Hey, I’m Sara — the photographer behind Desert Born Studios. I live just ten minutes outside Yosemite National Park, where the granite cliffs and golden light feel like old friends. But my heart was first shaped by the red rock canyons of Southern Utah, where I grew up chasing sunsets and desert dreams.

Now, I help free-spirited couples plan and document elopements and intimate weddings in Yosemite, all over California, and wherever your wild love story wants to take us.

I’m a Capricorn who feels more like a Virgo (organized chaos is my sweet spot), a mom, and an old soul who’s happiest with a camera in hand and Fleetwood Mac playing in the background. My soul lives somewhere between the 60s and 70s  a time when love was loud, and freedom was everything.

With over a decade of experience behind the lens, I bring a calm, grounding energy to your day. Whether we’re hiking to Taft Point, chasing waves along the California coast, or exploring hidden desert trails, I’m here to make you feel at ease, fully seen, and wildly free.

This isn’t just photography  it’s storytelling rooted in emotion, connection, and the raw beauty of nature.

Let’s create something untamed together.

Meet Sara Whittaker: Your San Diego & Yosemite Wedding & Elopement Photographer

Find me outside