Book your date here!
Love is the heart of everything I do. To me, it’s about more than just taking photos—it’s about honoring your connection and creating a space where your love can shine in its purest form. I’ll listen to your dreams, dig into what truly matters to you, and help you design an elopement day that feels like home.
No stiff poses, no forced smiles—just the two of you, your story, and the moments that will make your hearts race for years to come. This is about celebrating your love your way, and I’m here to capture it all, exactly as it is.
Elopement experiences in Washington, Alaska, Minnesota, and beyond
Adventure Elopement Photographer
Book your date here!
Elopement experiences in Washington, Alaska, Minnesota, and beyond
Adventure Elopement Photographer
your elopement photographer
i'm more than just
FOR COUPLES WHO CRAVE A DAY THAT FEELS real and not performative
Imagine wandering through a quiet, misty forest or standing hand in hand as the mountains glow at sunrise. Maybe you picture sharing slow, emotional moments in your cozy cabin before heading out to explore somewhere breathtaking together. Your elopement can be soft, heartfelt, adventurous, whatever feels like YOU.
Here’s the thing: there's no wrong or right way to celebrate. Your day should feel natural, present, emotional, and full of the moments you’ll remember forever.
Imagine wandering through a quiet, misty forest or standing hand in hand as the mountains glow at sunrise. Maybe you picture sharing slow, emotional moments in your cozy cabin before heading out to explore somewhere breathtaking together. Your elopement can be soft, heartfelt, adventurous, whatever feels like YOU.
Here’s the thing: there’s no script to follow. Your day should feel natural, present, emotional, and full of the moments you’ll remember forever.
Ready for a wedding day that feels calm, meaningful, and still a little wild in the best way?
And I’ll be there to help you create every bit of it.
Ready for a wedding day that feels calm, meaningful, and still a little wild in the best way?
And I’ll be there to help you create every bit of it.
As a Deaf photographer, I move through your day without noise or interruption. No shouting poses. No talking over your vows. No breaking the moment. Just a calm presence that lets you hear the world around you, the wind moving through the evergreens, the crunch of dirt under your boots, the rustle of your dress, the soft breath you take before reading your vows.
I blend in seamlessly, letting your story unfold naturally while I capture every real, emotional, unscripted moment. Nothing is forced. Nothing is rushed. Nothing pulls you away from what matters most.
When you work with me, your day stays slow, quiet, and fully present.
As a Deaf photographer, I move through your day without noise or interruption. No shouting poses. No talking over your vows. No breaking the moment. Just a calm presence that lets you hear the world around you, the wind moving through the evergreens, the crunch of dirt under your boots, the rustle of your dress, the soft breath you take before reading your vows.
I blend in seamlessly, letting your story unfold naturally while I capture every real, emotional, unscripted moment. Nothing is forced. Nothing is rushed. Nothing pulls you away from what matters most.
When you work with me, your day stays slow, quiet, and fully present.
No noise, no pressure, no performance. Just the two of you and the wild around you.
Summer 2024 | Olivia & Jacob | Juneau, AK
Summer 2024 | Olivia & Jacob | Juneau, AK
Get to know me more
I’m an adventure elopement photographer with a deep love for nature and for capturing love stories that are as bold and unique as you are. Growing up Deaf has given me a special way of seeing the world. It’s helped me tune into the quiet, powerful moments that others might miss, like the way your hand lingers or the unspoken connection between you two. I work with couples who crave adventure, who want to break free from tradition, and who dream of creating a day that feels personal, intentional, and deeply meaningful.
I know that planning an elopement can feel overwhelming at times, but I’m here to guide you through it all, helping you craft an experience that celebrates your love story and the start of your next great adventure together.
I’m an adventure elopement photographer with a deep love for nature and for capturing love stories that are as bold and unique as you are. Growing up Deaf has given me a special way of seeing the world. It’s helped me tune into the quiet, powerful moments that others might miss, like the way your hand lingers or the unspoken connection between you two. I work with couples who crave adventure, who want to break free from tradition, and who dream of creating a day that feels personal, intentional, and deeply meaningful.
I know that planning an elopement can feel overwhelming at times, but I’m here to guide you through it all, helping you craft an experience that celebrates your love story and the start of your next great adventure together.
Meet your elopement Photographer
hi! I'm payton
And yes that deaf elopement photographer!
