve Altoid mints for me so I would relax. I thought it was funny and it did help me relax :-) read more

Ken Viale Photography - V Sattui Winery vineyard November 22, 2014 - Event Photography Near Me

As I am working on my wedding photo book, I am constantly reminded what a wonderful photographer Ken was. Ken was so easy to work with and throughout the entire wedding planning process he was very responsive and open to new ideas. My husband and I both really enjoyed our engagement photo shoot. Ken captured us with some amazing landscapes and a number of intimate moments. We never felt that our photos looked staged. Instead they seemed so natural and candid. Ken and I talked prior to the wedding via email and also on the phone to review the timeline. On our wedding day, everything went very smoothly. Ken captured so many beautiful moments of us and our families. Our family and guests commented they did not even notice he was there. He was great at capturing a variety of photos without being obtrusive at all. His personality is laid back making him so easy to work with and talk to. This is important for a bride who wants as little stress as possible. He even held my lip gloss for me ;) We absolutely love both our engagement photos and our wedding photos and are so happy with our decision to use Ken as our photographer. We highly recommend him! Thank you again Ken for everything! Love, Jen and John 6/1/2018 read more

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Ken is a genius. He took the most magical day of our lives and was able to capture it onto film in the most beautiful and epic way possible. I first got a glimpse of Ken's talent when I browsed through his website. Even from his work alone, I knew that he had a knack for getting the perfect angle, that little half smile, the perfect toss of your head with the sunlight glinting through the clouds... Truly an amazing experience. Ken was very personable, warm, and made me feel like I was the most beautiful bride ever! He also made US feel like our wedding was the best wedding EVER (actually, to us it was!!!!) From my husband "You're only going to get married once. You will never be able to go back and recapture these images again. If you make a mistake of not getting him, you can lose that bit of precious memory that only he can create." Ken, thanks so much! we'll forever have those precious moments that you caught for us through your gift. read more

Ken is a one of a kind photographer who is a combination of a perfectionist, a friendly and warm family man, and your best friend. He seriously has the uncanny ability to draw out raw emotions among couples, help calm down the bride on the day-of, and capture the most special moments on camera while remaining a fly on the wall. Seriously, we didn't even know he was there half the time! We got married last weekend at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford and Ken came highly recommended to us by our Wedding Coordinator, Sara Lindenbaum. She mentioned that he's a veteran photographer at Auberge and knows all the angles like the back of his palm. We had Ken photograph our entire wedding day at Auberge as well as our rehearsal celebration the night before at a beautiful Airbnb property that we rented. And we also worked with Ken before this past weekend when he took incredible engagement photos for us in Mill Valley and Sausalito. Taking both wedding and engagement photos can be an awkward experience but Ken made it absolutely fun and such a delight. He's a true perfectionist and will literally do anything to get the perfect shot in the perfect light in the perfect angle -- I certainly can't complain about that as a picky bride! While I started to get really nervous while getting ready in the bridal suite with my lovely bridesmaids and mom, Ken's calm energy and contagiously happy personality truly helped put me at ease. He's just such a nice person and an absolute pleasure to work with. Even our guests were so impressed with how sweet and professional Ken was and a number of them actually requested Ken's contact info for their own future weddings and events. My husband (eek it's official!) and I wholeheartedly recommend Ken for all of your photography needs and I'm sure we'll purposely seek out random reasons to work with Ken again in the future! Thank you so much for everything, Ken! read more

I can't say enough great things about Ken! As a local planner, I adore working with him. He makes my clients so comfortable and calm on the wedding day. He is always prompt / ready to capture every activity / and again, his engird is unbeatable. It's so important for you to vibe well with your Photographer on your wedding day. Also we have to talk about his gorgeous images!! When his albums come in, I always grab a big cup of whatever I'm drinking to sit down, mull through these slowly, & relive the day. I'm so grateful to Ken for making my weddings look beautiful & making me look good! =) Thank you Ken, we love you! read more

When we picked V Sattui as our venue, we saw some of Ken's work on a table displaying wedding pictures. We knew right away that we had to work with him and we were not disappointed! He was just amazing to work with! He was patient and very easy going and, knowing our venue, had a great plan for pictures. We would highly recommend him, five stars for sure! read more

Ken Viale photographed our wedding October 26, 2002. We found Ken to be extremely personable and easy to work with, as well as professional in his demeanor and methods. He charmed smiles from even the shyest flower girls! Ken was able to capture the unique essence of our celebration with a discrete and intuitive approach. He went to extra lengths to illustrate the fine details such as flowers, food, architectural features and really fun candids. The images he produced for us were natural, flattering and interesting. We get endless compliments on our portraits. A wedding is the culmination of so much hard work and so many dreams, having a photographer like Ken to document it is the perfect way to frame the day forever! Jessica Frye and David Stein, San Francisco CA read more

