I’ve always been drawn to nostalgia. I love observing people. I feel the emotion of a good story as it’s told. This intuitiveness allows me to anticipate those beautiful instances of intensity, capture the reactions quickly, and freeze in film those once-in-a-lifetime moments as they unfold. I feel deeply, and I’m keenly aware of the shift in energy we all experience just before you get whisked away in a whirlwind of emotion of your special day.

I believe that how you feel when a photo is being taken is equally important to how you look in the final result. My priority is to make you feel comfortable, confident, and relaxed in front of the lens so that we can create genuine memories you and your loved ones will cherish for a lifetime.

Because, at the end of the day, you deserve images as remarkable as your love story.

Fueled by salty air, and a chocolate-chunk pup named Ted, I live for sun-drenched afternoons full of laughter and warmth. I married my best friend, Chris, and together, we have lived all over the country. I'm an avid traveler with an insatiable thirst for learning new skills.

When I'm not documenting love stories, I spend my days relaxing in our charming surf shack on the Southern California coast. Some have described me as lively and vivacious, and by others diligent and attentive.

creative direction

Comic Relief

— a side of

ABOUT

I grew up landlocked, but I have always been obsessed with the coast.

Quick Facts

I live for travel, and I split my time between SoCal, Tahoe, and an array of East Coast destinations.

My claim to fame is a viral TikTok video where I argue with my dog about whether or not he can have ice cream for breakfast.

I value authenticity in my work. I want you to feel swept away by the beautiful moments you experience on your day

I shot my first wedding when I was seventeen

I was born a Midwest girl with a curious heart and an itch to explore the world, so it's no wonder I ended up with a military man.

Chris, Captain America, is the adventurous, talented, humble force behind the scenes during the height of wedding season. He's the reason I'm able to do what I love.

favorite things

Sweet, sour, intelligent. Director of Productivity, editing sidekick. Part chocolate lab, part velociraptor. You'll likely meet Teddy during our consult, photobombing a video chat, or even during your engagement session.

My clients are able to pause, take a step back, and truly feel events of the day soak in. They trust me to serve them in a manner that's both authentic and artistic.

Better Half

Tahoe Ted

I love it when...

warm words

Melissa + Dave

"Mandy is warm and fun, and made us feel totally comfortable and not awkward at all when posing for pictures. She captured so many beautiful moments and did not miss one important thing in our gallery. I think her pictures speak for themselves, but to top it off, Mandy was absolutely great to work with from the moment we hired her..."

RYAN + JAMIE

"Mandy has such a kind heart and an eye for the beauty in all things, so her photos turn out better than you could ever imagine! She was easy to work with and exceeded my expectations as a photographer. She stepped in to help in any way she could during the ceremony and reception to create a seamless timeline of events. She made sure the bride and groom had a moment alone to take in the magic of the day and captured moments we thought would only be left to our imagination."

warm words

NANCY + NICK

"We were so happy we went with Mandy for our wedding photographer. She is professional, talented, and an overall joy to be around. She explains everything well and kept me calm and cool throughout the whole process. Our photos came out beautifully, and every time I look at them, I get transported back in time to that special day. Mandy, we are booking you for future milestones! Thank you!!!"

warm words

ASHLEY + MATT

"Having Mandy photograph our wedding was the best decision we could have made. She is the most remarkable professional and her passion for photography shines through in every photo she captures. Mandy is warm, kindhearted, detail orientated, organized, and without a doubt super talented. Her photography skills are unparalleled and she has an amazing ability to instantly connect with her clients. She has a gift to fully capture every emotion and every detail and we are so lucky to have had her photograph our day. Mandy is the whole package and I am lucky to now call her my friend! Thank you Mandy!"

warm words

inquire

We'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the form below or send a note directly to hello@mandyford.com for inquiries regarding custom coverage + elopements. Partial wedding coverage begins at 8,000.

hello@mandyford.com

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Thank You

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