Unleashed Elopements Photography

This is my “out of the office” post for this upcoming week until next Monday (June 22). If you haven’t seen before, I’ve gotten into tide pooling (specifically for sea slugs) the past couple years — thanks to my bestie Oregon Elopement Photographer 🐙🐚

We are off to California to see new species of these tiny and adorable sea creatures with a mix of visiting a new place together, hiking and backpacking.

I’m so excited to show you all what I end up experiencing and hope you are out doing something fun this weekend. It’s what life is really about 😊

FUN FACT that you probably don’t know! 🚨

Almost 40% of my couples choose to legally get married before their elopement day. Seems contradictory right? You might even question if that makes their day any “less real”

NOPE. Not even close.

Just because some couples choose to legally get married before their elopement day doesn’t make that day any less special— in fact, now you have 2 special days to celebrate!

Sometimes getting your marriage license and completing the paperwork can feel a little stressful, especially if you are required to show up to the courthouse, in person if you are eloping out of state or even out of the country (which is a much bigger headache). This is the case for some counties and/or states.

So, many couples choose to get that paperwork done beforehand and they can focus on all the other details of their day.

Your special day of celebration isn’t determined by a piece of paper, your intentions are. So if you feel at ease to get the logistics out of the way - DO IT

If you want your elopement day to be THE day you get married - that’s fantastic too and I’ll be there to show you who exactly to reach out to and how to apply.

You don’t have to do this alone 😊

Happy Pride to all my Q***r hunnies! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️💓

You make my life so wonderful and full of joy and true meaning of what love takes when the world feels against you. My business will always be a safe space for you.

This month is just a reminder to the rest of the world how hard you have to fight every single day to feel like you can announce your love without judgement. We’ve come a long way, but still have SO much work to do for equality.

However you identify, I want to celebrate you all month long and ALWAYS! 💕

🌈 🏳️‍🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

This is just a friendly reminder that you don’t have to get married a certain way ‼️

Want to wear casual clothes for part of your day? Go for it

Choose to get ready out in nature together? Yes please

Your wedding doesn’t have to involve any traditions, you don’t have to invite anyone, and it doesn’t need to look a certain way. I’m not here to make you into models or make myself viral on social media.

My goal is to make you feel comfortable, relaxed, and excited about your wedding day. I want to give you photos that look like your relationship and an experience that knocks your socks off!

So, let’s plan what you want and leave the rest behind.

Alright yall - let’s talk about elopement footwear! 🥾👡

I’ve seen too many couples in the past come unprepared with their footwear, so here are the tips to keep your dogs happy on your wedding day. There’s nothing worse than aching feet and it will ruin your experience.

1) Make sure when you are walking, hiking, or doing any outdoor activities/photos that you have sturdy shoes for traction. Conditions can be wet and slippery when we are outdoors!

2) Make sure you break in your shoes before your wedding day. Your feet need to adjust to the new shoes AND you can find different ones if you realize they aren’t the right fit. Trust me, I went through 4 pairs of trail runners before I found the right one for me.

3) If you want some other cute or fancy shoes for some of your photos, it’s a great idea to do this at your Airbnb or lodging location and then bring those hiking shoes for the rest of the day

4) If you are planning on being on the coast or playing in the water, sandals are a great idea! I love Chacos or Tevas. Some couples choose to go barefoot in the sand though!

5) Don’t forget if you are incorporating activities like climbing, biking, fishing, or tide pooling that you bring appropriate shoes

6) Lastly, EDUCATE your wedding guests with these same tips. Everyone being outside needs sturdy, comfy shoes (no, not dress shoes or high heels) to stay safe!

Choosing your footwear wisely, but also don’t forget to get something that is fun and exciting for your personality and style. After all, it is your wedding day!!

Eloping in Oregon and don’t have a clue where to elope?! Save this post for later so you can bookmark it because I’ve got the places!

I’m an Oregon elopement photographer that has been taking couples all over this beautiful state for the past 6 years AND have lived here for almost 10.

When I’m not working, I’m constantly getting outside and exploring this state by hiking, backpacking, camping, tide pooling and climbing. All of these activities help me scope out the most scenic and ✨private✨ locations Oregon has to offer.

