Paris Elopement Wedding Photography | Wedding Style at The Eiffel Tower, Palais-Royal, The Louvre and River Seine | Destination Wedding Photographer
Paris Elopement wedding Photography | wedding style at The eiffel tower, Palais-Royal, the Louvre and river Seine | Destination Wedding Photographer
An elopement wedding day in paris, France feels like something out of a movie. The beautiful streets, the historical architecture, the endless art museums and how the city lights up at night is simply magical. When I knew I was going to be speaking at LEgacy Workshop in France and then spending time in paris afterwards, I just knew I wanted to document an elopement bridal editorial in some of the most beautiful locations in paris. And of course, with my friends birthday being nearby, I offered to have her and her partner join my husband and I in Paris and I would document her and her boyfriend, while also treating them on their trip. Capturing real couples is the best for inspiring your creativity in between wedding seasons, as they already have such a natural bond. It also helps when you can simply have fun together as they are some of your closest friends.
MAggie and angus spent the morning of this elopement day editorial in their adorable and quaint airbnb in Paris. They both got ready together before we headed to the streets to enjoy roaming around paris together. I brought vintage veils along from Those were the days bridal in EDinburgh, Scotland. the lovely owner, claire, of those were the days bridal carefully curates and hand selects all of the pieces in her shop on saint stephen street in my personal favorite neighborhood in edinburgh, stockbridge. and I’m not biased just because it’s my personal neighborhood where we live, but it really is the best for small business cafes, restaurants, clothing shops, thrift stores and cinnamon buns. so if you are ever visiting edinburgh, definitely pop over to stockbridge.
anyways, back to the elopement editorial in paris. Maggie was wearing a vintage veil from those were the days and had multiple outfits throughout the day, because even on a wedding day there tend to be outfit changes more and more, so why not on your elopement day as well. The floral bouquet was designed by my friend Beverly, of Heidi GOld Florals, She was able to piece together a stunning little bouquet that packed a punch of color with a unique blend of florals in the arrangement.
The first place we took a few individual and couple photographs in the parisian neighborhood around their airbnb. If you ever have an elopement or wedding day in paris, honestly, you can’t go wrong with most residential streets all around the city, as the architecture is stunning no matter which district you are based in. And by photographing around your lodging, you can have those images that are more unique to you before heading to the classic spots in the city where inevitably you may see other couples having wedding photos done there as well.
We only saw two other brides the entire day, which I thought was fairly good for us, especially photographing bridal portraits around the eiffel tower and the louvre museum. At the eiffel tower, we started taking the elopement portraits a few blocks away from the actual tower, so it was a bit quieter to start out with the tower in the background, and then slowly walked toward the eiffel tower for a larger scene. There are actually plenty of ways to crop out the crowds, so I wouldn’t be nervous to get closer to the eiffel tower if you are ever there on your wedding day. We also found that everyone parted ways for the bride in her wedding dress.
The next stop on our tour around paris for elopement portraits, was the domaine national du palais-royal. I have always loved the courtyard that has a stunning artwork installation of striped sculptures that resemble a chess board. IT really is such a beautiful spot for wedding photos and has many corners that aren’t crowded at all for intimate moments together.
we then walked across the street to the louvre museum for more wedding portraits in front of the stunning piece of architecture, the modern grand pyramid. THe beautiful, glass pyramid is a structure that pei cobb Freed & partners created and I will Forever be impressed by such beautiful and thoughtful design. always brings back fond memories when i’m in it’s presence.
After staying at the louvre until the sun started to set, to see the pyramid lit up at night and the fountains reflection of ripples shining through, we then walked over to the seine river. I love how the seine river has many sections and a lower walkway by the river so your elopement can be a more intimate one, especially when it’s darker at night and the only light is from the parisian street lamps.