Words cannot describe the appreciation and gratitude that we have for Ken Viale. He captured our wedding day from start to finish, and the photos look absolutely magnificent. I was so amazed by the photos that I stayed up until 2am looking at each and every one the evening the photos arrived. Ken spent a lot of time getting to know me and my husband. By the time the wedding day rolled around, he felt like a member of the family - obviously a plus for a photographer trying to capture the most intimate moments of your wedding day! Not only did he capture some of the most beautiful images - so much more than I could have hoped for - he also was able to understand the style we were hoping for (lots of candid, emotional, and honest photographs). The pictures of our wedding day tell a story of the love between my husband and me, as well as how much fun we had being surrounded by our family and friends. The way Ken told this story through his photographs will be with us for the rest of our lives, and we could not be happier. Ken, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you! You were the most important "vendor" of our wedding day because you've helped us remember it always in exactly the way we wanted. All our love and thanks! read more

I'm not sure what else to add that others haven't already shared. Ken is so much more than just your wedding photographer...he's such a great guy and you can tell he really cares about his work and the people he's shooting. He exudes a cool, calming energy and is a pleasure to be around - the perfect person to have along for the ride when you're in the throes of wedding day madness. We hired Ken based on the rave reviews here and at the recommendation from one of Sonoma's top wedding planners. Do the same and you won't regret it. He's a consummate professional and our photos turned out beautifully. There are several that people have said could be right out of a magazine. :) Great experience! read more

Though we have yet to get our photos from the wedding (it was less than a month ago) we have no hesitation at giving Ken 5 starts at this point. He did our wedding in Sonoma and was so incredibly easy to work with. He felt more like a guest at the wedding than a vendor. He was recommended by a friend who had Ken for their wedding and when we met him and started talking to him the wife and I both knew within 2 minutes we were going to hire him. For us, we were really looking for someone who would 1) be a great photographer, 2) be easy going but detailed and committed, 3) blend in at at the wedding. He was all 3 and more. If we had to do it all over again we would hire him again in an instant. read more

Stop your search now and hire Ken. He photographed our wedding at Jacuzzi Winery in Aug 2015 and I could not have asked for a better service. I felt relaxed and comfortable knowing that we'd have gorgeous photos after the wedding. For background, I'm obsessed with photos and so is my family. My dad and grandpa always have cameras attached to their eyes. My husband, however, is not the biggest fan of photos. Therefore, we needed someone that could take beautiful photos without having to have an extensive photo-shoot. I knew that we were hiring the right photographer when my husband and Ken talked about football for 15 minutes during our first meeting! We first had our engagement photos at Cline Vineyards and the results were incredible. Even our wedding coordinator pointed out that my husband looked relaxed in our photos. Then during the wedding, Ken made sure that I got every photo that I wanted. We had a list of photos and shared a Pinterest board. Ken was very attentive to the details of the wedding and also to my needs. He even gave me a handkerchief during my first look with my dad! And the best part was that we still had time to enjoy the cocktail hour with our guests. Overall, Ken isn't just a photographer at your wedding. He's a great guy that cares deeply about his work and does everything possible to ensure that you enjoy your big day. read more

We would give Ken 10 stars if we could. He is AMAZING and EXACTLY what you need in a photographer. First of all, his work is incredible and totally speaks for itself. He captures both the beautiful scenic pictures and also makes everyone look good. But beyond that, Ken is really nice and relaxed - he has a really great presence and is great at reading the room. Everyone he met at our wedding commented on how much they liked him. This was one of the most important decisions for our wedding and we could not be more elated that we chose Ken. He's wonderful. If he is available for your big day, you absolutely have to pick him. You will be so happy you did. read more

My experience in working with Ken was nothing less than exceptional. My husband and I are still talking about how easy and fun he was to work with during our wedding a few weeks ago. We talked in advance on what I wanted he executed throughout the night. He was creative and still listened to my suggestions. He also blended into the reception so I enjoyed time with my guests and barely noticing him working hard in the background! Thank you Ken for capturing our special day and being a part of it. - Val and Ben read more

