Helpful Articles & Elopement Planning Tips
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The Best Places to Elope in Utah
I live right along the Colorado/Utah border & absolutely love everything about Utah! The small towns, diversity of landscapes, expansive red rock deserts, & mild weather are just some of the great things about Utah. If you’re looking for the best Utah elopement locations &…
How to Plan a Surprise Proposal
A surprise proposal can be SO MUCH FUN! But they can also take a bit of effort in the planning that has to come together & in keeping it a surprise from your partner. Keep in mind that hiring a proposal photographer can take a…
Why Have Your Elopement in Bend, Oregon
Bend is an exciting city located by the Deschutes River in Central Oregon. Home to a few of the top-rated hikes in Oregon, Bend has a lot to offer when it comes to all types of outdoor lovers. If you are interested in eloping in…
The Joshua Tree Elopement Guide – Everything You Wanted to Know!
Located in the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree is an amazing elopement location in the desert if you love unique desert landscapes & unique desert plants. Joshua Tree is a special place that is ideal for all sorts of elopements, whether you want something chill &…
A Wedding Hike – How to Hike in Wedding Attire
A wedding hike. That could have seemed like a very unusual concept just a few years back. But with the rise of elopements, adventure weddings, & all sorts of other outdoor wedding days, hiking on your wedding day may be unconventional but is a bit…
How to Plan a Rock Climbing Wedding or Elopement
Rock climbing weddings are some of my absolute FAVORITES! As a rock climbing photographer, I absolutely love seeing couples break so called “traditions” & do something that’s just freaking fun for their wedding day like rock climbing. If you want to have a climbing wedding…
How to Elope – A Complete Elopement Checklist for Planning
Elopements are becoming a bit more mainstream but planning an amazing elopement is still an unfamiliar process to many people. If you’re wondering how to elope, you’re in the right place! As an elopement photographer, I specialize in helping couples find amazing locations out in…
Why Have a Commitment Ceremony?
A commitment ceremony is similar to a wedding ceremony, except for the fact that this kind of ceremony is not legally binding. A commitment ceremony is not the same as a marriage but it can be a part of your elopement day & having a…
Telluride Wedding Venues & Places to Get Married at in Telluride
Looking for the best wedding venues & other places to get married in Telluride? This guide covers both more traditional wedding venues as well as other locations such as vacation rentals & elopement locations in Telluride in the national forest areas. If you want more…
Colorado Elopement Guide: Best Locations, Planning Tips, & More!
Colorado elopements have become a bit more common & that’s a GREAT thing! It means that more & more couples are having a day for just them. It means that couples aren’t afraid of breaking free from wedding traditions & are having the best wedding days…
How to Elope & Info for Getting Married in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is really an amazing display of nature. The massive arches & sandstone canyons are evidence of what beauty wind & water can create over time. And did you know there are over 2,000 (yes, two THOUSAND) natural stone arches in Arches National…
Hiring an Elopement Photographer vs. Hiring a Photographer for Your Elopement
Yes, there is a difference in hiring an elopement photographer instead of just hiring a photographer for your elopement. Is it really worth it to hire a specialized elopement photographer? And what really is the difference in hiring an elopement photographer verses hiring a photographer…
Moab, Utah Elopement Guide with Tips & Locations
Moab elopements are some of my favorites because of the epic scenery, wide open spaces, cliffs, canyons, arches, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, & more. This Moab elopement guide goes over just about everything you need to know for eloping in Moab. As a Moab elopement photographer,…
The Best Ideas for How to Make an Elopement Special & Unique
There seems to be a HUGE misconception about an elopement not being as special as a larger, more traditional wedding. But an elopement can be so special, even more special than a larger wedding! How can you make an elopement special? These ideas will help…
Where to Stay When Visiting Moab, Utah
Are you looking for the best places to stay in Moab? Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of the best Moab AirBnBs, Vrbo properties, condos, ranches, cabins, hotels, & pet-friendly places to stay at while you are exploring the Moab area. Moab is home…
Elopement Timelines & How Long You Should Plan for Your Elopement
One of the most common questions I get asked is: “What amount of hours should I book for elopement photography?“ I just need to say this & yes, I am going to shout at you (via caps lock). I want more people to know that…
“Why I Wish I Eloped” Married Couples Share Their Experiences
As a wedding & elopement photographer, I’ve seen a huge variety of weddings & elopements. Have you ever wondered how other couples get married & what they like, love, or regret about the way they got married? I asked a group of my peers if…
