Documentary-Style Elopement Photography for couples who want presence not performance.
Based in Joshua Tree, CA,
available for travel.
YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY, EXACTLY AS IT FELT
JOSHUA TREE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Eloping isn’t usually the first plan — it’s the plan that shows up when the traditional version starts to feel heavier than it should.
For many couples, choosing to elope is less about making a statement and more about opting out of pageantry, expectations, and family obligations that quietly take over weddings. It’s a decision to simplify — not because the commitment is small, but because it’s deeply personal.
Doing less on purpose creates room for presence. It allows the day to be stripped down to what actually matters, without needing to justify it or turn it into something bigger than it needs to be.
Joshua Tree leaves room for doing less on purpose — whether that means a short, focused ceremony or a slower day that unfolds naturally, without pressure or performance.
Doing Less, Intentionally
Eloping in Joshua Tree without the performance
I approach elopements the same way I approach every wedding I photograph — slowly, attentively, and without forcing things.
I’m not there to choreograph your day or turn it into a checklist of moments. I’m there to document how it actually unfolds. Some elopement days are full. Some are simple. Some are quiet and minimal. All of them deserve to be photographed with care.
I’ll step in gently when guidance is helpful — especially around timing, logistics, or flow — and step back when things are moving naturally. My goal is for your day to feel calm and human, not managed or performative.
The elopements that stay with people the longest aren’t the ones packed with activity. They’re the ones that felt honest.
How I
approach elopement
days
"Jaimie was wonderful to work with. She was knowledgeable of her craft, and her photos are incredible."
- COURTNEY + TIM
Your elopement doesn’t need to be big, busy, or impressive to anyone else. It just needs to feel right to you.
You’re allowed to want something smaller without it feeling insignificant. You’re allowed to step away from traditions or expectations that don’t fit. And you’re allowed to make choices that prioritize how the day feels over how it looks or how it’s perceived.
Some couples want a short ceremony, a few group photos, and then they’re done. Others want more time and space. Some want to wander. Some want to rest. Some want to do very little at all. All of it is valid.
There’s no pressure to turn your elopement into an all-day production or fill every moment with activity. Doing less — intentionally — often creates more room for presence, connection, and a day that actually feels like yours.
You don't have to do the most.
Elopements can be simple and still be meaningful.
Choosing to elope doesn’t automatically make everything simple. It just changes what you’re navigating.
For a lot of couples, the decision comes with mixed emotions — especially when stepping away from expectations, traditions, or family dynamics that can quietly shape a wedding day. There can be relief in choosing something different, alongside hesitation about whether it’s the right call or if you’ll second-guess your choices later.
Uncertainty doesn’t mean you’re doing this wrong. It usually means you’re being thoughtful.
Documentary-style doesn’t mean I disappear and leave you guessing. It means I’m paying attention.
I’ll offer guidance when it’s helpful — around timing, movement, light, or flow — and step back when things feel natural. If something feels awkward, we slow down. If you need a pause, we take one. If you’re not sure what comes next, I help you move through it without forcing moments or turning the day into a performance.
My role is to hold the structure lightly, so you can stay present, while I document what’s actually happening — honestly and without pushing the day in a different direction.
you're allowed to let the day be what it is
If You're Feeling Unsure, That's Normal
What matters isn’t how much you do. It’s how the day feels while you’re doing it.
I help couples think through the flow of the day so it supports that feeling — whether you’re planning a couple of focused hours or something more open-ended. The structure is there to keep things calm, not to turn your elopement into a checklist or a photoshoot.
There isn’t one version of a Joshua Tree elopement — and there doesn’t need to be.
Some days are short and straightforward: a simple ceremony, a few photos with family, and then you’re done. Other days move more slowly, with space to wander, sit, talk, and let things unfold without a strict plan. Most fall somewhere in between.
An elopement doesn’t have to be a production to be meaningful. It might include a ceremony at a permitted location in Joshua Tree National Park, a short walk nearby (rather than a full hike), a handful of group photos, and then time that’s just yours — unstructured, quiet, and unhurried. It might also be much simpler than that.
