If you would love to have a destination wedding but don’t want to skip the big guest list filled with friends and family, you should definitely consider a destination engagement shoot! Alicia and Mike are travel nurses contracted in Port Angeles, Washington, and when we talked about doing an engagement shoot that would be truly memorable, the plan we made to do their session at the Hoh Rainforest was just right from the beginning! Here I’ll answer some questions that we had when planning the session as well as show you some of my favorites from this epic engagement shoot!

Where to fly in to visit the hoh rainforest

Since the rainforest is pretty remote, you will need to prepare to drive several hours from the nearest airport. SeaTac is the largest major airport, which is where we also flew into, and then we had about a 4 hour drive to the Rainforest.

Where to stay when visiting the hoh rainforest

The couple in the photoshoot stayed at an air bnb in Forks, WA. It was only about an hour to the visitor center from their air bnb, so if you have a late flight home, this would be a good option. I stayed in Lacey Washington solely because we wanted to have a shorter drive to the airport on the morning we were flying out. So it was a 3 hours drive to the rainforest for us, but only about an hour drive to the airport the following day to get home.

how to check for road closures in a national park

Anytime you visit ANY national park, you MUST check for road closures and vehicle requirements. The Hoh Rainforest is sometimes inaccessible because of flooding, and the weather can change quickly, so keep an eye on the national park’s website a week before your shoot and also the day of. It’s great to have a back up plan in case of road closures. Check out the “other spots” section below.

what to bring to a photo session at hoh rainforest

Keep in mind it’s a RAINFOREST, so expect damp, dark, ever-changing weather. We were SO lucky to have a mild, sunny day, but the paths were still wet and muddy. Definitely make sure you have the following for your shoot:

• umbrellas

• shoes you dont mind getting muddy (you can bring nice shoes along)

• a jacket

• a tote bag or blanket to put all of your belongings down when you’re being photographed

• expectations of bad weather (have a plan for your hair - updo’s are a great, humidity-”proof” option)

permits for doing a photoshoot in the hoh rainforest

According the the national park’s website, unless you are photographing paid models or plan to use the photos to advertise products you are selling, there is no fee other than the National Park Pass that you need to buy to access the rainforest. This is usually less than $50.

Where to park and hike at the hot rainforest

We routed our GPS to the Hoh Rainforest visitors center, and while it was closed the bathrooms were open and there was plenty of parking. There are several trailheads at the Vistor’s Center, but we took the Hall of Mosses trail which is a 0.8 mile loop. Aside from a very short “stairs”-like incline at the beginning, the trail is mostly flat and even paved in some spots. It took us about 2 hours taking time to stop and photograph, but you could easily get through it in a half an hour if you’re looking for a recreational hike.

other spots in olympic state park for photo shoots

On the drive to the rainforest from the south west of the park, there are several amazing spots to stop and take photos, including Kalaloch Beach and Ruby Beach. Both of these options are usually accessible even if the roads to get to the Hoh Rainforest are flooded. These beaches also do not require you to have a park pass.

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If you’re looking for a unique wedding location in the city, this North Shore wedding at the Foundry Table & Tap is full of inspiration for your intimate wedding ceremony in downtown Pittsburgh. The Foundry has a semi-private room in the back that can accommodate around 50 people and is accessed by a walk through the restaurant, but with the heavy sliding barn doors to seal it off once you're in there, we were able to have a DJ and play music without disturbing the restaurant guests and visa versa.

The best thing for me was direct access to the Rivewalk on the North Shore right through the glass doors in the back of the room! Finding beautiful photo spots right in the heart of downtown was so easy! We got some great shots of the yellow bridges and the Gateway clipper with the Point in the background, and there were even plenty of picturesque places with cover overhead when it rained. The highlight of the day was taking photos outside on the beautiful river walk and even running into the Pitt marching band!

I’ve known the bride Bre since middle school, and though some might think the pressure is off if you know your clients ahead of time, that wasn’t the case for me! I always want to make sure I do the absolute best job my skills allow - ESPECIALLY for long time friends! This wedding took place in October, when wedding season is winding down and my creativity is almost spent, so I really pushed myself to get some unique shots for Bre and Chris! That night time rain photo is one of my favorite images I’ve ever taken in the past decade!