Shell Creek Photography: the Story Behind the Name
So why the name Shell Creek Photography? Shell Creek Photography is my elopement photography business based in western Colorado. My focus is on providing adventurous couples with the freedom to celebrate their love in their own unique way, without feeling pressure to fit into traditional…
Colorado Marriage Licenses & Self Solemnization
Are you getting married in Colorado? In order to make your marriage official & legal, you need to follow local regulations & laws & make sure you get your marriage license. Did you know you can also self solemnize in Colorado? This means that an…
The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Glacier National Park in Montana
Glacier National Park is one of those amazing locations that looks like something out of another world. It’s a “heaven on earth” kind of place where you fall in love with the location instantly. The snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, & clear, blue waters make…
Why You Should Elope in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado
The San Juan Mountains in western Colorado are a unique & beautiful location for an elopement in Colorado. While areas such as Rocky Mountain National Park tend to be very popular, the San Juans are a much less visited place while offering even more unique…
Leave No Trace & Elopements
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast like me, you’ve probably at least heard of leave no trace. Leave no trace (LNT) is a set of guidelines for outdoors ethics set in place by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. According to their website, 9…
How to Celebrate with Friends & Family After Your Elopement
Elopements are usually a very private event. You might invite your parents or a handful of your closest friends. A lot of times, you might still want to celebrate in some way after your elopement. An after elopement reception is a great way to include…
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing in the Mountains of Colorado
Cross country skiing & snowshoeing are two of my favorite activities to do here in Colorado throughout the winter. There are SO MANY trails to check out! Great trails exist in the San Juan Mountains around Ouray & Telluride, in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, Rocky…
Ouray Ice Festival & Ice Climbing in Ouray, Colorado
The Ouray Ice Festival is an annual event held each year in the little mountain town of Ouray, Colorado, located in western Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. Although I usually specialize in adventure weddings & elopements, I also love to occasionally photograph adventure sports….
The Benefits of Having a Small Wedding
As photographer specializing in small weddings & elopements, I’ve seen many benefits to the weddings with a smaller guest list. Elopements & intimate weddings allow you the chance to celebrate your love in a different way than a big, traditional wedding. Sometimes couples just aren’t…
How to Elope in a National Park
Getting married in a national park allows you to enjoy some of the best & most unique views in the world in one of the many of the various national parks all around the world. Most national parks have some sort of permit that is…
Finding Inspiration in the Work of Alix Baptiste
Recently I made a trip down to Savannah & stumbled across the work & paintings of Alix Baptiste. His work was very inspiring for me. If you take a look at his work, it is very colorful, vibrant, upbeat, & happy. But his life wasn’t…
What is an Elopement? Defining the Changing Meaning of Elopements
What does elope mean? What first comes to your mind when you hear the word elope or elopement? Maybe you think of a bride & groom running away from family, getting quickly married in a thoughtless way to go & live their life away from…
All About My Albums
I absolutely love albums! I think they are one of the best ways to show off your photos. You can have a large amount of photos in a smaller amount of space & you can leave an album sitting out on a nightstand or coffee…
About Me
A lot of you have read a little about me, or maybe have even met me in person. But I wanted to go a little more in depth into film photography & my love of birds, orchids, & travel with this blog post. The San…
3 Tips for a Less Stressful Wedding
Your wedding day can bring a lot of stress, both before and during the big day. But I’ve been to enough weddings to know that as long as you say ‘I do’ everything will turn out fine! Just remember the most important thing about your…
A Monthly & Weekly Wedding Planning Checklist
I know how much goes into a wedding and it can be a lot of work. But it can be overwhelming to know where to start! This is long and it doesn’t cover absolutely everything but it should definitely help. Hopefully this checklist will help you…
Why You Need an Engagement Photography Session
“Are engagement sessions really that important? Why do I need one?” Are you engaged & making wedding or elopement plans? Ready to book your photographer? No matter who you book for your wedding photographer, read more about why I recommend that you get engagement pictures…