My husband and I got married in Napa Valley in June of 2008 and we could not be more pleased that we chose Ken Viale as our wedding photographer. The photos Ken took were beautiful. A number of shots look straight out of a magazine. He has a fantastic eye for detail and is able to capture the essence of a person or a relationship in a photograph. What I especially loved though, is that he captured all of the little things that we hadn't noticed - from the food to the table settings to the musicians playing during the ceremony - so we will be able to remember them always. In addition to taking beautiful photographs, Ken was wonderful to work with. He was thoughtful about his craft but also quick. We didn't spend our whole reception taking formal photos. After the wedding we received our proof prints in an art box, thoughtfully arranged in groups tied up with black ribbon. The proof prints were elegant prints I could put directly in an album. read more

Ken was absolutely the best vendor we had at our wedding. He is a total sweetheart, professional, friendly, great with relatives, etc. I can't say enough good things about him. And the photos! They really are amazing. I recommend this photographer highly! read more

Ken provided first-class photography services and shots for our wedding day. His photojournalism style, sophisticated framing, and charming personality were beyond the perfect fit for our wedding day memories. Ken captured the tender, funny, and milestone moments of our joyous day -- and our wedding guests even commented on how polite, gracious and well he blended into our event! He's such a kind and warm person, my husband and I felt no worry or concerns at all that he would capture exactly not just the faces, but the feel of our wedding day. When we recently showed Ken's photos to friends of ours that couldn't make the wedding, they expressed how his photography really painted a wonderful picture for them and the overall atmosphere of the day. Ken was prompt and professional, and he was able to capture everything we wanted without disrupting the flow and enjoyment of our day at all. Most of the time we had no idea he was as busy as he was shooting everything. It wasn't until we received the photos back that we realized just how well he had captured the memories and recreated the emotions for us. I would highly recommend Ken Viale as a photography for any event -- and certainly for a once-in-a-lifetime milestone such as your wedding day. I can't imagine having trusted anyone else as much as we did Ken. The trust and comfort alone is priceless. Thank you Ken!! Kurt & Jennifer read more

It's hard to say anything that hasn't already been said about Ken, but I'll try. I went into our wedding planning with the thought that choosing a photographer would be the most difficult thing we had to do. That notion went out the door within a few minutes of meeting Ken. His photography style is capturing the realness of the moment without gimmicks like double exposure or the latest Instagram treatment. It's exactly what we were looking for. The pictures came out great, as expected, and Ken had them in our hands in just seven weeks. I won't think twice about working with Ken on my next big event, and neither should you. read more

Ken is absolutely the best photographer we could have asked for to photograph our engagement shoot and upcoming wedding1! I am planning a destination wedding and Ken has been gracious, kind and so easy to work with. We were fortunate enough to travel out about a month ago to Sonoma where my fiancé and I were able to coordinate with Ken to take our engagement pictures. He suggested a perfect location that was a beautiful landscape and breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Ken arrived about an hour early to scout out specifics and guide us to the best spots. I was so excited to see our pictures after spending time at the Bridge. I was so impressed and thankful for the beautiful memories Ken was able to capture in this shoot. Very few of the photos were staged, rather Ken captured us laughing or candid moments between us. They are absolutely perfect! I am so excited for Ken to capture our upcoming wedding, he truly is the best in the field! read more

Ken Viale photographed our wedding in September 2007 at a bed and breakfast near Muir Beach, and we cannot say enough positive things about him! From the time we met him up until the time we just ordered our photographs a year and a half later, Ken has been nothing but professional, down-to-earth, patient, and truly kind. From calming a very stressed out bride (me) the night before the wedding because I forgot to send in a form to being there on time with a smile on my wedding day makes me grateful beyond belief. The photos that Ken took brings back the best moments of our wedding, and he was able to capture each moment with such finesse that (a) we didn't even know he was there, and (b) each picture captures a candid and emotional moment that takes us back to our wedding day in a blink! He is truly gifted at what he does, and I can't imagine having anyone else take our wedding photos! If we have a family in the future, Ken would be the one we'd go to for professional pictures. read more

My husband and I eloped August 20, 2008 in Napa, California. We are from New York so planning a wedding on the west coast took a lot of research and trust in each of the people that we were hiring. Ken was incredible from the first time we spoke. He not only was our photographer but was a guide in all the planning of our west coast adventure. Ken was always professional but warm and sincere at the same time. This gave us each an opportunity to get to know each other helping Ken to understand which kind of photos we were looking for. Ken arrived early for our 5:30am meeting, (we were married at sunrise). He was wide awake and ready to shoot each and every step of the day. We didn't have any friends or family to calm our nerves but we had Ken who made us feel relaxed and excited all day. When we look back at our photographs it brings me back to our wedding day. We have been married now 9 mo. and have not enlarged any photos yet because we can't decide, they are all so amazing! We plan on using Ken in the future. Perhaps celebrating an anniversary or capturing moments in our children's lives. We defiantly would like Ken to be a part of our future together. We can't thank him enough for the amazing memories! read more

