What areas of Northern California do you photograph weddings in?

I photograph weddings across Northern California, from the redwoods of Humboldt to the coastal cliffs near Mendocino and Sonoma. I also welcome travel for celebrations anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

What is your photography style?

My style is a romantic form of documentary photography, blending quiet observation with an editorial eye. The result is imagery that feels both unguarded and artful.

When will we receive our wedding photographs?

Full galleries are typically delivered within 8 to 10 weeks. You'll also receive a preview of select images within the first week after your wedding.

Do you charge travel fees for Mendocino or Northern California weddings?

For weddings in Humboldt, Mendocino and across Northern California, travel within the region is included.

Do you offer film photography?

I work in both digital and film mediums. Digital lends flexibility in shifting light and 35mm adds a nostalgic depth.

Can you recommend wedding venues in Mendocino and Northern California?

Some of my favorite places to photograph are the redwood groves, coastal cliffs, and architectural spaces designed to honor the California landscape. I’m always happy to share venue recommendations that align with your vision.

How do you help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera?

My approach is presence-driven. Rather than directing or staging every moment, I create space for you to be at ease with each other, while I quietly document the natural unfolding of the day.

How many photographs will we receive?

Every wedding is unique, but you can typically expect 50-75 carefully edited images per hour of celebration. Each image is selected to reflect the spirit and story of your day.

Bride steadies hand as she reads vows in Redwood Park in Arcata, California during elopement

Bride in vintage fringed linen sheath with ferns in her hair wipes tears away during Arcata elopement ceremony

Your redwood coast wedding

The Best Places to Elope in Humboldt County

Maybe you’ve only seen the epic redwood trees in photographs. Maybe you grew up camping on the Lost Coast. Maybe you once climbed to the top of the cliff overlooking Wedding Rock on a trip with your boyfriend and now you’ve photographed love stories here for ten years.

Oh wait, that last one was me. However you fell in love with the magic behind the redwood curtain, you’re ready to get married here and I’m here to help you make it happen.

Photographing love stories beneath the redwoods since 2015

You want to feel your wedding day – not perform it under towering trees while wondering what to do with your hands.

Whether you’re exchanging vows beneath the canopy or simply existing together in the stillness, I’ll approach the day feeling first. My background in fine art and commercial photography means your images carry both emotional weight and refined clarity. Crafted with care, never forced. What I offer is a blend of sentiment and structure, memory and intention. Your elopement documented artfully, and held in a way that feels both grounded and a little bit undone.

Best Locations for your Humboldt County Elopement

Trinidad, CA

Arcata, CA

Eureka, CA

Ferndale, CA

Shelter Cove, CA

Bride in vintage lace gown laughs as friend holds her dress

Bride wipes away a tear during wedding ceremony in the Northern California redwoods

FAQS TO GET YOU STARTED

What to know to start planning your Humboldt county elopement

Redwood grove elopements almost always require a permit, even for simple vow exchanges without guests, due to the protected nature of these forests. Rangers do check, and permits help ensure access and peace of mind. In contrast, many county beaches along the Humboldt coast allow small, low-impact elopements without a permit as long as there’s no more than a few guests, and nothing is closed off to the public. That said, public redwood parks do not currently require permits for non-disruptive elopements. Whether or not a permit is required, public spaces remain open to the public. If complete solitude is your goal, consider a private redwood venue or event friendly lodging – all are beautiful, aligned options with a little planning.

This really depends on the day you’re envisioning. Making space for the shape of your celebration allows for presence, without rushing from one moment to the next. I will say that generally, the more time you allow, the more relaxed your day will feel.

Not unless you want to. One of the many beautiful things about the redwoods is that they are supremely user friendly. The wide range of trails makes room for the casual meander and the knee deep in the creek adventure. Yes, I will advise you on the difference.

The redwood park or grove that you select for your wedding will depend on the time of year, where you want to stay to elevate your experience and whether or not you will have guests. There are multiple factors to consider from overcrowding to weather and seasonal closures. We’ll walk through all of it together.

Absolutely! Humboldt County is not ends of the earth remote but we are hours away from a big city. It’s super helpful to have an insider that can connect you with vendors you might not be able to scout out on the internet or provide recommendations for out of the way dining spots.

Odds are good that Humboldt County weather is considerably cooler and rainier than what most typically envision when they think about California. Make sure you pack layers and plan for rain even if rain is unusual for that time of year.

Bride in fitted lace low back dress holds hands with groom in grey suit during their wedding ceremony in the Redwood National Park

Planning your Redwoods Elopement Photography

Redwoods Weddings Reimagined

For your Humboldt County Elopement

Where to Stay

Pacific Ocean reflected in the glass of the Lost Whale Inn

Venue Feature: The Lost Whale Inn

When planning out your Humboldt County elopement experience you’ll want to consider both your ceremony location and the type of accommodations you’d like to elevate your experience. Do you crave a truly remote place to settle into for your elopement? Are you foodies who want to mix stunning views with an unforgettable meal? An unexpected hidden gem with an outdoor hot tub? How about vibey vintage decor and sweeping staircases? Your options are wide open.

Couple embrace after redwood elopement ceremony in Prairie Creek Redwoods

A few basic things to consider when choosing where to stay for your elopement

Couple walks together in the rain down Newton B Drury Parkway in Northern California

Distance from Redwoods

Factor drive times into your plans for the day. Consider how far you are comfortable driving on your wedding day and be sure to review drive times in conjunction with miles. It’s not uncommon for a road to measure 12 miles and actually take 35 minutes to drive.

Guests

If you are bringing friends and family along you’ll want to consider their participation in the day or weekend. How many group activities are planned? Do you need space for a dinner reception? Centralizing guest accommodations minimizes organizational headaches and maximizes car pool options as well.

Getting ready Vibes

Travel style and aesthetic tend to go hand in hand. There are some really unique bed and breakfasts, hotels and boutique style Airbnbs in Humboldt. A little room to spread out goes a very long way. Luggage and the contents thereof have a way of multiplying like a sci fi movie meets backstage at fashion week. Especially when you’ve been told to pack layers. Psst. Pack layers.

Look for large windows with lots of natural light. This is great for makeup and detail images of preparations, not to mention your overall sense of well being.

View from the balcony of the Benbow Inn in Northern California

LOCAL STAYS THAT I LOVE

INN AT 2 & C

HUMBOLDT BAY SOCIAL CLUB

LOST WHALE INN

CARTER HOUSE INN

Arcata, California

Picturesque college town nestled in the Redwoods – yes, it does remind me of the opening scenes of a horror movie because it’s so cute.

A Redwood Forest in the City

If Endor had sidewalks.

Arcata mixes a small, walkable city with immediate and easy access to a sprawling redwood forest. The forest is actually woven through the campus edge of the city. Great coffee, amazing crepes, the best fries, wonderful book stores and a winery around the corner from a grocery chain, to list a few perks.

Arcata Redwood Park

790 acres of woodland forest just blocks from downtown.

Mad River Beach

Rolling dunes dotted with beach grass and endless vistas of crashing waves. Easy to feel like you’re the only people there.

Trinidad, California

Couple walks up towards Wedding Rock in Sue-Meg State Park

Trinidad, California is located less than 40 minutes from Redwood National Park and boasts some of the most breathtaking venues and private estates for your wedding or elopement.