2022 Year in Review

Adventure + Vow’s Look Back on 2022

This year was a year of celebrations to say the least. Celebrating so many love stories + days of saying heck yes to adventure + authenticity!

Bill + I (your adventure elopement photographers!) celebrated many personal milestones and also celebrated with so many of you all on your elopement day!! This year was a huge year for us as we transitioned out of van life + bought our first home in Washington state. We didn’t leave road life though, we are now traveling around in our Tacoma + travel trailer. While our dog, Tucker, celebrated his one year birthday, Bill celebrated his first whole year full time with the team!

We hosted our fourth Love on Earth workshop in Joshua Tree!

This year we photographed elopements in Puerto Rico, Utah, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington! This year we were featured in Dancing with Her, I Do Destinations, Wandering Weddings, Junebug’s Top 50 Wedding Photos of 2022, Honorable Mention for Junebug’s Top Wedding Photos + Nominated for Range Finders Rising 30 Stars.

Each year we try to blog as many of our couples stories about their elopement day as we can. We thought it would be fun this year to share some images of each elopement we photographed + some of our favorite things about the day! We hope you enjoy these little stories and beautiful images from all of our couple’s elopement days!!

We truly can not thank the Adventure + Vow couples enough for being so open with us in the planning process and the elopement day. We believe this is a co-create space and none the words or images below would be possible with out THEM being THEM! We thank them for trusting us in hearing their vision for the day, trusting us to help plan their day, trusting us to be there with them on such an important and special day and of course trusting us to truly capture them as a couple, their story and their experience.

Feb to May Elopements

We started this year off in Puerto Rico capturing Tory + Samantha’s elopement day. We had never been to Puerto Rico. We truly didn’t know what to expect. We were so stoked to meet these two the day before at a potential location for the ceremony where we explore a rooftop overlooking the mountains and ocean – it felt like we had just met up with old friends. Little did we know, we would become friends! The elopement day itself was filled with so many emotions, so much connection between family, friends and the couple themselves. It was a perfect balance of nature + community. Later in the year Samantha + Troy moved to Sedona + started their own massage space, we highly recommend booking a couples massage if you are eloping in the area!

Our first week back in Sedona we photographed 3 elopements + 2 proposals. Two of those elopements were in the same day!! For sunrise we photographed Jacie + Brandon’s elopement at Cathedral Rock (Check out how to Elope there here!). They chose their location based on their past experience there + desire to share it with their loved ones. We loved that they road away from their ceremony on a tandem mountain bike! We love seeing couples include their favorite things to do together on their elopement day! For sunset, we photographed Maggie + Ashton’s elopement at a new location in Sedona for us! We love capturing this moment in a couple’s life there is so much joy, love and excited nerves floating around! It was a beautiful ceremony, with the occasional plane flying just above us.

Kristina + Cejay’s elopement you may have seen before, as one of their images won the Junebug Top Wedding Photos contest this year. Their elopement ceremony is one I smile back on for how emotional their two children were that their parents were tying the knot! After a rainy day in Sedona the sky showed off a stunning sunset just before setting behind the mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful day celebrating a long standing love story.

Next we photographed Ted + Channing’s elopement! I truly think of the word, calmness, when I recall their elopement day. As they got ready in an Airbnb they were sharing with their guests + where they would later have a beautiful intimate dinner the house was quiet + peaceful. Outside there was a light drizzle, the smell of desert rain.

Dani + Cameron eloped in Sedona, but stayed in this beautiful A Frame cabin, which unknown to us, we would eventually + soon be living in our own little cabin! We love this A-frame space where they got to hangout together, write their vows and enjoy just being together before setting out for adventure. They got married in the most private location followed by games + a champagne spray. Then we headed back to the cabin where they shared pizza by the fire – bound for a cozy night!

