From November 17 - 22, 2024 I’ll be taking over the former studio of iconic American photographer Dorothea Lange, with a solo pop-up exhibition I’ve dubbed “The Wild Ones.” Drawing inspiration from the spirit of Andy Warhol’s legendary art parties, this one-night-only opening is my answer to the question of whether wedding photography can really be fine art, and my answer is a resounding and rebellious YES. 

I went to art school. I loved punk rock. I was going to be Annie Leibovitz shooting bands backstage, or Nan Goldin capturing gritty snapshots of life as it happened. Weddings were definitely not that. 

Except that creative people get married too, and a couple of these creative people asked me to shoot their wedding, but they said, “Don’t do it like a wedding. Pretend you’re shooting a ten-page spread for your favorite magazine.” And it flipped a switch. I could photograph weddings my way, however I wanted. I could color outside the lines of what was expected. I could make it art. 

Twenty-something years later, my catalog of work reflects an unconventional and energetic approach. This show is designed to challenge the way people see wedding photography, for as much as weddings lend themselves to cliches and sentimentality, they’re also fertile ground for any artist who wants to capture emotions, relationships, and all the complicated dynamics that define the human experience. 

Through my lens, the results are surprising and iconic images that stand alone. It doesn’t have to be your wedding for you to respond to the universal stories told by these pictures. 

The show will be open to the public Sunday November 17 - Friday November 22, 2-6pm daily, or open by appointment. Hope to see you there!

xoxo

Christina McNeill 

Christina McNeill and Jesse Tombs hosted a dinner party at Promontory in Napa Valley. The purpose was to bring our community closer together through a curation of thoughtfully constructed overload of the senses from sight, to taste, to touch. With special partners Found Rental Co, The Charter Oak, Dart Collective, Elsa Madeline design, The Ark, and Rachel Riser.

Wedding fashion editorial at the Bowery Hotel in New York City with Christina McNeill, Extra Floral, The After White and Elliana Gran.

Gucci maximalist wedding inspiration at Acre Baja in Cabo with Smith + James Events, Christina McNeill and La Musa de las Flores.

Time is fleeting and I want your engagement pics to reflect the radness of you two right now. So for Molly & Matt’s engagement in San Francisco we made sure to include locations and activities that were meaningful to them: Ocean Beach, The Great Highway, a vintage car, a stop at their favorite Stix, and lots of fun in between. I love being extra - and glad my clients do too.

For Elle & Robbie, we created a day that felt right to them. We started our day at the ferry building, took a ferry ride to Tiburon and stopped for drinks at Sam’s Anchor Cafe. After a few drinks and pics along the dock, we headed to Sausalito for the sunset. Christina McNeill is a San Francisco based wedding photographer specializing in candid, cinematic, street photography-like moments.

Joyce & David's wedding included a pool party at Villa San Giacomo, an engagement session in Positano with gelato and cappuccinos, a private yacht cruise along the amalfi coast to il riccio in capri, and a modern wedding day at villa san giacomo. With Christina McNeill, SposiamoVi, Marco Caputo, Alessandro Mancino and Malafronte Fiori

A San Francisco City Hall Wedding and Reception at Wayfare Tavern. Kari and Philip married on the 4th floor of city hall in an intimate ceremony conducted by the groom's father. A totally sweet and candid, documentary approach to wedding photography.

The best tips for getting married at SF City Hall from local san Francisco wedding photographer Christina McNeill. Learn the best days and times to marry, what it costs to get married at city hall, and find out the most iconic post-ceremony locations including the hottest bars and restaurants in town.

Nathalie & Ben's destination wedding at Villa Treville in Positano, Italy.