So, now I have an official blog post to show you all the amazing places where you can elope in Oregon! We have everything from stunning coastlines, lush forests and waterfalls, mountains, and even desert.

Oregon is simply magical and I think it’s one of the best places to elope!

Not only is Oregon a beautiful place to experience, but it also has some of the best food in the United States and is incredibly dog-friendly. As someone who specializes in pet-friendly elopements, this a clear winner 🐶

So, head over to my bio link for this location guide to start dreaming of where you could elope in Oregon!

Did you know you can get married ✨before✨ your elopement?

Yup. I know what that sounds like but it’s true! About 50% of my couples choose to go this route because it allows them to get the logistics of getting married out of the way. Some would rather just have the legal stuff outbid the way first and that doesn’t matter your elopement day any less special.

Say it with me: You’re elopement day isn’t any less special if you don’t get legally married on it!

In fact, now you have two special days 😎 So, I’m curious — did you realize this was an option for your elopement?

Obsessed with these new headshots with my boy Tenny, taken by the lovely 🖤

Last weekend Van and I did a little camping, hiking, and relaxing on the Coast and had the time to exchange some photos. I know my business is a big part of my life, but honestly moments like ✨this✨ are really what life is about.

Connection with other living beings (nature, humans, and critters) is what makes life meaningful to me and those things I cross paths with is how my life is shaped.

This was one of my reasons I started my elopement photography journey. I found like minded people that cherished nature and creatures than material things. I FREAKIN LOVE the connections I get to have because of elopements.

This past year I have taken a slight step back from working my ass off all the time while managing two jobs and doing more of what I love. Yes, this business is here to stay for now — but I’m shifting priorities to make sure I continue traveling, immersing myself in the outdoors, and bringing back hobbies into my life I put on hold.

This year hasn’t been easy, but I’m staying optimistic and grateful for the path on learning to navigate.

Please enjoy me in my happy place (on the coast of course) with my sweet angel baby.

What most couples don’t realize is that 98% of my clients have NEVER had their photos taken before!

Choosing to hire a photographer for your day can feel so daunting because you’ve never done this before - I get it! It is scary!

From someone who has been on the opposite side of the camera, I’ve had my fair share of cringey poses and awkward moments. I never want this for my couples.

1) I’m actually going to get to know you, from the moment we speak to one another. I’m invested in ✨YOU✨ I love human connections!

2) I’ll read your love language wit your partner and get a feel for your comfortability with how you express your affection to one another and not force you into any experience that isn’t you

3) I’ll actually direct you in a candid way that takes your mind off the camera (like being playful, incorporating activities) but also know that you two aren’t paid models —this is your damn wedding day!

This is how we get you comfortable in front of the camera. This is how you get authentic photos to YOU and not the couple on Instagram of Pinterest. Your relationship is unique and deserves to be captured that way, you don’t need to have experience taking photos before — that MY job 💅

✨ Your wedding photos deserve more than to just live in your phone ✨

They deserve to be held, cherished, and shared with your loved ones. You should be able to relive all those wonderful memories over and over again every time you see them hanging on your wall or holding them in your hands.

Photos have always been a priority for me (imagine 2010s Tumblr teenage era with 100s of photos print and hung on my walls) — that doesn’t resonate with everyone.

I get it.

BUT when you hire a photographer who succeeds your expectations and gives you images you are truly in love with, you’re going to want the printed!

So, that’s why I am now starting to include a ‼️FREE‼️ wedding album with any package you book with me starting now. All your wedding albums will be fully customizable and design by yours truly 🫡 so that you don’t have to be overwhelmed narrowing down photos and having your love story fully told.

And yes, past clients — you can still order an album too! *You’ll be receiving an email on how to get started this week*

This is my little way of saying thank you for letting me be apart of your day, but to also ✨spark✨ that joy all over and get your PHOTOS OUT OF YOUR PHONE

Can’t wait to start this new process with you all ☺️ and shoutout to these two past clients who were the first to order and allowed me to come capture their reveal!