Elopement photography thoughts
Not just BTS. I want to actually bring you inside my thought process while I’m working.
I really want to make my socials feel fun again, so this fall I’m showing you more of what’s going through my head while I’m creating.
Starting here.
I knew they’d booked me for a mini elopement, which immediately activated one of my toxic traits: I never feel like a mini is enough time to give people everything I want to give them.
We were spending the morning on the mountain, surrounded by those icy blues, so I started thinking about how I could give them something that felt completely different that evening.
What would happen when the sun got lower? How would that light wrap around them? Would the water create this soft pull toward the rocks? Would that little bit of warmth catching in their hair feel completely different from the cool mountain morning they’d just experienced?
And then there was the mountain itself.
They’d started their day up there, saying their vows. Now, hours later, could I use a reflection to put that same mountain behind them and quietly tell the story of how far their day had already taken them?
From vows on the mountain to standing together at sunset, with people passing by and congratulating them.
I didn’t want this part of the day to feel like we were rushing around trying to make more photos.
I wanted it to feel like we were pausing. Like they could stand still for a second and just be there together.
Even the timeline was built around that intention. I wanted to give them the strongest possibility of getting those beautiful colors in the sky without making the evening feel like it was being dictated by a camera.
Because that’s a lot of what’s happening in my head while I’m photographing a day.
Where is the light going? What’s going to feel different from what we’ve already created? How can this location help me tell another piece of their story? And how do I make space for them to actually experience it while I do?
So yeah. Welcome inside my brain while I work.
I think we’re going to hang out here a lot this fall.
Elopement photography goes far beyond simply clicking the shutter; it’s a deeply personal and creative experience that requires a photographer to be fully present and responsive to both the couple and their environment. From my experience, mini elopements present a unique challenge where time is limited, but the opportunity to capture meaningful moments is immense. One of the key elements I always focus on is the natural light—especially when shooting on a mountain surrounded by icy blue hues. Morning light is crisp and cool, creating a serene backdrop that sets the tone for the couple’s vows. As the day progresses toward evening, the warm, golden sunlight offers a completely different mood and palette. This transition allows me to tell a fuller story of their journey together on that special day. Using natural reflections and landscape elements is also vital. For example, positioning the couple so that the mountain they stood on earlier appears reflected behind them subtly ties together the narrative of their day—from the promise they made to the calm moments they share afterward. This approach serves both aesthetic and emotional storytelling purposes, which enhances the impact of the images. Another crucial aspect is pacing the photo session to avoid feeling rushed. Elopements are about intimacy and personal connection, so I build the timeline with ample breathing room for the couple to soak in the moment without the pressure of constant poses. This not only makes for authentic photographs but also ensures the couple truly enjoys their special day. Through my social media updates, I aim to share more of this behind-the-scenes thought process. It’s rewarding to invite others into the creative mind that balances technical photography skills with emotional intuition. For anyone planning an elopement, understanding the photographer's approach can help you feel confident that your day’s story will be told beautifully, even within a limited time frame. If you’re considering an elopement in a stunning location like the mountains of Washington, think about the different times of day and how the light can change the ambiance. The choice of location and timing can dramatically affect the storytelling potential. Remember, the best photos often come from moments where you feel most present and connected—allowing your photographer to capture that essence is what makes elopement photography truly special.