What a Joshua Tree Elopement Can Look Like
Elopements in Joshua Tree National Park require a permit, even for small, simple ceremonies. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s something to account for early on; current requirements and application details live on the National Park Service website HERE.
Beyond the permit, Joshua Tree has a few practical realities — limited cell service, longer-than-expected drive times between locations (don't forget to download your maps ahead of time), and the need to plan for comfort in a desert environment — that are easy to navigate with a little foresight.
If you want a deeper breakdown of what’s allowed where, along with planning considerations specific to the park, I’ve laid that out in separate resources so this page doesn’t turn into an instruction manual.
👉 How to Elope in Joshua Tree
👉 California Elopement Laws
👉 Where to Elope in Joshua Tree
👉 Elopement Planning Resources
Those guides are there if you want them — not because you need to know everything before reaching out.
see the collections
I offer a small number of coverage options designed to support presence, pacing, and the way you actually want to spend your wedding day — not a timeline built around photos.
I won’t push you to book more time than you need. Some couples want a fuller arc of the day. Some want a few meaningful hours. Both are valid. The goal is to choose coverage that gives your day room to breathe.
Time, without the pressure
to fill it.
Coverage that matches how you want to spend your day.
The amount of elopement coverage that makes sense depends on how you want to spend your time.
A short ceremony with a few photos looks very different from a slower, more open-ended day — and both are valid. Elopement coverage should support the pace you want, not force your day into a predetermined structure.
Below, you’ll find elopement coverage options designed to document the experience you’re actually having — whether that’s a couple of intentional hours or something that unfolds more gradually.
For couples who want space for their day to unfold naturally — without rushing or overfilling the timeline. Coverage is continuous, with flexibility for split coverage when it genuinely supports the flow of your day.
Starting at $5000
Full day elopement
Ideal for couples who want breathing room without committing to a full day — time for the ceremony, meaningful moments, and a relaxed pace. Coverage is designed to support flow and presence, not efficiency or over-structuring.
Starting at $3,400
half-day elopement
Designed for couples keeping things simple and grounded in one place — a focused ceremony and time to be present without moving all over the desert. Coverage is limited to one location and up to 2.5 hours, keeping the experience intentional and unhurried.
Starting at $1,800
Every elopement collection includes planning guidance and timeline support, an online gallery with full-resolution digital images, and personal-use download rights for the complete gallery.
Coverage is continuous, with split coverage available when it truly supports the rhythm of your day — not to overpack it.
Additional hours are available at $750/hour, and Digital Super 8 coverage can be added to any elopement for $350 or 35mm film photography coverage can be added for $250.
What's Included:
Experience
- JESS AND CHRISTINA
Jaimie should be at the top of your list! Not only is she extremely talented but she is also very warm and personable. She's creative, responsive, and dependable. Jaimie knows exactly how to get people to feel comfortable in front of a camera. Rather than cueing forced-looking poses, she truly captures the true essence of her clients and how they interact with each other."
"Jaimie knows exactly how to get people comfortable in front of the camera.
- meggie and luke
I love my wedding photos! Every reaction is genuine and real and makes me smile to just remember the moment. She perfectly captured my relationship with my husband. In regards to the actual posed photos, because everyone gets at least a few, she really knew how to get everyone's attention and efficiently get the families together, lined up, and smiling. It was very no nonsense which is exactly what you need when everyone's excited and distracted and in the way. I hate taking photos but this was just so easy and relaxed!"
"I absolutely love Jaimie's style; her photos artfully capture the light and shadow.
their
- Meg and Alex
"Jaimie made us feel confident and comfortable in her presence, capturing candid photos of genuine interactions.”
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I'd love to hear what that looks like for you.
If you're planning an elopement that prioritizes presence over production,
contact
You can trust that your elopement day will be documented empathetically and energetically for an authentic perspective. Because wedding days are not photoshoots.
