A Wedding Adventure through the Yosemite Valley
An afternoon in the Yosemite Valley
Photographing in Yosemite is always a pleasure but despite the incredible beauty it can provide plenty of challenges for photographing an elopement. The best times for photography are often the most inconvenient especially when factoring in wedding guests, dinners, and the like. Everyone can take a photo of a beautiful backdrop with perfect lighting, but throw in a harsh mid-day sun and things get tricky. Often times the best course of action is to avoid the bad lighting and find locations that offer more shade to get a bit of softer lighting for your photos. This is where knowledge of the area comes in real handy. We left the blinding sun behind and headed up the trails along the valley wall of Yosemite near birdal veil falls. I’ve always loved this trail and have found that the towering trees, mossy boulders, and wildflowers along it make for an incredible wedding backdrop. As time went by and the sun sank further, we moved out of the shade and into the meadows to capture the towering cliffs that are iconic to the area.
As sunset drew near we made our way over for the wedding ceremony at Cathedral Beach. We hurried over to find there family gathering and after a few touch ups and a battery swap it was time to begin. As the said their vows, and exchanged rings the sun set behind them lighting up El capitan with the warm glow that only the golden hour can provide. Giving the whole scene an almost ethereal vibe. Just another magical day in Yosemite.
Tips for Eloping
The first three hours after sunrise and the three hours before sunset are the best times of day for your elopement photos. Plan your day to include some of that time for your portraits. Some photographers, like myself, will let you split your coverage so you can do both!