The eiffel tower has a light show in the evenings and you could see the glow of the tower between maggie and angus from the seine river walkway. It really was a magical way to end this elopement editorial with the sweetest couple of friends around. I’m truly grateful for them entrusting me to document the two of them around paris. Traveling the world alone is lovely, but even better with loved ones. x
Vintage Wedding Veil - Those were the days bridal // Bridal Fashion Styling - MaaggSs // Wedding Bouquet - Heidi Gold Florals
“an intimate Elopement in Paris, France is always a beautiful idea.
The historic eiffel tower, stunning Domaine National du Palais-Royal, modern louvre architecture and the calming Seine river all make
for the most cinematic and romantic wedding Day.”
IF YOU WANT to have AN INTIMATE elopement in paris, france OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HERE IS MY INQUIRY FORM FOR YOU TO TELL ME ALL ABOUT
YOUR destination WEDDING DAY. exploring new cities with couples on their destination
wedding day brings me so much joy.
Villa Piaggia Wedding in Montaione, Italy | A Luxury Villa Wedding in Tuscany | Destination Italian Wedding Photographer
Villa Piaggia Wedding in Montaione, Italy | A Luxury Villa Wedding in Tuscany | Alex + Jacob | Intimate Tuscan Italian Wedding Venue | Destination Italian Wedding Photographer
Alex and Jacob traveled with their families from chicago all of the way to the tuscany countryside of Italy to have their wedding ceremony at the stunning Villa Piaggia. Villa PIaggia is located in the center of tuscan wine country and not only do they have their own olive vineyard but they have a beautiful historic villa that can comfortably sleep up to seventeen of your closest friends and family members.
My husband and I were also so kindly invited to stay at the villa for a few days with everyone and it was honestly such a beautiful time getting to know their family and spending time at their gorgeous wedding venue. Alex got ready with her sister and mom, after everyone had their breakfast in various areas around the villa PIaggia Garden. Ross and I were even able to enjoy some pool time wtih everyone the morning of their wedding day. It really could not have been a more relaxed and lovely setting and really set the mood for a serene and romantic italian wedding day.
Alex’s wedding dress was by Jenny Yoo, who honestly just does the loveliest cuts of a satin slip dress and really elevates them. Her shoes were also another favorite of mine, purple heels by sam edelman. Her earrings were also from one of the best jewelry designers, A.B. Ellie. A local florist, Exo-Usia Events, designed a beautiful and minimal floral arrangement for both the ceremony and outdoor dinner table scape. The ceremony was in the front garden of the villa with the tuscan vineyards in the backdrop of alex and jacob saying I do.
After the ceremony, we strolled through the villa piaggia property for their wedding portraits. villa piaggia has a beautiful orchard of olive trees that we were able to walk to and then they had their original farm buildings that truly were lovely pieces of history and a stunning flower garden in front of the property. After taking couple portraits around the villa we strolled back to where their loved ones were, which was drinking cocktails by the pooL. The poolside cocktail hour was filled with everyone enjoying the sunset and everyone watching them have their first dance by the reflection of the water.
Villa Piaggia has a private chef, Alessio Bagnoli, who really made the evening special for everyone. His courses were another level. He used local ingredients and made everything from scratch, right from the lovely kitchen in Villa Piaggia. The entire staff at the villa were lovely as well. truly the whole experience, from the perspective of both a guest and the photographer, really could not have been a more seamless and lovely wedding day at villa piaggia. I can’t recommend this villa in tuscany enough for anyone who wants a wedding day in the italian countryside.
Tuscan Villa Wedding // @villapiaggia Wedding Dress // @jennyyoonyc Wedding Shoes // @sam_edelman Earrings // @a.b.ellie Fragrance // @maisonmargiela Veil // @etsy Florist // @exo_usia_events Tux // @suitsupply Live Music // @florencestringquartet Bride’s Engagement Ring + Groom Wedding Band // @annasheffield Bride Wedding Band // @lindsaylewis.fine Villa’s Private Chef // @alessiobagnolichefdianella
“Villa Piaggia is truly a romantic Tuscany Wedding venue in montaione, Italy, surrounded
by vineyards in the italian countryside.”
