Wedding Photography in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Florida
Our wedding photography services are centered on documenting genuine connection, meaningful moments, and the story of your day with care and intention.
Jonathan Fanning approaches each wedding with a strong commitment to understanding every couple on a personal level. By accepting a limited number of weddings each year, he is able to provide a focused, high-touch experience with the attention each celebration deserves.
On your wedding day, our priority is to document events as they naturally unfold while also ensuring key moments are thoughtfully and beautifully captured. We aim to create a cohesive visual narrative that reflects the emotion, atmosphere, and significance of the occasion—images designed to be cherished for generations.
Because no two weddings are alike, our approach is tailored to align with your specific vision, timeline, and priorities, ensuring a seamless and professional photography experience from start to finish.
The Process:
- Initial Inquiry
Contact us via our website form or by phone at (727) 851-9965 to begin the conversation. - Consultation & Details Review
We discuss the key elements of your wedding, including date, venue(s), coverage hours, creative vision, and desired final deliverables. - Customized Recommendation
Based on your needs, we provide a tailored photography proposal designed to align with your timeline, priorities, and overall vision. - Booking & Confirmation
Review and approve the photography agreement, then secure your date with a retainer. From there, you can look forward to a seamless and professionally documented wedding experience.
Kind Words:
Jonathan gets 100000/5 stars if I could give him! Jonathan was the photographer for my parents 25th anniversary, so choosing him was a no brainer, but we were blown away with then photos from our engagement shoot, rehearsal dinner and wedding day! The photos came out AMAZING. He captured our wedding day beautifully and was so patient and calm amongst the wedding and family craziness. Best photographer ever!! You need to have Jonathan as your photographer for your next event!! – Clarice L on The Knot
Jonathan did our engagement photos and we chose him again for our wedding because of how great he is to work with. Before the wedding, he was great with communicating all the details so I was never left wondering, and his responses were always timely. On the big day he blended in well with the crowd, chose great backdrops for our portraits and helped guide us on poses. He was extremely professional and easy to work with, we got our photos back a lot sooner than we had expected and everyone was impressed to see the quality of the photos! Overall, he exceeded our expectations for a wedding photographer! – Jen on WeddingWire
Jonathan was responsive and communicated clearly throughout the process. His prices are reasonable and he showed up on time. He was also great at directing the bride, groom, and our guests to optimize the photos for our 10 yr wedding vow renewal. We’re so happy with the results and highly recommend him for your next photo shoot! – L W on Yelp
Jonathan is an AMAZING photographer! We used him for both our engagement and wedding photos and the results are breathtaking. He is extremely responsive and easy to coordinate with. Jonathan also coordinated a second shooter for the wedding who was also professional and took amazing photos. Both my husband and I are awkward and un-photogenic, but Jonathan managed to capture the most wonderful photos. His easy going personality made the photography fun and stress free. We will definitely be using Jonathan again when we need family photos. – Jessica C. on Google
Why Choose Us As Your Wedding Photographer?
- An intentionally limited number of weddings each year
We accept a select number of celebrations annually to ensure an uncompromising level of service, attention, and creative focus for every couple. - Refined, timeless imagery with lasting significance
We create elegant, narrative-driven wedding photography designed to feel enduring—crafted to be cherished for generations. - 15+ years of professional expertise
Extensive experience in documenting weddings with precision, anticipation, and an editorial approach to storytelling. - Secure, multi-layer image protection
Your images are safeguarded throughout the entire process with in-camera redundancy and post-production backups across multiple drives and secure cloud storage. - Art-directed timeline and expert guidance
We assist in structuring your wedding timeline and provide calm, professional direction to ensure portraits and key moments are executed efficiently and beautifully. - Effortless, unobtrusive experience
Our approach is designed to keep you fully present in your day while we document events with discretion and intention. - Fine-art level retouching for print collections
All images selected for albums and print products receive meticulous, natural retouching to ensure a polished, editorial finish. - Authentic, documentary coverage of unscripted moments
We quietly capture meaningful interactions and fleeting moments as they naturally unfold, preserving the full emotional depth of your day. - Service defined by discretion and excellence
A calm, client-focused presence dedicated to delivering a seamless experience and exceptional results from start to finish.
