I graduated with honors from UC Santa Barbara in 1996 with a BA in Cultural Anthropology. After being a Backroads bike tour leader and a Kern River rafting guide, then traveling to rivers in South America and photographing Big 5 resorts (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo) in Africa, I returned to Santa Barbara and freelanced for almost every local newspaper and magazine while working as a research editor at Islands Media (Islands magazine and Spa magazine). After assisting a professional product photographer and two professional wedding photographers, I began my own wedding photography business in 2002. We moved to Orcas Island, Washington, in 2012 and I put photography aside in order to be completely present for our two children. In 2018, I started this blog and began taking on a limited number of photography jobs again. In March of 2022, I self-published Life on Orcas Island, the book. In 2023, I helped artist and writer, Frank Loudin, self-publish two books of his stories and accompanying paintings called Yarns and Christmas Yarns. I recently helped Bob Nutt (owner of Warm Valley Orchard with wife, Maria) self-publish a book written by his long-time friend and deceased neighbor, Barbara Humes (owner of Warm Valley Farm with her husband Bill for over 50 years), called Mush, You Huskies, Mush!. I am also an elementary school level math and reading tutor, an exercise companion for senior citizens, a facilitator of groups for people with disabilities, and an interviewer on the local radio station, 102.3 KIXP, learning the fascinating life stories of local islanders.
If you have a manuscript you’d like to self-publish, email me at edeekulper@gmail.com. My rate is $75/hour and it takes an average of 80-100 hours of my time to take the manuscript from an unedited Word document to a beautiful book in your hands and on Amazon. I also hire a second editor and a graphic designer for cover art and interior layout at an additional cost.
If you are looking for an exercise or conversation companion, email me at edeekulper@gmail.com, whether you are lonely, disabled, needing connection, or wanting motivation. (This is strictly friendly/platonic.) My rate is $50/hour.
If you are interested in senior portraits, family portraits, wedding photography, or event photography, I now primarily using my iPhone. I tend to have a photojournalistic rather than formal style these days (a lot like what you see here on this blog) and my rate is $250/hour.
Here are some of my favorite wedding photos from Santa Barbara and Orcas Island through the years…
Images are Copyright © Edee Kulper
We were both so thrilled with not only the photos that you took, but also with you! I always feel that things happen for a reason. I just happened to run into Kelly Carpenter, who referred me to you when I asked if she knew of any photographers (and someone that would consider working at an ‘outdoor’ midwinter wedding), and from the moment I met you I knew that you would be the perfect match to work with Kelli and Oak. Have a great weekend, and thank you for all that you did to make our wedding very special!
Adele Kraft
I think what you have going is perfect for the price. I didn’t want any crazy elaborate editing or posing or time consuming nonsense. I really just wanted someone who knew their way around a camera and took good photos to document that it happened, but I didn’t need some wild multi thousand dollar package that included things I didn’t need or want. I thought the photos were great and you were easy to work with and the price was perfect for us being young and broke and having planned the entire thing in about a day. I would definitely recommend you. Perfect balance between fly on the wall and involved. Excellent price, very nice photos.
Mk Charnley
I wanted to thank you for popping by in the middle of your Friday evening to drop off our pictures. We were just so anxious to see them. You did a phenomenal job. We love them! You really captured our day just perfectly and we loved all the casual shots and the funny family shots. Thank you for taking the time and putting so much energy into those. You even captured so much that we can’t even remember and I guess that’s the purpose of getting a great photographer. So we will absolutely pass on the good word. You did an incredible job.
Mary Greco-Tapling & Mark Tapling
We just wanted to thank you for being such a wonderful photographer for our wedding. We love our photos and have gotten so many compliments on how beautiful they are. You were such a pleasure and so genuine to be around, it really helped us to be relaxed and open on our wedding day. We are so grateful that you stayed as things ran a little late, and that just shows even more what a great person you are…Thank you so much for your excellent work and your great attitude…All the best to you and your family!
Erin & Tim Nordholm
We loved the pictures and are extremely happy with the outcome. Everyone thought you did a wonderful job and went out of their way to tell us that after the wedding. Thank you so much.
Alicia & John Roessler
Thank you again for helping make our big day run so smoothly! You captured everything perfectly, and we couldn’t have asked for more!
Lucille & Daniel Ramirez
We got the photos in the mail today…Wow – how beautiful they are! We are so happy with them, you really captured our day. Thank you for doing such a great job. Everyone loved working with you, you were so calm and easy going. Take care and thank you so much.
Amanda & Jeff
Thanks for dropping off the pictures so quickly! They look awesome. Charis and I are very pleased with your work, the quality of the pictures was great, the professional nature with which you worked was pleasant, and the way in which you fill the market niche for people who want a good photographer and don’t want to take out a loan to do so is something well worth remembering and passing on to friends and family. So thank you again!
Maarten & Charis van der Heide
That is the very first time I have felt so comfortable having my picture taken. I typically hate it…I can honestly say this is the first time I have liked seeing pictures that I am in. My father was practically in tears and my mother loved them. There were so many compliments! Thanks for helping make it something so special and memorable. I am really looking forward to the wedding and now I’m even looking forward to the pictures. … The wedding photos are fantastic!! We love them. That day was perfect and you did a fabulous job recording it for us. I am forever grateful!!
Silvia Bordin
We want to thank you for being our wedding photographer! The pictures were great! You were able to get a lot of beautiful pictures and some very special moments for us to remember. You made our day very special and we really appreciate all your work. We look forward to working with you in the future for family pictures (I hope!).
Carina & David Rich
The pictures arrived and they turned out great – wonderful job by you! We love, love, love them! Thank you, thank you…We’ve received tons of compliments. After your terrific (and fun!) engagement photos, we are so happy that you will be with us on our wedding day!
Allison & Paul
Thank you for doing such a wonderful job at our wedding. You put us so at ease.
Adria & Stephen Moffett
The pictures are beautiful and you were a delight to work with. Thank you so much! You and the photos exceeded my expectations.
Kelly Thomas
We love the pictures…You were incognito – loved that!
Jen & Andy Manalis
Thank you so much for all the fantastic pics for our engagement. We had a lot of fun and you really captured our spirit.
Tina Sicre Miller
Thanks Edee, you were exactly what we were looking for in a wedding photographer…Professional but also friendly and no-nonsense…Great value and so easy to work with.
Rebekah & Edward
We just want you to know how much we appreciate you and all of the time and talent that you put into our parents’ anniversary celebration! The photos are wonderful and you recorded that day so beautifully!
Gina & Mark
The pictures look fantastic! Lulu and I are very pleased indeed. Thanks again!
Jeff & Lulu Hicks
