HOME | Bridget McDonald Photography

top of page

WEDDING, ELOPEMENT & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER

west coast based, tends to wander

Yosemite Elopement

Couple Maternity Shoot

Bridget McDonald Photography

My how..

TAKING THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOU LEADS TO THOSE, "WOW, THESE PHOTOS ARE SO US" MOMENTS.

My why..

I WILL NEVER GROW TIRED OF WITNESSING A DAY THAT BURSTS AT THE SEAMS WITH A LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS WHILE BEING ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH IT FOR YOU TO LOOK BACK ON.

Mother and Child Portrait

KAYLA AND CHARLES

"The sweetest, most creative photographer! Bridget makes any occasion so special and always has a smile on her face! We absolutely adore both our engagement and wedding photos! She’s the best."

What they're Saying

It’s the weekend 🥳

It’s the weekend 🥳

Let’s talk golden hour and blue hour. In a perfect world we are taking you out for portraits on your wedding day about 15 minutes before the sun falls behind the the landscape. Why? Because it’s hard for me to pick between golden hour that is honey toned and sun-kissed and blue hour that is cool, calm and moody. So why not have your cake and eat it too? ☺️ to note, it’s also having your cake and eating it too if you prefer one over the other! When we build your timeline we keep all of this in mind to make sure you have the wedding photos you dreamed up and built a whole Pinterest board on ✨😉

Let’s talk golden hour and blue hour. In a perfect world we are taking you out for portraits on your wedding day about 15 minutes before the sun falls behind the the landscape. Why? Because it’s hard for me to pick between golden hour that is honey toned and sun-kissed and blue hour that is cool, calm and moody. So why not have your cake and eat it too? ☺️ to note, it’s also having your cake and eating it too if you prefer one over the other! When we build your timeline we keep all of this in mind to make sure you have the wedding photos you dreamed up and built a whole Pinterest board on ✨😉

Hey Alexa, fast forward 3 years 🩷⏩

Hey Alexa, fast forward 3 years 🩷⏩

Keeping things sweet on your Sunday. B + C engaged 🩷

Keeping things sweet on your Sunday. B + C engaged 🩷

Hi! (as most of you know) I’m Bridget! And this is my sweet girl, Elowen. But most of the time, Ellie. I know I write a bit on tips for your wedding day so I thought I’d shift gears to some insight on sessions with your little(s) - because I now fully know how your “what if” feelings might be keeping you from taking the leap on family photos.

Even before having a baby, I’ve always leaned towards lifestyle sessions so kids can be…kids. And what I’ve noticed in years of doing that to now experiencing it as a mom - is that (almost always) works. So here are my top tips to make sure you are feeling good about family photos because although I might be biased, pictures are SO important and YOU should be in them!

🌱1. Do what is easy for you! - This tree is 10 yards from my house. And when I look back at these in 25 years, I’ll tell her how we walked outside every day this tree was in bloom to smell the flowers & collect rocks.
🌱2. Keep the pressure low. - I know it can be hard to feel like your kiddo is, or will, misbehave during your session but I can I tell you I prefer they run around like Tasmanian devils and I’ll probably have you join them.
🌱3. Snacks! (I’ll bring ‘em) This one feels self explanatory 😂
🌱4. The shoot is meant to be fun, not a chore! I always tell my families to talk about the shoot in the days leading up. How fun it’s going to be, how excited they are, and all the adventuring we will do. Think of it as going to the playground or to the aquarium, or to get ice cream.
🌱5. Change into your outfits once you get there. Nothing like successfully getting your toddler dressed to realize when you arrive, there has been an incident 💩😊
🌱minis are great for babies + toddlers. They are always an option for me. We took these in 20 minutes.

Overall, just keep the pressure off of yourself. It’s the photographers job to adapt to your family and environment, not the other way around. Keep it lighthearted and I’m 99.9999% sure we will get amazing photos and you might actually leave saying “that was fun” 🩷

Thank you to my talented hubs for taking these sweet pics and to the random man walking his dog asking if we would like one all together 🥹

Hi! (as most of you know) I’m Bridget! And this is my sweet girl, Elowen. But most of the time, Ellie. I know I write a bit on tips for your wedding day so I thought I’d shift gears to some insight on sessions with your little(s) - because I now fully know how your “what if” feelings might be keeping you from taking the leap on family photos.