Tyler + Cassy’s elopement spanned over two days starting at one of our favorite Airbnb’s in Sedona where they got ready with their family that was there supporting them and celebrating their elopement with them. We all jeeped up to MGR for a ceremony + an amazing sunset where these two explored every nook MGR had to offer! The following day we met up with them at a different Airbnb for some unique getting ready photos followed by joining their family for a chef prepared dinner. Bill and I both sobbed through their family’s toasts + first dances. We enjoyed dinner with them + drinks afterwards. We even stayed the night in our van in their Airbnb’s drive away – a first and last for us since now the van is on new adventures, with new owners.

We loved that Cassy’s dad recorded the song for their elopement video:

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Cole + Shannon eloped in Utah (Learn more about eloping in Utah here!) with their closest family + kids. Since they loved their trip to the Southwest prior to getting married, they knew they wanted to come back for more memories and to share it with family. Shannon’s sister + Cole surprised her with a video package from us on the day of! It was so fun to see her reaction following the first look in Arches National Park. We loved that they included little bits and pieces of all the things that were important to them to capture on this day – arches, off roading, glamping, a ceremony with family, a first dance + sunset in the desert. As the sun set the canyons turned so many beautiful stunning colors on this day!

Emily + Andrew split their day, as many of our couples do, spending the morning to themselves and the evening with their friends and family in Sedona. The intimate location for the morning was a perfect place to share their emotional vows together, cinnamon rolls (something they eat together on the weekend mornings). The evening was so fun celebrating with everyone from the ceremony to a beautiful dinner under a clear tent where they dined and danced!

Carlos + Grace traveled from the East coast to Sedona for their elopement. We started the day in the dark meeting in a movie theatre parking lot…to get in a van to go on a sunrise hot air balloon, of course! It was a peaceful way to start the day floating above the sky seeing the red rocks and other balloons around us. The second half of the day we went off roading to an overlook for a ceremony started off by a unity cocktail and of coursed sealed their ceremony with a kiss. We spent the rest of the evening exploring the area and watching the incredibly colorful sunset.

MacKenzie + Aaron traveled from Seattle to Sedona to elope at sunrise in Sedona. Little did we know this would not be the last time we saw these two!! They were some of the first to know we had bought a house in WA + we got to do a styled shoot with them at Baker Lake, where we even go to meet their adorable pup, Kona. Their elopement was a beautiful morning with so much stoke to be outside on a hike in the red rocks getting married!

After a week in Joshua Tree for the Love on Earth Workshop that we host, we came back to Sedona to photograph Chae + Elon’s elopement! We bonded quickly with this Florida couple over their love for their cats! They came to Sedona with their four closest friends, one of which who performed their ceremony! They also shared touching private vows while their friends and set up a picnic for them. As the sun started to set they all joined together for champagne and cake. You can tell the bond these two have and the bond they have with their friends is strong. It was a joyous celebration!

Christine + Ellis, a local Arizona couple, eloped in Sedona with their friends and family. We loved that Christine shared a first look with her father at a beautiful location over looking Cathedral Rock which was followed walking just a littler further to share a first look with Ellis! They then headed up to their ceremony spot with family before sending them back to the Airbnb to start on dinner + celebrating. However, the two of them stayed up top the overlook to watch sunset and spend quality time together. You can tell these two love traveling together, sharing a sense of humor and passion together. Ellis was quick to come up with photo ideas for them, which we love- this is a collaboration of your love, your inspirations, our inspirations and creative story telling.

BRING IN THE PUPS! Paige + Marshall shared their elopement with their family + friends, but also their fur babies! They picked the perfect ceremony location for easy access for the family, a beautiful view, but also water to keep the fluffs busy + happy! Marshall’s dad officiated the ceremony of which they all ended with a jump of glee! Before we parted ways with the pups and family they all shared toasts together in merriment that these two were married + they were all one family now! For the evening we off roaded to an over look for a private first dance and to watch their first sunset as a married couple. While back down in the valley their family watched sunset from a different vista and prepared for a lovely dinner.

