A dark, grainy, black-and-white photo of a night sky filled with stars.

After shooting weddings for nearly two decades and running my own photography business for over a decade, I partnered with Vivian to focus on my true passion: capturing authentic moments at celebrations I'm genuinely excited about. Being an associate photographer lets me bring my extensive experience to select weddings while giving me more time for what matters—my family in the East Bay and our adventures, garden projects, and the life I'm building with my husband and two daughters.

I'm drawn to candid photography because it captures the actual feeling of your celebration. My husband often asks why I'm smiling at my computer when reviewing photos—it's because I'm back in that moment, remembering the joy of your day.

Your wedding shouldn't feel like a photo shoot. Posed family photos are necessary, but I'm here to capture what happens when you're not thinking about the camera, just the real moments that matter. My goal is to be so invisible during your day that you forget I'm there, which is exactly when the best photos happen.

— ERIN Prado

A woman with black, curly hair wearing a blue dress standing in front of a beige wall with greenery on the side.
recent work
Film Portfolio
Point Reyes elopement
A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet and a groom in a gray suit walking outdoors under a large tree with green leaves.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand on a rural road, smiling. The bride is wearing a white lace wedding dress and holding a bouquet of flowers, while the groom is dressed in a light gray suit and blue tie. The landscape is open with grassy fields
A bride and groom outdoors on their wedding day, with the bride wearing a white lace wedding gown and the groom in a blue suit, surrounded by green bushes with pink and white flowers.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests seated on white chairs on green grass, mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
A bride and groom embracing during their Jewish wedding ceremony outdoors, with a woman in a black and gold dress in the background.
Elegant banquet hall decorated with a tall floral centerpiece on a round table, surrounded by chairs set with glassware and napkins, warm lighting creating a cozy atmosphere.
A bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception in a warmly lit, decorated banquet hall filled with seated guests watching and enjoying the performance.
A man in a dark suit and a woman in a white dress holding a bouquet stand in front of a colorful mural on a garage door, with their shadows cast on the wall.
A newlywed couple walking hand in hand across a city street at sunset, the bride holding a bouquet of white flowers, the groom in a suit with a boutonniere, both smiling.
Close-up of a bride holding a bouquet of white and peach flowers, walking on a sidewalk.
A couple is kissing at their wedding ceremony outdoors, surrounded by guests and greenery with a wooden wall background.
An outdoor evening dinner party with people seated at a long table under string lights and trees.
A woman in a white lace wedding dress smiling and holding a small item, possibly a card or note, surrounded by tall trees in a forest during her wedding ceremony.
Close-up of a man in a suit holding a blue vow book.
A bride and groom exchange vows in a forest surrounded by tall trees.
A bride and groom standing side by side outdoors, with a backdrop of purple wisteria flowers and greenery. The bride is wearing a white lace wedding dress and holding a colorful bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and bl
A bride and groom walking hand in hand down a garden path surrounded by blooming flowers and trees, with a house or pavilion in the background and a white jacket on the bride that says "TIL DEATH".
A woman in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers smiles as she hands it to a man in a black suit, who covers his mouth and nose with his hands, both at an outdoor wedding.
A happy bride and groom standing close together in a cozy outdoor garden alley, smiling and looking down at the bride's bouquet of white flowers and greenery.
A bride and groom descending the grand staircase of a historic building, with guests and staff in the background.
A man in a suit and a woman in a white dress stand outside against a coral-colored wall. The man is holding the woman's hand, and they are looking at each other affectionately.
People walking and sitting outside California Academy of Sciences building, with banners and steps leading to entrance, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Two men in suits observing a large aquarium filled with coral and colorful fish.
A newlywed couple inside a bus. The bride is holding a bouquet of colorful flowers and is smiling at the groom, who is dressed in a suit. They are standing next to each other, with the bride wearing a white dress and the groom in a gray suit with sun
A newlywed couple sitting on a bus seat, smiling and holding a colorful bouquet, dressed in wedding attire, with the woman in a white wedding dress and the man in a suit with a floral tie.
A woman in a white dress holding a colorful bouquet of flowers, sitting next to a man in a blue suit with a floral tie.
A couple in wedding attire sitting on a bus, smiling and sharing a moment. The woman holds a bouquet of colorful flowers, and the man is in a suit with a floral tie. They are touching hands in a playful gesture.
A joyful bride and groom running across a city crosswalk, holding hands, surrounded by white smoke, with tall buildings and street signs in the background.
A close-up of a white flower with a small black and yellow insect on one petal, surrounded by blurred colorful flowers.
A woman in a white wedding dress with lace details, sitting on a furry cream-colored sofa, holding a bouquet of flowers, in a cozy room with natural light and decor including a large potted plant and black-and-white curtains.
