JT Santini | About

Hi, I'm JT!

Long Island Wedding Photographer | Setauket, NY

I’m a Long Island wedding photographer based in Setauket, where I was born and raised. Since 2012, I’ve been photographing weddings, engagements, families, and life’s milestones throughout Nassau and Suffolk County — focusing on honest storytelling, natural moments, and a calm, unobtrusive presence. Most weddings you'll find me at some of Long Island’s favorite venues — vineyards, country clubs, waterfront estates, mansions, and farms — but I’m just as happy documenting an intimate backyard wedding. Wherever your day unfolds, my goal is simple: to capture it in a way that feels genuine, personal, and true to you.

A Little Backstory

I didn’t set out to become a wedding photographer. It started unexpectedly while helping a friend who was already a wedding professional. I picked up a camera, helped photograph a wedding, and immediately knew I had found something I loved. Photography had always been part of my life — and my education, where I earned a BFA — but weddings felt like a big responsibility at first. With the help of people who knew the industry well, I leaned in. More than a decade later, I’m still here, still grateful, and still excited to show up. What keeps me going is the meaning behind the milestone. Finding your person. Bringing families together. Celebrating the start of something new. Being trusted to document that moment never gets old.

What Matters To Me

I’m drawn to real moments — the quiet ones, the emotional ones, and everything in between. I care about the atmosphere of the day, the personal details, and the energy in the room just as much as the big moments everyone expects.

I believe the best photographs come from comfort and trust. From letting people be themselves. From knowing when to step in and when to step back. My role is to support the day, not interrupt it — and to document it as it naturally unfolds.

Long Island Is Home

Long Island isn’t just where I work — it’s home. I love the mix of city energy, quiet neighborhoods, open fields, vineyards, farms, the ocean, and the ability to do it all in one day.

Being on the water is a huge part of my life. I grew up boating, and it’s still where I reset, whether that’s an early morning coffee by the marina or watching the sunset over the ocean. The East End — especially Montauk — feels like a piece of heaven to me.

My family is here. My friends are here. And over time, those lines blur.

Outside of Photography

When I’m not working, I’m with my family. I’m married to my wife Gina, and we have three kids — Juliette, Genevieve, and Jack — plus our dog Hutch, because life’s better with a dog.

If I’m not behind a camera, you’ll probably find me on my boat, at the beach, or heading out on a road trip upstate — anywhere that offers a little space and a reboot.

Give me a shout!

If my work and approach feel like a fit, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. Whether it’s a large traditional wedding or something more intimate, my goal is always the same: to document your day with care, intention, and respect for what it means to you.