We luckily got to meet up with Shay + Justin a bit before their elopement for their engagement session at Horseshoe Bend. During their camping engagement session we learned a few things about these two – 1. We had inspired them to get outside more! (Que the emotions for me). 2. They were madly, head over heals for each other. 3. We were going to love capturing their elopement day! We met up with them that morning to capture them writing their vows together back to back by the river as the sun came up over Cathedral. We love when couples carve out a little time to just be with each other, even if they have guests at their elopements. We later met back up with them to capture them getting ready with family + their son. Shay shared a very cute, emotional first look with her dad before heading off to the ceremony. Justin’s dad officiated the ceremony for them. Afterwards, they embraced the wind for some fun celebrating their marriage just them two before heading back to the beautiful dinner they had set up at their Airbnb under twinkle lights.

Maggie + Rex had a vision – we enjoyed so much meeting with them via zoom to discuss their plans for their day + elopement video and help bring it to life. These two ventured into the depths of the desert for one of the most unique + beautiful places I think there is in Arizona to get married! They started their elopement day off with a romantic picnic together overlooking Lake Powell + reading funny + serious letters written to them by their friends and family. Then we went on an off road adventure to a different land. They helped each other get ready by the jeep they had rented and walked hand in hand to the perfect nook for their elopement. We explored the area until the sun went down, but the fun wasn’t over yet. As we made our way back to town we stopped at another mars like location and took star photos under the large boulders looming around us.

Our last elopement in Arizona before our road trip North to Washington was back in Sedona with Taylor + Lynsey. These two got married with all of their loved ones surrounding them at Crescent Moon ranch in Sedona. It was a beautiful spring day – the sun was out, the grass was green and the river was flowing near by. After the ceremony we set off for their own adventure – where Lynsey had scoped out a specific nook she wanted to go to and take photos. They popped a bottle of champagne and played a game of chess as the sunset behind the red rock mountains. They truly took in the sunset together, one of my favorite ways to end an elopement – just the couple in their space, soaking in all the beauty. After making our way back down the mountain we re-joined their friends and family for dinner, drinks and time around the fire.

Now back in Washington + settling into our home we geared up for our first elopement back in Leavenworth with D’Anne + Paul. We got the chance to meet D’Anne + Paul during their inquiry process, something we do not get to do often. We chatted over coffee and the rest is history! We got to meet up with them again later that year to capture their engagement session in Olympic National Park on the coast. Their elopement spanned over two days – the first day getting ready with their friends and family. Paul even smoked their own meat for dinner throughout the day with his groomsmen. That evening before sunset they held their ceremony + reception back at the Airbnb. The following morning we met up for a sunrise hike to capture portraits of them with the snow capped mountains. They exchanged letters with each other and split a pretzel, which of course you have to do when in Leavenworth!

June to September Elopements

We met Allison + Brittley for their engagement session the year before their elopement in Yosemite National Park. We were super stoked to get to hangout with them again! We met them out on Orcas Island the day before their elopement to say hello + see the Airbnb space. Funny enough, we ended up at the same fire event that evening in the bay and got to hangout with them and some of their guests. Their elopement was filled with adventure. We started off at sunrise kayaking around the bay as they wrote their vows and looked for sea animals. We then met up with them at their Airbnb for getting ready images and a first look which was followed by a sea plane ride from the ocean to a lake in the mountains. Here they would share their private vows. They dined with their guests, whom some of which shared toasts before hiking out to their ceremony at sunset. We have been lucky enough since this day to get to hangout with them in San Fransisco!

Meg + Alex wanted mountains, beauty, good food, easy hiking and an LGBT friendly community – Oregon immediately came to mind. After exploring Portland together they ventured out to mountains for their elopement. They stayed in the most stunning cabin where they got ready + shared a first look. We spent the day doing all of their favorite things and doing new things too! They had their ceremony at sunset filled with tears, laughter and so much love!!!! We ended the night under the milky way by the mountain!

Jamie + Brian booked us knowing exactly what they wanted; to revisit all the places along the Oregon coast they explored on the day they got engaged! They eloped on the one year anniversary of their engagement with their mother’s and sibling present. Jamie’s brother officiated the ceremony. After going to all of the beautiful locations they ended their evening by a private camp fire on the beach with their family. It was a private and beautiful day.