Brady & Ryne
"I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with Payton. She is phenomenal! She is knowledgeable, prepared, friendly, and extremely helpful during the entire process from start to finish. If you are considering a photographer for your elopement, look no further! She is the full package and more. We will look back at our photos for years to come. What a truly special and unforgettable photography experience in Italy with Payton!"
"All I can say is wow!! Payton is the absolute best photographer we’ve ever worked with. Her vision for our elopement in Alaska was something out of a dream, something I couldn’t have thought of myself. Even when we were two hours late to our location, Payton somehow got everything we wanted to do done with an unmatched level of professionalism and creativity. The photos are priceless, and her touches of personalization and romance are the sweetest thing we’ve ever seen. She took care of every detail and planned to the umpteenth degree, and made it the easiest and best day of our lives. We cannot recommend her enough, she will always have a special place in our hearts and we will cherish the photos and memories forever."
"She is the full package and more."
What Your Elopement Day Could Be?
Imagine waking up to the sound of the forest stirring or the soft crash of waves on the coast. The morning air feels fresh, full of possibility, as you take in a quiet moment together. No rush, no crowd—just the two of you. You kick off your shoes and step into a day that’s entirely your own. The sun peeks through the trees, or maybe a soft mist lingers, wrapping the world in a dreamy haze.
You laugh, breathe, and feel the freedom to simply be, exploring, adventuring, or even pausing to soak it all in. Every detail reflects your story, unfolding naturally and beautifully, as the day becomes a memory you’ll carry forever.
What Your Elopement Day Could Be?
Imagine waking up to the sound of the forest stirring or the soft crash of waves on the shore. The morning air feels fresh, full of possibility, as you take in a quiet moment together. No rush, no crowd, just the two of you. You kick off your shoes and step into a day that’s entirely your own. The sun peeks through the trees, or maybe a soft mist lingers, wrapping the world in a dreamy haze.
You laugh, breathe, and feel the freedom to simply be—exploring, adventuring, or even pausing to soak it all in. Every detail reflects your story, unfolding naturally and beautifully, as the day becomes a memory you’ll carry forever.
My Portfolio
Blogs
Fall 2022 | Hannah & Mike | Two Harbors, MN
Fall 2022 | Hannah & Mike | Two Harbors, MN
Brady & Ryne
"I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with Payton. She is phenomenal! She is knowledgeable, prepared, friendly, and extremely helpful during the entire process from start to finish. If you are considering a photographer for your elopement, look no further! She is the full package and more. We will look back at our photos for years to come. What a truly special and unforgettable photography experience in Italy with Payton!"
"I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with Payton. She is phenomenal! She is knowledgeable, prepared, friendly, and extremely helpful during the entire process from start to finish. If you are considering a photographer for your elopement, look no further! She is the full package and more. We will look back at our photos for years to come. What a truly special and unforgettable photography experience in Italy with Payton!"
"She is the full package and more."
Olivia & Jacob
"I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with Payton. She is phenomenal! She is knowledgeable, prepared, friendly, and extremely helpful during the entire process from start to finish. If you are considering a photographer for your elopement, look no further! She is the full package and more. We will look back at our photos for years to come. What a truly special and unforgettable photography experience in Italy with Payton!"
"All I can say is wow!! Payton is the absolute best photographer we’ve ever worked with. Her vision for our elopement in Alaska was something out of a dream, something I couldn’t have thought of myself. Even when we were two hours late to our location, Payton somehow got everything we wanted to do done with an unmatched level of professionalism and creativity. The photos are priceless, and her touches of personalization and romance are the sweetest thing we’ve ever seen. She took care of every detail and planned to the umpteenth degree, and made it the easiest and best day of our lives. We cannot recommend her enough, she will always have a special place in our hearts and we will cherish the photos and memories forever."
"Payton is the absolute best photographer we’ve ever worked with."
Haley & Cole
The best thing we did for our micro wedding/elopement was have Payton join us! Truly, she made planning our wedding feel easy and communicated well along the way. My husband and I were nervous about how eight hours of photos would feel, but our wedding day felt natural, fun and so true to who we are. Payton’s guidance and low-key approach took the stress off the day and helped us get photos that really show how much fun and joy we experienced that day. Would highly recommend Payton to anyone and everyone!!
