May Iosotaluno is a wedding photographer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California, specialising in candid, photojournalistic photography and Super 8 film. With experience in intimate elopements and luxury weddings, May Iosotaluno serves all of Southern California and beyond.
Tell us about your business!
I photographed my first wedding in the redwoods of Northern California in 2015, and I have never looked back. After documenting over 150 celebrations – it’s the humanity in weddings – the connection, the rituals, the joy – that keep me inspired.
My creative background includes graduating from USC film school and working at Pixar. These experiences instilled a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. I work to document a wedding as candidly as possible, aiming for both an intimate, personal perspective and also an artful, elevated reality. I want photos to feel honest, elegant and true to the energy of the wedding day. Most importantly, I want to create photographs of loved ones that will be cherished for a lifetime.
What would you like couples to know about you?
My goal is to make sure my couples always feel beautiful, supported, and seen. As a photographer, I aim to cultivate a safe, positive space for couples to be themselves.
Where are you based?
I am based in Los Angeles, California.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yes! Most of my work takes me outside of Southern California.
How would you describe your style?
Candid, personal, and artistic.
What inspires you?
I am deeply inspired by the feeling of sonder — the realization that each passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. I learn something from each and every one of my couples on how to live and love.
I also find inspiration in books, my family, Mother Nature, female friendships, and deep conversations.
How would you describe your working style?
As an empath, I’m very attuned to my couples’ emotions and work hard to channel the energy they need at any given point in the wedding day. I am unobtrusive, attentive and laidback, as well as supportive and fun.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I shoot both digital and film formats. Each medium provides a different creative purpose and feel.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
Because every wedding is unique and personal, I prepare custom proposals for each couple based on their individual needs.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I love my Super 8mm short film offering. With a background in filmmaking, I know firsthand that traditional videography can make the wedding day feel like a film set. I wanted something simple and unobtrusive for my couples. Naturally soft, grainy, imperfect — Super 8mm is back to the basics in its simplicity. Time and time again, I have witnessed a playful magic with Super 8mm that can’t be replicated with modern video.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
New York City, Marrakech, South of France, and Portugal.
Who is your dream client?
They are kind sentimental souls who prefer candids over posed photographs. They live open-heartedly and wear their emotions on their sleeves. They appreciate good design and love a damn good dance party.
How do you select music for your films?
For Super 8mm, I ask couples to make a shortlist of 5-10 songs that are personally meaningful to them from a variety of music genres. From there, I will experiment and match the footage to the song that most strongly highlights the wedding day.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Your wedding day is not a photoshoot. It is a celebration where photos happen to be taken.
I’ve learned firsthand from my own wedding that your favorite memories are never the moments that were planned. Therefore, leave room for spontaneity and kismet.
And finally, trust and lean on your vendors. They want to go above and beyond for you.