America + John-Mark eloped in Olympic National Park – our first one of the year there! We LOVE shooting here for its diverse landscapes. These two started out at a waterfall surrounded by lush forest. Then we started hiking up, and up and up. They held their ceremony overlooking the lake. They shared their vows straight from the heart in a solemnizing manner. It was beautiful how intentional theirs were. They pushed their boundaries together on this day + celebrated the relationship and life they are building together! We ended the evening by the lake, all to ourselves under the stars.

Payton + Blake were our next couple in Olympic for this year! They eloped on the coast at a new beach after the park closed Ruby Beach due to maintenance. They brought along their closest friends for their ceremony + mini reception hanging out by the fire with drinks and sandwiches. These two got us into a new pattern as Bill + I have been making the sandwich they had ever since then as a snack for when we are on elopements!!! We love beach elopements so much because they are just so much FUN, you get to be free and play. They explored the rocky coast running around, hanging out and looking at sea creatures in the water and on the rocks. The evening ended with a colorful, red sunset.

Kati + Tom started off their elopement day by the bay in a beautiful, spacious Airbnb they had rented with their family. Kati got ready with her mom + shared a first look with her dad before seeing Tom for the first time that day. It was so fun starting the day off by the water with Mt Rainier in the distance. We loaded up the party busy for our drive out to Hurricane ridge. They ended their elopement day on a hike with just them, watching sunset and making snow angels like they did on their first date.

Our first elopement in Mt Rainier for the year was with Jaime + Joel! We always love coming back to Mt Rainier as it is where we ourselves eloped! These two started off their elopement day hiking together at sunrise to a beautiful view point of the mountain where they shared a first look + private vows. My favorite thing about the day was Jaime saying every so often how happy she was and how thankful she was to be up on this mountain with Joel getting married! After the hike we went back to their airbnb for a ceremony with their family + breakfast. We met later that day in Seattle at a local brewery for a bigger, casual reception with their loved ones.

Claire + Rylan’s elopement spanned over two days in Olympic National Park. Day one consisted of their first look and private vows by a waterfall. Then they got married in a meadow with their family present. The next morning we met up at sunrise for them to explore the rocky coast line and then have a picnic with their family at Lake Crescent. We loved how much these two loved the National Parks and got to share such a diverse one with their family who had all traveled to Washington from Texas!

Monica + Sam rented a cute A-Frame just outside of Mt Rainier. Right before their elopement we had discovered a camp site that sits just across a creek from the cabin! We were so stoked to stay close by, just a hop and a skip away – perfect for an early am sunrise start. We met the day before at the cabin to go over the days plan and just hang out a bit. The morning starting out hiking up in the mountains under the stars. In the am they shared a first look and held their ceremony. From there, we heading to a waterfall for a picnic. After a nap, we met back up at the cabin for dinner, drinks, letters, games by a fire and some late night adventuring across a river to see the stars!

Check out their elopement video for a surprise proposal!!

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Smoke was surrounding the mountains in Washington early September, but Genesis + Eduardo had chosen just the right day + trail to avoid it! You could call it a sign! We met them at their cabin to capture some getting ready shots, share a first look and they also planted a plant at their stay in honor of starting to grow their marriage together. We traveled to Mt Rainier National Park to start hiking through the trees and up the mountain to a beautiful overlook of Mt Rainier where they got married, lucky enough, without anyone there for their ceremony other than one witness! We watched the sunset drop below the trees and the full moon rise over the mountain peaks.

Then we were off to Yosemite National Park for Michele + James elopement! Stoke was high for the big hike ahead. We started mid morning hiking up towards Taft point. With the road closed the hike would be 19 miles with about 5200 ft of gain. It was a journey – a new hike for all of us – similar to the one they did when they got engaged in Yosemite. After their private vows, we met a guy from Serbia who was living in Germany but on a self discovery trip in the States! He joined our group to hike down so that he could stay safe on the long journey. Our hike down was if we were in a snow globe of stars! Day 2 of Michele + James’s elopement was spent with family celebrating their marriage with family and friends in what was one of the most unique and beautiful ceremonies we’ve captured. Bill + I definitely shed some tears behind our camera.