Even before having a baby, I’ve always leaned towards lifestyle sessions so kids can be…kids. And what I’ve noticed in years of doing that to now experiencing it as a mom - is that (almost always) works. So here are my top tips to make sure you are feeling good about family photos because although I might be biased, pictures are SO important and YOU should be in them!

🌱1. Do what is easy for you! - This tree is 10 yards from my house. And when I look back at these in 25 years, I’ll tell her how we walked outside every day this tree was in bloom to smell the flowers & collect rocks.
🌱2. Keep the pressure low. - I know it can be hard to feel like your kiddo is, or will, misbehave during your session but I can I tell you I prefer they run around like Tasmanian devils and I’ll probably have you join them.
🌱3. Snacks! (I’ll bring ‘em) This one feels self explanatory 😂
🌱4. The shoot is meant to be fun, not a chore! I always tell my families to talk about the shoot in the days leading up. How fun it’s going to be, how excited they are, and all the adventuring we will do. Think of it as going to the playground or to the aquarium, or to get ice cream.
🌱5. Change into your outfits once you get there. Nothing like successfully getting your toddler dressed to realize when you arrive, there has been an incident 💩😊
🌱minis are great for babies + toddlers. They are always an option for me. We took these in 20 minutes.

Overall, just keep the pressure off of yourself. It’s the photographers job to adapt to your family and environment, not the other way around. Keep it lighthearted and I’m 99.9999% sure we will get amazing photos and you might actually leave saying “that was fun” 🩷

Thank you to my talented hubs for taking these sweet pics and to the random man walking his dog asking if we would like one all together 🥹

When you aren’t sure if this is instagram 2025 or a vintage Vogue bridal issue.

When you aren’t sure if this is instagram 2025 or a vintage Vogue bridal issue.

Let’s talk about first looks. One of my most common conversations with couples as we start to build a timeline is something along the lines of “we are back and forth about a first look” and this is what I always say!:

First looks aren’t just about saving time. They are great for that, because you’ll shoot a lot of your formal photos before the ceremony which in turn frees up your cocktail hour for yourselves and your party. BUT putting myself in my couples’ shoes, I wouldn’t want my wedding day to be based on logistics. Your first look is an intimate way to see each other for the first time on your day, just the two of you. You can talk and hug and ease each others nerves if there are any. It’s still all the big emotions, in my experience they are just felt differently because it’s just the two of you (and me🙃)!

Alternatively, waiting to see each other at the ceremony is equally as beautiful! A lot of us have always pictured our wedding day that way. Walking down the aisle and quietly feeling that anticipation with your partner as you head towards them or they head towards you. It’s also sharing that moment with everyone you love most that you’ve invited to your day and feeling their support and love sends you past cloud 9!

Ultimately, there isn’t a wrong choice. It’s what sits most cozy in your heart 🥰

Let’s talk about first looks. One of my most common conversations with couples as we start to build a timeline is something along the lines of “we are back and forth about a first look” and this is what I always say!:

First looks aren’t just about saving time. They are great for that, because you’ll shoot a lot of your formal photos before the ceremony which in turn frees up your cocktail hour for yourselves and your party. BUT putting myself in my couples’ shoes, I wouldn’t want my wedding day to be based on logistics. Your first look is an intimate way to see each other for the first time on your day, just the two of you. You can talk and hug and ease each others nerves if there are any. It’s still all the big emotions, in my experience they are just felt differently because it’s just the two of you (and me🙃)!

Alternatively, waiting to see each other at the ceremony is equally as beautiful! A lot of us have always pictured our wedding day that way. Walking down the aisle and quietly feeling that anticipation with your partner as you head towards them or they head towards you. It’s also sharing that moment with everyone you love most that you’ve invited to your day and feeling their support and love sends you past cloud 9!

