Big Sur Engagement
Katie and Shawn visited Big Sur for their honeymoon and wedding portraits, I felt so lucky to show them around Big Sur, and even with the Hwy 1 road closures from the slip-out, there is so much beauty still accessible from the north side. We had the most beautiful low fog that slowly cleared for an incredible sunset. The low fog adds so much magic to the California coast and is my absolute FAVORITE weather to shoot in.
I’m often asked what the difference is between an “adventure session” and an “elopement”, the main difference is not what you're wearing. Adventure sessions don’t include any getting-ready photos, planning, ceremony, or guests. You generally are ok giving me; your photographer the control of the locations we go to and see as our time is limited together. There are no Zoom calls or a timeline. But they’re so much fun and a great way to get the portraits you always envisioned.
As an elopement photographer based in Carmel, I’ve had the joy of capturing countless love stories along this dreamy stretch of coastline—but there’s something especially magical about couples who choose to stay at Villa Mara. Whether you’re escaping the chaos of wedding planning or simply want your celebration to feel more intentional, Carmel offers a wildly romantic backdrop for your day.
Some days, the fog rolls in and never quite lifts — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. For this Garrapata Beach engagement session, we were gifted one of those moody Big Sur afternoons where the sky stays soft and grey, and the ocean feels like it’s whispering secrets. It was quiet, dramatic, and beautifully intimate — the kind of atmosphere that makes you slow down and lean in a little closer.
When Hanna and Nick invited me to capture their elopement—a dreamy, cave‑side ceremony with their favorite people, a shot‑ski that crackled with laughter, and private vows read high above the Pacific Ocean—it felt like the most perfect love story. It was equal parts intimate, wild, heartfelt, and oh-so-Carmel. And it’s the kind of story I live for as a Carmel elopement photographer.