Bre and Chris have a sweet, fierce love for each other, finding their solace in music and each other. It was a perfect fit having their wedding showcase their love of music that she said “became their identity” as a couple. The band Motionless in White is their favorite, and the couple incorporated some of their favorite anthems into their details, from the concert ticket Save-the-Dates to the record decor at the reception!

I was so honored to be able to document all the special touches that made the day so very personal to both of them. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to photo a bride with blue and purple hair!!

My husband Brandon served as the officiant and DJ, and we had a wonderful time celebrating the occasion in the laid-back, casual venue. I love when couples trust that their vision and their heart will show up in their wedding photos, and I think we all had the best day doing just that.

Perhaps a better title is “What to take to a bridal show if you’re cheap and lazy and want to put in minimal effort” lol! It’s bridal show season, and whether you are a participant or a vendor at one, you know that people will be taking home information that will hopefully make an impression. It’s importantly to clearly and quickly show not only your work at a bridal show, but perhaps MORE importantly, a memorable brand. People walking through the hall will see hundreds of images, but they will only meet one YOU! If your brand is “you” and it’s memorable, they will remember to reach out when the event is over or be able to put a face and conversation to the email when YOU reach out to them.

Remember, a brand is so much more than a logo and colors, or a specific instagram filter. A brand is how your product looks and performs, how you talk, and how you interact with your clients. It influences the gear you buy or processes you use. its literally the filter through which everything you do, think, and say, about your business passes through. It’s REALLY important, and its pretty important to get it right the first time since clients start to develop a relationship with you and your brand right away.

The aesthetic part of branding is important too, but still leaves you room to refine and evolve. As you begin to create your website and social media presence, it’s great to have a place to start so you have a cohesive and consistent look. I’ve had people recognize my logo and colors who have never met me or seen my picture that tell me “oh, I’ve seen your business before I recognize the G and the mint green!” Down the road you can absolutely tweak your colors, and even your tagline if you feel like it doesn’t represent your business anymore. But likely, it will be evergreen because it reflects YOU as a person!

What I give to clients at a bridal show or meeting:

Branded folder to hold all the following goodies:

• Pricing Sheet

• Sample Contract

• Handwritten thank you card for one-on-one meetings

• Business card

• Custom stickers (I love Sticker Mule’s die-cut stickers! You can design yours here!)

• Bridal Magazine

For clients that live far away, I will mail this entire folder and tuck in a $10 Starbucks gift card, that way both the clients that live close to me that I get to meet over coffee and the clients I get to meet over zoom have as similar as of an experience as possible, and definitely receive the same value from me.

I am fully aware that my display above is not the most glamorous or impressive, I spent maybe $100. But I know that my advertising strategy doesn’t rely on bridal shows, and most importantly I’m confident in the strength of my work and my personality to make connections! I’ve found that bridal shows are less about the huge displays and flashy pieces of gear and more about showing quality work and presenting a memorable, relatable brand. Even with my rinky-dink display, I’m the one that gets 3-4 wedding contracts because of the personable connection Im able to make. I hope this helped to ease some guilt as you prepare for your bridal show and encouraged you to put on your extrovert pants and get out there and make friends!

If you’re getting married somewhere fun and want photos, I’m willing to be the destination wedding photographer that makes your vision come true! February is a popular time to tie the knot in Arizona, and I was more than happy to leave the 30 degree weather in Pennsylvania to photograph this wedding in the sun!

So the burning question, “HOW DID YOU GET THAT GIG?” It was as simple as a Facebook post, to be honest! When my high-school friend Christan posted that she was looking for a wedding planner in Phoenix, I had no idea that me being a smart-ass and saying that I knew a destination wedding photographer that would travel to Phoenix (aka me!) would result in me flying to Arizona to capture some amazing memories in the desert.