October to November Elopements

And just like that, it was time to head back to the desert! Our first stop was Zion National Park for Pela + Marty’s elopement. This was such a fun day that started out grabbing coffee in the rain, I always love a rainy desert! After waiting out the rain they went kayaking in a nearby lake surrounded by red rock mountains to write their vows and spend a nice slow morning together. Then they got ready at their unique tiny house stay outside of the park where they also shared a first look. We headed to their ceremony location tucked away in a private little canyon. After their ceremony, it was time for more adventure in the park! We hiked out for sunset to an incredible vista view. Ending the night under the stars, dancing and enjoying an amazing chef prepared dinner!

Back in Sedona we got to capture Kristin + Jordan’s elopement! These two connected on their love of cars at first, so naturally off roading was a part of their elopement day! They got ready with their families, but sent them off to the ceremony location so they could privately share an emotional first look together! They tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones. Then it was their own adventure time! At the top they shared, even more, emotional vows + a fun private first dance! It was fun, it was them and it was connected!!!!

We started Michaela + Marshall’s elopement in Flagstaff surrounded by the aspens with yellow leaves, tall grass and mountain peaks. They shared a private first look with Humphrey’s in the background before Michaela’s dad walked her down the trail to marry Marshall. After they sealed the deal with a kiss, they were surprised with a couple of folks they knew – who were funny enough celebrating their own wedding anniversary! We headed for Sedona for an adventure, picnic, first dance and watching the sunset. It was a beautiful celebration of their love and relationship story!

Randilynn + Patrick’s elopement was super chill + fun! They eloped with their family around them overlooking several of Sedona’s features! Then we headed out for their own fun + hike to the other side of town for totally different rock features! I loved the contrast of her ballgown dress in the desert and the coordination of his suit color with the green in Sedona! After sunset and exploring several different areas, we met back up with their family for dinner, toasts and dancing! Let me tell you, if you ever need a group of folks to have a night of fun with on the dance floor its this family!!! It was such a great evening!!!

We got the chance earlier in the year to meet Amanda and Matt while they were visiting Sedona for a mountain bike trip, something they often do! We went back to the location on their wedding day for them to share Sedona’s beauty with their family as they got married! Of course, the universe would make sure a few mountain bikers crashed the ceremony biking around them during their vows. These two really braved the wind of Sedona cliffs before heading to a different location to watch sunset and cuddle up in the back of their truck. We met back up with family for dinner, speeches, dances and quality time at a beautiful reception space Amanda had coordinated.

Then it was back to Zion for Amy + Max’s elopement! Bill and I spent the day before their elopement exploring the areas more that they were going to spend their elopement day at. Turned out the next day at sunrise though their location was closed. This wasn’t the first road block we had to conquer this year by any means, and luckily we are always thinking ahead for moments just like this. Thankfully Amy + Max were flexible and open to the adventure so we headed towards a different trail! We arrived at the end of the trail just in time for blue hour and spent the morning exploring together this new beautiful area of the park. It worked out wonderfully, Max stating maybe even better than plan A. After a stop to get coffee, one of their all time favorite things to do together, we met up with family for their ceremony on the other side of the park. Ending their elopement with a picnic and chatting about the rest of their honeymoon road trip plans!

Want to talk about braving the weather? Kara + Tyler eloped in Payson, Arizona on an off season rainy day. It started out sunny and beautiful getting ready with the family. We left the Airbnb for a first look, prompted by a pine cone throw:) followed by them sharing their private vows. On the way to the ceremony with family, we stopped to take photos with the stunning bright red and orange leaves. Upon arriving at the ceremony the wild wind had started. They shared their ceremony just before the rain made its way out past the ridge. On the way back to the Airbnb we stopped to take more portraits all around the forest, places we probably wouldn’t have stopped other wise and it was so pretty. We met back up with family and friends at the Airbnb for dancing, toasts and a good dinner! It was a wonderful day of surprises and fun – an adventurous day for sure!

