Venturing Vows

Making this reminded me of why I capture all elopements on digital AND film.
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Each elopement is photographed on one roll of film which is a fraction of the photos I take digitally. Despite that, there’s always something captured in those 36 frames that my 3k digital photos didn’t capture.
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Film demands time and intention. I can’t run it through heavy duty editing to change it. The limit on frames requires me to slow down and find a beautiful moment.
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The photos are never perfect. There’s dust and grain and sometimes the focus is a bit off. But that’s what makes the photos feel real. It’s just you and your partner living the day where you commit to each other.
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Oregon elopement photographer
Oregon Coast
Film photographer
Elopements and weddings on film

✋ Beware when you’re looking for elopement locations. ✋⁠
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You’re scrolling on Pinterest and come to a photo that takes your breath away. That’s it. Your elopement location. That light, that view, the sense of adventure. You run off to your elopement photographer.⁠
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Then the true story unfolds.⁠
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It’s busy, crowded. There’s a thorough permit process. There’s limited time for photos around the crowds. Sometimes there isn’t even parking. And on, and on...⁠
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Because you have to remember, there’s hundreds, thousands even, of other couples scrolling through that same search. They see the same location and have that same moment.⁠
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One of my best pieces of advice I can give as an elopement photographer, is to avoid getting attached to that place you find on Pinterest. I get it a lot. Everyone wants to elope at a handful of very popular coast spots. I get the same images from Pinterest I sent to me over and over saying, “This is where I want to go.” But trust me, it’s not.⁠
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There’s around 15 other locations I have in mind for you that would’ve taken your breath away the exact same way. They just aren’t going viral on Pinterest and Instagram. They’ll give you all the privacy you could want, the right level of physical activity, and the awe-inspiring moment you’re dreaming of.⁠
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I’m not here to convince you to go to a viral location so I can show it off in my portfolio. I’m here to craft a genuine experience for YOU. I’ll take all the information you give me about your dream elopement and customize my recommendations to that.⁠
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Featuring an elopement that was 100% off the beaten path, not going viral on social media locations.
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Oregon Coast
Oregon elopement photographer
Pacific Northwest

What’s the hardest part about getting your gallery back?
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Plot twist, I’m the subject of these photos! As someone who sends people massive galleries of photos, I don’t often get the other side of the experience. I remember the first time I got a gallery back of myself after getting my business going. It was not easy. We’re used to photos being in a controlled environment, from one angle, smiling at the camera. Suddenly you have all these photos of you from every angle, some you may have never seen yourself from.
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Getting your gallery back should be a highlight of the experience and suddenly, you’re overwhelmed with insecurities. They seem to stare at you even if you love most of the photos. You want to see the cute moment but instead, you’re looking at something you’ve always struggled with.
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So what do we do? First, I think we need to be more open about it. I’ve never heard someone talk about the overwhelm of seeing such a giant gallery of yourself during so many candid moments. I think even knowing it’s coming can help you so much with that first gallery experience. For my clients, they get a full page about it in their elopement guide and a section in their final gallery email letting them know about the hide photo feature.
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If you’re especially concerned about your body image in your photos, look at your gallery first focusing on your partner. Find a favorite photo of them in the mix. This will help you avoid fixating on little things you see in yourself.
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Keep in mind, I’ve hand combed through these images to pick the best. When I photographed you, I saw two happy people having an amazing day. When your partner looked at you that day, they saw their favorite person.
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Big thank you to Oregon Elopement Photographer for snapping these for us!
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Oregon Coast
Oregon elopement photographer

Let’s bust some elopement myths today. 🙅‍♀️
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Elopements have evolved a lot in recent years. This has left them with a lot of misconceptions. Let’s bust some common ones 👇
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❌️ You can’t have guests or tell people for it to be a real elopement.

✅️ Elopements frequently have guests but it’s a more intentional list. It’s usually 25 or less and only the most important people in your life. Some couples do opt for just the two of them just as some opt to tell no one while others tell close loved ones. This is all up to you and what you prefer!
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❌️ Elopements aren’t real weddings.

✅️ All weddings are REAL weddings. Elopements are just as meaningful as traditional weddings. Often more meaningful depending on the couple.
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❌️ Eloping is your budget option.

✅️ While eloping is often lower cost, that’s not a reason to skip things you want for your day. Beautiful florals, officiant, small venue, private chef, etc. You’ll definitely save money on catering and a large venue but don’t use it as an opportunity to cut expenses in every way possible.
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❌️ Elopements are 1-2 hours.

✅️ 1-2 hours has never been long enough in my experience. Couples book me for 5-12 hours. We pack the day with amazing events that fit the couple. You deserve to have the full experience.
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Photo: Oregon Elopement Photographer
Coordinator: Alyssa Wink
Reception: Restaurant Beck
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Oregon Coast micro wedding
Pacific Northwest elopement photographer

There’s an option somewhere between traditional weddings and elopements. ⬇️
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If one option doesn’t feel just right, change it to fit what you want. This beautiful day held a lot of similar traditions to a lot of weddings except it was only their closest friends and families. They still got to dance the night away, hang out with loved ones, AND go on a wedding outfit adventure.
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Here’s some of the most popular wedding variations I see:

1️⃣ Traditional style micro wedding. The main difference is the number of guests. You still get a lot of the wedding aspects without the pressure and price of 100+ guests. Keep in mind, days like these, I often recommend a venue like these two used. The more guests, the more limits you have in your use of public land for your ceremony.

2️⃣ Elopement with guests. These kinds of days use a lot of adventure elopement elements. They usually spend 50% or less of the day with their loved ones. They still get multiple hikes, quiet alone time, and a couple hours of family events. The family events are usually more low key like a beach picnic.

3️⃣ Event split up. You can do a full elopement with no guests and then do a reception at another date. Some people plan a low key reception that’s more like a family hang out. Some people basically throw a second wedding.

4️⃣ No guest elopement. This is the one you see the most on my page. If you want this solo experience but want your family to feel included, consider having them write you letters or hire a videographer to capture the day.
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The main point here is that you can pick whatever variation of wedding that fits you. It’s not just elopements or traditional weddings. Create a day as unique as your relationship!
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Oregon Coast
Oregon elopement photographer
Pacific Northwest elopement

An Oregon Coast elopement on 35mm film. 🎞️

Swipe to see one of my favorite photos I’ve taken ➡️
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We all love a good beach photo with birds flying about but actually capturing that (and not disturbing them to get it) is a totally different story. I only have a handful of epic bird portraits in my portfolio.
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On this day, the stand out to me was just how many birds I know were in the background and how few of them really showed up in the image. There were HUNDREDS of birds soaring in circles and to me, it looks way less than that in the image.
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Regardless, I’m so glad I was able to capture this incredible feature of Haystack Rock. While I’m usually there knee deep in a tide pool, there’s something about experiencing the birds here. When the eagles land and they swirl like a cyclone. Or the masses who have gathered just to catch a small glimpse of the puffins.
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As always, I love my Oregon Coast home and I love when I get to capture all her amazing facets. 🪶
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Oregon Coast
Oregon photographer
Cannon Beach, OR