Natalia & Alex

There is no other place like Mackinac Island for a walk back in time. From the horse drawn carriages and bicycles as your only means of transportation, the handmade fudge, and the gorgeous gardens. Life feels a lot more…still.

Natalia and Alex had their gorgeous elopement on the front lawn of Mission Pointe Resort. It is such a beautiful view! We had the best weather you could ask for on the island, and it was everything these two deserved. :) From the first touch and exchange of vows, to the friends and family who came to celebrate, it was filled with love. The reception was held on the Promenade deck, and before the party started, Natalia and Alex (along with my assistant, Troy, and me) rode the gorgeous white carriage to the secret garden by The Grand Hotel. Between the portraits taken there and the ones on the beach at sunset.. this whole day was just stunning.

Assistant/ 2nd Photographer : Troy Flathau

Stephany & Derek

These two met at Electric Forest, so it only seemed fitting to get married in the forest! Hartwick Pines was a gorgeous setting for our early afternoon elopement. This elopement wasn’t just our couple but their closest family and friends.. roughly about 30 people.

It was perfect.

Kate & Ryan

They aren't wrong when they said, “The mountains are calling.” Kate and Ryan answered, we all hopped on a plane, and then we had the time of our lives.

When Kate and Ryan invited me to join them for their elopement in Colorado, I was so excited. If you know me at all, you'll know that Colorado is one of my favorite places. We’ve all been anticipating this trip for the last 6 months, and to try to describe our adventure is going to be a challenge because there just aren't words.

First, we ventured to Collective Retreats in Wolcott, Colorado where we spend three incredible days and two nights in their tents on the side of a mountain. The mountain air swept us off our feet with the views, the hospitality was impeccable, and the farm to table three-course rehearsal dinner was something we will never forget. Like…seriously, hands down the best food I have ever eaten! This set the tone for how the rest of our time in Colorado was going to be, and it left us saying over and over how this experience was so perfect.

Since we spent thee days in the mountains and a day in Breckenridge, there are a ton of images, but I wanted to share the absolute bliss from the Wedding Day.

I'm not sure what was more comfortable, the beds in the tents at Collective, or the dry mountain air.. because we slept like heaven and then woke up to coffee and breakfast being served. After gathering the wedding wear, Ryan picked Kate a bouquet of wild flowers from camp (hearts are melted), and we trekked the 1/2 mile down to the rental car and left for Breckenridge.

We had all day to enjoy and we did…stopping at a local cigar shop for Ryan, Breckenridge Distillery for a couple of cocktails, and then we proceeded to Blue Lake Trail. Kate ended up getting ready at the distillery, and Ryan literally had his own woodsy dressing room in the pines of the mountain haha.. which ended up being a perfect location for the first look.

We met with our awesome officiate, Phil ( I swear everyone in Colorado is rad as hell), and adventured to Blue Lake where the ceremony would take place. We had the most perfect weather, though in the mountains that can change in a moment. The vows were exchanged, the tears of absolute happiness shed, the smiles and the wind were running through our hair, champagne was popping, a dress ripping. There was foot cutting, waterfall bustling, sun shining ..I don't really know how to describe the bliss we all felt after this.. so I'll let the images take you away.

We ended our super-relaxed, breathtaking day with some bomb tacos and complimentary bubbles and churros.
Every person we ran into was so happy that Kate + Ryan had just gotten married that they too wanted to celebrate.

Elle & Dave

An early morning elopement on the sands of Port Crescent State Park, Big Foot cake toppers, and a Wes Anderson style of imagery. These sweethearts and their witnesses (Dave’s grandparents) were truly a wonderful experience.

Dave, a long time friend and,Elle, a beauty inside and out, are two of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. They deserve every ounce of love and light in this world.

This was easily one of the best mornings in 2023, so we enjoyed the smiles while getting ready in a cute mid-century airbnb with the first look in the front yard. The warm summer sunshine was peeking in and out of the clouds, the gusty wind the blowing, and every bit of it captured and carried the laughter and happiness. This day is forever imprinted on our hearts and minds.

Jennifer & bobby - Day After Session

Sometimes one day isn’t enough to explore everything..especially when you rent a cute airbnb on Lake Superior. Beach sounds and coffee vibes were a morning treat before heading home. <3

Emily & Alex

Historical beauty combined with such dramatic love. Emily + Alex are two incredibly passionate people, and their love shines when you’re around them. Together, we ventured to Detroit for their elopement at the David Whitney Hotel. Emily quickly dressed in the bathroom, they had a beautifully private first look in one of the main floor’s dining rooms, and then a private ceremony upstairs with just both sets of parents and Emily’s grandmother. Emily’s father was our officiant, and there was a lot of emotion and tenderness in that room.

After the ceremony, we had a romantically moody portrait session, and then off to dinner with their guests.

Intimate elopements are some of my absolute favorite days.

Jennifer & Bobby

Jennifer and Bobby decided to elope after a year of postponing. They chose the gorgeous Black Rocks on Presque Isle in Marquette, Michigan. What a dream! I know Michigan is already perfect in its uniqueness, but the Upper Peninsula has such beauty that needs to be highlighted.

Jennifer and Booby know how to elope! Take it from them: rent yourself a gorgeous Airbnb on Lake Superior, invite your immediate family with a couple close friends for morning festivities, have a ceremony on the edge of the lake, and get your portraits taken in the middle of Black Rocks. Oh! and hire a personal chef for dinner, cut and eat your cake first, take your first dance together at dusk by the beach, and ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!

Elopements for the win!

Hair & Makeup : Fresh Coast Beauty

Kate & Ryan - Day After Session

We couldn’t get enough of Colorado in one day because we wanted to explore more of the camp we stayed in for the elopement. It was everything <3

Elopements are beautiful and intimate, and we are normally on location somewhere in a different city or state.

A day after the wedding photography session let’s us explore more and express who you’ve become after the wedding day, in those very first moments of your marriage. This session is relaxed and fun, just like Kate & Ryan. :)