An “adventure session” is a more thrilling engagement session. Some adventure sessions range from a couple hours to even a full day, depending on the activity. The session usually includes documenting you enjoying a mutually enjoyable recreational activity together, such as kayaking, cooking, camping, or a helicopter ride to a mountain top for incredible sunset views. You can do two looks—an outfit representing your lifestyle and personality and a more dressed-up version. 

What is an adventure session?

You do not have to choose one of my suggested locations. If you already have a location in mind, let’s talk about it. I travel all around the US and internationally frequently!

Do we have to choose one of your suggested locations, or can I hire you to photograph somewhere else?

I use the word “guide” a bit interchangeably sometimes. While I guide you through the eloping process and show you around a location, I do not work as a certified outdoor guide. I value official guides very highly, and I take my job and outdoor activities much too seriously to include official guiding in my job description. While I am comfortable hiking with couples in remote locations, I require that you work with a local, certified outdoor guide for any activities requiring anything technical beyond my comfort level in guiding you. I am always happy to recommend guides and support the local community and ensure we uphold a high standard of safety for everyone involved.

Are you also a guide? Can you take us scuba diving, off-roading, etc.?

I have several locations that do not require arduous hiking or any hiking equipment. In the discovery call, I will ask detailed questions to figure out what your preferences are. I want to make sure you love your location and it fits your personality!

What if we are not as outdoorsy as some of the featured weddings on your website? 

First and foremost, I am a photographer. While I am not officially a wedding planner, I have found that many of my couples—especially those with fewer than ten guests—do not need a planner for their elopement because of how involved I am in helping. Elopements tend to be too small to hire a traditional party planner but still big enough where a helping hand goes a long way. With my many years working in the wedding industry, vendor relationships, and love for the outdoors, I am here to help with everything. However, in my experience, when weddings exceed ten guests or involve a venue, the focus shifts from the couple to the guest experience. When the focus begins to shift toward the guests’ comfort, hiring one of my recommended coordinators is best. They specialize in small weddings to help with the planning beforehand and liaise between everyone’s expectations and my ability to continue my photographic work on the day of the wedding. In either case, I do not offer to book anything on your behalf (such as lodging, vendors, etc.) or official guidance.

Are you also a wedding planner?

I am authorized to sign your marriage license as your ordained minister! That means you can say your vows to each other in my presence while I take photos, and it's perfectly legal in the state of California and a few other select states. This makes things hassle-free if you plan on having your intimate ceremony in a remote area since you won’t have to worry about paying an officiant to travel and hike to the destination. If you obtain a confidential marriage license, you do not even need a witness. You are more than welcome to bring along your own officiant if you prefer for your ceremony to be more culturally formal. If you plan on having guests at your ceremony, I recommend hiring a separate officiant to perform your ceremony for a more pleasant guest experience. I can guide you to the correct website to obtain your marriage license, but you will be responsible for obtaining your marriage license, bringing it with you on the wedding day and paying for additional certified copies.

Tell us more about being ordained and how that all works. 

Of course! Eloping doesn’t just have to be the two of you! However, including some guests may change the price of your beach package.

Can I invite some guests? 

Southern California has some of the best weather in the entire country year-round, however, bad weather does happen. Suppose a third-party operator involved, such as a pilot or captain, determines that it’s too dangerous. In that case, the wedding will be rescheduled, or a substitute location will be found to perform the same day elopement.

Since all these elopement weddings are outdoors, what do you do in case of bad weather?

In the rare event I cannot photograph your wedding, I will do my best to find a trusted replacement within the select number of elopement photographers in my circle. If a replacement is not available, or you don’t want to reschedule your elopement, you will be entitled to a full refund.

What happens if you become unavailable to photograph our wedding?

First of all, I know your good side. If you don’t know what side is your good side, I’ll help you find it. Second of all, so many couples have asked those same questions! Elopement couples tend to have personalities of not wanting too much attention and being a bit camera shy. My goal is to capture an authentic representation of your day with a creative eye for composition and moments. My process starts with pure documentation free of posing at the beginning of your day with candids of getting ready or walking to your ceremony location. This takes the pressure off and warms you up to being in front of the camera. Throughout my entire career, my clients appreciate that I capture all the in-between moments. These photos often become their most cherished memories. I only take posed photos of you after your ceremony, so you are already feeling more relaxed to celebrate having your environmental portraits taken. When it comes to capturing creative portraits, most couples want some direction without feeling cheesy. I prefer to “candidly pose” you by giving prompts so you feel comfortable and natural while we are taking those majestic environmental portraits.

How would you describe your approach to photographing couples? What if we are awkward/shy in front of the camera?

My photography is clean, colorful, and cinematic. When I edit photos, I aim to make the colors realistic and vibrant and the skin tones true to life and flattering. I like to see detail in clouds, blue tones in the ocean, and greens in the trees. Since the weddings I photograph are in such beautiful locations, I want to capture the scenery. I do not put heavy filters on photos or desaturate the colors as I feel it dates the images and takes away the timeless look. I use state-of-the-art cameras and lenses and edit photos to reflect quality.

How would you describe your photographic and editing style?

I will give you ten sneak peek images 1 week after your wedding. I present your entire edited photo gallery for your one-month anniversary!

When will we get the photos?

On average, I deliver 50 to 80 photos per hour of coverage. For example, if you have 8 hours of coverage, you can expect to receive 400 - 640 edited photos. You will have access to your very own private viewing gallery with the option to download high-resolution images. You will be granted printing rights to print your photos wherever you want.

How many photos are included, and can we print them?

I typically book elopements anywhere from 3 weeks (depending on location) to 1.5 years in advance.

How far in advance can I book my elopement with you?

I’m so stoked! Fill out the contact form first, and I will be in touch for our discovery call. I can’t wait to hear from you!

What are the next steps, and how do we book you?