An Intimate San Diego Wedding at Sunrise | Elena + Sam | California Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
An Intimate San Diego Wedding At Sunrise | Elena + Sam | California Wedding Photographer | San Diego Wedding PhotogRapher | Destination Wedding Photographer
When Elena and Sam told me they wanted their wedding ceremony to be in San Diego at sunrise, I couldn’t have been more excited. There is something so majestic and emotive about the sun rising in the morning, especially when the backdrop is endless curves of the California hilltops and palm trees over a beautiful Lake in northern San Diego. Elena and Sam rented a private home for their whole family to stay. Literally, one of the best ways to have an intimate wedding and the best way to avoid too many logistics of driving around and commuting for everyone on a wedding day. I didn’t photograph this part of the home, but this estate also had a large pool, jacuzzi and rec room with a ping-ping table, literally, that’s the life. (I grew up with a ping-pong table, so always get very excited when seeing them). Anyways, back to this lovely wedding day! I was staying near sunset cliffs in San Diego, and was easily able to Uber up to the estate when it was still completely dark outside, to be there in time for the sunrise.
When I arrived Elena was upstairs getting ready, so of course I went up there first, said hello and took a few photos of her details. Her veil was by the New York designer, Danielle Frankel Studio, and she wore a custom dress that she designed with the help of her friends, dressmakers Blush Fashion and Custom Sewing by Heather. Her modern hairclip was from Lelet NY. Her wedding bouquet was also a work of art that was created with florals from Afloral. After capturing her morning of putting her finishing touches on, I went downstairs to scout out the ceremony site, and when I walked downstairs her sweet mom offered me coffee (which was much appreciated) and I watched the sunrise alongside all of the other family members who were slowly making their way to the backyard terrace overlooking the hilltops. One of my favorite shots I captured from this wedding day, was of Elena’s dad and his mug of coffee, all alone, up before anyone else and just standing at the ceremony site, drinking his coffee and watching the sun slowly rise above the fog over Lake Hodges. Seriously, It was so moving to me, but I can only imagine how moved he must have been feeling on the morning of his daughters wedding day. It was all very emotional and sweet. Once the sun was just over the hills, Elena walked down the aisle towards Sam, with all of their immediate families in support of them. The fog was still hovering from the morning mist and it was a truly beautiful site.
After the ceremony we took a stroll down the cliffside that the rental home was perched upon to take a few couple portraits with the stunning California scenery in the background. We then made our way back to the house for detail images, family portraits and more couple photos. What I loved about this day, is that is all they wanted captured. The wedding day focus for them was the ceremony, and that is the main part they wanted captured. Since the whole family was together in their home, everyone went straight back into casual attire and just enjoyed the rest of their time together as a family. I enjoyed another cup of coffee with everyone before Ubering back to the city center of San Diego and the family went on to have a relaxing day of spending time together. I loved how intimate this wedding day was. Truly, a bride with good taste, a beautiful setting and your closest people are all you need to have a beautiful intimate wedding day. x
Wedding Venue - Private Residence in San Diego | Wedding Veil - Danielle Frankel Studio | Wedding Dress - Custom design by the bride, Elena, alongside dressmakers @blushfashion and @customsewingbyheather | Modern Wedding Hair Accessory - Lelet NY | Custom Tailored Suit - Hartter Manly | Wedding Bouquet - AFloral & Wedding Flower Crown | Wedding Rings - Kasia Jewelry |
New York City Elopement | Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar | Moxy NYC Chelsea | NYC Elopement Photographer
New York City Elopement | Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar | Moxy NYC Chelsea | NYC Elopement Photographer | NYC Micro Wedding
This New York City wedding day started in the quaint neighborhood of Chelsea, where the the bride and groom live. Alex spent her morning at The Moxy Hotel with her mom, sister and closest friends. Her wedding dress was from a local Brooklyn bridal boutique , The One Bridal, by dress designer, Cortana Brides. After getting ready they headed over to Hudson River Park at Pier 45, where Adam and Alex’s friends and family were waiting to greet them. After getting married on the pier with the NYC skyline as their backdrop, we walked back into Chelsea to stroll around their neighborhood for portraits. Because they live in that neighborhood, it was meaningful for them to have portraits in a place that was special to them and Chelsea, itself, is just so quaint. We took the subway up a few stops before getting out to hail a yellow taxi to take us to the reception venue. We arrived to Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar just before the guests arrived for canapés and drinks so we could take portraits on the rooftop balcony overlooking the north side of Manhattan. The venue has a lovely modern and a bit of art deco vibe, with wooden walls, records on the walls and colorful velvet couches. It was such a lovely evening of mingling, eating, drinking and sweet memories with all of their loved ones overlooking one of the most beautiful cities in the world. NYC skyscrapers glisten as the sun goes down and it made for such an unforgettable evening full of love. x
NYC Hotel - Moxy Hotels Chelsea | Wedding Dress Boutique - The One Bridal NY | Wedding Dress Designer - Cortana Brides | Hair and MUA - Marin Renee | Wedding Boots - Reikenen Official | NYC Outdoor Ceremony - Hudson River Park at Pier 45 | NYC Wedding Venue - Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar | Wedding Ring - Shahlakarimi Jewelry
Tarlair Swimming Pool | Open Air Pool in Scotland | Travel Photographer
Tarlair Swimming Pool | Open Air Pool in Scotland | Travel Photographer
I love visiting new places. They don’t need to be the most epic mountains or popular locations in the country, just a place that is new to me. I will always find a way to connect to the atmosphere wherever I find myself, by strolling around the area and taking it all in.
For this trip, my birthday weekend to be exact, we ventured to the north east of Scotland in Aberdeenshire. We stayed in the Aberdeen countryside in a remote hut with a wood-burning hot tub. It was simple and all we needed for a simple and sweet getaway. We stopped at so many abandoned castles, structures and quiet coastlines along the road up north. But one of my favorite places I laid my eyes on was the Tarlair Outdoor Swimming Pool. It was commissioned in 1929 and opened in 1931. Between Tarlair’s Art Deco architecture and the history it has during the war times has made this a Grade A building by Historic Scotland. It’s truly a beautiful sight. Even with all of the buildings and pools clearly unmaintained, there is a bit of happiness that you can still see when imagining all of the times that were had there when it first opened. The designers were so thoughtful with the structure and the location could not be more perfect. It is perfectly placed just below a cliff, right on the beach front. The architects had designed pumps to bring in the ocean water to the multiple layers of pools. The steps into the pool were so thoughtful and well designed. Overall, the Art Deco architecture design had me over the moon.
And as a side note, as there may be others who will visit this beautiful piece of Art Deco architecture in the future, just to remember to be mindful of where you’re walking, because depending on the water and tide, this particular area can be extremely wet and slippery around the pool edges. Locals are there usually walking their dogs and it is a really peaceful place for a mindful stroll, reading a book or taking a few images, but not a place for masses to gather, play loud music or disturb locals in this peaceful little area (as well as any area in The Highlands, truly).
This location was just a dream for me, as someone who loves architecture and the stillness and quietness of a historic, desolate structure. This was such a great place to think. In fact, shortly after Ross and I arrived, we both parted ways to stroll around the area and look at the details of the area, as it felt more like a sacred sanctuary, unlike the usual natural scenery locations in Scotland that we visit. I love visiting places with Ross and love how these road trip experiences bring us closer together with the many memories made. From the music we listen to in the car, to our conversations about how these abandoned structures used to be thriving, to the snacks we choose at local markets, to the crazy weather and random ways we end up spending our evenings (like figuring out how to get the best temperature from a wood-burning hot tub in the rain). We always have so much fun together and make the most of any situation, and I’m so excited to continue to experience new places and making beautiful memories with Ross for the rest of my days. x
Bordeaux, France | 35mm Film
Bordeaux, France | 35mm Film | Travel Photographer
This was on a holiday to Bordeaux with mon amour, Ross.
Endless walks, canelés and smiles. x
The little café above is called Black List. A little back story… Ross used to teach in Bordeaux for a few years and the owner of this shop walked up to us and said to Ross “I think you used to be my teacher.” It was so cool because he had no idea that this shop that we wanted to visit would be owned by one of his students that he helped teach English to. Such a small and beautiful world. And this ended up being one of our favorite cafés in this city for filter coffee and brunch.
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Scotland
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Scotland Wedding Photographer
When I’m with you, I’m home.
My fiancé, Ross (who has the kindest heart and is the loveliest human I have ever had the privilege of knowing and loving) and I travel back and forth between our two cities regularly every few months. He is Scottish and lives in the beautiful historic city of Edinburgh and I am an American who lives in the stunningly modern city of Chicago.
With that said, when I visit Scotland, we road trip, multiple times a month when I’m in the country. Sometimes our travels consist of weekend flights to nearby countries (well relatively, to me) to France or to Ireland, sometimes we do long weekends away in the Highlands (the most consistent and always regular, to explore Scotland’s beautiful countryside), other times it’s day trips that we can take around the coast in the middle of Scotland.
However, of all of our trips we’ve taken together, we don’t go for the purpose of shooting but to just spend time together in new places, which is why this is the first post I’ve taken enough on my camera to share. I love capturing the land, but more so just seeing it with my eyes, in general, since I never grew up or experienced much of the outdoors as a child, and Ross…well he grew up in Scotland and was practically raised outdoors and would hike and be in nature with his family constantly. This blog post is a simple look into one of our many road trips taken together over the last few years. I also wanted to show some lovely scenes from a country that I currently spend half of my time living in and that I’ve fallen in love with over the last few years. I just love it. Although, I definitely don’t need to sell the majestic beauty of this place with my words, which I couldn’t do if I tried, so enjoy the images below. And if you haven’t yet, I highly suggest visiting Scotland. Just driving anywhere north in the country is beautiful, no location tag needed. It’s truly a beautiful land.
Ross is featured in this edition of Rucksack Magazine.
We never go on a trip without an Aeropress and a bag of local whole bean coffee.
We like crosswords + breakfast bagels.
The two above images were taken 2 minutes in between each other. This is Scottish weather at it’s finest.
We’re not super into the “tripod and formal pictures” being taken of us, but when it started pouring rain we ran to the overhang of this house for a bit and I saw our reflection when I was looking too hard inside the windows, ha. Thankfully, no one was home.
We stop at many small inns for soup + hot drinks on our road trips.
If you are searching for the perfect place to elope? Scotland is your country! Scotland elopements are becoming more and more popular. I have been visiting Scotland for many years before I moved here (part-time at the moment) and I have to say, I only love this country with every passing year. When I first started coming here I wasn’t capturing couples in the highlands or the mountains. But over the years, I have shot weddings, elopements, engagement sessions and portrait shoots from the Isle of Skye, to Glencoe, to remote villages, to Edinburgh and of all the way down to the Scottish Borders. If you need any consultation on where a good place in Scotland would be to elope, feel free to reach out to me! I would love to help you plan your elopement in Scotland. Choosing a mountain or location in Scotland to elope can be overwhelming with all of the options, but I have traveled all over the country for years, and just for my own personal photography ventures. I don’t wait until I get an elopement or wedding to explore this beautiful country. I love to explore new areas of Scotland just for fun. I always note beautiful ares that I think would be a perfect spot for an elopement or intimate wedding. All in all, if you are planning your elopement to Scotland and are looking for someone who loves the land as well as love, then I would be honored to help you capture your wedding day with your best friend. Feel free to send me an inquiry on my contact page and we can chat soon about how epic your Scotland elopement can be!
Porteous Studio | Edinburgh, Scotland
Porteous Studio | Scotland Rental Holiday Home | Edinburgh Photographer
Watch carefully the magic that occurs
when you give a person enough comfort
to just be themselves. - Atticus
Eilidh and Jack, of Izat Irundell, are the beautiful humans who created this serene and cozy space, quietly located in the center of Edinburgh. Its name is Porteous Studio. It encompasses who they both are and Porteous Studio was their first project working together as a couple. I truly appreciate the thoughtful details they included, from the local coffee beans in the cupboard to the custom furniture that was commissioned for the space. The textured design, the clean lines and the calming color palette all contribute to the experience of a stay at Porteous Studio. I’m so grateful to have spent a few days here and can’t wait for my next retreat in this beautifully designed getaway, nestled in the heart of my second home.
photography Melody Joy Co. | oak screens @56northkitchens | brass object @fionadeanartist | linen print @hayleymccrirrick | textured walls @clayworksclayplasters | clay pots @_rebeccaproctor | sofa @namongaston | toiletries Aēsop Skincare | coffee table read Rucksack Magazine | that delicious carrot cake | Love Crumbs
Iceland | Anastasia + Felix
Iceland Vow Renewal | Iceland Road Trip | Iceland Wedding Photographer
Anastasia and Felix had me document their wedding photos in Iceland... just three years after they were married.
Their story moved me so much.
This is a "renewal of love" that is pretty unique and beautiful.
All they needed was each other.
Anastasia and Felix are an endearing, entrepreneurial and charming Ukrainian couple who had to flee their hometown just two days after their wedding because of a war breaking out. Their photographer had decided to leave their city a week earlier, so there were no official images on their wedding day. In circumstances like that, photos seem a bit trivial.
It was my honor to document their love on a very special trip to Iceland after years of them not even thinking of professional wedding photos during these transitional years of settling into their new home and lives. My favorite part of the trip was just spending our days and endless hours with them in the car just enjoying ourselves and the beautiful views.
We discovered a favorite stop along our route for soup, hot dogs and coffee. And after endless days of them speaking amongst each other, I definitely want to learn how to speak Russian. I also learned that we peel potatoes differently, ha, and that we share a love for any type of board game.
We ended up extending our stay with them at an Airbnb in Reykjavik on our last night (after a hilarious balloon-animal-making, taco-eating, and local-cat-stalking adventure) and playing this game called "keep talking and nobody explodes." It's an online game and everyone should definitely go play it with some friends today.
All of this to say, the images below are beautiful moments from the trip, but nothing is more beautiful than truly enjoying the company you are in, in person and not in front of a camera.
I've learned that my favorite moments with the ones I love from the last few years have not been documented, because I'm too busy enjoying them in person, and I love how special that is between the individuals that are there in those moments.
Cheers to many more beautiful adventures together, Anastasia + Felix!
Isle of Skye | Ruth + Mark
Isle of Skye Road Trip | Isle of Skye Engagement Photos | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Ever since being introduced to Ruth (thanks Ian!) I knew she would become a close friend of mine. I appreciate her kindness, hospitality and just overall genuine personality. She is a gem and a firecracker at the same time. I was so grateful to spend this past weekend capturing Ruth and Mark's engagement photos on the Isle of Skye, where Ruth grew up. She had plenty of hikes lined up and plenty of food and drink to satisfy an army. Ruth's grandma also contributed with delicious homemade food multiple times, so I now know where she gets it from!
Anyways, enjoy these images of our weekend...and always remember..."a couple that lunges together, stays together!" (see second to last image)
If you'd like me to come with you for an engagement or elopement weekend in the Isle of Skye or anywhere in the Highlands of Scotland, please reach out! I would love to document you both and create something beautiful together! Contact me at the link below and I’m looking forward to speaking with you soon!