The best thing we did for our micro wedding/elopement was have Payton join us! Truly, she made planning our wedding feel easy and communicated well along the way. My husband and I were nervous about how eight hours of photos would feel, but our wedding day felt natural, fun and so true to who we are. Payton’s guidance and low-key approach took the stress off the day and helped us get photos that really show how much fun and joy we experienced that day. Would highly recommend Payton to anyone and everyone!!
"Would highly recommend Payton to anyone and everyone!!
Katie & Tommy
Easily the best investment for our elopement. I cannot recommend Payton enough! She is beyond talented and such a calming presence. As a hearing couple/family, we did not experience any communication issues. Payton was very helpful and provided great instructions herself/via her mom for interpretation as needed for posed photos. The planning process and elopement day were smooth and stress free. We have never had professional photographs taken and did not feel awkward posing because of her guidance. The photos came out beautiful and we will absolutely cherish them ❤️
Easily the best investment for our elopement. I cannot recommend Payton enough! She is beyond talented and such a calming presence. As a hearing couple/family, we did not experience any communication issues. Payton was very helpful and provided great instructions herself/via her mom for interpretation as needed for posed photos. The planning process and elopement day were smooth and stress free. We have never had professional photographs taken and did not feel awkward posing because of her guidance. The photos came out beautiful and we will absolutely cherish them ❤️
"I cannot recommend Payton enough!"
YES let's do it!
Before I leave, I’ll hand you a few Polaroid films, something real to hold onto right away. You’ll get your sneak peeks within 24 hours and your full, beautifully edited online gallery in 6 weeks.
05.
On your elopement day, I’ll show up ready to capture it all while you relax and enjoy every moment.
04.
Once we make it official, I’ll send over a questionnaire to set up your custom client portal. From there we’ll dive into the fun planning with location research, backup plans, timeline creation, and more.
03.
We’ll hop on a super chill 30–40 minute call, dream up your day, and make sure we’re the perfect fit. We’ll chat about your vision and how
I can help bring it to life.
02.
Fill out my contact form and we’ll set up a free consult call to talk through all the fun details.
01.
Your adventure experience is calling...
Ready to go?
Here are the next steps in your elopement adventure!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
Totally! You can always move up to a bigger package. If you’re not sure how many hours you’ll need, start with less and we’ll bump it up once your timeline feels right.
Totally! You can always move up to a bigger package. If you’re not sure how many hours you’ll need, start with less and we’ll bump it up once your timeline feels right.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
Nope, I’ve got you covered. I’ll research what permits are required for your chosen location and guide you through the process so you can avoid stress and focus on your day.
Nope, I’ve got you covered. I’ll research what permits are required for your chosen location and guide you through the process so you can avoid stress and focus on your day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
One of the best parts of eloping is the flexibility. I always create a backup plan (or two) so we can pivot and still create something magical—rain, snow, fog, or sunshine.
One of the best parts of eloping is the flexibility. I always create a backup plan (or two) so we can pivot and still create something magical—rain, snow, fog, or sunshine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
Not at all! My approach is laid-back and natural, focusing on genuine interactions between you and your partner. I’ll give you light direction so you feel comfortable, but I’ll also step back to capture the candid moments.
Not at all! My approach is laid-back and natural, focusing on genuine interactions between you and your partner. I’ll give you light direction so you feel comfortable, but I’ll also step back to capture the candid moments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
That’s part of my job. I’ll work with you to design a stress-free timeline that includes travel time, scenic spots, lighting considerations, and plenty of breaks so you can just be present and enjoy.
That’s part of my job. I’ll work with you to design a stress-free timeline that includes travel time, scenic spots, lighting considerations, and plenty of breaks so you can just be present and enjoy.
WHAT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE PACKAGE?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do we need to worry about permits?
What if the weather is bad?
We’re awkward in front of the camera—will that be a problem?
How do we plan a timeline for the day?
Can we bring our dog to our elopement?
Yes, please! I’m always excited when couples include their pups in their day. I can help you choose dog-friendly locations, share tips for keeping them comfortable during the ceremony, and of course, make sure you get adorable photos. And yes—your dog will get plenty of head scratches from me.
Yes, please! I’m always excited when couples include their pups in their day. I can help you choose dog-friendly locations, share tips for keeping them comfortable during the ceremony, and of course, make sure you get adorable photos. And yes your dog will get plenty of head scratches from me.