We started the day at the couples house where they were surrounded by friends and family and lots of amazing treats (the bride is, undoubtedly, the most thoughtful hostess ever). The bride was so kind to provide me with tons of detail-styling props (that would otherwise take up room in my suitcase!) to really make her special touches shine. With a navy blue, dusty pink, and rose gold color palette, the invitations, dresses, flowers, and other decor truly captured the “rustic” of the brides Pennsylvania roots while being bold and timeless. We got some great getting ready shots of the groom Jordan, and then headed to the venue to prep for the ceremony!

Antigua Garden is a small all-in-one venue tin downtown Phoenix that is popular for both weddings and quincineras. They provided everything needed for an amazing reception - even the food and DJ! The courtyard just outside the ballroom boasted a ceremony space under stunning arbor covered in bougainvillea (that was BLOOMING! I was in heaven!), a grassy lounge area with chiminea, and beautiful landscaping and architecture in every nook that nodded to Arizona’s hispanic cultural influences.

The couple had a first look under the venue’s dramatic archway, and we were able to squeeze in some gorgeous and romantic portraits in the shady spots of the garden with the lush plants. I was seriously so excited to not just be photographing grass and trees!

The short but extremely heartfelt ceremony had the most amazing vows, and once the couple made it official by jumping the broom, we captured the signing of the marriage certificate. Their stunning families made formal photos a breeze while guests enjoyed appetizers and pup-themed cocktails.

With an epic dress change and Hollywood-worthy entrance down the grand staircase, Christan and Jordan were ready to dance the night away surrounded by over 100 family and friends. The DJ made dance photos that much more exciting with dry ice and cold sparks for their first dance and kept the floor packed all night with clubby tunes. The night ended with late-night bites from a wood-fired pizza truck and a great sparkler “exit” photo op!

I was so blessed to be trusted with commemorating all the memories and capturing all the details of this wedding, and I truly had so much fun and felt so much creative freedom. You may wonder why it’s worth it to pay a photographer you know to travel to you for your wedding day rather than hire a local vendor. I think Christan summed it up best:

“I’m so thankful for you coming here to photograph our wedding! It’s been a crazy stressful couple of weeks and one thing I have never worried once about is the decision to hire you. We are so thankful for you, your talents and incredible vision! I really hope you had the opportunity to enjoy AZ! Feel so blessed to have you as my photographer!! “

The Allegheny County Courthouse is a great place to elope in Pittsburgh with beautiful spots to commemorate the occasion. My husband Brandon is a licensed officiant, and we often offer ceremony and photo packages for courthouse elopements.

The first step in eloping is applying for your marriage license. If you’re wanting to elope in Allegheny County, such as at the courthouse featured here, you’ll want to check out the specifics for obtaining a marriage license at the button below. You will want to plan a bit ahead as there is a several day waiting process between the time you apply for a license and the time it is issued.

The most challenging thing about eloping at the Allegheny County Courthouse is parking. Since it is in the heart of downtown, street parking can be challenging but there are a number or nearby parking garages that you can park in, though expect to pay upwards of $20 for parking in them.

There are no special permits required to photograph in the courthouse, so it is easy to get some beautiful photos on the grand staircase that show off the amazing architecture in the courthouse. Every time I’ve been there it’s been pretty deserted as well, so you won’t have to worry about crowds of people bombing your photos.

If you’re looking for a fast and budget friendly way to elope while still having the opportunity for some pretty wedding photos, this might be the right fit for you!

The Children's Museum and Museum Lab are excellent venues if you're looking for a unique place to have your wedding! Angela and Jeremy decided to celebrate in the lower level of the museum, having their ceremony in the studio room and their reception in the ballroom.

The top floor of the museum features a water play floor, which has floor to ceiling glass that lends itself to great natural light for portraits. Something to note, though, is that the museum doesn’t close its doors to the public during normal operating hours, so if you’re going to have photos done throughout the museum, it’s best to plan that for later in the day.

The ceremony space gets cleared out by the venue staff, giving enough room to seat a small to mid-sized wedding crowd, and the pink and orange ribbons that hang from the ceiling make for a fun and colorful addition to your wedding photos!

Next door, the Museum Lab offers great landscaping and architectural options if you’re looking for a more traditional and classic backdrop for wedding photos, and the beautiful rooms inside the Museum Lab building are a great spot for some timeless photos if the venue isn’t being rented out for another wedding.

