Elopement photography isn’t just a passing fad bolstered by a global pandemic. It’s a unique and challenging niche that offers a great opportunity for photographers to be their own boss and create the kind of life they desire. Photographing elopements is an immensely personal and rewarding job. Like birth photography, you’ll often be the only one present to witness the most emotional and important moments humanity has to offer. There are no rules, and that means no limit to the amount of unique ways that couples are getting married on their own terms. Adventure truly means something different to everyone, so you don’t need to be an avid hiker or live next to a national park to offer elopement photography services.

What Does Being an Elopement Photographer Look Like?

Elopements and adventure weddings are one of the most diverse genres of photography. You can go from photographing ultra-micro ring shots in the morning to high-speed action shots of unfolding adventures, catching documentary candids of the tearful ceremony, creating epic portraiture and landscape photography, and finally busting out the tripod to create an astrophotography shot — all in one day. One of the best things about specializing in elopements is that it truly gives every photographer a chance to shine and show off their skills. Whether you are experienced in editorial, magazine-worthy portraits or candid family moments, this is a niche for you. You can take what you know and combine it with elopements to offer clients a totally new experience.

What’s the Difference Between Weddings and Elopements?

Being an elopement photographer requires you to be flexible and creative. Much of that creativity actually comes before the big day. While there is some overlap in the skillset of a great wedding photographer and a great elopement photographer, there is much more planning involved with elopements. Couples who are eloping don’t want a wedding, and they sure as heck don’t want to plan one. Since you’re the expert in your area — on everything from what to see, where you can elope, how to get there, and what restaurant has the best rooftop bar — be prepared to take the lead on planning elopements. You’ll spend much more time organizing the day of their dreams than you would for a traditional wedding, so price yourself accordingly by rolling your planning services into your package price.

Isn’t an Elopement Just a Small Wedding?

Eloping couples are pivoting from being the hosts of a large-scale party to being the VIPs of a day that’s all about checking off items on their bucket list. They may invite guests, or they may not. They want to elope because it isn’t a wedding. They don’t want the family drama or the detailed and intensive planning experience. And that means they’re more willing to pay for a straightforward, unique experience that’s more like a dream honeymoon.

Elopements and Networking

If you come from the world of shooting weddings, you know that networking with venues and other vendors is a key way to get your next booking and backlinks. At weddings, you also get to meet members of the wedding party, who may be the next pair to get married. One of the challenges of being an elopement photographer is having no venues to recommend you, no DJ’s to exchange referrals with and much more limited opportunities to meet couples’ friends. You really have to excel with your online presence and invest in marketing to reach potential clients.

How Do I Get Found Online?

Submitting your photos to publications is the best way to get found online. Unlike weddings, there are very few websites to get your elopement images published. Here are a few places you can submit your images to help you gain visibility.

• Elopement Photography Legend Awards
• Zion Brides
• Wandering Weddings

You can also pay to get listed on some local microwedding vendor directories in your area.

Being Prepared Enough to Shoot Elopements

Since most elopements aren’t tied to a rented venue or meeting up with guests, there is a ton of flexibility in how the day unfolds. If you are an outdoor elopement photographer, being prepared with wilderness first aid or guiding courses and Leave No Trace Seven Principles is a good idea. You may also have to change plans at the last minute if your location is impacted by unpredictable wildfire smoke. Or you may have to pivot from a rooftop elopement to a speakeasy or greenhouse if it rains. You are the professional, so create backup plans well in advance that will keep your clients happy and the day running smoothly.

What You Will Need to Be an Elopement Photographer

Having professional equipment is a must for elopement photography because these are once-in-a-lifetime moments for your clients. A camera with a single card slot makes you vulnerable to SD card failure, which is unprofessional. If photography is a hobby for you, consider renting a pro camera to shoot elopements before you purchase pro level cameras. You will need:

• Cameras with dual SD card slots — whichever brand you prefer
• A variety of professional lenses, including a wide angle and a telephoto and focal lengths in between
• A strong online presence with a website, Instagram, dedicated elopement pricing and backlinks
• A portfolio of couples having the kind of elopements you want to shoot

How Do You Break into the Elopement Photography Niche?

Ready to dive in? To get started, you’ll want to build a page on your website specifically for elopements. Eloping couples don’t want to click on ‘weddings.’ Also, make sure your instagram bio also indicates that you shoot elopements. Showcase some of the local locations that you’d like to shoot in — whether that’s a flower farm, a courthouse, greenhouse, groovy cocktail bar, historic site, or a beautiful natural area.

How to Stand Out as an Elopement Photographer

As an elopement photographer, you’ve got to give potential clients a clear reason to hire YOU over other photographers in your area. Becoming an expert in any kind of elopement will make you stand out and grab those bookings. You could specialize in short, city hall elopements with a high-end finish. Or perhaps partner with a cabin rental location within an hour of your city, and build the idea of a forest elopement. You could even shoot exclusively winter elopements and angle your offerings to include snowmobiling, dogsledding, helicopter glacier tours, or an ice-hotel. The options are limitless!

You’ll want to really hone your skills. Use that burst or sports mode to take rapid fire shots during key moments of the day, like the first look, vows, first kiss, and champagne spray. Learn to nail your exposure in camera and focus on strong compositions and flattering lighting. For experienced and beginning elopement photographers, joining groups like the Elopement Awards community will give you a great platform for support and constructive feedback. And to get inspired, check out some of the unique award-winning elopement photos by the best elopement photographers in the Elopement Legend Awards.

Already have elopement photography photos? Submit them to the 2nd round of the Elopement Legend Awards by June 30th.

Lucy Schultz has been a full-time professional photographer since 2009. The founder of the Elopement Legend Awards is also an award-winning photographer herself, having been awarded over 200 WPJA awards, 10 Fearless awards, a Reportage award, and earning the distinction of a top 10 photographer worldwide in 2021. View her elopement photography here.