Hey, I’m Sara, the heart and lens behind Desert Born Studios, now calling Yosemite National Park my home. Just ten minutes from the valley floor, I wake up to granite cliffs, golden light, and the kind of natural beauty that never gets old. Growing up chasing sunsets and desert dreams in Southern Utah’s red rock canyons shaped my adventurous spirit, but Yosemite’s towering sequoias, roaring waterfalls, and hidden trails have captured my heart  and my camera.

I’m a Yosemite elopement photographer who helps free-spirited couples plan and document intimate elopements and adventure weddings across Yosemite, California, and anywhere your wild love story takes us. From sunrise vows at Taft Point to quiet ceremonies in secluded meadows, I specialize in capturing authentic moments, raw emotions, and the untamed beauty of your day.

A little about me personally: I’m a mom, a Capricorn who thrives on organized chaos, and an old soul happiest with a camera in hand and Fleetwood Mac playing in the background. My spirit lives somewhere between the 60s and 70s  when love was loud, freedom was everything, and life felt like an endless adventure.

With over a decade behind the lens, I bring a calm, grounding energy to your Yosemite elopement. I guide couples through every step  from planning the perfect Yosemite wedding timeline to finding hidden photography spots that few others know. My goal is to help you feel seen, relaxed, and completely free to be yourselves while I document your story in a way that feels timeless, wild, and real.

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

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