Goodnickels Photography

San Diego, United States

5

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 858-208-8768
Website:
www.goodnickelsphoto.com
Address:
Serving San Diego and surrounding area
Mission Valley
Categories:
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Accepts Credit Cards
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Description

Specialties

We are a husband-​and-​wife team specializing in creative, fun wedding photography and family portraiture. We are based in Encinitas and work all over San Diego and southern California.

Wedding coverage for 2014 ranges $ 2300-​$ 4500 for both of us; coverage with Melanie + our associate is also available, ranging $ 2100-​$ 4000. For smaller weddings, we offer coverage with just Melanie, ranging $ 1600-​$ 2500. Clients always receive a DVD of high-​resolution final images, no matter which package you purchase, as well as an online proofing gallery; and full packages include an engagement session and print credit.

Portraits begin at $ 375 for single families of up to 4 people.

History

Established in 2008.

Simply put, we love photography. (And you should if it’s your job, right?) We always have, but we fell into business quite by accident. After getting married in 2007 and realizing that wedding photography is an incredible opportunity to take photos of people at their happiest, we found ourselves photographing a few weddings for friends and family members as favors to them. After favorable responses from our clients and their guests, we decided to do things properly and form our business.

We’re often asked about the name of our business. Unfortunately, our married name and Mel’s maiden name are both pretty unpronounceable. So we decided to make up a new name, as a joke, as is all the rage these days. If you are going to make up a last name, though, it should be an old money surname, Great Gatsby-​style, right? Thus, the name Goodnickels was born. And when we began our business, there was no doubt what the name would be.

Meet the Business Owner

Melanie and Phill T.

Business Owner

Hi there. We’re Mel and Phill, the owners of and photographers for Goodnickels Photography. We love that people welcome us into their lives, and we are so grateful to be able to do what we do as a job. We love our clients, and we always look at each other and say, «Man, we get to meet the coolest people!»

We like to have fun on the job, bring personality to our images, and take natural images of people, whether it be at a wedding or in their backyards with their kids. You won’t find us posing you into position or asking you to be something you’re not. We like you just the way you are.

info@​goodnickelsphoto.​com

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«Incredibly creative and gorgeous designs!»

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«Melanie Montoya is the kindest, most detail-​oriented coordinator we’ve ever met!»

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«Francine is a genuine, creative, and enthusiastic wedding coordinator. We are very excited to be partnering with her for 2010!»

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20 reviews of Goodnickels Photography

