Last Minute Elopement in Moab

Lauren & Redmond’s Epic Utah Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UTAH & BEYOND

We planned Lauren and Redmond’s Moab elopement in just a few days, but it wasn’t because they decided last minute to get married, it was because the universe just kept deciding their other plans just couldn’t work out. They originally planned a larger wedding, but then Lauren gave me a call when it looked like 2020 would be a no-go for big weddings. So we planned an epic elopement…in Yosemite. However, the wildfire season had other plans for that, and after going over all the options they decided to meet me in Moab, which is where I was at the time. And it just so happened that it was a way shorter drive for them than to Yosemite anyway.

They had never been to Moab, so I knew we needed to see some of the most iconic locales, but with such late notice getting a permit for Arches would be an issue. I already have a permit to operate on BLM land around Moab, and we are so thankful for the wonderful woman who handles weddings in Moab, who turned around a permit for them in just a couple of days. Also big thanks to the wonderful people at Dead Horse Point for that as well.

So with all the paperwork done, they were able to focus on the sights, the day, and most importantly each other. We started with watching the sunrise over the incredible desert towers that make up iconic Castle Valley. When people think about the wild west, this is the view they are thinking about. Sunrise here is hard to beat, we had it all to ourselves, and it was a little chilly, but once the sun hit our faces we warmed up fast. They said their vows to each other and exchanged rings, and then stood for a while taking in the beauty.

After the sunrise session, we had a small break for relaxing and lunch, and then we headed out to Corona Arch for a little hike. It was warm out at that point so they packed their wedding gear to change at the Arch. Both of them mentioned how fitting it was to be visiting Corona Arch during the Coronavirus pandemic, and how they never would have seen this sight if not for the pandemic! As we rounded the corner and saw the arch, I exclaimed, “There it is!” to which there was no reaction from either of them. I just thought, wow- they must not be impressed- but it’s a huge arch so I was confused. We walked a little further, and then they both yelled out at the same time, “OOOH, there it is!” From the angle we were at it was hard to tell it was a giant arch, and they both just thought they were looking at a rock wall. We laughed because they thought the arch was awesome, but they just couldn’t see it before.

After the arch, we headed to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. It’s so fun to see both sides of the park, and such a great spot to watch the sun go down, the moon comes up, and the stars come out. Every time I’m there I’m in awe of how magical the area is. Personally, I think it’s one of the coolest views in the southwest.

After taking in all the sights and feeling thoroughly satisfied, all Lauren could talk about was getting a hamburger, so we headed back into town. On the drive back we went over everything we did that day and we were so amazed. We had seen so much, and although none of it was the stuff they had originally planned to see these two pivoted like absolute pros and never ceased to amaze me with how laid back and positive they took each new obstacle. To them, the most important part was committing their lives to each other, and building memories together that they will look back on for the rest of their lives.

Moab Moonrise Adventure Session | Moab Elopement Photographer

Jenna & Mark Explore Moab for Engagement Session

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Utah & Beyond

I met Jenna and Mark at a random pull out on the Colorado River outside of Moab for their adventure engagement session. It’s a spot I’ve been coming back to for years because of it’s unique viewpoint of desert towers backed by mountains. Up to our left was a treacherous looking slope littered with giant boulders in front of a sheer face. To our right flowed the mighty Colorado River, and there was an easy walk down to a nice beach. I pointed left and said, “we’re going up there.” Jenna and Mark got themselves in order and started hiking. Jenna in a dress and wedges made it up the steep, scrambling slope much faster than I did, and was less out of breath as well. They are both canyoneers and climbers and scrambling up a rock littered slope is an everyday affair for them. They didn’t think twice or hesitate when I directed them to a rock edge to perch on.

These two met rock climbing, Jenna explained. “We were bouldering at the local climbing gym and Mark fell off of a route that I was trying to climb and we just started chatting! We went on a trip to southern Utah the next week.”

They had so much in common that they just kept hanging out because who better than your best friend to go on all your adventures with? “We’re pretty similar as far as hobbies go. We both love rock climbing, hiking, running, backpacking, and canyoneering. I love to ski and snowboard, Mark hasn’t learned yet. We also both love to read.”

