Santa Barbara Wedding Photography, Boudoir and Newborn Photography, Timeless, Classic, Melissa Musgrove » Santa Barbara Wedding photographer, Melissa Musgrove captures and creates , timeless photographs with a fresh and modern approach to classic wedding photography.

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  • Welcome to my Blog!

    Hi! I'm Melissa, a Santa Barbara based Wedding and Portrait Photographer.
    As incredible as it is to capture spontaneous moments, I equally enjoy giving posing direction, and styling instruction, to create images you'll cherish for a lifetime.

    I bring that joy and enthusiasm to each of my photo shoots, be it wedding, portrait or pet.

    I hope you enjoy the photos and stories I've posted. Browse around, and then I'd love to hear from you.

  • Featured Wedding

  • More Eye Candy? Click on Photo

  • Featured Portrait

  • Boudoir ~ Click on Photo

My daughter’s Santa Barbara Wedding.

I have never felt so loved by friends and associates as I was the day I announced my daughter’s engagement.

Almost instantly I was offered the talent and skill of many of my friends in the events business in Santa Barbara. I was secretly hoping of course, that one or two might offer to help. But it never occurred to me that I would have to make decisions between this one or that. I sincerely appreciate all the love and generosity I was offered by my peers. But alas, decisions had to be made. The top consideration being, who is the best match for my daughter, Dana and her fiancé Michael. I’ve learned that the decisions made aren’t always based on “who is the best”, because everyone I know and work with has their unique qualities that make them the best in their particular style. It turns out, that it’s the match up of qualities, and personality that is of upmost important in finding the right vendor team for the couple.

Dana and Michael live in NYC, so the planning of the wedding naturally settled into my lap. I’m delighted to have that role, though I do wish Dana was here to share the joy of planning. She came out once for hair – make up trial,  food and cake tasting, and to see the beautiful location. Thanks to our fabulous event planner, the internet, and text messaging, everything has been smooth as silk.

Here’s our team.

Colette & Kaitlin Lopez, LaFete Weddings

Laura Sangas, Cody Florals

Stephanie Hogue, Stephanie Hogue Photography

Dmitry Rogozhin, Melissa Musgrove Photography

Rich Tobin, Officiant

Seasons Catering

Tracy Chegwin, Lazaro Press, Custom Invitations

Scott Topper Productions  Disc Jockey

Riviera Productions, Videographer

LunaBella Makeup Art

Bella Vista Design, Lighting Design

Santa Barbara Exclusive Property Rentals

Ventura Party Rentals

Christine Dahl Cakes

LaTavola Linens

EOS Shuttle

Dana and Me at Seasons Catering for food tasting.

A stroll in Santa Barbara

On a February day with 75 degree temperatures, it’s easy to forget it’s winter. Shannon and JP wanted to do their engagement session at a local park. So we decided on Alice Keck Park. When we got there, there wasn’t much in bloom. Oh yes, that’s right, ~ it’s winter, it only feels like spring.

No matter, we had a lovely late afternoon stroll around the park and then headed into the neighborhood, where there is always texture and color.

Southern California Weddings

I’m anxiously awaiting the release date for the book “Southern California Weddings”.

Due out in May by Panache Partners, LLC.

I’m excited to see photographs from Gigi and Billy’s beautiful Montecito wedding published.

Thanks to Colette of LaFete Weddings for event design and coordination, on this gorgeous Four Seasons Biltmore Reception.

Moroccan Wedding Inspiration

Santa Barbara is loaded with talent.

If you are having a wedding or event here, no need to bring anyone from outside of town.

I was delighted and exited to photograph this Moroccan inspired event design by Nico Cervantes of NLC Productions.

He has boundless energy and excitement about design. I think he designs in his sleep. At least he must dream in vivid color. Enjoy this photo shoot we did for his book L is for Love.

A feast for your eyes.

Fabulous talent for this photo shoot also included;

Canary Hotel, La Tavola Linens, The Tent Merchant, Luna Bella Make up Artists, Lazaro Press.

See more on Style Unveiled.

To purchase L is for Love book,  please contact NLC Productions.

Sweet Love.

Love so Sweet. In so many ways.

Brooke is my hair stylist at Mishay Salon. She is as beautiful on the inside, as she is on the outside. We did a pre wedding day photography session in my Santa Barbara Studio. She wore her gown and modeled different hair accessories, jewelry and sashes made by Mercedes of Beautiful Boutique in downtown Santa Barbara. Shannon from Effloresce made us a gorgeous wedding bouquet for the shoot. {You can take a look at the photos under “Gallery” on my menu. Click on “Pre Wedding Sessions”.}

Brooke came back to the studio for a boudoir photography session. Those photos are for Warren’s eyes only. {I wish I could share, because they are beautiful}

If you ask Brooke, she’d tell all brides “do it”! “Do the pre wedding photo session if you can”. And,  ”No matter how shy you may think you are, do the boudoir session. It’s fun” “And your husband will love it.”

Ceremony ~ Santa Barbara Canary Hotel Rooftop

Reception ~ Santa Barbara Wine Cask