Mount Laguna, San Diego || Ian and Chelsea’s Elopement || A great story...Part 3 of 3

Chelsea & Ian

The single most important thing to me as a wedding photographer is that my clients be able to look back on their photos and remember each moment with joy. Or laughter, or tenderness, or some good warm fuzzy emotion that makes them want to look through their wedding photos again and again and again. What broke my heart about Chelsea and Ian’s was that for them, that wasn’t quite possible. (If you are just now joining us click here for Part 1 or here for Part 2 ). Their day was beautiful, and full of friends and family pulling together and a hundred other good things- but when they looked back on their photos, even though they are gorgeous, and even though they recognize an incredible feat of togetherness, the sting of loss and disappointment was too close. So I set out to change that.

 
 
 
 
 
 

They had mentioned early on in planning that, although they were excited about the wedding and wouldn’t miss having their friends and family around them, they would just as soon had an “elopement in the woods” style wedding with just an officiant and a photographer and the trees for witnesses- so that’s what we did. I told them I was taking them out for a do-over and that they were to clear a day, pick their favorite mountain, and buy a new dress.

 

Don’t you just want to be them?!

 

That glow from inside and outside…

 
 

THIS, this was it- pure joy, pure them. No shadows of “what if” to look back on, just a couple of kids wandering the mountains and fields, chasing the light, and falling in love again and again. I think it’s just about perfection- you tell me what you think… 

 
 

That’s What She Said…

“I just received the photos and my jaw dropped. They are STUNNING! The entire process was so fun, Miranda will help pose you and make you feel comfortable and enjoy the entire shoot! She plays with the light until it is just right and thinks about ever detail of the photo. She puts her heart and soul into her work and it shows in the photos!”

 

With a little help from strangers and the YMCA…totally cracking us up

 
 

If you loved this, leave a comment and let me know, here or on Facebook or Instagram. If you missed the whole story you won’t want to: go and click here for Part 1 or here for Part 2 and get all caught up.

Elopements are one of my absolute FAVORITE things to take images of- so if you’re thinking of eloping go check out the special pricing here. Elopement packages start at under $1000 and the intimacy of just a handful, or two or three handfuls, of those you love can lead to the perfect day. Too late and you’re already married? Vow renewals and anniversary photo sessions are a lovely way to re-do less than perfect wedding images- or keep the fire burning on ones you loved.