Kate Schaefer

Photographer

Brooklyn Wedding Photographer

Raised in California and refined in NYC, Kate’s approach to photography strikes a balance between West Coast calm and East Coast cool. Kate began her work as a photographer after a winding road through film production and event management which instilled in her the observational eye and focused approach required to capture weddings. Kate delights in the many small, special moments of a wedding day and brings that curiosity and joy to all of her pursuits.

Contact Kate

what clients say about Kate's work

Wowwwwww! These photos are perfect in every way. Kate captured the tenderness and joy of our wedding day so beautifully. We're so glad she was there, and so grateful that she created such magical memories for us.”

Ben + Emily

Kate was warm, kind and wonderful to work with! We all felt we could just be ourselves even knowing we were being photographed, which made the photos all that more authentic and beautiful.

Megan + Annie

Kates images of our wedding day are beyond what we could have imagined! We are so grateful for these amazing memories, we are speechless.

John + Maria

Kate is fantastic and so talented -- we couldn't possibly recommend her more. She was an amazing wedding photographer and incredibly fun to work with; she is unbelievably patient and flexible, totally able to read the room and go with the flow. We are so grateful and our photos are wonderful!

Caitlin + Maggie

Kate's Journals

Two Cultures at Brooklyn Winery

1 / 9

Industrial charm meets multicultural celebration
Amy + Kevin •
Brooklyn, NY
Where cultures blend and wine flows freely

Amy and Kevin's Brooklyn Winery wedding blended Chinese and Jewish traditions with urban sophistication. After getting ready at SixtySoho in Manhattan, they headed to the winery's industrial-chic space for a ceremony that included a Lion Dance and the hora. The intimate venue was perfect for bringing two families together. Read more in our Journal >

Phoenicia Diner Wedding in Catskills

2 / 9

Retro diner vibes meet modern romance
Ben + Laura •
Catskills, NY
Custom mod dress and Airstream cocktails

Despite the blustery fall weather, this Phoenicia Diner wedding was nothing but warm vibes. The bride wore a custom mod dress made by a family friend that perfectly matched the diner's retro aesthetic. Guests sipped cocktails from an Airstream bar and old-fashioned malted milkshakes while dancing the night away. Read more in our Journal >

Tropical Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding // Ashley + Brendan

3 / 9

Love in bloom at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brendan + Ashley •
Brooklyn
Sunset vows surrounded by blossoms

Brendan and Ashley started their day at the Ace Hotel in downtown Brooklyn before heading to the Botanic Garden for their ceremony. The contrast between the hotel's industrial-cool aesthetic and the Garden's lush grounds made for incredible portraits, and timing their vows at sunset was honestly the perfect call. Read more in our Journal >

An Autumn Wedding in Hudson Valley

4 / 9

Farm-fresh celebration under a full moon
Caitlin + Maggie •
Hudson Valley
Tarot-inspired details and Catskill mountain magic

Caitlin and Maggie got married at Farmette Roquette, a flower farm tucked away in the Catskills. Their pagan ceremony and tarot-inspired details set the tone for a night that felt both intentional and totally laid-back. Guests ate incredible farm-fresh food, danced until late, and yes—howled at the full moon. Read more in our Journal >

Croatia by Sea

5 / 9

Sun-drenched days on the Adriatic Sea
Isabelle •
Croatia
Island hopping through Croatian waters

My friend Isabelle gathered fifteen of us from around the world for a week sailing the Adriatic. We launched from Split's ancient cobbled streets and spent our days hopping between Croatian islands, swimming in impossibly blue water, and drinking crisp local wine. Honestly, it was as good as it sounds. Read more in our Journal >

Naomi

6 / 9

Windswept beauty in Prospect Park
Naomi •
Brooklyn, NY
When wild weather makes magic happen

Naomi braved freezing rain, wind, and snow for this Prospect Park shoot. We ducked into the pump house to warm up between takes, capturing the dramatic fall landscape in wild weather. Read more in our Journal >

Cuba

7 / 9

Salsa-filled streets and crumbling glamour
Friends traveling •
Havana, Cuba
Cuba after dark: rum by the sea

When Eleni's guide didn't show, we ditched our plans and wandered Cuba without a roadmap. Havana's vintage cars and crumbling architecture are stunning, but the real magic happens after dark on the malecón. Read more in our Journal >

Shady Acres Farm Wedding

8 / 9

Wooded vows and barn dance celebrations
Jane + Dave •
Upstate, NY
Family musicians send off the newlyweds

Jane and Dave's Shady Acres Farm wedding had everything: a ceremony in the woods, cocktails and dancing in the barn, and a surprise performance by the groom's musician parents to close out the night. Read more in our Journal >

Hannah

9 / 9

Autumn light and dappled shadows
Hannah •
Brooklyn, NY
Tour photos wrapped with ramen!

My friend Hannah needed photos for her upcoming tour, so we met up in Prospect Park to shoot in the dappled autumn light. Post-shoot ramen at Danbo was the perfect way to wrap things up. Read more in our Journal >

It’s the chaos you’ll never forget, captured in a frame that feels as alive as the moment itself.

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