After we got some amazing tiny person landscape shots of the towers, mountains, and river we headed down to the river. Mark said he loves the way rivers rocks look, so I took some overhead shots of them laying on the rocks and exploring the beach area. They love all kinds of outdoor activities but mentioned that currently, backpacking was a favorite. “Backpacking is the current craze. We really want to get back to Escalante and go on a backcountry trip.”

As the sun sank lower we headed down the road to take in views of some different desert towers. Moab is such an unreal spot that driving just a few minutes in either direction can change up the scenery. We hiked, skipped, and explored, and as the sun sank lower a full moon rose overhead. Just being among the towers in golden light is a treat, but staying to see the moonrise and with temperatures still really comfortable was just spectacular. The shot of them dancing under a full moon rising ended up being one of my favorites of the whole session, even though it was one of the shots that I had given the least thought and planning. That slope that I was talking about earlier… I had hiked up and down that entire slope for hours to find the perfect rock for them to stand on for those shots as part of my location scouting process. And don’t get me I LOVE those shots. But something about the small details and the unplanned shots makes this job so much fun.

This shoot happened right before a lot was locked down for Covid-19. I’m so happy we were able to get out for a lovely evening in Moab, and Jenna and Mark spent the rest of the weekend exploring canyonlands. But they had a wedding scheduled for April, which they had to change and move several times before finally being able to elope with a few friends and family socially distanced in the great outdoors. I’m so happy they were able to make it happen because they are so clearly deeply in love!

I love staying out until the sun goes down with my couples, so if you’d love starry night sky shots or moonrise shots get in touch, and let’s make it happen.

Couple Go Canyoneering for Engagement Shoot | Utah Elopement Photographer

Saoly & Benjamin Descend a Technical Canyon for Epic Engagement Shots

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Wedding Photographer / Utah & Beyond

I met Saoly and Benjamin in an unassuming dirt pull off on the side of the road outside of Zion National Park. The spot didn’t look like much, and to the untrained eye it looks much more spectacular than the views you will find by just driving an additional 15 minutes into Zion. But a short hike reveals one of my favorite short canyons, and Saoly and Benjamin were up for a technical canyoneering adventure for their engagement photos.

Saoly is a canyoneer and climber, and Benjamin is a climber and mountaineer. They both have a ton of rope work experience, all the necessary gear and safety training. It should be noted that I also have a ton of rope work experience, and I’ve completed around 100 canyons. I don’t guide couples down canyons, but it they have the technical experience to do it on their own I will certainly photograph them doing it. For other couples interested in a similar experience, but have zero or only a few canyons or climbs under their belt I highly recommend they hire a guide and I would be happy to photograph and come along for the journey. It’s such a fun experience, but safety is definitely the number one priority when descending a technical canyon, so it’s great to have a guide to worry about all the safety, and then I am able to focus on the photos.

When I asked about how they met and started to date Saoly explained that they met at the climbing gym in Las Vegas, but were only acquaintances for a while. Benjamin eventually moved to Salt Lake City and after Saoly ended a relationship they both ended up on an online dating app. Saoly said she had extensive filters set so she needed to expand her range to include more cities outside of Las Vegas, so when she saw Benjamin pop up on her screen she remembered him from the climbing gym. The rest, as they say, is history. They began seeing one another on the weekends and they love doing the same things, mostly climbing and skiing.

I picked this spot for their engagement photos, and we didn’t see a single person the entire day even though it was a weekend day. We had the whole canyon to ourselves to enjoy, and both Saoly and I laughed at how Benjamin pointed out and climbed the bottom of every climbable crack along the way. If you’ve ever taken a climber through a canyon you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Saoly developed a system of tying her dress in a knot while down climbing (AKA GOWN CLIMBING, HAHAA!) and rappelling and then untied it for photos and just walking. She was really the MVP of the day, because as you can tell from the photos, there was still a little snow on the ground and it wasn’t exactly warm outside. And let’s face it, it’s never warm inside of a canyon. Luckily, we only had to avoid a few puddles, so no wading through potholes in a white dress. That would have been a first for my shoots.

