Business Details
Award-Winning Wedding Photography in Los Angeles
Ilumina Studios was founded on the belief that photography should capture authentic, meaningful moments that endure a lifetime. My journey began at age 11 with a passion for skateboarding photography, which evolved into a career documenting weddings worldwide. After years of living out of my car while building this business, I now travel to 16 countries across four continents, creating artful documentation of life's most significant events. My approach combines creative documentary techniques with a photojournalistic style, ensuring every image tells a genuine story. I prioritize blending into the background to capture unposed moments while maintaining artistic integrity. Beyond photography, I host international workshops teaching fellow photographers my philosophy of moment-driven storytelling.With over 120 weddings documented globally and eight years of dedicated experience, I bring both technical expertise and emotional intelligence to every project. My commitment to 110% effort means clients receive not just photographs, but heirlooms that preserve their legacy. This work has earned recognition through awards and invitations to speak at photography conferences nationwide. Whether photographing intimate local ceremonies or grand international events, my focus remains on creating timeless images that authentically represent each client's unique story.
Services
Wedding Photography
Engagement Photography
iPhoneography
Photography Workshops
Travel Photography
Highlights and features
- 8 years documenting weddings across four continents
- Photographed over 120 weddings globally
- Creative documentary style with photojournalistic approach
- Host international photography workshops annually
- 110% effort guarantee for every client
Services
Wedding Photography
Creative documentary wedding photography capturing authentic moments with artistic composition. Using photojournalistic techniques to document ceremonies globally, ensuring unobtrusive coverage that preserves genuine emotions. Eight years of experience photographing over 120 weddings across four continents, delivering timeless images that tell each couple's unique story.
Engagement Photography
Location-based engagement photography sessions in iconic global destinations. Services include curated location selection and natural light photography that captures couples' authentic connection. Available in cities like Los Angeles, Prague, Sydney, and Mexico, creating lasting memories before the wedding day.
Photography Workshops
Annual international workshops teaching creative documentary photography techniques. Curriculum covers moment-driven storytelling, artistic composition, and business strategies for wedding photographers. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance their documentary photography skills through hands-on instruction.
Travel Photography
Global photography services capturing cultural moments and scenic locations. Specializing in destination weddings and travel documentation with artistic perspective. Utilizing extensive international experience to create visually compelling narratives from diverse locations worldwide.
iPhoneography
Smartphone photography instruction and services demonstrating professional techniques using mobile devices. Teaching composition, lighting, and editing skills for creating high-quality images with accessible technology. Emphasizing creative potential of mobile photography in everyday documentation.
People
Carsten Schertzer
Award-Winning Wedding Photographer
From homeless teenager to internationally recognized photographer, Carsten documents weddings across 16 countries. With eight years of experience capturing over 120 weddings, he teaches his creative documentary approach through annual workshops and global conference appearances.
Questions
What style of wedding photography do you specialize in?
We specialize in creative documentary photography that blends artistic composition with photojournalistic techniques to capture authentic moments.
How many weddings have you photographed internationally?
I've documented weddings in 16 countries across four continents over eight years of professional experience.
Do you offer photography workshops for other professionals?
Yes, I host annual international workshops teaching my philosophy of moment-driven wedding photography to fellow photographers.
What locations do you recommend for engagement shoots?
Popular locations include Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, Charles Bridge in Prague, and Kirribilli Point in Sydney.
How do you ensure authentic photo documentation?
My photojournalistic approach allows me to blend into events, capturing genuine emotions without staged poses or interruptions.