Cocktail hour is typically held in the lobby of the museum, which provides plenty of space for guests to mingle among standing tables while the ballroom is set up for the reception.

The reception space in the Children’s Museum is laid out in a great way that will have your dance floor packed. As a long rectangular shaped room, guests are seated at the far ends, with the dance floor in the middle. Because the entire width of the room is taken up by the dance floor, it really pushes guests together in a good way to ensure the floor is packed with activity all night long.

If you’re looking for a unique venue in Pittsburgh with both whimsy and opportunities for more classic and traditional portraits, Children’s Museum is definitely it!

Winter weddings at Sunnehanna Country Club are the perfect way to celebrate in the off-season and close to home. While braving the cold might not be for the feint of heart, the stunning photos and great lighting are well worth the chilly hands and toes. Drs. Michelle and Matthew Warren are both Chiropractors in Greensburg, PA, and even though they attended school and met each other in sunny warm Florida, they were more than happy to embrace the snow on their perfect January wedding day.

We started the day at the beautiful Sunnehanna County Club in Westmont, PA. Arguably the “nicest” wedding venue in Cambria County, Sunnehanna was the perfect size for housing all their friends and family while still giving everyone room to spread out in the wings of the building that housed cookies, drinks, and late night pizza. The lobby of the country club features stunning light and beautiful high arched windows that lent a timeless class to Michelle’s bridal portraits and first look with her dad Chip.

Once the last button was buttoned, it was time to leave for the ceremony at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. Those that know my style and personality know that I ADORE color and… wow. St. Mary’s was something out of a dream for me. Surrounded by rich Iconography, vibrant colors and breathtaking architecture, it was a church like no other I’ve seen (and I’ve seen a few). The ceremony went flawlessly and we were able to get some great family portraits on the steps of the altar.

Family is super important to both Matthew and Michelle, and we made sure to plan in some time to allow the wedding couple to actually talk to their guests. After the ceremony we headed to Michelle’s parents house for a stunning display of appetizers and refreshments, even snapping a “family whiskey shot” of special imported Canadian whiskey to commemorate the occasion. Happily the couple’s dogs Kona and Oakley were there too, and we were able to get some sweet shots of them with their mom and dad!

Since the sun sets relatively early in January, we hurried back to Sunnehanna around 4pm and started bridal party portraits outside. Immense respect to those guys and gals who walked across the frozen greens in heels and slippery dress shoes and endured the -1 windchill. It’s times like these that I’m very grateful for my 12 years experience and for an awesome fellow paparazzi team Corey, Jen, and Tommy (check them out below!). We were able to bust out bridal party photos, individuals with each bridal party member, and a sizable array of bride and groom portraits in under 45 minutes.

The brides mom Loraine George, with the help of Theresa Palmer of Rose of Sharon Florals in Clymer, transformed the ballroom at Sunnehanna into a beautiful, warm, and elegant vision where guests were excited to linger and party the night away. Top Dog productions ensured the dance floor was packed all evening, blending songs effortlessly and keeping the vibe hype.

I was so grateful to be a part of this day! Each season has such beauty, and I’m so happy Michelle and Matt embraced the beauty of a winter wedding! Special thanks as well to the amazing vendor team below:

• Gown: MB Bride

• Hair: M&M Hair Design & Tan

• Makeup: M&M Hair Design & Tan

• Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry

• Tuxes or Suits: Miller’s Tuxedo Rental and Sales

• Rings: Precious Metals & Diamonds Co.

• Invitations, Menu Cards: Basic Invite, Truly Engaging

• Florals: Rose of Sharon Floral Shop

• Cake: Paulette’s Cakes

• Ceremony: St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Johnstown

• Venue/Catering: Sunnehanna Country Club

• DJ: Top Dog Productions

• Videographer: This Year Photo Co.

• Second Shooter: Tommy Seibert, T&T Photography

• Decor: Bride’s mom Loraine George!