We anxiously waited as our 6 week waiting time crept slowly... tick tock...tick tock! Finally it was a time and even a week early! We were waiting for our CD like two little kids at Christmas. As I opened it I felt nervous and excited and couldn't open it fast enough! We thought the pictures would be great based on the experience we had, but when we finally saw the pictures we knew that was a great understatement!!!! Ken is sooooo talented in capturing the most special moments of life. He has such an artistic eye and captures those heart warming moments that take you back to your magical day. We were so happy to find the two beautifully wraped DVDs in a customized DVD case with our pictures. Each disc is customized and we watched a picture slide show of our day. It was GORGEOUS and made me cry as we relived the day. I can't tell you enough how happy we are with the end product. Ken went above and beyond. Not only did he deliver a high quality pictures ahead of schedule, but he also gave us 4 times the pictures promised in our contract. All the pictures were beautiful! Your wedding pictures should be honor your day and Ken will give it the respect and touch deserved. Book him now! read more

We fell in love with Ken's work when we came across his website. We reached out to Ken and he contacted us within hours. We really lucked out because Ken, as a person, is just as fantastic as his work! He is very approachable and easy going, you can't help but like Ken! He is extremely professional but also someone you can call a friend. Ken is always quick to respond and he goes above and beyond with any requests. Ken did both our engagement photos as well as our wedding day. He captured so many great memories and provided us with breathtaking photos. For the wedding day we had Ken bring a second photographer, she did a great job and helped ensure we didn't miss a moment. He is very open to ideas so if there was certain photos or locations we wanted he would try it out and offered suggestions to make the pictures the best they could be. Ken made sure we had an extraordinary experience and I can't recommend Ken enough. We will be getting more photos done with Ken in the future. read more

Ken Viale is truly as good as it gets when it comes to wedding photography. He infuses every ounce of passion he has for photography, weddings, and people into his work. Ken photographed our wedding in June 2007 in Olema, California. He thoughtfully captured the day from every angle including the small, yet meaningful details of the table settings, rings, shoes, and the embroidery on my dress to the array of emotions expressed throughout the day by friends and family. He selected the perfect location for our formals after carefully studying the site for the best lighting and backdrop. I can't highly recommend Ken enough. He adds to the specialness of your day and allows you to revel in it for the rest of your lives through all that he captures in his photographs. read more

Ken Viale shot our wedding in Michigan in Oct and we could not have been happier with the end result. Not only was Ken professional but a joy to work with. He spent time to get to know my husband and I and what we wanted. He was very patient and made us feel at ease. He captured the day beautifully with his keen eye and great ability to catch the most intimate moments. We look back on the photos now and feel as if we're reliving our special day all over again. read more

Ken Viale photographed our daughter's wedding in June 2009 at St. Francis Solano Church, Sonoma and at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. He captured the happiness and joy of our day. Outside of the times when I was involved with a portrait, I never saw him -he was like a phantom but all the events were covered without alot of commotion and disruption. His work was artistically and professionally done. He had a wonderful sense of gathering the scenery and beauty of the couple and the sky and colors of the gardens. He was creative with the funny groomsmen and their antics. I was comfortable working with Ken as he was reasonable and flexible with his hours and our unusual hours. I would heartuly recommend him and his finished photos-they are a delightful way to remember our daughter's special day! Connie Andrews read more

ken happened to be the vendor which our wedding planner (jackie jones wilson) lined up for us, and we were not disappointed at all... he shot our wedding for us which took place this past July 8, 2009... he was familiar with the venue location and knew where all the great spots were to capture the awesome shots... his photography was on point and he was able to capture the warmth, the intimacy, and the love at our wedding through the lens of his camera... all the pictures came out looking great especially the black and whites photos... looking at our wedding pictures (which arrived last week) just really brought us back to our wedding day and really brought joy to our eyes... not only was ken able to photograph the joy and happiness in the faces of our family members who attended the wedding, but he was also able to capture all the "not so obvious" shots like when i was standing by myself reflecting on my own thoughts right before the wedding, or closeup pics of the bouquets, or close up pics of the union of our rings... ken was very professional and even stayed a tad bit above his contracted time limit to capture a few more shots of our wedding... i would highly recommend ken viale's photography services to anyone... h-100... read more