It was such a fun day, and I’m so happy they were able to experience a canyon they had never done for their engagement photos. They plan to get married on a mountaintop and I can’t wait to capture that special day!

“My fiance and I had the pleasure of working with Kat on our engagement photoshoot canyoneering just outside of Zion. We are a very adventurous couple who loves rock climbing, skiing, canyoneering, and mountaineering, so naturally it made sense for our engagement photos to be during one of our adventures. Of course, I wanted the photos to be not only epic and adventurous, but also still pretty and “weddingy” with a white dress and all. In other words, I still wanted to feel pretty, so we couldn’t do anything that was TOO strenous, be on an adventure, and also be in a remote location where we wouldn’t run into anyone else who might be in our photos. Kat has been around the block and suggested the perfect location for us that was picturesque, yet also remote (we didn’t see any other people that day), adventurous enough for epic photos yet not TOO strenuous so that I could still look somewhat put together and not all sweaty LOL. It is very difficult to find a photographer who 1) knows of locations that would even meet all these criteria 2) is in good enough shape to go on said adventure 3) can scramble and do sketchy downclimbs while risking possibly damaging their photography equipment 4) is comfortable with ropework and can do technical canyoneering and/or rock climbing 5) makes you and your significant other feel completely comfortable in front of the camera and knows how to pose you 6) take amazing photos 7) deliver them to you quickly, and actually gives you a HUGE number of photos! Kat fits the bill in all regards, and we are so lucky to have found her to capture our special day. Can’t wait to use her again for our wedding!
”

— Saoly & Benjamin

Epic 4x4 Outdoor Adventure Wedding in Southern Utah Backcountry

Cameron & Rick say “I Do” in an Enchanting Ceremony in the Desert Southwest

Swell & Stone / Utah/Arizona Elopement Photographer

I can honestly say that in terms of weather for Cam & Rick's adventure elopement in the backcountry of Southern Utah, or Northern Arizona- the exact location is undisclosed- we got about as lucky as we possibly could have.
I drove in the day before and it literally rained the entire length of Arizona- I drove from Phoenix. It NEVER rains the ENTIRE length of Arizona! But the morning of their wedding day it was clear and beautiful. Cam was a flurry of calls and texts in the days leading up to the day, but ultimately she and Rick made the best call- to GO FOR IT!
Four 4x4 vehicles met me at the access road. We figured with enough wo(man) power and tow straps we would be fine even if the roads weren't passable. And hell, it'd make for a great wedding day story either way. And make for a great wedding day story it did! We all made the 1.5 hr drive safely, but we all had to navigate frozen puddles that covered entire sections of road! As soon as we arrived we went to hike around the area. We were able to see it in a completely unique way, reflecting pools of water dotted the whole desert, a rare sight!
Cam & Rick had known each other for a while before they started dating. They are both part of the canyoneering community, which happens to be fairly tight knit. Rick had a crush on Cam, and one of her friends asked if she liked him back. She responded, "I wish I liked Rick!" But as she spent more time with him and their mutual friend group she realized that she did, in fact, like Rick. Fast forward to their beautiful, love filled wedding day.
The day was spent hiking, marveling at nature, spending time with family and friends in on of their favorite places. Cam was walked down the aisle by her soon-to-be step son Gavin, and her good friend, Everett. Rick's daughter Hannah looked adorable in her lavender dress and Vans.
After the ceremony, and some group photos the group enjoyed some food and watched the sun get low on the horizon before heading out. Cam & Rick stayed back with me and venturing back out to a spot when the stars came out. There had been scattered clouds all day, but they cleared to the north just after sunset. Even in very cold temps Cam & Rick were stoked to help create the star photo you see above. A perfect ending to an absolutely perfect day with one some of the best people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with.

“Stop your search and book Kat. She is fun, professional, REALLY good at this, and goes above and beyond. I can’t say enough. Kat will make dreams that you didn’t even know you had come true. Her photos are just beautiful! She has a great eye to capture the moments. I can look at my photos and relive the joy. She captured our joy!
”

— Cameron & Rick