Corbin Gurkin Photography • Santa Barbara • California
Corbin Gurkin Photography
Wedding Photography
We'd love it if you would mention that you found Corbin Gurkin Photography on the Here Comes The Guide website.
Service Area
Central and Southern California. Destinations Weddings Worldwide.
Services Offered
Corbin Gurkin’s passport is at the ready and her suitcase is perpetually packed. Known for her destination weddings, Corbin has ventured as far away as India, Vietnam, Kenya and Ukraine, but also has a studio presence on both US coasts. Well-traveled yet completely down to earth, Corbin’s brides tell us she has a great laid-back style and is so comfortable to work with. Her approach is simple: Corbin likes capturing the entire event—“unsurpassed coverage” from start to finish. Her images are stylish, soft and romantic, and always beautifully accentuated with light.
Corbin’s basic package includes a full day of wedding coverage and domestic airfare to most US destinations. Corbin Gurkin Photography offers smaller packages for intimate events and elopements.
Reviews
“I felt like I could trust Corbin to get the best possible shot every time and feeling that degree of security was truly invaluable.”
“She was by far the best wedding vendor I worked with.”
“I cannot say enough positive things about Corbin on my wedding day. I felt like she supported me as if she were a bridesmaid.”
“Corbin’s photographic style is soft, pretty and breathtakingly beautiful.”
“I think she’s really perfected her craft.”
“Corbin makes everything and everyone look pretty and she really has an eye for what will work.”
“The day of the wedding was a whirlwind but I fondly remember Corbin being a calming influence as well as blending into the background.”
“Corbin was wonderful and kindly directed everyone with ease.”
“Corbin surpassed my expectations with all our photos.”
“We were extremely happy with the style of her photography—natural, candid, nothing forced or too obviously posed.”
“Corbin really knows how to capture a moment when the lighting is just perfect.”
“Corbin created the most beautiful album for us. All of my friend and family are in awe of it.”
“My husband and I are so grateful to Corbin for capturing our wedding so perfectly and I really want to do whatever I can to get the word out about her amazing work.”
Did you know?
Here Comes The Guide contacted this vendor's brides and grooms directly for reviews -- so we know they're the real deal. #controlfreaks
We only list vendors that we'd recommend to our own sisters and best friends.
Questions and Answers
What 3 words describe your work?
Ethereal. Graceful. Timeless.Why should someone hire you?
I get to know couples over the course of several months and get a sense of their personality and what photos might appeal to them. I consider the spontaneous and candid moments throughout the wedding day, as well as the environment, ideal lighting, backdrop and time of day for taking the best images. The end result is a mix of natural reportage photos emphasizing the narrative of the day, the character of the wedding destination, and a strong sense of the couple's personality.What drew you to this field/how did you get started?
After focusing on painting and drawing at an early age, including time spent living overseas, I fell in love with the interaction and process of photography during a summer at the Maine Photographic Workshops. From there, I took an apprenticeship with a wedding photography studio before moving on to study photography at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. I've been photographing weddings ever since then.What makes a wedding memorable for you?
I get to photograph and be a part of one of the most memorable days in a couple's life. The photographs I take don't fade with another day's front page, but instead they become heirlooms. The images will outlast even my own lifetime, and knowing that gives me a keen sense of how important it is that I put my all into each client's wedding.What is the best advice you give to a couple when planning their wedding?
Just Go With It! It might rain, the peonies could be a shade of pink that you did not envision, the dress could get some dirt on the hem, the environment isn't what you imagined it to be… Let's not ruin your memories of the wedding day thinking too much about these things. My favorite bride is one who embraces the things that cannot be controlled and puts her faith in my experience to help make the best photographs. When it's raining, it's better to grab some rain boots and an umbrella than forfeit an amazing portrait session. Ultimately, those brides who have just "gone with it" have had the best results.If you could have any superpower on the job, what would it be?
As a destination wedding photographer, I'd definitely find teleporting a useful power!What's your favorite book/movie/work of art?
I love the light in Dutch masters paintings such as Vermeer or the portraits of John Singer Sargent. When creating my own images, I think a lot about how these historic artists have mastered the craft of lighting and how I can translate into my own work.If you weren't in your current profession, what would you do instead?
Pursue graphic design or become a writer.What's your favorite way to wind down after a hard day?
Bubble bath and a good book.Tell us about your pets, if you have any.
I have 3 incredible dogs—Waldorf, Eloise, and Truman...and they love to be photographed!About This Company
Corbin’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Elle Décor, Elegant Bride, Inside Weddings, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Weddings Unveiled, The Knot, and countless other publications worldwide.
Corbin Gurkin Photography Covers These Areas:
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Southern California
- Paso Robles and the Central Coast Wine Country
- Santa Barbara County
- San Luis Obispo and Central Coast Beach Area
- And other areas by special arrangement.
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