If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve definitely seen photos that I took of a bride and groom in Mount Rainier National Park … but what you may not know is that those photos are from a styled photoshoot! Before I became a photographer, I had never heard of a styled shoot, but over this past year I’ve learned how common they are. There are lots of reasons that a photographer might attend a styled shoot – for practice, to gain content in a specific location or niche, to form connections with other photographers, to learn a new skill, or to try a new creative idea without the pressure of having to deliver those photos to a paying client.
My reason for attending that particular styled shoot was to experience what it would be like to photograph a hiking elopement. Previously, I never felt that I would be capable of that type of photography, but now I can confidently say that more hiking elopements will definitely be in my future as a photographer. There was also something unexpected I learned that day that I will try my best to put into words:
My very first experience with an adventure wedding was my own intimate wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park. Back then I had no serious aspirations of becoming a photographer – much less an elopement photographer. Fast forward a year and I have started learning about photography and following photographers on Instagram. I very quickly discovered the adventure elopement photography niche and started admiring the gorgeous photos of brides and grooms in epic locations … never dreaming that I would ever or could ever take photos like that. Fast forward one more year and there I am in Mount Rainier National Park taking photos that take my breath away, and suddenly I realize that everything I’m feeling (tired, sweaty, hungry, excited, nervous) and all of my emotions are exactly the same as those photographers I’ve looked up to for so long. They sweat, just like me. They get sunburned, just like me. They get hungry, just like me. They get excited every time they get to photograph a couple … just like me. And if they can build the photography business of their dreams, so can I.
I learned a lot that day, not the least of which is that I am capable of hiking 8+ miles (four of which were literally straight up and straight down) in 100°F weather at 6,400 ft elevation (I consider myself to be a very average casual hiker). But most importantly, I learned that my passion is photographing intimate weddings and elopements, and I’m so glad that I was able to invest in my business and attend this elopement styled shoot.
I have just one more thing to say to you if you’re engaged and are on the fence about whether or not to elope: You can do it! If you’re not a “typical” (whatever that means) outdoorsy person but want to get married in a wild and beautiful and remote location – do it! If you’re super into hiking and backpacking and paddleboarding and you want to get married in an epic and non-traditional location – do it! There’s honestly nothing more romantic than creating a unique experience for you and your partner on your wedding day, and I honestly believe that the best way to do that is by eloping (I wouldn’t be in this business if I didn’t believe that with all my heart).
I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook to get updates on future blog posts, see sneak peeks of my amazing couples, and so much more! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!
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