When I first met Arista and Logan over coffee at our local hangout in Indiana, they thought that having a destination engagement session was a “big ask.” Nervous about finding a photographer local to Denver to take their photos and know that the price tag would be enormous, they asked If I would be willing to travel to Colorado to capture their photos in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Of course I said yes! Over the next few months, we planned specific locations, acquired all necessary permits and passes, and made airfare, lodging, and transportation arrangements. Since I will also be getting to photograph their wedding, we were able to work out an arrangement that was fair to everyone, and next thing you know we were off to Colorado!

Photographs at the Rocky Mountain National Park are absolutely breathtaking, but they don’t come easy. Since we did the shoot in November, the couple endured cold temperatures and beautiful but snowy environments. Since the altitude is high, we made sure to stay hydrated to combat altitude sickness, and luckily we planned the session for a great time of day when the sun was just dipping below the mountains making for nice even light. My husband was a trooper and held my soft box and lights for every shot so I didn’t have to fly with a light stand, and the results are absolutely epic. Check them out below!

Click the link below to learn more about Destination Wedding Photography Packages

destination elopement photograher

Weddings at the LeMont in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania are the standard when it comes to having a classy wedding that has great views of the city without being over-the-top. When Maura and Craig toured the LeMont, they said the thing that swayed them about hosting the wedding there was how down to earth the staff was, simply showing the venue and not pressuring them to make a sale. That’s because the restaurant/banquet rooms speak for them selves. Built in the 60’s and decked out with dark marble architecture and drapery, the Pittsburgh’s “premier 5-star restaurant” boasts an entire wall glass windows. Since the building is perched at the top of Mt. Washington, there is no better place in the city to see the magnificent views than sitting at your sweetheart table with Pittsburgh glowing behind you! I was excited to work here and wanted to make sure we did the view justice!

We started the day at the couple’s new house where the vibe was so very chill, thanks in part to the small bridal party but mostly because everyone was just happy to be present and not worried about every little thing going perfectly. The couple met through mutual friends, and this marketing-director and math teacher combo made for the most sweet, chill, stress-free couple I had the pleasure of working with this year!

The details were perfectly curated to represent both class and whimsy, words that I feel describe the bride perfectly. I loved styling her Badgley Mishka shoes with bows, monogrammed Mrs. Box, and her family heirloom veil.

After a relaxed morning, I drove Maura to Grandview Park where we met up with her groom Craig and we had the sweetest first look! Even though it was past-peak for the autumn leaves, we still had brilliant colors in the trees! Since the park is flanked by a school and a playground and it was in fact a Friday, we were greeted by a few classrooms out for a walk with their teacher. The kids went wild when they saw the bride in her beautiful boho dress, and asked if she was “marrying Prince Charming.” They squealed with delight when she said that she was actually marrying a math teacher!

Portraits were so easy and fun with these two. The time flew by, and soon we were ready to head to the beautiful church for the ceremony. Saint Mary of the Mount is equally stunning on the inside as the popular overlooks of the city are on the outside. With vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glass, it all but guaranteed dramatic wedding photos! After the ceremony we took the traditional family photos at the altar and then headed outside with the bridal party to get some group shots on the famous Mt. Washington overlooks. We were very fortunate to have a warm and not very windy day in November!

A short walk to the LeMont eliminated transportation and parking stress, and once we were set up, the couple was announced in and all the guests enjoyed the classic rock band that played the night away. The brides father even made a guest appearance for a few songs, including one that he learned just for the groom Craig, a song from his favorite movie “That Thing You Do.” The dance floor flooded with guests as the party started to take off, rivaled only by the excitement when the cookie table (but really “room” is more appropriate here) was finally unveiled!

The bride helped orchestrate and plan the most epic variety of delicious cookies, with lots of family pitching in to add to the delicious offerings. What’s a Pittsburgh wedding without a Pittsburgh Cookie table, after all? The bride’s sister, who owns a wildly successful baking small business, Micah Made Cookies, made amazing shortbread with chocolate on top, the groom scooped up some of his favorite butterscotch haystack cookies, and everyone’s favorite, the bride’s Milk Bar cookies, flew off the platters in record time! (she was sweet enough to give me the recipe!)

