Nikkels Photography

Business Details

San Luis Obispo Wedding Photographer

Nikkels Photography is a fine art wedding and portrait photography studio founded by Michele Nikkels. With a focus on capturing life's most meaningful moments, we combine artistic vision with heartfelt service to create timeless imagery. Our work spans weddings, engagements, senior portraits, family sessions, and proposal photography across San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Michele, a Northern Nevada native now based in California, brings over a decade of experience to each project, emphasizing authenticity, emotional storytelling, and exceptional client care. Our team prioritizes personalized attention, offering guidance from initial consultation through final delivery.

We work with limited availability annually to ensure each client receives dedicated support. Our process includes detailed planning resources, flexible scheduling, and fast turnaround times for digital galleries. Having documented over 100 weddings and countless personal milestones, we specialize in making clients feel comfortable while capturing their unique stories. Our commitment extends beyond photography - we aim to be your trusted partner in preserving memories that span generations.

Services

Wedding Photography Portrait Sessions Engagement Photos Proposal Coverage Senior Portraits Family Photography Elopement Documentation Boudoir Sessions Corporate Headshots Destination Photography

Highlights and features

We offer proven expertise in wedding and portrait photography spanning over a decade
Personalized, stress-free photography sessions with clear direction and professional guidance
Quick turnaround on high-quality, professionally edited images
Organized workflow with exceptional time management during photo sessions
Comprehensive preparation resources including vendor recommendations and timelines

What people say

Beautifully captured every moment So organized and easy Responsive and helpful Quick turnaround on images Amazing photos

Website

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Services

Wedding Photography

Comprehensive documentation of your wedding day including pre-ceremony preparation, ceremony, portraits, and reception. Our approach combines artistic composition with journalistic storytelling to capture authentic moments. Ideal for couples seeking timeless images that preserve their special day.

Portrait Sessions

Customized photography sessions for families, seniors, maternity, and special occasions. Sessions include location scouting, styling guidance, and multiple outfit changes. Perfect for updating family albums or celebrating milestones.

Proposal Coverage

Document your proposal with discreet photography and planning assistance. Services include location selection, timeline coordination, and post-proposal portraits. Designed to help you create unforgettable memories.

Elopement Documentation

Focused coverage for small weddings and elopements with hourly options. Includes ceremony documentation, couple portraits, and reception moments. Great for couples prioritizing personal connection over large events.

Senior Portraits

Professional photography sessions for graduating students with personalized location and style options. Sessions include outfit coordination and hair/makeup guidance to highlight each student's individuality and achievements.

People

Michele Nikkels

Founder & Principal Photographer

Award-winning photographer with 10+ years experience specializing in weddings and portraits. Recognized for her heartfelt approach that makes clients feel comfortable and celebrated. Former teacher who transitioned to full-time photography in 2013.

Brandi

Wedding & Family Photographer

Passionate about vintage style and natural lighting, Brandi brings warmth and creativity to every session. Her background in retail merchandising enhances her eye for composition and styling details.

Kasie

Wedding & Family Photographer

Nature enthusiast with expertise in outdoor photography. Known for her calm demeanor and ability to capture authentic expressions. Skilled in Yosemite and coastal landscape photography for session backdrops.

Questions

What photography services do you offer?

We specialize in wedding photography, portrait sessions, engagement photos, proposal coverage, and senior portraits with customized packages.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking weddings 12-18 months in advance and portraits at least 3 months ahead.

What's included in your wedding packages?

Packages include full-day coverage, second shooter, online gallery, print release, and planning assistance.

Do you offer destination photography?

Yes, we travel locally and internationally with additional travel fee calculations based on location.

What's your cancellation policy?

We require a $1,000 non-refundable retainer with remaining payments adjustable for rescheduling.

Reviews (5)

Write a Review

Takako K.

Jan 06, 2022 Report

We visited San Luis Obispo for the holidays and used Nikkels Photography for our engagement photoshoot. Although it was our first visiting there, Michele helped us find a location that would be the best for our needs. The shooting session went very smoothly and was fun, and the photos came out beautifully. If you want to capture the precious moment, I highly recommend her!

Katherine Ballesteros

Nov 24, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I have been coming to Michele for our Christmas photos for a couple years now and she's amazing! She's professional, great with my toddlers and take great photos.

Michaela W.

Oct 05, 2021 Report

We are so glad that we chose Michele to be our photographer. She is not only super organized, reliable, and professional, she's a really kind person! We had never done a photoshoot before and she made us feel at ease right away. The wedding and engagement photos turned out so well and we're having a hard time picking out our favorites! She turned them around to us very quickly despite it being the busiest time of the year for her. Michele went above and beyond with her periodic gifts and texts reminding us to relax and enjoy the moment. We would highly recommend her! -Michaela & Noah

Susan Pearl

Aug 16, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Michelle Nikkels photographed my grandsons Bar Mitzvah. The pictures will keep that moment in time forever. Beautiful pictures of my entire family. Highly recommend Nikkelss photography:)

Chelsea S.

Jul 16, 2021 Report

One of the best decisions I made during wedding planning was hiring Nikkels photography, and there aren't words to express how much I appreciated Michele and her team! Michele was extremely professional from start to finish, paying attention to every single detail, gracefully managing a postponement and all the headaches that came with COVID-19 restrictions, and was SUCH a joy on the day of - our families and wedding party of 20 raved about her and her team and how nice/efficient they were. Even more importantly, she is SO skilled at what she does and delivered some of the most beautiful wedding