Malachi Lewis is an intimate wedding photographer and elopement photographer at Shell Creek Photography.

About Me & Why I Believe Elopements & Intimate Weddings are the Best Way to Get Married…

Whether you’re dreaming of hiking to a remote location at sunrise with just the two of you, or driving to a scenic overlook in a Jeep at sunset with some guests for an adventure wedding, your day can be as adventurous as you desire. Whether it’s an elopement or a small intimate wedding, witnessing your commitment to each other in such stunning settings is a privilege that fills me with joy. These kinds of wedding days aren’t something I just do, my life is an ongoing journey of exploration & discovery.

You might catch me hiking through mountain passes in Washington, rock climbing in Moab or Joshua Tree, planning my next trip to New Zealand, pouring over travel guides to the national parks, scouting for cheap flights to Mexico, or embarking on a month-long road trip across the western U.S. I bring this spirit of adventure to planning your wedding day, guiding you every step of the way to ensure your celebration is nothing short of spectacular.

Malachi Lewis, an adventure elopement photographer at Shell Creek Photography.

About Me & Why I Believe Elopements & Intimate Weddings are the Best Way to Get Married…

Whether you’re dreaming of hiking to a remote location at sunrise with just the two of you, or driving to a scenic overlook in a Jeep at sunset with some guests for an adventure wedding, your day can be as adventurous as you desire. Whether it’s an elopement or a small intimate wedding, witnessing your commitment to each other in such stunning settings is a privilege that fills me with joy. These kinds of wedding days aren’t something I just do, my life is an ongoing journey of exploration & discovery.

You might catch me hiking through mountain passes in Washington, rock climbing in Moab or Joshua Tree, planning my next trip to New Zealand, pouring over travel guides to the national parks, scouting for cheap flights to Mexico, or embarking on a month-long road trip across the western U.S. I bring this spirit of adventure to planning your wedding day, guiding you every step of the way to ensure your celebration is nothing short of spectacular.

Travel Dates & Locations

During these dates, I’ll be at various locations. You can book me for a date when I’m in a location you’re interested in, but always feel free to reach out to talk about other locations & dates!

  • December 2024 – January 2025 – Washington
  • February – U.S. Virgin Islands & the Caribbean
  • March – May 2025 – Moab, Southern Utah, Arizona
  • June 2025 – Colorado, Grand Tetons
  • July – September 2025 – Washington, Colorado
  • October – November 2025 – Moab, Sedona, Flagstaff

As Seen In…

Let my experience guide you to an epic wedding day!

From starting to learn film when I was about 5 years old, to photographing landscapes over the years, from all sorts of outdoor adventures to photographing over 300 weddings, I’m here to help you have a great wedding day!

Photographed Over 300 Wedding Days

All Sorts of Outdoor Adventure Experience

Seasoned Traveler– U.S. & Beyond

Helping You Have a FUN Wedding Day

Meet Malachi: A Fusion of Nature, Photography, & Adventure

My name is Malachi Lewis, & I’m an adventurous wedding & elopement photographer traveling across the western U.S. with my husband, Kaleb. I have a profound love for travel, birds, dogs, & anything adventurous that draws me outdoors—especially when I can share these experiences with others!

Having grown up surrounded by nature, I find constant inspiration in the natural world. My photography style is deeply influenced by this connection. I adore the warm, bright light of the sun & the vibrant colors of birds & flowers. This reverence for nature is why my photographic style is natural & colorful, aiming to capture the stunning beauty that surrounds us while also providing you with photos that are full of joy & color!

Nature has always been a pivotal part of my life. Currently, I share my space with my dog, Bunji, a parrot named Petri, & a variety of plants, all of which add to the richness of my everyday inspirations.

FINDING YOUR IDEAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Looking for a photographer who blends into the background yet captures every moment with clarity & beauty? I might just be the one you’re searching for! My approach is calm, documentary-style photography with a go-with-the-flow attitude that keeps the day relaxed & truly yours. Here, ALL LOVE is celebrated—whatever your sexuality, religion, or beliefs. Come as you are, & let’s create a wedding day that reflects who you truly are!

Malachi Lewis, a destination wedding and elopement photographer, with fiancé Kaleb.

Committed to Respect, Inclusion, and Sustainability

Guiding Principles for Adventurers

My work is driven by a commitment to values that respect the environment, celebrate diversity across cultures & religions, & ensure inclusivity. These principles guide all aspects of my services, ensuring that every adventure documented is responsible, respectful, & truly inclusive of everyone’s beliefs & backgrounds.

