John Doukas Photography

John Doukas, as a wedding photographer, is both professional and casual. John loves in-person interaction, and planning over the phone or email. Planning with the wedding couple and the event planner help create a comfortable relationship, ensuring a smooth wedding day.

Services cover everything from engagement sessions to the big day. On the big day, you can expect John to arrive a little early. Photos can begin with the wedding party getting ready for candid styles, ceremonies, family and group pictures, the reception, and anything in particular that the wedding couple would want.

After the wedding, there is often a general 2-week turnaround the have the final photos delivered in hi-resolution formats ready for printing and sharing over social media. John is a professional photo editor and will include basic edits to adjust color, create black and white options. Retouching involves a discussion and possibly an extra fee.

John also creates wedding videos. The style and types of videos are more so highlights from the day in a cinematic way.

I’m a Southern California native, born in Torrance, CA, raised in Orange County. I have always been deeply involved in the creative arts. Throughout my life, I’ve taken some deep-dives into music, painting, literature, and all kinds of visual art, either making my own or experiencing the brilliance of others. To me, creativity is about the process. The end result is an encapsulation of those efforts, and everything I do is in service to the muse – and to my clients. After all, art is not just about my vision; it’s about everything that brought us to that moment.

My talent is in capturing not just what’s on the surface, but to elevate the essence behind the image into the everyday realm. Success is when you—and the world—see what I see.

Every photographer has their own philosophy, their own way of approaching a subject. My process requires full immersion, going beneath the surface to find the light within. I work closely with my clients to ensure I understand exactly what they’re going for, bringing my unique perspective into the mix to deliver a result that exceeds all expectations.

I worked for over a decade as the in-house photographer for a company named SureFire. During this time, I worked with hundreds of clients and collaborated closely with a creative team. Through this experience, I found my niche working with clients to bring their creative ideas to fruition. I enjoy collaboration as much as I do experimentation, and I bring the same energy and commitment to everything I do.

My long list of creative influences include Charles Peterson, Ansel Adams, Rembrandt, and Ichiro Nagata, but I can’t diminish the inspiration I derive from punk rock, Nirvana, the Melvins, Beethoven, the Three Stooges, Groucho Marx, and Jesus The Christ – all unapologetic innovators in their own right! I look to my parents as an example of the kind of person I want to be, and I’m inspired by people who show an unshakable commitment to their beliefs and values, like Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa.

I’d love to see what I can create for you. Let me tell your story!

John uses professional gear. All lighting is portable without a need for plugs.