We ended the evening with a quick walk to the Duquesne Incline where we got a few dramatic night-time shots of the city and a few more calls of congratulations from on-lookers and the nearby restaurant patrons. For being the wedding I was most worried about (a new fancy venue, city-driving, parking, a big and beautiful and DARK church) it was the least stressful wedding day this season! Thank you so much to the vendors below (including my incredible assistant Ben Lloyd and my second shooter Jon Blanchard for carrying ALL of my gear uphill to the LeMont) for making this day incredible!

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Supporting local and small business was important to the couple - here are some of Pittsburgh’s best!

Ceremony: St. Mary of the Mount, Mt. Washington

Venue/Catering/Cake: Lemont

Second Photographer: Jon Blanchard Photography

Gown: BHLDN

Suits: Berk's Menswear & Tuxedo Shop

Shoes: Badgley Mishka

Rings: Custom made by The Harp and Hound Jewelry

Bride’s Hair: Spencer at Chariot and Vine Salon

Groom’s Hair: La Pomponnee

Makeup: Makeup Design Studio and Day Spa

Accessories: Mrs. Box

Cookies: Bride + Family; Micah Made Cookies

Florals: Bride’s Mother

Band: The Good Guys

Lenape Heights Golf Resort is an amazing venue with surprising views, and at about an hour from Pittsburgh, it provides the perfect destination if you want a peaceful, quiet, low-stress wedding day. The views at this location are absolutely stunning, and booking a stay at the Inn ensures that you’ll get to enjoy it from beautiful sunrise to stunning sunset.

When we first arrived at Lenape, I was completely floored by the beautiful and modern build of the Inn. The grand staircase opens up to a wall of glass, showcasing the beautiful countryside. The rooms are just as stunning - each with a beautiful balcony and lots of natural light, high ceilings, and modern furniture. There’s a lot of space to spread out while still not feeling like you’re crowded in! This made for simple, clean getting ready photos on wedding morning. Not to mention Daisy and her crew were already all ready when we arrived! We were able to get some great detail shots showing off her beautiful invitations, shoes, and jewelry. There was even time for the bridal party to enjoy a visit from the Pastor to do communion right there in the hotel room!

Matt and the guys were also ready in a flash, spending most of the morning helping to set up the outdoor ceremony area at the adjoining patio to the Inn. The ceremony was the perfect length, very sentimental, and ended with an epic kiss, just as everyone anticipates! Even though it was very windy because we were at such a high elevation, we were able to utilize the beautiful glass staircase inside to avoid blowing hair and harsh sun for family portraits afterwards.

Bridal party portraits took place on the golf resort’s course - my assistant Ben was so excited to finally drive a golf cart at a wedding! The friendly staff led us through the countryside and helped pick the best spots - he even knew we needed shade and directed us to holes with lots of tree cover! After a quick 45 minutes of portraits with both the bridal party and wedding couple, we headed back to the meticulously decorated ballroom.

Daisy and Matt designed a breathtaking reception area, with pink chair bows, pink centerpieces, and a gorgeous 3ft. high cake that echoed the pink floral theme. There was even a table for the kids with fun toys and props, and guests enjoyed a table covered with favors from the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company!

This reception started out particularly fun, with the couple running around table to table to complete the “Table Photo Challenge. “ The DJ played “Ballroom Blitz” as we sprinted from setting to setting, getting over 20 group shots taken during the course of the song. It was a great way to get guests in a picture and get them excited about the reception!

We ended the night with some epic golden hour photos by the pond and on the hillside, and sealed the evening off with a fun sparkler exit with the most die-hard wedding guests that stayed until the end.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite moments from Matt and Daisy’s beautiful, picture-esque day!

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Vendors:

• Photography: Jill Gearhart Photography

• Gown: White Lace Bridal

• Hair: Shear Stylin

• Makeup: Shear Stylin

• Bridesmaids Dresses: White Lace Bridal

• Tuxes or Suits: 700 Shop

• Rings: Lorelli’s Jewerly

• Florals: Kimberly's Floral & Design

• Cake: Sweet Treats Bakery

• Catering: Inn at Lenape Heights

• DJ: Steven Vance Entertainment

• Favors: Pittsburgh Popcorn Company