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May 29, 2024

A bride and groom walk arm in arm in a natural, outdoor setting at sunset, with the groom in a suit and the bride in a white dress holding a bouquet—capturing the essence of elopement photography.

Why Elopement Photography is More Than Pretty Portraits | Documentary Photographer

As an adventure elopement photographer, I’m more than just someone who takes photos – I’m your travel advisor, elopement planner, photographer, and extraordinator.

I’m not just a photographer—I’m your elopement day guide, travel advisor, unofficial planner, and extra pair of hands (or feet, depending on the terrain). I help you come up with the day of your dreams, from location scouting to timeline planning, and make sure you’re in the right places at the right times. And when we’re out there, you’ll be able to live in the moment, stress-free, because I’m on it.

Elopement photography isn’t about just epic Instagram shots (though, trust me, you’ll get plenty of those). It’s about capturing real moments—the laughter, the tears, the excitement, and the quiet in-betweens.

So, let’s talk about the kind of shots you’ll end up with. It’s way more than just portraits, I promise.

6 Types of Photos I Take During an Elopement 

The candid shots

Look, life isn’t staged, and neither are my photos. I’m all about those in-between moments — the side glances, the jokes only the two of you understand, the deep breaths you take as you soak in the day.

Those raw, unplanned moments? Those shots are the heart of elopement photography because they show you being you.

You’ll look back on your gallery and see the real story of your day, not just a series of perfectly posed shots.

The emotions

Elopements are a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From the first look to your vows, and every little moment in between, the day is full of moments that’ll hit you right in the feels.

My job? To capture every teary eye, every big belly-laugh, and every “holy sh*t, we really did this!” look. You won’t even realize the emotional gymnastics you went through until you see it later in your photos — then, you’ll get to relive it all over again.

Your first look

This moment? It’s a big one. Whether you decide to do a private first look or save it for the aisle, it’s full of the feels.

And the best part of eloping? It’s just the two of you. No pressure, no audience — just an intimate, raw moment to connect and take it all in. I’ll be there from a distance, capturing your reactions, but I won’t interfere or force anything.

Personal vows

Personal vows hit different, don’t they? These aren’t just words you repeat because someone else wrote them—these are your words, spoken straight from the heart.

Whether you cry like a baby or a grin so wide it hurts, these are the moments you’ll want to look back on and remember. I’ll capture your written words, the ranges of emotion, and the looks you exchange as you make your promises.

Achievements 

You may be thinking, what do you mean by achievements? It’s that feeling of triumph when you reach the the peak of a hike, or when you finally say “I do.”

It’s the thrill of being in the moment, whether you’ve just conquered a mountain trail in Joshua Tree National Park, or popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate. These are the moments that tell the real story of your day, and they deserve to be documented just as much as your vows.

Activities

Your elopement day isn’t just about the ceremony — it’s about everything you do together that makes the day yours.

Whether you’re hiking, stargazing, picnicking, or doing something wild and adventurous, I’m there to document it all.

Your photos will show off what your day was really like — because the best elopement days are the ones where you’re just out there doing the things that make you both happy.

But isn’t an elopement meant to be intimate?

Some couples worry that bringing along a photographer will take away the intimacy of their day. I get it. But here’s the thing—I’m not there to get in the way. I’m all about blending into the background and letting you do your thing. By the time your elopement day arrives, we’ll feel more like friends than anything else, and you’ll hardly even notice me capturing those moments.

Creating a safe, comfortable space where you can truly be yourselves is my specialty. I know when to step in and give a little guidance, and when to step back and let the moment breathe. I’m just there to capture the magic without interrupting it. You’ll get to have your intimate day and have it documented in a way that feels honest and real.

Are you ready to book your elopement photography?

Now that you know elopement photography is more than just pretty portraits, you can feel confident you’ll receive a gallery full of real, raw moments. Your day will be documented in a way that’s 100% true to you.

Let’s chat and start planning your epic adventure. I’d love to be there to capture it all, from start to finish.

Let’s chat.

For more about what it’s like to work with me, click HERE.

For more about planning an elopement that’s 100% you, click HERE.

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Your go-to elopement and wedding photographer, based in Joshua Tree and the Midwest. 

My mission is to create a safe space for all couples to be themselves, and to document your love story in a way that’s raw, real, and honest. I’m here to capture your most authentic moments while helping you plan a day that’s as unique and badass as you are.

Hey, I'm Jaimie