Rikka Zimmerman

BioGRAPHY
Rikka’s father bought her first camera in the 6th grade and a photojournalist was born. She just couldn’t stop shooting! In high school Rikka and her friends would take her mom’s old Canon camera out to the mustard fields or the beach to shoot fashion.

After studying at Ventura College she craved even more instruction, so she attended the Brooks Institute of Photography where she graduated in 2001.

Why Wedding Photography
“I realized I photograph love -- love between bride and groom, mother and son, father and daughter -- generations of love. I’m a hopeless romantic, and a storyteller, who is an excellent journalistic photographer. I love being a part of two people’s lives together.”

In addition to her photography skills, Rikka is known for her ability to take charge, to remain calm and joyful during the more stressful times, and to create personal relationships with clients.

Memberships/Affiliations
Brooks Institute Alumni Association
Professional Photographers of California

Published Work
Featured wedding in Martha Stewart Weddings
Feature wedding in Your Wedding Day Magazine
Two consecutive covers of The Wedding Guide
Wedding Celebrations
Santa Barbara Magazine
Tricycle Magazine
Muscle and Fitness Magazine
Celebrity photographer co-host on the Lifetime show “Birthday Suit”

Testimonials
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We just can’t say it enough. We were so amazed and appreciative of all you did for us at our wedding. We hired you as our photographer and we received so much more! You put your heart and soul into our wedding, and we can’t thank you enough! Most of all, we thank you for being you. It was your spirit that made my family light up during the picture taking process (that can sometimes be rather stressful). It was your unique sense of humor that made the little kids laugh, instead of cry. It was your convincing nature that made my bridesmaids feel like Calvin Klein models. Most importantly, it was your subtle presence that captured the most intimate pictures of me and Grant, without it even feeling as if you were there. We feel blessed to have had you as our photographer, but even more blessed to have met you.
Katie and Grant Pederson
June 25, 2005

Rikka took our vision for our wedding day and distilled that dream into a physical record of the celebration. She is truly a master at catching the moment and making creative use of light, colors, and textures to draw out emotion. After we hired Rikka, we knew that all we had to do was enjoy the event and let her seamlessly and unobtrusively capture every important aspect of it. It was truly a load off our minds not to have to wonder if she was catching the moment -- we knew that she was. I recommend Rikka to everyone I know, as her talents are truly priceless. Much Gratitude,
Hailey Hibler and Brett Bezsylko
Married September 18, 2004

There could not have been a better person for the job at my wedding. Not only were the photos like a dream, capturing the fairy tale as I remembered it, but your presence was so happy and easy. I felt like you went above and beyond the "call of duty." It is obvious that you love what you do and take so much pride in your work. You are so talented in so many artistic ways. Thank you so much for bringing that to my wedding! We love you,
Danny and Kelly Trumble
Married November 7, 2004

We want to thank you for the amazing job you did on our wedding photographs! Your pictures truly capture all the emotion of our ceremony and celebration! We have looked at them a million times! Everyone that sees them is completely enchanted! Your enthusiasm and professionalism were noted by many at our wedding and our pictures show that you truly have a gift for this work. Thank you,
Julie and Kevin Afflerbaugh
Married March 27, 2004

Patrick and I would like to thank you so very much for all your talent and hard work. We have a tough task ahead in trying to select pictures from an abundance of just wonderful images. You are a true artist! Thank you for being so professional, kind, enthusiastic, and just great! There are the best photographs ever! Thanks again,
Maria & Patrick Zimbell
Married May 15, 2004

We wanted to thank you for such an amazing job with our wedding photography! It is easy to tell that you are passionate about what you do. Your work is simply breathtaking. We are so glad to have discovered you, and can’t wait to show off these photographs to everyone! Love,
Devon & Tarek Azzam
Married Aug 10, 2004