“Better Than We Could Have Imagined”

“Malachi made our elopement experience even better than we could have imagined. Like many, 2020 threw a wrench in our original wedding plans. We feel so lucky to have our ‘back up’ be an amazing Ouray sunrise hike with just the 2 of us, our pup and the support of Malachi. Not only are the pictures stunning, the entire day was filled with the adventure we craved. We were in trusting hands from the moment we described the ambiguous moment we hoped to experience. And Malachi took it from there and was able to capture in detail exactly what we did not even imagine for ourselves!”
Jolene & Adam

Some of My Skills & What I Will Help You With…

Location & Timeline Planning

Helping you find the best locations, times of year, & times of day for your adventure elopement to make your elopement experience amazing!

Not Just a Photographer, I’m an Avid Outdoorsman

Photography is the easy part for me! I grew up with a camera in my hands but also grew up with a lot of outdoor experience & skills. I’m here to help with what to wear, how to prepare, & other helpful tips.

Getting Permits for Various Locations

Permits can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re doing or what kinds of questions to ask. I can help fill out the forms & guide you.

Wilderness First Aid & Outdoor Experience

Adventure elopements are a whole lot different than a wedding! I am NOT a paramedic but have some basic training & carry various equipment & supplies in case of an emergency while we are adventuring outdoors.

Marriage Licenses & Knowing Local Laws

If you need help with marriage licenses or how to get legally married, I’m here to help you navigate the process & answer your questions.

Outdoor, Landscape, Nature, & Wildlife Photography

Adventure elopement photography is more than just photographing a couple out in nature. Landscape photography taught me different photography skills from weddings that I apply to elopements.

IN A DIFFERENT LIFE I WOULD HAVE BEEN A PARK RANGER OR ADVENTURE GUIDE…

I’m Always Down for A Little or A Lot of Adventuring!

I LOVE a good adventure & I’m not afraid of getting my feet wet or hands dirty. I’m ready for the heat or the cold. Whatever Mother Nature throws at me, I’m here for it!

Think of me as your personal park ranger or adventure guide on your day. I know not everyone has had the opportunities to get the same outdoor experience that I do, so I’m here to help you along the way however you need.

An outdoor wedding experience is often a bit different than a traditional wedding– let me guide you so you can have an incredible experience in the outdoors together!

A Few Fun Things About Me…

MEET MY BEST BUD, TRAVEL PARTNER, & “COWORKER”

About Bunji the Basenji

Bunji is both super chill but also so full of energy! With all the traveling I do, Bunji comes with me almost everywhere. He gets to come to elopements every once in awhile & is one of the most well traveled dogs you’ll ever meet!

His name “Bunji” is taken from an Australian Aboriginal word that means mate or friend.

As an adventure dog, he’s done hundreds of miles of hikes, has summited multiple 14ers, & has even done some canyoneering & rapelling!

“Malachi is a Cool, Easy to Talk to, Chill Guy”

“My fiancé & I got engaged in Rocky Mountain National Park & it has been such a big part of our story. I knew the moment we started planning I would love to have pictures that captured our joy of hiking & adventure but still wanted the nice dressed photos. Not knowing where to start, how we would get these great photos, or when the best time was to get the colors I wanted, I did some research. That’s when I found Malachi & I’m SO HAPPY I did! From the first time reaching out, he was quick at responses, clear about pricing, best times to go (for us it was sunrise, which I highly recommend), he allows as many changes as time permits, & asking us questions that would help him capture our personalities on camera. The day of, he picked us up promptly at 4am, when we got to the trailhead, he had headlamps, iced coffees, & snack bars (a thoughtful touch as we were consumed with remembering outfits), & guided us at our pace, while keeping an eye out for the sunrise & getting the photos we now LOVE! Malachi is a really cool, easy to talk to, chill guy which made the whole thing less awkward & more fun. He directed us when needed, laid in freezing snow to get the perfect shot, & provided us with pictures we will cherish forever. If you’re considering an adventure engagement shoot or adventure elopement, I could not recommend Malachi more. It was an experience we’ll never forget!”
SHelby & Zach

Having a More Sustainable Wedding

Want another reason to elope or have a smaller wedding? Larger, more traditional weddings can produce a lot of waste. Each wedding usually produces at least 400 pounds of trash! When you elope or have a more intimate wedding day, you don’t spend a bunch of money on things you’ll later throw away, you’ll invest in a truly just for you experience. And if you’re like me, you value experiences over things & want to elope because it just sounds like an amazing start to the new adventure of life that you are starting together.

Check Out my Print Shop!

Before I started photographing people, I was learning light, color, composition, & more by going out & photographing nature. Check out my print shop for a wide variety of my work with landscapes & nature!