Leaving the traditional wedding space was a very difficult decision. After all, we had built our business for six years in traditional weddings, and our business was growing and doing very well in that space. However, we’ve always been drawn to more nature, adventure and open spaces. And that didn’t fit with most traditional weddings or venues. We know every couple’s wants are different; however, for us, we found ourselves more drawn to the intimacy and freedom that elopements offer to couples. 

It can vary significantly, to be honest. Some elopements might be all one day in Sedona, taking photos at some of the most beautiful locations on earth. And while we’re doing that when the couple finds “the spot,” then they might exchange vows with only us as witnesses. It’s remarkably freeing. They can express emotions that they generally might not with hundreds of onlookers. There is no expectation of a timeline, so when it’s right, it’s right. Other times it might be multiple days, requiring a hike and camping. But the constant in all of them is the freedom and uncrushed feeling that day has. 

Oh, this is our jam…You hit it. It’s a balance. It’s about the couple, and so your focus is always on them. However, you put a lot of emphasis on the environment also. It’s a combination of pulled back photos and up-close photos. Fun and laughing and raw emotion. It’s almost like a yin and yang type thing that just fit so perfectly together. A word of caution, though: your couple can get swallowed up or hidden by a dynamic landscape. So you always have to look at ways to keep your couple as the main focal point of the image and use the scene to enhance and surround the couple. I think of the 80/20 rule in these moments. 80% will have the couple be the main focus, using the landscape as a supporting role to the couple. And 20% of the time, I’ll reverse that and keep the view as the main focus and have the couple almost hidden in the vast landscape.