California Elopement Photographer
Connecting your love story with nature
I'll help you plan & photograph your adventurous elopement in California!
Meet your California elopement photographer!
Have an intentional "just us" adventure elopement day that feels like YOU.
Avoid being in the spotlight in front of a big crowd.
Bypass the years and stress planning a day for everyone else.
Trade the $$$ reception tab for exploring a new place.
Walk away with all the feels - the big and the small, the authentic moments and the landscapes.
You’re ready to kick tradition aside!
You want to...
I’m not your typical wedding photographer, and I’m guessing you aren’t a typical couple either!
California elopement locations I service:
Big Sur & Carmel
Redwood National Park
Yosemite National park
Sequoia National Park
Joshua Tree National park
Catalina Island
Malibu
Dreaming of ocean views, and golden sunsets in Malibu? My bag is packed.
Stoked to see the majestic granite walls of Yosemite National Park? My hiking boots are laced up.
Want to cruise down Highway 1 to view the scenic coastline of Big Sur? My map is ready.
When you choose to elope, the possibilities are endless.
No matter how or where you choose to say “I do,” start your greatest adventure on your terms.
Adventure Begins
A few of my favorite California elopement photos
So, why choose me?
I’m an adventurer, traveler, outdoor enthusiast, elopement + intimate small wedding photographer, and advocate for living life out to its limitless possibilities. It's my mission to make sure that every couple who craves something deeper than the societal pull of a traditional wedding gets their wish. I want you to feel empowered and inspired to create an elopement wedding day as dynamic and spirited as you are! The relationships I’ve developed over the years with my elopement couples have been incredible. It’s such an honor to be a part of all these incredible elopement adventures!
Let me be your Elopement guide.
When you picture your dream elopement day, do you envision endless ocean and mountain views? The warm breeze amid a golden sunset? Your toes in the sand? Then it's great you're here! Because if you want to celebrate your elopement vows in nature with the wind in your hair and the world at your fingertips, I know just the place.
Hi, I’m Jenn!
I’ll be not only your elopement photographer, planning expert, experience creator and ordained officiant but also your biggest cheerleader rooting for you along the way throughout the entire elopement process. So if you’re ready to have the best day yet in the most beautiful spot you can imagine, let me help you bring that vision to life!
After being a photographer for 350+ weddings over the last decade, I’m confident that HOW you get married MATTERS. You deserve a day planned with more intention and less 'stuff.'
I believe that your elopement wedding day can be your best adventure yet and that eloping is the best way to get married, whether it’s just the two of you or with a few of your closest loved ones by your side.
- Michelle J.
“After speaking with several Joshua Tree elopement photographers, we are SO glad that we chose Jennifer Whalen Photography! She is a true adventure wedding photographer at heart and was able to help us plan the most perfect and stress-free elopement! She knew the ins and outs of the location, permits, timing, weather and truly brought everything together seamlessly, which allowed us to be in the moment and enjoy our special day. In addition to the planning aspect, we LOVE how all of our photos and video came out. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL SHE WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE EVERY DETAIL AND MOMENT WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO JUST TAKE IT ALL IN. She went above and beyond to capture every moment and is truly such a talented wedding photographer! In addition to her talent, she is super personable, which is important because your photographer is part of your wedding day, and Jennifer made the experience so much fun and truly such a memorable experience for us. Thank you, Jennifer!”
“Far exceeded our expectations!”
- Stefanie B.
“We are from Germany, and we were looking for someone who could capture images of our elopement in Santa Monica. I contacted Jenn, and she was sooo great from the beginning. She answered all our questions via email (and I had a lot of questions), and that made us feel really good. When we arrived in Venice, we met her, and it felt like meeting a friend. She's fun and professional at the same time. We talked about our ideas, and she was unbelievably motivated and creative. Then we definitely knew that she was the right choice. ON OUR ELOPEMENT DAY, SHE WAS MORE THAN ON TIME AND WELL PREPARED. Our family and friends were amazed at the photos when we got back home. Working with Jenn was the best thing that could have happened to us. It was fun, uncomplicated and she had so much energy and went on a rollercoaster ride with us :) Awesome pictures and an AWESOME PERSON! Thanks for everything!”
“What can I say?! PERFECT!!”
- Amber E.
“From the moment my wife and I reached out to Jennifer wanting to schedule a mini wedding in Malibu, it was as if she could read our minds. When I told her the date, she mentioned Yosemite instead, our DREAM, but we never thought we could afford it. Everything was planned out, but Yosemite was shut down two days before the elopement due to wildfires. I JUST KNEW THE WHOLE THING WOULD BE CANCELED, BUT JENNIFER JUMPED ON IT AND GAVE US THREE OTHER OPTIONS. We went with Zion, and we were NOT disappointed. Jennifer and her videographer, Dan, went above and beyond to make our day super special. I had a place in mind for the ceremony, but Jennifer had already scoped out multiple locations. Trust her eye because she knows what she’s talking about! Jennifer and Dan are so fun to work with, and I recommend you hire them for all your wedding or elopement needs.”
“She went out of her way to make sure our day was super special.”
- Rebecca S.
Jenn is an amazing photographer and a super sweet person, and SHE MADE OUR ELOPEMENT BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED. On our first call with her, she was so patient with all of our many, many questions. After we selected Jenn to be our photographer, she made absolutely everything else fall into place. She had a contact for us to work with to get our marriage license and recommended lodging options and hair/makeup options. She was extremely knowledgeable about different shooting locations and helped us find the perfect spot in the woods for our ceremony. She took the time to iron out every little detail with us before the big day. Her photography is amazing, and she really does whatever it takes to get the perfect shot."
“Jennifer was *everything* for our elopement – our photographer, our officiant, and our planner!”
Am I the photographer for you? Let me help you find your way.