Click to enlarge photos
Read our reviews on WeddingWire
Clearwater & St Pete Wedding Photographer
You only have one chance to get the pictures right. Rather than hoping that Uncle Bob remembers how to operate a camera from his college photography class, budget in a professional photographer to insure everything will go smoothly. Here are some tips for choosing a photographer who’s right for you:
Ask around for recommendations.
As with many things in life, hearing good things about a photographer from people you know and trust can be a much more reliable indicator than a fancy Website or brochure.
Find someone who specializes in weddings.
This will assure that he or she is ready for all expected and unexpected events that happen in the process of tying the knot.
Be able to verbalize your personal taste.
Knowing and being able to say what you like and don’t like will assure your personal tastes are reflected in the style and quality of photography that you want. Tear out images from magazines or borrow wedding albums from friends to showcase what you like and, just as importantly, what you don’t like.
Go with your gut.
The photographer you want to go with is the one with whom you share a connection. This will lead to a level of comfort and confidence that you want conveyed in every shot.
Ask Questions.
Ask every question that comes to mind such as do they rent or own good quality equipment. Do they have insurance? Are they experienced? How do they back up the photos? (both in camera and on computer)
DESIGNING THE PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Here at Jonathan Fanning Studio & Gallery, we understand that your wedding photography session is going to be the beginning of a new adventure in your life. We want to document this special time for you and begin capturing memories that last a lifetime! If you’re interested in engagement photography, check out our proposal photo gallery!
To ensure your portrait is as beautiful as can be, try to follow these suggested guidelines:
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Schedule your engagement session a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks prior to your wedding day. The sooner the better! This allows adequate time for file processing and album designs.
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Choose outfits that suit your personality and make you feel attractive! Make sure you create color harmony and both outfits coordinate well together. Please do not wear short shorts or skirts. This makes posing more difficult. Long, flowing dresses, jeans, or khakis make better selections.
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Start thinking about props! This can make your photograph special and unique. Consider a picnic basket with a wine glasses and a blanket, a straw hat, a musical instrument, even your pet! We can also utilize larger objects such as: boats, sports cars, planes, or motorcycles.
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Do not worry about the location! Once you chose your wardrobe and schedule an appointment, we will discuss location and time with you. We have a wide variety of fun unique locations!
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Become alert to interesting photographs. Look out for romantic postcards or magazine advertisements (fragrance ads are always good) so that we can get an idea on what you have envisioned.
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Keep in mind that many couples chose to utilize their Engagement Portrait to display at their reception, or to include in invitations, albums, etc.
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Have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Photography
Do you have client reviews?
Sure do! All of my reviews are unsolicited. They’re spread out randomly across the internet ranging from Google Reviews, Yelp Reviews, WeddingWire, TheKnott, etc.
What is your payment schedule?
Weddings require 50% of the total balance upon signed agreement with remaining 50% due 30 days prior to wedding. Ordered products require 50% with remaining 50% due upon pick-up. Payment plans available. We accept all major credit cards and offer online payment.
Can you hold a date for me?
We are sorry, but we cannot “pencil” you in. In order to be fair to all customers, we do not reserve a date until retainer and signed agreement is received. Our bookings are first come / first serve basis.
What are your rates?
Commissions for weddings depends on wedding location and availability. Contact us for full pricing and full wedding galleries to review.
Do you travel?
We sure do! We’ve had the opportunity to serve our clients in New York City, Rhode Island, Georgia, Colorado, Kentucky, Las Vegas, and North Carolina.
Do I need a second photographer?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I have photographed many weddings solo usually depend on your situation and what you are wanting to have covered. Let’s schedule a meeting or a phone call to discuss your needs.
How long does it take for me to receive my photographs?
We publish them on an online gallery within 30 days of the wedding for you to download your images. Albums typically take 3-4 weeks to complete once the final image(s) have been selected by the client. We also love to share a few sneak peeks a week or so after your wedding.
How many images from my wedding will I receive?