Kayla + Michael traveled to Sedona from Kansas to celebrate their marriage with friends, family and their daughters. Kayla and Michael shared a first look and private vows together at a view point before joining the rest of their group at their ceremony. They had a unique colorful unity cocktail as a part of their ceremony that they can enjoy for the rest of their marriage. The celebration was just beginning though! As these two headed out to Vegas with their friends for their honeymoon!

Check out the last video we capture for the year!!

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We got to spend two magical days with Chelsee + Tucker for their adventurous rock climbing elopement! After many zoom calls planning the climb we felt like we were already pals with these two come the morning of day one at their elopement. We set out for them to start climbing the seven pitches and 600 foot red rock wall. We danced around photographing them on each pitch in all different ways, sometimes in the air, sometimes by foot and sometimes by rope. Day one ended hiking back under the stars! Day two, started by hiking out in the stars to their first look + private vow location. It was a perfect + intentional way to start off the day before parting ways for them to get ready with their friends and family before re-meeting to walk down the trail/aisle to their ceremony where the rest of their guests had gathered. The evening was spent at Amara having dinner + drinks. We couldn’t leave without sending them a few sneak peaks for the big screen to share with everyone. When it came to say good bye all four us were literally in tears.

Fun side note: From our first elopement this year, the groom Troy, actually went out with us on one of our scouting trips to climb this route! The thing is, if you haven’t picked up on it, none of our couples (to my knowledge) know each other, but they are all a part of something. They are all in this family, this network, this state of being true to themselves, passionate about their relationship, lovers of the outdoors and connection.

We met Sydney + Bailey in the dark at the trailhead, a common thing for us. We got to the spot just as blue hour started to showcase all the beauty around us where they helped each other get ready. They shared their first dance together surrounded by red rocks and nothing else. It was so surreal and beautiful. We started to make our way back down the trail to meet up with their families for their ceremony. Both of their mother’s gave moving speeches during their ceremony and then after the ceremony a couple of family members gave moving toasts (Learn more about planning an elopement ceremony!). After the ceremony we headed out towards the river for lunch and some down time relaxing in the hammock, some thing they did often together during their time in college in Flagstaff, where they met. While we didn’t get to end their elopement day with them we are sure it was nothing less than amazing as they dined and hung out with their guests!

Ahhhh this brings us to our last elopement of 2022! Scott + Raine (and the puppos!) planned a beautiful day for their elopement in Sedona. They got ready together and headed out to the river for a picnic with the puppos. They asked us to include a couple of surprises in locations throughout the day. Surprise number one was this lookout with a view of thunder mountain that was dog friendly. On the way to the ceremony location after leaving the pups at home we went to surprise number two, where together they conquered a fear of heights and fully embraced the experience together! Then it was time for their ceremony! We LOVED that Scott had written Raine a story printed in a book with illustrations of which he read to start off the ceremony. Their day was intentional and meaningful + perfectly them!

Final thoughts on the 2022 elopement season!

We are so blessed and grateful to get to capture our couples love stories. We hope that you can feel our love for our couples through this. We truly live by the phrase that when you are here you are family. Yes, we know that is an Olive Garden statement. Funny enough though Bill + I both used to work there many many years ago 🙂 We do this “job” not just because we are passionate about connection, photography + the outdoors but because we are passionate about our values. We love so much that so many of our couples relate to us on these values and how we look at life.

Eloping is not just a wedding day, it is a start of your future together and a celebration of the time you have already spent together – your way.

We were blessed to have received our 100th (and more) 5 star review on google this year! Check it out below:

“My wife and I decided to have a small elopement for our wedding day and after extensive research of looking through all the pros in the business, we found Adventure & Vow. After initially chatting with Traci and Bill, we immediately felt connected to them and quickly learned how thorough and professional they are to work with. Traci was so communicative and provided us with multiple options and ideas that fit not only our dream wedding day, but also was able to schedule a last minute engagement photo session in Yosemite with us prior to our elopement.