Ultimately, there isn’t a wrong choice. It’s what sits most cozy in your heart 🥰

When Heavenly really shows up for her name 😍✨

When Heavenly really shows up for her name 😍✨

Excited to be headed down to the bay in October, has me thinking about this ethereal shoot 😍🌿🍃

Excited to be headed down to the bay in October, has me thinking about this ethereal shoot 😍🌿🍃

In honor of love day + this epic storm Reno-Tahoe has been hit with, I think I need to gift a winter session this month - read how to enter in the comments 🩷 Happy Valentine’s Day! .
-Giveaway closed-

In honor of love day + this epic storm Reno-Tahoe has been hit with, I think I need to gift a winter session this month - read how to enter in the comments 🩷 Happy Valentine’s Day! .
-Giveaway closed-

Always a moment for the sheep at Mission Ranch making us feel like we’re in Ireland.

Just wanted to give a little PSA that my pricing is changing Feb 1st! Anything booked before then receives my original pricing, both for local and travel 🧡 I don’t think I’ve updated my pricing since moving to Reno so we are due for an upgrade!

Always a moment for the sheep at Mission Ranch making us feel like we’re in Ireland.

Just wanted to give a little PSA that my pricing is changing Feb 1st! Anything booked before then receives my original pricing, both for local and travel 🧡 I don’t think I’ve updated my pricing since moving to Reno so we are due for an upgrade!

Hey Reno, did you know I offer a mini sessions all year round? 20 minutes and 20 digital files, anywhere in the Reno area ☺️ they’re so great for families and this time of year when it’s a little colder. photos from last year’s hosted Mother’s Day minis at @thehytchswg 🩷

Hey Reno, did you know I offer a mini sessions all year round? 20 minutes and 20 digital files, anywhere in the Reno area ☺️ they’re so great for families and this time of year when it’s a little colder. photos from last year’s hosted Mother’s Day minis at @thehytchswg 🩷

Sweet memories 💛🎂

Sweet memories 💛🎂

Nevada 😍😍😍😍

Nevada 😍😍😍😍

For your wedding first dance are you going/did you go high vibes-let’s get the party started or slow and steady-let’s get in our feels?

For your wedding first dance are you going/did you go high vibes-let’s get the party started or slow and steady-let’s get in our feels?

A quiet morning with A, not a curl out of place 😍

A quiet morning with A, not a curl out of place 😍

Hoping everyone had an amazing end to 2024 and welcomed 2025 with open arms. 2024 was the year of “adjustment” for me. Letting my career coast a bit to adjust into motherhood how I felt was needed. It was a rewarding, difficult, patient, and fulfilling year. I love being a mom so much, and I love being a photographer too. I’m excited for 2025 and to get back in to career things a bit. Now that we are all getting sleep and showering on a regular basis 😂🥰🩷

Hoping everyone had an amazing end to 2024 and welcomed 2025 with open arms. 2024 was the year of “adjustment” for me. Letting my career coast a bit to adjust into motherhood how I felt was needed. It was a rewarding, difficult, patient, and fulfilling year. I love being a mom so much, and I love being a photographer too. I’m excited for 2025 and to get back in to career things a bit. Now that we are all getting sleep and showering on a regular basis 😂🥰🩷

Take the time during reception to go out and take a few photos together. I might be biased on the lighting this time of day but it’s also a really good reset for you and your partner. Wedding days go QUICK. And so much time is spent trying to fit in enjoying every ounce you’ve poured into the day that you keep temporarily losing your other half. Even 10 minutes to step away, reconnect, and have a few quiet minutes together to be like “hey we really did the damn thing” always feels like the right refresh. ❤️

Take the time during reception to go out and take a few photos together. I might be biased on the lighting this time of day but it’s also a really good reset for you and your partner. Wedding days go QUICK. And so much time is spent trying to fit in enjoying every ounce you’ve poured into the day that you keep temporarily losing your other half. Even 10 minutes to step away, reconnect, and have a few quiet minutes together to be like “hey we really did the damn thing” always feels like the right refresh. ❤️

More snowy shoots for 2025?