Two young girls in flower crowns walking on a garden path with bubble toys, leading to a wedding ceremony with bridesmaids and a groom in the background, under decorative hanging flowers.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors on a grassy lawn surrounded by trees in the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park, with guests seated in rows of chairs and the bride and groom standing at the altar.
A mother of the groom sitting with her hands covering her mouth, appearing emotional during an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by other attendees sitting on wooden chairs.
A couple exchanging wedding rings during a wedding ceremony, with an officiant overseeing, inside a warmly lit venue.
Bride and groom walking down the aisle at their outdoor wedding ceremony, holding hands and smiling, surrounded by seated guests clapping and celebrating, with a decorated floral arch and lush green trees in the background.
A bride and groom holding hands walking near a fountain in Golden Gate Park during daytime. The bride is wearing a flowing white wedding gown and veil, holding a bouquet of flowers. The groom is dressed in a blue suit.
A joyful bride holding a bouquet of flowers, standing outdoors with a smiling groom in a blue suit.
A bride is approaching a groom standing on a dirt path through tall grass with a rustic barn in the background.
Bride and groom kiss in a golden field holding a bouquet, with a line of trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
A bride and groom walking through a field of tall grass towards an old wooden barn, with a cloudy sky overhead.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors in a forest, with couples exchanging vows under tall trees. Guests seated in white chairs surround the area, and the bride and groom stand at the center, with the officiant nearby.
Two women at a wedding outdoor ceremony, one holding a large colorful bouquet of flowers, smiling and laughing, surrounded by guests, with tall trees in the background and sunlight filtering through.
A pair of black shoes and a pair of white high-heeled shoes with a beige dress on the ground, surrounded by fallen leaves on a paved surface.
Traditional Korean wedding ceremony outdoors with guests watching as bride and groom bow to family elders.
Asian couple dressed in formal attire participating in a traditional Korean ceremony outdoors, surrounded by friends watching and taking photos, with various colorful food items on wooden tables.
A couple holding hands during a wedding ceremony outdoors, with family members smiling in the background and traditional Korean food on tables.
A bride holding a bouquet of white and blush pink roses, white hydrangeas, greenery, and pampas grass. She is wearing a white lace wedding dress, and the background is outdoors with blurred greenery.
A bride and groom in wedding attire are standing outside Carmel Mission, holding hands and smiling at each other, with the church's architecture and surrounding greenery in the background.
A bride and groom holding hands and smiling outside a rustic building with blooming purple flowers and greenery.
A bride and groom are celebrating outdoors at their wedding, smiling happily as confetti falls around them, with other guests and a building with string lights in the background.
A bride and groom holding hands in a grassy field at sunset, with a white picket fence and sheep in the background.
Outdoor wedding ceremony at Brasswood in Napa with the bride and groom exchanging vows in front of guests, under string lights and a decorated backdrop, with a hillside and trees in the background.
Groom and bride smiling and touching foreheads during their wedding ceremony, with the groom holding the bride's face, bride wearing a wedding gown and veil, and groom in a dark suit, against a rustic wooden background with floral decorations.
Happy bride and groom walking down the aisle after wedding ceremony outdoors, surrounded by cheering guests.
A couple in wedding attire sharing a slice of cake at their wedding celebration outdoors, with a white multi-tiered wedding cake on a stand nearby.
A woman in a white dress is being helped into her wedding gown by a man dressed in blue, in a bright, minimalistic bedroom with wooden flooring.
A woman in a white dress sitting on a bed with a red and white blanket, holding a tan high-heeled shoe. Next to her, a man in a blue suit with a light blue shirt is sitting on the bed, tying the laces of his brown dress shoes.
A woman in a white dress holding a tabby cat near a window with open shutters.
A newlywed couple holding hands outdoors on a grassy hillside with a scenic background of trees and hills during sunset.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of white flowers, standing next to a tree with veiling fabric blowing in the wind, in a lush outdoor setting with greenery and a blue sky.
Bride and groom dancing at outdoor wedding reception with guests seated at tables in the background, under umbrellas, with a castle-like building and cloudy sky behind them.
A couple dressed in formal wedding attire climbing a sandy hillside with twisted tree roots, near the beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Couple in wedding attire standing on a beach near rocks with waves crashing behind them.
Close-up of a couple walking barefoot on the sand, with the woman in a flowing dress and the man in dark pants, holding shoes in one hand.
A bride in a white lace wedding dress holding a bouquet and a groom in a blue suit standing outdoors against a concrete wall with a hillside covered in bushes behind them.
A woman in white and a man in blue sitting at a table, smiling during an outdoor meal.
A woman in a navy blue dress is speaking into a microphone while holding a piece of paper, standing outdoors under large green leaves with string lights in the background at a social gathering or event.
A woman and a man enjoying a toast at a dinner table outdoors, smiling and raising their glasses. The woman is holding a glass of white wine and the man is holding a clear bottle, possibly containing water or another beverage. They are dressed in for
A person holds up a glass of red wine at an outdoor gathering during evening, with blurred background of string lights and other people.
  • A bride and groom kissing on an observation deck between two large metal domed observatories at dusk.

    “I am lost for words. Each shot is more beautiful than the last. Erin, we are eternally grateful for your keen eye and knowledge. The backgrounds you chose, the moments you captured are impeccable. That first look we can see every emotion. Absolutely amazing. We want to shout Erin Prado from the rooftops. Thank you so much!”

    —Zoe + Adam

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  • Two women standing outdoors in front of a vibrant red bush, holding bouquets, one wearing a yellow floral dress and the other in a green dress with a floral crown, smiling at the camera.

    “Oh my goodness, these photos are absolutely STUNNING! Erin, you captured the love at our wedding beyond our wildest dreams!!!

    We have been looking at the photos nonstop and will be sharing them with guests. Thank you for working with us so that we can share and remember not only our love but all the love and care that went into our day!”

    —Ally + Geri

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  • “I really wanted a photographer with a natural look (not the overly bright/blown out look you so often get in wedding photos) and a focus on candids, and they came out just as fantastic as I expected from looking through their portfolios.

    We worked with Erin for a mini engagement session and our wedding and she was wonderful on both days - really relaxed and personable while still giving us great direction on poses and positioning. Small things, so we were still moving naturally and acting like ourselves, but really helpful (ie: having my husband put his hand in his pocket, reminding me to hold my bouquet lower). She also did lots of natural positioning, like having us look at each other, talk, laugh, walk and all of those are my favorite shots. She’s also just really nice, professional, and respectful - we did private vows and she gave us some space for privacy while still getting some lovely shots of it. I’d absolutely recommend them to anyone!”

    —Christina + Nick

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  • A bride and groom share a kiss and hold hands in a lush garden with succulents, plants, rocks, and a small pond, under a tree, during their wedding.

    “Erin is a gem–professional, familiar with our venue, completely captured the essence of the day. Even with a smaller celebration, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once and remember all that went on. Having the photos to mark the events that you remember (and ones that you missed) is crucial.

    It's obvious that Erin and Vivian are seasoned professionals in the wedding business because they knew the questions to ask and what to address. We were surprised to receive some sneak peek shots soon after our wedding and the full completed photos were also available much sooner than anticipated.

    We really can’t say enough superlatives about Erin and Vivian: Erin found all the parts of the day: the sweet, scenic, candid, posed, planned & unexpected. Vivian delivered with gorgeous production. Thank you for helping us remember our beautiful golden day.”

    —Laura + Oliver

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  • A bride and groom holding hands and walking across a crosswalk on their wedding day, smiling at each other, with the bride holding a colorful bouquet and wearing a white wedding gown, and the groom in a dark suit and tie, against a backdrop of green trees and a wooden fence.

    “We worked with Erin Prado of Vivian Chen Photography and I cannot recommend working with them enough!! They were the most organized vendor we worked with and were able to provide stellar advice for the day of the wedding. Erin was so wonderful to be with on wedding day, you can tell she is a pro and had such a calming presence. In addition to all of this goodness, the photos are absolutely beautiful!!! We are so grateful for this team!”

    —Olivia + Jared

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  • A wedding couple walking hand-in-hand outdoors during their ceremony. The bride, holding a bouquet of flowers, is smiling and laughing. The groom is wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie. Guests seated outdoors are taking photos and watching in the background.

    “We worked with Erin Prado, Vivian Chen's associate photographer, for our engagement photos and wedding day, and couldn't have asked for a better experience! Leading up to the events, Vivian was extremely responsive to any questions we had, and Erin's calm and laid back nature put us at ease during the photo sessions. Our wedding day at the Brazilian Room was incredible and Erin was able to corral all of our family members for some great group shots as well as get fantastic candids of everyone there. It felt totally natural to have her with us throughout the day. We will treasure these photos forever and can't recommend Vivian and Erin enough!”

    —Laura + Harsh

  • A bride and groom standing close together in a natural outdoor setting near a lake, surrounded by tall grass and trees, with their foreheads touching.

    “We hired Vivian and Erin for our wedding this June and we can’t recommend them more highly! They clearly communicated with us the entire process and gave us plenty of direction on how to pose for our first professional photo shoot. We are so pleased with the final product! Erin impressed all our guests and knew exactly how to capture the best intimate moments. The beautiful nature shots and candids were exactly what we were looking for!”

    —Lucy + Sam