Every aspect of our experience with them was phenomenal! Traci and Bill plan out every detail and are willing to go above and beyond to make your day what you want it to be. They took a ferry to Orcas Island, WA (check it out!), woke up at 4am, and got in a kayak for us to have a sunrise photo session to start our unforgettable elopement. They even had to deal with another vendor of ours who ended up being terrible. They handled it with grace and in the best interest and support of us, as their clients, when they didn’t even need to.

Our family and friends loved Traci and Bill’s energy and focus! They, to this day, continuously gave us compliments about their work and how excited they were to see the photos and video. Traci and Bill truly planned and facilitated our dream wedding, and I couldn’t have been happier with everything. I truly recommend Adventure and Vow!! Upon your first interaction with them, we know you will see and feel how wonderful they are!” – Brittley

This year we experienced a lot of change and growth in our own lives, but also in our business. This was our first full year with Canon mirrorless cameras and we are obsessed with all of their capabilities, especially in low light situations like star photos. We pushed ourselves this year in bettering our experience for our couples and also creatively – which we will continue to do in 2023.

This year was packed with adventure, love, expression, joy and overcoming obstacles.

Some of our own personal favorite adventure + images from this year!

Our last images with the van and in Arizona before we headed to our new home! Photos taken by our good friend, Shell Creek Photography.

A few images from our reception in TN, we eloped in 2021 + held our reception this year!

A few photos from exploring different parts of Washington!

Photos on the “job” with some of our couples <3

…..and of course this years Christmas Card photo 🙂

Range Finder Rising 30 Stars Nomination

My personal goal this year was to be named Range Finder’s Rising 30 stars in the wedding industry. Why? Well to put it simply, every photographer I l have looked up to in this industry has achieved this honor + well I am a bit of a competitive person lol 🙂 This honor is what seems to me the top honor in this industry and must be achieved within your first 5 years of business.

You can not apply, you must be nominated. This worldwide competition only accepts 250 photographers portfolios of their 30 best images for review. Then they name the top 30 Rising Stars – the best of the best.

This year I was nominated. For the first time. I was elated. After a grueling few weeks going through all the work I have created during my time as a full time elopement photographer pulling the best and organizing them, doing portfolio reviews and endless thinking I found out I didn’t get it. I was devastated.

Really the whole experience was a roller coaster and it was right in the middle of our busiest season, Fall. This experience has taught me so much about myself and my work. It has showed me what I love about my work and what things I hope to improve on even more in 2023. The thing about me is (which I think shows through our business – is that I never give up, I never stop learning, I never stop brainstorming or creating.)

This is something I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about as it feels taboo, like I ALMOST got this huge award. I also don’t want to jinx myself for possibly getting it in the future. However, I think it is always important to celebrate milestones no matter how big they are. (If you know us + our process for elopement planning, then you know we are all about date night! Don’t worry we had an “oh well, didnt get lets celebrate anyway date night!)

I worked super hard this year for my nomination. Next year I will be working even harder. I have to give a huge shout out to Bill for hearing me talk about this non-stop this year. For helping me through endless reviews of my images, going through every persons portfolio that has ever won, breaking the news to me I didn’t get, but most importantly always, always supporting me and being my biggest support system. Working together full time and on the road a lot is not always the easiest thing to do – but we both feel so so lucky to get to do it!

Hope you enjoy a few of the images that were in my portfolio for the review/nomination that were photographed this year! And here’s to hopes we get it next year! 🙂

2023 Goals

We always set personal goals + business goals for the next year. Here are just a few of our goals we are working towards for 2023 elopements. Do you want to be a part of ticking these off the list with us?

• Photographing an elopement in Alaska – note! We will be there in August 🙂
• Photographing an elopement in Iceland and/or Norway! (Planning to go in the Summer!)
• Photographing a backpacking elopement!! (You can have llamas carry all of your items!)
• Hitting our 150th 5 star Google review from our amazing couples <3

Have us photograph your 2023 Elopement!

We would love to capture your 2023 elopement story! If you are looking for a 2023 elopement photographer check out the remainder of our availability below: