California Elopement Photography Packages

Bride and groom walk hand in hand atop Sentinel dome in California.

From The Mountains to the Coast California is an Incredible elopement destination.

Home to nine national parks, a whopping 280 state parks and countless incredible places in-between its no surprise couples all over the word elope to the golden state. This place is practically built for adventure.

From Northern California locations like the towering Redwoods, majestic Mt Shasta, to the stunning blue water of Tahoe the elopement possibilities are endless. Travel further south and discover the historic Bay Area, the iconic Highway 1 drive along Big Sur, stunning mountains of the Eastern Sierra and the world famous Yosemite valley. But the sights don’t stop there. Nestled in Southern California are even more incredible locations like the rolling boulders of Joshua Tree, quite sand dunes of Death Valley, Mojave’s lava flows, and the always trending Palm Springs.

Honestly one of the biggest problems with eloping to California is often picking which spectacular location you want to explore. But I’m here to help. With guides on everything from where to elope in California, an awesome wedding style guide, and even Hiking guides I’ll help you have the best California elopement experience possible. And once you have it all figured out you can find the perfect elopement photography package to capture it all.

What Sets me apart from other California elopement photographers

I'm Norm Roberts the Fifth, elopement photographer, backpacker, cyclist and nature lover. Born and raised in sunny Southern California I’ve been perfecting the medium of light for well over a decade now (Yikes!). From the majestic valley of Yosemite to the Snowy peaks of Shasta I’ve seen it, camped there, hiked it, and shot a wedding or a dozen there. All while having a blast and loving every minute of it, well, not the house or gas prices but everything else.
With countless camping trips, and backing trips across the state, I can say I know it well and am ready to be your elopement guide. If you’re looking to elope to the redwood coast, Yosemite, the giant’s forest of Sequoia, the volcanoes of the eastern Sierra, the sand dunes of Death Valley, or the blue waters of Tahoe I have some incredible photo spots that I can’t wait to show you. Elopements are meant to be a fun filled experience that you’ll never forget. And that’s my mission. Nearly ever couple you see on my website told me they were awkward in front of the camera. So if you feel the same way you’re in good hands.
In terms of my approach to photography, I don’t just focus on the big moments like the first kiss or the first dance. I also pay attention to the little moments in between - the way your partner looks at you, the laughter between friends, the small details that make your day unique. I believe that it’s these moments that truly tell the story of your day and create memories that will last a lifetime. When it comes to photography services, I offer comprehensive packages that include every photo we create together without any arbitrary limits on the number of shots you receive. I do take care to select out any duplicates or test shots, but you'll receive every unique shot we create. Additionally, every photo is edited to look its very best, and I don't charge extra fees for light retouches, so you don't need to worry about any unwanted blemishes or distractions in your photos. Your online gallery will also be available forever, so you can download the original high-resolution photographs whenever you like. To ensure your peace of mind, I keep two backup copies of your photos as well.

2025 California Elopement Packages

An incredible adventure awaits

Elopement adventures are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is different for every couple. This means that a standard approach to photo packages won't work. Your elopement photographer should be adaptable to your needs and help bring your vision to life. They should also provide the support and guidance you need to make your special day the best it can be. Lastly, planning should be stress-free and enjoyable. Don't worry, I can take care of everything for you.

Planning guides, park resources and years of experience

To begin, my project platform stores all our communication, photo uploads, proposals, and information in a single location. With 14 years of experience and numerous elopements completed, I most likely have the answer if you have any questions. And if I don't, I'm always enthusiastic about researching new information! Phone and video consultations are available and don't cost extra. Leave the stress behind and allow me to help you plan your special day, including recommending locations, creating timelines, deciding what to bring, and recommending other vendors. I can even assist with scouting locations, researching permits, and developing backup plans if needed.

Unforgettable Photographs

I only feature real weddings on my site. No staged model shoots. Many of my couples initially worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera, but I take pride in my ability to make the experience comfortable and capture the genuine love you share. I strive to create beautiful and romantic images that highlight both your love story and the beauty of the world. After the shoot, I carefully review and select the best photos, eliminating duplicates, and ensuring that every magical moment is preserved. Each selected photo is then meticulously edited to the highest standard, resulting in images that are artwork-worthy.

Rosey pink sunset at taft point behind snuggling couple

No travel costs, upcharges, or fees, ever

The prices listed below for the packages are the grand totals. There are no extra costs for travel or any hidden fees.

Ultimate Flexibility

Want to have your photography session divided between the time of sunrise and sunset? Perhaps having a sunset session one day and a sunrise session the next? Or maybe you need to change the location due to unforeseen circumstances, like wildfires for example. As long as it doesn't clash with another booking, we can make the necessary adjustments.

Private Gallery + keepsake USB drive + Print release

I place no limits on the number photos I deliver. Each are carefully edited to perfection and uploaded to a private online gallery just for you. These photos will be available for you and your family to download at any time, even years down the line. You can also order prints from my trusted print lab through the gallery. If you have a preferred printer, you can print the photos there and share them as much as you want. You have the rights to print the photos yourself. Finally, I will deliver all the photos to you on a USB drive.

Bride dips groom for a kiss in the woods of california

All Elopement Packages include:

Three hour elopement package for california

waves crash on the california shore as newlyweds watch sunset

Ok, now what elopement photography package will you need?

At my core I believe that a wedding is not just a day, but the celebration of a lifetime commitment between two people. It’s a day full of love, laughter, and special moments that will be cherished forever. That’s why I don’t just show up on your wedding day, take a bunch of photos, and then disappear. Instead, I try to get to know my couples on a personal level, understand their unique story and vision, and then capture their day in a way that truly reflects who they are.

To that end I offer a variety of California elopement photography packages and will help you find the coverage option that fits your love story perfectly. I know that sitting in front of a camera for six or more hours isn’t what most people would call a good time. You might even think those hours will take forever, but trust me, that time flies. With driving to the locations, hiking out, the photos themselves, and the million other little things that make up an elopement you’ll probably need more time than you think.

California elopement Guides

Bride hugs husband on the cliffs of Mendocino California

Where to begin your California Elopement planning?

The biggest questions you’ll need to answer for your big day are where are you eloping in California? When should you elope there? and then what do you need to elope there? To answer those questions I’ve put together a a comprehensive guide to the best elopement destinations in California and when is the best time to visit them.

The Absolute best places to elope in California

A few of my favorite California elopement destinations

Two brides hold each other close during california elopement

Yosemite

This majestic valley features stunning mountain views, National Icons like Half Dome and El Capitan as well as North Americas largest waterfall Yosemite Falls, forests and the Merced River.

Sequoia

Home to some of the largest trees in the world. These towering giants are the star attractions here. It’s mountain views, numerous creeks and ample wildlife are no slouches either.

Joshua TRee

Unique yucca plants dot this almost alien landscape while towering boulders rise from the desert sand. Sunrises and sunsets here make for unforgettable elopement photos.

Redwoods

Home to the tallest tree in the world. This coastal forest of giants sprots old growth forests second to none and a rugged coastline. The lush ferns, and countless rivers round out this often foggy destination.

Big Sur

California’s coastal gem. This stretch of pristine coastline is home to one of the worlds most scenic drives. A rugged coastline, pristine beaches, and groves of redwood trees make up this natural landmark.