It depends on many factors such as how many hours of coverage, types of events, and so forth. My average for an 8 hour day with a second photographer is around 1,100, but numbers will vary depending on the day itself.
Do you offer printed products?
We sure do! All of our loose prints and albums are printed on professional archival photo paper and include retouching.
Do you need to attend our rehearsal?
Typically no. However, if you would like to have your rehearsal dinner covered, please let us know and we can do an add-on.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
We sure do! All of our pricing is à la carte so that you can build the collection that is the best fit for you and your needs.
Do you retouch (enhance) your portraits?
Yes. All ordered prints and album images are fully enhanced (removal of stray hairs, blemishes, wrinkles, whiten teeth, etc).
Do you take posed and candid photos?
We sure do! We will direct when we need to and capture those precious candid moments.
Are my images watermarked?
No they are not.
Can I see some full wedding galleries?
Yes absolutely! We are happy to email over a few full wedding galleries so that you can get a feel for our style.
Where are you located?
Our studio is located at Airport Business Center: 4500 140th Ave N., Suite #110 Clearwater, FL 33762
Do you have insurance?
Sure do. Let me know if your venue needs my information.
Do you provide video services?
No. I am a photographer only and am a firm believer in doing what you are good at. We are happy to refer you to some incredibly talented companies.
Our Recommended Wedding Vendors:
Coordinators / Planners
Videographers
Photobooth
Florist / Decor
Cakes
Officiant
Caterers
Bar Tender Service
DJ’s
Live Bands
Hair & Make-up
Do you have a precious old wedding photo that has been damaged or faded over time? Jonathan Fanning is also an expert at digital photo restoration, image retouching, and colorization!
Wedding Photography Q&A with Jonathan Fanning
Why do you see yourself as being Modern, Vintage, Classic, or Eclectic?
My style is a combination of a little bit of everything. I love the classic vintage look with a modern twist. I pride myself to be a master of lighting. To me lighting is everything and if a photograph does not have good lighting, then it’s not a good photograph. I also pose my couples in a way that it does not feel or look “posy”
What is your favorite wedding detail you’ve ever seen or created?
One of my favorite details that I have ever seen was at a reception they had a rustic winter wedding theme. They had fake snow, leafless trees, and as the place settings they used different kinds of Whiskey and Bourbon bottles.
What is your favorite store or brand?
My favorite store / brand is Apple. Their customer service is outstanding and their simple and customer friendly stores are always a pleasure to visit. Whenever I go into the Apple store I try and think what I can learn from them and apply to my business.
What advice do you have for a newly engaged bride?
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and choosing the right photographer is tough. Make sure you look at their current work. That will give you a really good idea of what your images are going to turn out like. Every photographer has a different style, so make sure you like the style that photographer has to offer. Additionally, meet the photographer! You’ll be spending time alone with them and you want to make sure your personalities click before you go to a shoot. You will also get many opinions from your friends and family on their thoughts of what you should do and not do. I highly suggest taking a step back and talk to you and your significant other about what you both want, because after all it is YOUR wedding.
What is your favorite thing about weddings?
One of the big reasons why I enjoy documenting weddings is that I get to meet incredible couples! I love creating relationships / friendships with my clients and their families. The overall excitement of not knowing what I will capture on the wedding day is such a thrill! There is nothing more rewarding then documenting a beautiful couples wedding day and hearing the reaction of everyone after seeing the images. One of my favorite images that I have ever created was after the ceremony I was setting up for family photos and it started to pour rain and I captured the bride running with a huge smile on her face.
What qualities do you possess that enable you to work well with brides and grooms?
I have a great personality, sense of humor and very personable. I am very customer service oriented. I take the time to get to know my couples and make them feel comfortable while taking pictures which will come through in the images as I want my clients to look at their photographs and think “OMG That’s SO ME!”
What steps do you take to ensure that your clients will have amazing wedding days when working with you?
I take the time to get to know my couples as people and find out exactly what they have envisioned for their wedding. I want to help them in any way I can by referring them to other vendors who I have worked with and can trust will do an amazing job! I can calm just about any situation with my sense of humor and the next thing I know the client is not thinking about the stressful situation.
Favorite food? Pizza
