A textbook example of how to have an incredible Adventure session

If you want to know what to do to have the best elopement experience possible, just follow Holly and Blake. These two made sure to bring their dog along for some adorable photos at their AirBnb. There, they got ready with friends and family so they had help and it can be a lot of work so having some helping hands is a blessing. From there we began our adventure in the Quinault Rain Forest by one of my favorite waterfalls. Here is where I first knew we were about to have an incredible time together. They were climbing up logs, scrambling up boulders, and overall just having a grand ol time enjoying the sights together. We even got some long exposure waterfall shots with these two holding so still they are like statues.

Afterwards we headed off to Ruby Beach to enjoy a sunset and create a little more magic. They were quick to ditch the boots and get their toes in that cold Pacific water. But the cold water didn’t put a damper on their fun. Splashing and running in the waves having a blast. And that’s the key to an amazing shoot. You have to have fun. I can lead you to water but it is up to you to jump in. Now usually I recommend doing something like this to end a shoot so considering their wedding ceremony was the following day I was a bit surprised they were jumping into the sea the day before. But where there is a will, there is a way. I doubt any of the wedding guests would of guessed they had been splashing around the ocean in their wedding attire the night before.

For their wedding ceremony and reception they choose the Elkhorn Ranch near Quinault lake. This gorgeous little venue is full of rustic charm with a picturesque red barn and a phenomenal outdoor space for ceremonies with views of the surrounding mountains and forest. This place is pretty net and you can even bring your horse along and camp out! A big pet peeve of mine when it comes to wedding venues is that so often the Bridal suite doesn’t hold a candle to the rest of the venue so a lot of the getting ready, or detail shots can be a challenge. But that wasn’t the case here. the suite was just as rusticly charming as the rest of the site and made it easy for me. It was a sweet ceremony with lots of happy tears which is always the perfect way to end an adventure on the Olympic Peninsula. Who says you can’t have a big wedding and elope?

Photo Tip

One of the best ways to get better photos is to plan the shoot around the best lighting. But that isn’t always possible in a single day. So consider splitting your big day into two. Have an adventure with the best light the day before, and then a ceremony the following. That way you can do everything you want and not have to settle for bad light! I’m always happy to split some time off an all day package for the day before or after.