LGBTQ+ friendly elopement photographer in Washington
It can be daunting to find an elopement photographer, regardless of your sexual orientation. But it can be even more daunting to find an LGBTQ+ friendly elopement photographer.
I want you to know I see it as an HONOR to celebrate your love, and believe all love is worthy of being celebrated. I don’t care who you love or how you love. Your love story is YOURS, and that love story is precious.
I had the honor of photographing K + A’s intimate LGBTQ+ elopement in Olympic National Park. K + A are a trans fem couple who wanted to find an accepting photographer who would produce beautiful elopement photos. I’m so glad they found me and that I got to spend the day documenting their LGBTQ elopement story. It was definitely an elopement for the books! Watching their sweetness and genuine love for one another was beautiful. We were able to provide photos as well as video of their elopement, and it was truly an honor.
Eloping in Washington can be hard to plan, as the weather can change last minute and you never know what you’ll get. K + A were hoping for sunshine for a gorgeous golden hour and clear skies for star-gazing. What they got instead was pouring rain, full cloud cover, and freezing cold in the middle of July. But it was an intimate, beautiful, moody, and secluded elopement day.
As an LGBTQ+ elopement photographer, I have the privilege of planning an adventurous elopement with my couples. For K + A, we went with our plan B adventure, to accommodate the weather.
Rainy LGBTQ+ elopement in Olympic National Park
For their perfect LGBTQ+ elopement, we:
-Started with a first look (they kept robes on and we had clear umbrellas ready for them) and gave them a few intimate moments to take each other in
-Took a few portraits along the beach as we went to the perfect spot to exchange vows
-Had a vow exchange ceremony, where the two exchanged vows and rings and had their first kiss as a married couple. I am ordained as an officiant and was able to officially “marry” them with legal documents.
-Had a first dance as we played their personal curated playlist on a bluetooth speaker
-Did a champagne spray to celebrate their official marriage
-Spent some intimate time doing boudoir photos away from the crowds with candlelight and another curated playlist
-Took more portraits along the beach
At this point, the two of them were too cold to continue at the beach. (Honestly, they lasted longer than I imagined they would! Especially doing boudoir photos in the cold.)
So we finished at their air bnb in Forks, where they had charcuterie and wine, and wrote love letters to each other in candlelight. We then took a few last portraits outside of their air bnb once they warmed up.
It was the sweetest LGBTQ+ elopement experience, and the two brides were amazing to work with.
Ways you can make your LGBTQ+ elopement extra special:
-Gather sand from the beach to put in a time capsule box or to keep in your home
-Bring things that are special to the two of you, like photos from when you first met, and spend a few moments talking about your memories and how special it is to be making this commitment together
-Curate a personalized playlist of songs that feel like your relationship.
-Go with the flow and try to not sweat the small things. This makes a big difference, since there will always be things out of your control. (I photograph a lot of weddings and elopements, and just trust me on this one.)
-Bring your favorite foods to share together. Especially foods or drinks that have sweet memories.
All elopements are special, but your LGBTQ elopement is extra special. It’s a big deal that you get to seal the deal legally. And it’s a big deal for me to document your day in a way that preserves every emotion from your day.
If you’re thinking of having an elopement or micro-wedding, and are vibing with what you see, get in touch!
I’m an elopement photographer in Utah, Washington, and all over the world. I believe every love story is a work of art, and that photos are meant to bring out emotions and feelings, and feel like art.
Datura Photo | LGBTQ+ friendly Wedding and Elopement photographer in Washington and worldwide