“ Art is the greatest form of hope “

Daniel, owner of Indigo West Photography, bio portrait, white striped shirt with camera

Daniel

I took up photography at the ripe age of 11 with a Polaroid I borrowed from an aunt. It quickly became my sketchbook as I worked to capture stills of the world and people around me. Those images have continued to pay emotional dividents throughout my life, helping me better understand what I have now come to see through a new scope. They are grounding, melancholic, funny and beautiful. Some of my most cherished possessions.

Life has been a host of travels and changes. I put away photography for some years only to pick it up again in my later 20s, honing my skills and finding my creative voice during a period when I lived in the SouthWest. My favorite time to shoot was the time just after sunset when the sun slides behind the horizon and paints the mountains in different shades of indigo. It was during these years that photography started to become more people centric, adding an additional human element to the images. I love exploring how places are experienced by people. How they work to shape who we are.

When not behind a camera I can be found kayaking, playing soccer, trying a new recipe, camping or in my car with windows down, volume up and getting away to it all.

Indigo West is a an organic, photojournalistic approach that honors the authentic candor of the moment. I aim to work with fun, minimal direction that taps into the natural dynamic of the couple and turns away from anything that feels forced or overly theatrical.

Simone, associate photographer, sitting in chair in orange shirt

Simone

I’ve been attracted by photography since I was a kid. I grew up surrounded by nature and wildlife in Italy, with lakes and mountains as my backdrop.

In the past seven years, I’ve been traveling around the world, shooting amazing weddings and improving my surfing skills.

When I’m not behind the camera, I like to make bean-to-bar chocolate, experiment with pizza and bread dough, and wait for the next adventure with my wife and our two daughters.

I’ve witnessed a lot of weddings, but I still manage to get emotional every single time. That’s why I’m motivated to capture the energy and characters that make each marriage celebration so unique.

Unfiltered, unstaged and naturally beautiful as they are, I like to blend with the crowd to catch candid moments that will last forever.

A happy, fluffy dog with a bandana sitting on grass, smiling at the camera.

PAYING IT FORWARD

We value giving back and donating to worthwhile causes. Every year we donate a portion of our profits to multiple groups that we believe are doing the good, hard work in the world


Here are just a few of of the organizations we support:

California Land Conservancy

Amnesty International

American Humane Association

  • A couple in wedding attire embracing outdoors, black and white photo

  • A couple dressed in wedding attire holding hands on a street, with a black brick wall background and a motel sign in the distance.

  • A bride walking outdoors at dusk, wearing a white lace wedding dress with thin straps, a veil, and her back turned to the camera.

  • A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss on a grassy golf course with mountains in the background.

  • An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place on a gravel pathway in front of a wooden cabin, with guests seated on white chairs on either side, surrounded by pine trees and mountains under cloudy skies.

  • A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss in a grassy field at sunset.

  • A wedding ceremony taking place inside a church, with the couple holding hands and facing each other at the altar decorated with two flower arrangements. Guests are seated on either side, and the bride wears a white wedding dress with a veil, while the groom wears a brown suit.

  • A wedding ceremony with a bride in a white gown and veil wiping tears, standing next to a groom in a black tuxedo, while an officiant in black attire reads from a phone, all outdoors with green foliage in the background.

  • A bride holding a bouquet stands between a man and woman, with the woman giving him a kiss on the cheek and the man making a playful face, while two individuals wearing black jackets with patches and the words 'Turbo Joven' kiss the bride on each cheek.

  • A newlywed couple celebrating with friends at night, walking through a tunnel of sparklers held by guests at an outdoor wedding reception.

  • A couple gets married indoors, facing each other and holding hands, with a group of onlookers watching. The setting features large leafy plants, a white fireplace, candles, and warm lighting.

  • A wedding ceremony with two brides sharing a kiss in front of a floral arch, with seated guests taking photos inside a wooden room with large windows.

  • A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors with guests seated on chairs, a couple and officiant standing in front of a scenic lake and mountain backdrop, trees surrounding the setting.

  • A wedding couple standing outdoors on a dirt path under a blue sky with clouds, the groom in a black suit holding a bouquet and the bride in a white dress and veil facing each other.

  • A newlywed couple walking hand in hand on a dirt road surrounded by trees, with a small dog walking beside them, and mountain in the background.

  • A newlywed couple walking hand in hand through a celebration with friends outdoors, confetti falling around them, scenic mountains in the background.

  • A bride and groom walking on a sandy path through tall grassy dunes, with the bride holding a bouquet of flowers and the groom dressed in a suit, under a cloudy sky.

  • A happy couple, dressed in wedding attire, embracing outdoors with trees and hills in the background.

You don’t have to have a super dramatic backdrop for a meaningful shoot. One of the more powerful settings is your home, the place where your routines live, where coffee is made in the morning, where laughter sometimes fills the rooms. Familiar
Alexa looked amazing in that dress and veil. It rained most of the day but it didn’t stop the celebration or soften the smiles! Everyone moved through the day with the same joy and ease/ thank you for braving the rain with me 📸 . . . #brideto
A great downtown San Diego venue with endless photography spots within a short few blocks? Look no further than @florathevenue ! Congrats again Claire + Jesse 🥂 . . . #sandiegoweddingvenue #sandiegoweddings #sandiegoweddingphotographer #wedding #s
A quick downtown San Diego engagement@shoot. I took a stroll down the street with Anna and Steven to their favorite bar. As a wedding and engagement photographer im San Diego, I love capturing couples in places that feel alive and trie to them. This
Congrats Dania and Omar on celebrating your wedding at La Jolla this past month. What a fun celebration for everyone 🥂 Than you @idoweddingsandevents for helping orchestrate it all. . . . #sandiegoweddingphotographer #sandiegowedding #lajollaca #we
Julie and Jason’s wedding unfolded in the golden glow of autumn in Julian, California. A perfect mountain day where the air feels crisp, the leaves are in shades of amber and red, and nature becomes the most beautiful décor you could ask
Did you know the place next to @florathevenue has amazing pizza, great for a late night snack your guests will love 🍕 Congrats to Amanda and David in celebration of their wedding in downtown San Diego! . . . #sandiego_ca #sandiegoweddingphotographe

Follow along @west_is_indigo