About Kristin

I believe your wedding is about so much more than beautiful photographs.

It's the beginning of a marriage. It's the joining of two families. It's a day filled with fleeting moments that, years from now, will become some of your most treasured memories. Long after the flowers have faded and the music has ended, your photographs will tell the story of where it all began—not only for you, but one day for your children and grandchildren as well.

That responsibility is something I never take lightly.

For nearly 20 years, I've had the incredible privilege of photographing weddings throughout Southern California and beyond. My approach combines timeless portraiture with genuine storytelling, creating images that feel just as meaningful decades from now as they do the day you receive them.

But beautiful photographs are only part of what I do.

With hundreds of weddings behind me, I've learned that one of the greatest gifts I can offer my couples is peace of mind. Long before your wedding day arrives, I'm helping you build a realistic photography timeline, organize family portraits, anticipate potential challenges, and answer the questions you didn't even know to ask. My goal is for you to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time celebrating with the people you love.

I hold a degree in Photojournalism, and that background continues to shape the way I photograph every wedding. While I love creating beautiful portraits and carefully documenting the details you've spent months planning, I also know that the photographs you'll treasure most often aren't the ones you expect.

Ten years from now, a photograph of your grandparents laughing together will likely mean far more than another picture of your wedding cake (no offense to bakers). The image of your dad wiping away a tear, your flower girl twirling in her dress, or your mom squeezing your hand before you walk down the aisle will only grow more valuable with time.

Those are the moments I'm always watching for.

The flowers will wilt, the dress will eventually be packed away, and the decorations will come down. But the people you love—and the memories you make with them—are irreplaceable. My goal is to beautifully preserve both the carefully planned details and the relationships that truly tell the story of your wedding day.

My Christian faith is at the heart of everything I do. My family and I have been members of Sovereign Grace Church of Orange for nearly 15 years, and my faith has deeply shaped the way I view marriage, family, and serving others. I believe marriage is a beautiful covenant—a reflection of Christ's love for His Church—and it is a true privilege to document the beginning of that lifelong journey. Whether your wedding is held in a church, a chapel, a backyard, or beneath the open sky, I approach every celebration with gratitude, respect, and genuine care.

Outside of photography, my greatest joy is my family. I've been married to my husband, Dustin, for nearly 16 years, and together we're raising our two wonderful children. We love calling Old Towne Orange home, where you'll often find us walking around the Plaza, serving at our church, watching our kids play outside, walking the Orange Farmers’ Market, or discovering a new local restaurant—we're definite foodies.

Originally from Kansas City (Go Chiefs!), I moved to Southern California to attend California Baptist University, where I met my husband, a San Clemente native. We were married in 2010, and we've built a life centered around faith, family, and community. I love traveling, smoothies, and just about anything related to The Lord of the Rings. One of the highlights of my photography career was traveling to New Zealand to photograph an elopement in 2017—a dream assignment for both a photographer and a Tolkien fan.

As an Old Towne Orange resident, I'm deeply committed to serving the City of Orange and the people who make it such a remarkable community. For years, I've had the privilege of photographing local weddings, families, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community events while supporting organizations that make Orange such a special place to live. Investing in this community isn't just part of my business—it's part of who I am.

I'm honored to have been named Best Photographer in the Orange Chamber of Commerce's Best of Orange Awards in both 2025 and 2026. While I'm grateful for the recognition, what means the most to me is the trust my couples place in me to preserve one of the most important days of their lives.

When you choose Smetona Photo, you're not simply hiring someone to take beautiful pictures. You're choosing someone who will guide you through the planning process, celebrate alongside you on your wedding day, notice the moments you may miss, and create photographs that will become part of your family's legacy for generations to come.

It would be my honor to tell your story.

With love,
Kristin

There is even more to the name “Smetona Photo”. It’s a family legacy!