More snowy shoots for 2025?

Lana is in every pic except two and tbh I debated if they were even worth adding in the thread. Overall, I decided yes because they are still cute photos, it just would have been cuter with Lana. Obviously Lana is their dog. Thanks for your understanding.

Lana is in every pic except two and tbh I debated if they were even worth adding in the thread. Overall, I decided yes because they are still cute photos, it just would have been cuter with Lana. Obviously Lana is their dog. Thanks for your understanding.

Rainy days in Reno means snowy ones in the mountains and I can’t wait 😍

Rainy days in Reno means snowy ones in the mountains and I can’t wait 😍

Sweet spots with C + M 🏔️❤️

Sweet spots with C + M 🏔️❤️

Champagne and a little piano 🎹🖤

Champagne and a little piano 🎹🖤

A cape fit for a queen 👑

A cape fit for a queen 👑

Sunlight meadow pics from my dreams 😍😍😍

Sunlight meadow pics from my dreams 😍😍😍

This ceremony 🥹😍🌿

This ceremony 🥹😍🌿

More, more, Mr + Mrs. Moore 🖤

More, more, Mr + Mrs. Moore 🖤

Engagement pics where you met 😍🥹💞 >

Engagement pics where you met 😍🥹💞 >

Beach baby 🧡💛🩷🩵💙

Beach baby 🧡💛🩷🩵💙

I knew we’d get along when I first talked with M and we spent 30 minutes on the phone talking about our dogs before remembering to talk about wedding photography.

I knew we’d get along when I first talked with M and we spent 30 minutes on the phone talking about our dogs before remembering to talk about wedding photography.

Maternity but make it Reno 🤩 🎰

Maternity but make it Reno 🤩 🎰

It was a 10/10 silly goose weekend celebrating A + M in Carmel. From start to end, this day was perfection. Every time I’m down here it�’s a pinch me I must be dreaming moment. 14 years later, I’m still so stoked on days like these 🥹💕

@sarahwardevents
@eventsatmissionranch
@missionranchcarmel
@carmelfloraldesign
@estrellafilmsmonterey
@bridgetmcdonaldphotography
@sweetrebas
@chiceventrentals
@hairandmakeupby.kat
@mercyandtheheartbeats

It was a 10/10 silly goose weekend celebrating A + M in Carmel. From start to end, this day was perfection. Every time I’m down here it’s a pinch me I must be dreaming moment. 14 years later, I’m still so stoked on days like these 🥹💕

@sarahwardevents
@eventsatmissionranch
@missionranchcarmel
@carmelfloraldesign
@estrellafilmsmonterey
@bridgetmcdonaldphotography
@sweetrebas
@chiceventrentals
@hairandmakeupby.kat
@mercyandtheheartbeats

A sweet woodland elopement spent intertwined between the pines, drenched in sunlight…and dogs 🥰

A sweet woodland elopement spent intertwined between the pines, drenched in sunlight…and dogs 🥰

I think the golden sweet moments have an equally wonderful, chaotic counterpart, which includes Cheeto dusted fingers.

I think the golden sweet moments have an equally wonderful, chaotic counterpart, which includes Cheeto dusted fingers.

Headed to the coast this week to celebrate amazing people in Carmel. Has reminiscin’ on my first time there 🥹🥰

Headed to the coast this week to celebrate amazing people in Carmel. Has reminiscin’ on my first time there 🥹🥰

Summer days on the Truckee river with very amazing people, doing a really amazing thang 💕

Summer days on the Truckee river with very amazing people, doing a really amazing thang 💕

My June days are finally making an appearance on here 🤭 a perfect day at @tannenbaumevents with M + C.

My June days are finally making an appearance on here 🤭 a perfect day at @tannenbaumevents with M + C.

From Mountain views and floating trams to the best first look I’ve ever witnessed and dreamy details in between. Amazing day at @plumpjackinn with A + M 💕

From Mountain views and floating trams to the best first look I’ve ever witnessed and dreamy details in between. Amazing day at @plumpjackinn with A + M 💕

One of my favorite parts of Z + D’s wedding day was how excited Zoe was to read her vows second because she wrote “ditto” and knew they both would crack up. And they did. Be with someone who makes you laugh, it’s the cure to most things ☺️

My second favorite part was never in my life have I seen a couple stay on the dance floor as long or as hyped as they did. It was awesome.