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Place rating: 5
Redondo Beach, CA
I love that they have so many packages. We had a small wedding so we wanted a small package. Goodnickels was very affordable and personal! Melanie reponded to e-​mails very quickly and was very friendly and helpful! We would definitely recommend!
Place rating: 5
Stafford, VA
Melanie is wonderful. My fiancé and I are currently scrambling to find a wedding photographer for our tiny wedding cereomony and Melanie responded very quickly to my inquiry. When I discovered that their packages entailed more than we’re looking for, Melanie went the extra mile and suggested another photographer who might be a better fit for what we need. To me, that is the ultimate in professionalism! Highly recommend.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
This raving review for Goodnickels Photography is way over due! Melanie is such an amazing photographer!
She did our engagement photos last fall and wedding this past June. I could not be more happy with our photos. They are so great!
We selected Goodnickels initially based on their website and quality of photos. Melanie was great at communicating by responding quickly to inquiries by e-​mail. We were able to meet Mel and Phil at Pizza Port (our favorite place) to have a consultation. I know that when you can get comfortable and have a beer with your future photographer, it’s a good sign. We felt at ease with them and knew they would be a good fit for our wedding photos. It’s definitely good to have a connection with your photographers when they are doing a big event such as your wedding!
They were really great to meet and had great ideas and advice for how our big day should go down. It made us feel at ease, especially when making all these big decisions. Their different photography packages are really affordable (especially for the quality of work they put out). We opted for their package that included an engagement session that fit within our budget.
We were able to pick a place for our engagement photos and Mel was able to shoot wonderful photos! We had our photos taken at Pizza Port in Solana Beach and around the area – so much fun! It definitely helps to have a beer when taking engagement photos – makes them more fun and less awkward. :)
For the day of the wedding, Melanie was good to ask all the questions (like what shots we wanted, what portraits etc.) From there, she rocked it! She is a professional and was able to get our whole smaller wedding done on her own in less than 5 hours of shooting time. I was so impressed with our results – beautiful photos to last a lifetime!
I definitely recommend the Goodnickels business for your photography needs. They are fun-​loving people who are really passionate about their work. It shows in their photos, you won’t be disappointed!
Place rating: 5
Milwaukee, WI
I would give them 6 stars if I could. Our wedding was 9/​28, and I probably could have told you before it even started everything was going to turn out amazing. Lets start at the beginning:
Selection process:
Their website is well set up, it explains who they are (AND they are exactly as they describe themselves, good people). We used an Event coordinator, Francine Ribeau, who recommended them, so they have other people who have experienced their awesomeness. Their pricing was clear, and they were completely professional and once again, awesome
Engagement Photos:
We were from out of town so there was only one weekend we could do the engagement photos and they were extremely accommodating. And I mean like above and beyond accommodating, even suggesting locations. The actual shoot itself was great, Mel helped cue us so we didn’t pose awkwardly, but also so that we didn’t look like we were trying to pose too hard. We had fun, and the images look like they belong in a magazine.
Wedding day:
We got every single image we would have wanted, without having to worry about a thing, like overally detailed shot lists, etc. While this is partially because of the synergy Mel & Phil had with Francine Ribeau, with timing, etc (an added bonus that they work well with others, if you ask me!) but also because they clearly have the experience and professionalism you’d want from your wedding photographers. The candids were flattering shots, the portraits have great lighting, and balance, their style is great. no sure if you caught on, but they’re great. Phil even helped the groom & groomsmen with their pocket squares as they got ready!
All in all– I’d say that Goodnickels is the best example of what you’d want of a wedding photographer. Extra nice people, talented photographers, amazing customer service, and attention to detail.
Place rating: 5
Irvine, CA
Melanie is awesome! We got married on Jan 1st, 2013 and we are so glad that she was our photographer from start to end. Within 3 weeks we got our pictures back and we love the pictures. I would not hesitate using her again for any future family photos. Thank you Melanie for the pictures and helping us in capturing the special moment!
Place rating: 5
Escondido, CA
We selected Phill & Mel «Goodnickle» for our baby’s newborn photos. They were fantastic. As a sleep-​deprived mom, I was so grateful that they came to our house and made the whole experience feel so natural and comfortable. They got beautiful candid pictures of our baby girl (and our dogs too)! I will treasure the photos forever. Excellent job!!!
Place rating: 5
Orange, CA
Goodnickels is indeed as good as it gets! We got married October 13th and had Melanie join us for the festivities. I would have given her 5 stars at the end of the night without even seeing the photos because she was so awesome to have. She fit right into our wedding and was very easy to be around and made it so comforting. She made us feel like taking pictures wasn’t a chore, but something we really enjoyed doing. Even my husband enjoyed it and wasn’t put off by having to pose and smile and stand still for an hour. so at this point Melanie gets 5 stars, then I get my photo images back (even faster than she had told us so we were super excited) and they are AMAZING enough that now she gets 10 stars! Everybody can’t stop talking about them. I wasn’t going to do a professional album or anything, but I loved them so much that now I know I have to have her do my album too.
I can’t wait until we start a family so I can call her back up to do family portraits/​day of fun with us.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
We have been so pleased with the Goodnickels, that we continue to use them as our family photographer. Mel recently took our family holiday card photos. Our daughter was 7 months at the time and she took some of the most beautiful photos of her, ever! And she got me the images in a couple of days after shooting! I highly recommend the Goodnickels!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I highly recommend Goodnickels Photography! We looked at several photographers before choosing them because they were affordable and just knew they would do a really great job from our first meeting.
Sometimes you’ll meet a photographer (or any wedding vendor for that matter) and you get the sense that maybe they’re not listening to you and already «know» how it «should» go down. Mel and Phill are just the opposite — they’re wedding photo experts, but they understand that the big day should be all about YOU!
They’re also totally flexible — even if you have a not-​so-​traditional shot list or have a crazy «trash the dress» idea, they’ll squeeze in the perfect shot or setting to get you family wall-​worthy pics.
Our friends were so impressed by the Goodnickels work that 2 of them went on to hire them for their upcoming weddings! That’s about the best testimonial you can get!
My advice: the photos speak for themselves. Check out their blog:
Place rating: 5
Encinitas, CA