One of my favorite parts of Z + D’s wedding day was how excited Zoe was to read her vows second because she wrote “ditto” and knew they both would crack up. And they did. Be with someone who makes you laugh, it’s the cure to most things ☺️

My second favorite part was never in my life have I seen a couple stay on the dance floor as long or as hyped as they did. It was awesome.

I’ve been on the west coast long enough to witness milestones from amazing people. I met K+R when I first moved here. They showed me Donner Lake for the very first time and that shoot made me fall in love with the west coast. How special it is to be here, looking over Donner lake 5 years later, welcoming their next chapter.

I’ve been on the west coast long enough to witness milestones from amazing people. I met K+R when I first moved here. They showed me Donner Lake for the very first time and that shoot made me fall in love with the west coast. How special it is to be here, looking over Donner lake 5 years later, welcoming their next chapter.

When Amanda asked if I shot film on our initial call, I said that I don’t usually but years ago I was gifted a bag of old film cameras and this would be the best reason to get one cleaned up and put to use. A few favorite slides from an amazing day in May ☺️

When Amanda asked if I shot film on our initial call, I said that I don’t usually but years ago I was gifted a bag of old film cameras and this would be the best reason to get one cleaned up and put to use. A few favorite slides from an amazing day in May ☺️

A sweet session to celebrate all that they are all at once. A mom, a dad, an only baby almost a big sister, a pregnancy, new little life almost here. A family growing 🌱

A sweet session to celebrate all that they are all at once. A mom, a dad, an only baby almost a big sister, a pregnancy, new little life almost here. A family growing 🌱

Sweet moments at @thehytchswg 💕🌿

Sweet moments at @thehytchswg 💕🌿

A few favorites from the New York minis 🥰 a perfect summer day with tons of babies and fur babies

A few favorites from the New York minis 🥰 a perfect summer day with tons of babies and fur babies

Whew, what a whirlwind couple of weeks. I can’t believe it’s already the second week into June. Just a quick pop in of a fav shot from last weekend in New York. Also, let’s make one photo posts a thing again? Asking for a very busy friend 🙃

Whew, what a whirlwind couple of weeks. I can’t believe it’s already the second week into June. Just a quick pop in of a fav shot from last weekend in New York. Also, let’s make one photo posts a thing again? Asking for a very busy friend 🙃

Can’t wait to be in New York next week 🥰 I can already smell the fresh cut grass, bonfires, and rain hitting the pavement.

Can’t wait to be in New York next week 🥰 I can already smell the fresh cut grass, bonfires, and rain hitting the pavement.

“I just don’t understand the instagram algorithm” - me, who just wants to share cute photos whenever it feels right 🥲

“I just don’t understand the instagram algorithm” - me, who just wants to share cute photos whenever it feels right 🥲

Some favorites from the weekend celebrating A + C 🤍

Photo: @bridgetmcdonaldphotography
Venue: @sunnysideresortevents
Planning: @jalieweddings_events
Beauty: @ladida_beauty @marissamartistry
Floral: @dreamweaver.florals
Music: @musicintahoe
Boat: @grandtahoecharterslaketahoe

Some favorites from the weekend celebrating A + C 🤍

Photo: @bridgetmcdonaldphotography
Venue: @sunnysideresortevents
Planning: @jalieweddings_events
Beauty: @ladida_beauty @marissamartistry
Floral: @dreamweaver.florals
Music: @musicintahoe
Boat: @grandtahoecharterslaketahoe

Every photo with these two is heart happy vibes 💕

Every photo with these two is heart happy vibes 💕

It was A’s parking lot outfit change from one show stopper to another for me 🌸✨🤩

It was A’s parking lot outfit change from one show stopper to another for me 🌸✨🤩

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Join Me on Instagram

bottom of page