Standing ovation, three cheers, hands down the best photographer! I went to interview photographers and after meeting Melanie my choice was made. She captured our 2 day wedding affair perfectly. I loved all the photos, captured each guest and family personalities and of course our event. Not only does she capture the event artistically, she is a wonderful person. You will not be disappointed!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! I can’t say enough about Goodnickels Photography. Melanie has taken pictures of our daughter (and our little family) twice and FAR exceeded my expectations both times. She was so patient and really spent the time to capture us in so many different ways. My daughter can also be shy with new people, and Melanie and Phil were so genuine and comfortable with her. My daughter even gave Melanie a hug at the end of the afternoon! This team is really amazing at what they do. We will definitely use them for years to come!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Words cannot express the awesomeness that the Goodnickels exude.
When your family assume the entire time that the photographer is one of your closest friends… you know you’ve got the right person shooting your wedding!
I’ve liked few of my own friends as much as I like these two phenomenally rad people. To me, nothing beats adoring the people you choose to photograph your wedding.
I’ve never been happier to support a business. The Goodnickels treated our event like they were shooting it for their own family and I can’t oooze and gush enough over how darn much we loved em!
Thank goodness for down to earth, loving photographers. I don’t think there are any two like em out there.
Place rating: 5
West Hollywood, CA
We loved loved loved working with Melanie and Phill, and are thrilled with the photos they took of our wedding. They were fantastic to work with before and after the wedding, and on the day of they managed to both be inconspicuous and somehow still be right there to get every great shot. I think at one point I saw one of them on a chair taking an aerial shot of the dance floor, and saw the other lying on the ground to get a close up of the dancing feet. Their candids are amazing, but we loved their portraits too. Book them, they’re fantastic at what they do and fun to have around.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Melanie and Phil are an amazing team of photographers. They did a great job capturing every moment of our wedding and getting some amazing shots. we never felt posed or that they were intrusive and they made everything look so easy. We shared the photo galleries with friends and family and they are so impressed with how many pictures and how great their work is. They are all super excited to order prints! Melanie and Phil were a dream to work with and I would recommend them to anyone planning a wedding in the SD area, Goodnickels rocks!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Phil & Melanie capture every moment of your day seamlessly. They are a great team who work together and have fun at the same time. My wedding was in July and they helped to make it a memorable one, I could not be happier with this husband & wife team. Great, easy people to work with, who take amazing photographs!
Place rating: 5
Cupertino, CA
Goodnickels Photography Rocks! They photographed our Engagement and Wedding pictures and they came out amazing. We can’t wait to have them photograph our babies in the future. we love you phil and melanie.
Place rating: 5
Chula Vista, CA
My husband and I had settled on a very tiny (us and our witnesses) wedding in La Jolla on the beach. Our officiant provided us with a list of photographers she has used in the past, but we just weren’t really excited about any of their work.
On a whim, I got on Unilocal and typed in «San Diego Photographer». Up popped Mr. and Mrs. Goodnickels’ review. I went to their site and was immediately very impressed. I love their style of photography… just what we were hoping for.
Since we had such a small ceremony, we only got to work with Melanie (the Mrs. of the Goodnickel duo). She was absolutely fantastic. Great email communication (very prompt responses). She met with us and really got a feel for what we were looking for at the ceremony. On our big day, I showed up to the beach a few minutes early… Melanie was already there, camera in hand and ready to capture everything. She was the consummate professional, yet down to earth and very nice.
We got our photos earlier than promised (a nice bonus) and were blown away! I am so glad that we had Melanie there on our special day.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I’m not just writing this review because Goodnickels Photography are my friends, but I’m also writing it because they are simply AMAZING photographers. As a husband and wife team, I have nothing but utter respect for them. They took the most beautiful and amazing pictures of my wedding but they also made all my friends and family not only comfortable and happy, but extremely impressed. They blended in so well with my group that they were hardly noticeable, snapping some of the best candids I have ever seen. They are knowledgeable, professional, confident, and good looking to boot. If you don’t hire them, then you must not know anything about photography. Spectacular photography. They made my wedding the best because their pictures captured everything! Even the moments I forgot and missed. Thank you sooo much Goodnickels!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Absolutely wonderful!! We couldn’t have wanted anything more!!!
We have two SUPER“energetic“children who are 6 and 8 years old.
We’ve had such terrible experiences in the past with getting them to sit and take pictures that the last time we did it they were 4 and 6 years old. Melanie and Phil were terrific. They totally jumped right in and captured all of our personalities. They had great ideas and the kids actually enjoyed themselves. We can’t wait to work with them again. Thanks you guys! We love you!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Goodnickles Photography is a power house team! My now wife is a photographer and I am just plain picky. So it would only make sense that on our list of things to book before the wedding, getting a wonderful photographer was the MOST important. I asked friends and family, searched through over 50 websites all around the western US until I stumbled upon one site that I just knew was the one. After looking over their website together, we knew in five minutes we wanted them to be there for our special day. Upon meeting with them, we became good friends. Mel and Phil are two of the most amazing photographers and genuine people. Professional and caring, these two were always wonderful about communicating when I had a question or needed to get a hold of them for anything and always made time to meet up in person. They were also kind enough, even through their busy schedules, to quickly print out copies of our engagement prints before the wedding, as we wanted to hang a few up to surprise our family and friends. One of my cousins actually stole an 8×10 to take to his office and place on his desk.
They both added so much fun to our day and helped make it truly the best day of our lives, as well as Mel keeping cool as I was super stressed getting ready:) No one could even tell they were there, they quickly became family and our friends just sucked them right in as their own.
These two have such a talent that is well beyond their years. They have a knack at capturing a moment; once we looked over our pictures, they completely transported us back into time. I used to love posing for pictures, but now I’ve seen the magic a candid picture makes. We are forever grateful for their services! We love you both so much, you totally have dibs on baby pictures! Kerry will get right on that…