I loved shooting this couple's engagement photos in the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is located in the Highlands of Scotland, and the landscape is gorgeous. I love shooting couples in the Isle of Skye. From the Old Man of Storr, to the Quiraing, to the Fairy Pools, to Neist Point, the Isle of Skye has so many beautiful landscapes to photograph couples in epic landscapes and beautiful nature. There are so many lovely walks on the Isle of Skye. If you’re a couple who wants to go on long walk or just pull right up to a stunning landscape, I have a ton of experience doing both on the Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye engagement sessions are a great way for us to spend time together and get to know each other. And if you are visiting the Isle of Skye and Scotland in general from another country, it’s one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland to explore. You will love it! The Isle of Skye road trip also has us passing along Glencoe and Glen Etive on the drive up, which are also two beautiful Scotland spots for an engagement session. Or if you just want to get out, have a coffee, walk around and take some photos, there will be plenty of places to do that along the way! I just love Scotland and the Isle of Skye, and am always grateful for weekends away there, whether with my fiancé or with a couple, it’s always such a beautiful time. The lighting is always different for every trip that I visit the Isle of Skye, so you never know what you’re going to get, and that is part of the fun of it. We were rained out at the Fairy Pools, but we were able to do a very long walk near the Quiraing because it happened to be clear skies that day. But both were equally enjoyable! If you are prepared for rain, wind, cold and all of the elements then you’ll be ready for your engagement session or elopement on the Isle of Skye!
Iceland | A 36-Hour Layover on a Budget | Iceland Travel Photography
Iceland Road Trip Layover | Iceland Wedding photographer | Travel Photography
Iceland is a unique beauty.
Let me start by saying that if you can afford to stay for longer, I would highly recommend it. Iceland has endless sights to see, mountains to hike, beaches to stroll on and waterfalls to climb to the top of. This post is just geared towards those traveling from the States (Chicago) to Europe with a long layover (like I did), or those wanting a little taste of Iceland on a limited budget.
First, I flew with WOW Air. It was not sponsored at all. It's just a really good airline; new planes, friendly staff, new seats and the best prices around. $370 round-trip is the average price. Sometimes less! You just need to bring your own snacks and entertainment with you. For example, I edited on my computer and played games on my phone the entire time (when I wasn't sleeping). I'm very much into puzzle or problem-solving games where you can race against a clock. So it was between Sudoku, Crosswords, Unblock Me, Flow, and a new game I just started playing on plane rides called Disney Emoji Blitz (thanks to going to Disney a few weeks ago and my friends playing it constantly while waiting in line for the new Pandora ride at Animal Kingdom).
And for packing, make sure to just put your clothes in with your camera bag because it's cheapest to have only one bag with you on WOW air. Your jacket, jeans and boots are all that are needed daily and can stay the same. Just switch up the undergarments, sweaters, scarf, tees and beanies for different looks. And basic knowledge...always wear your chunkiest jackets and shoes when flying if you must pack multiple. And don't forget a swimsuit and a towel!
When I arrived in Iceland, Ross met me at the airport. His flight to Iceland from Scotland was even cheaper with WOW Air than mine was. Then we both flew back with EasyJet, which is another very inexpensive airline to cheaply travel around Europe.
From the airport you must either take a bus to Reykjavik to hire a rental car, or just hire one from a closer rental company. The bus could be the price of one day of a rental car, so go with something near the airport. They all usually have shuttle services even if they aren't located directly in the airport, but nearby. Lagoon Car Rental was who we went with. They have such a wide range of vehicles for different price ranges. They have an airport pick-up service with someone waiting for you when you arrive with their logo on it. Like anything, the more people you go with, splitting a rental really helps cut down on costs. Another fun fact is that Lagoon Car Rental cars come with a wireless router for you to have internet on your travels. I never needed to use it though, because one... I was barely on my phone in the short amount of time I had to cherish the scenery, but two... I have T-mobile and I had fast 3G data the entire time I was roaming around iceland at NO extra charge (and every country I've been to thus far). So good job, T-mobile! It is seriously the best phone company for those who travel often, for work or for pleasure. (not sponsored...I've been with my family using T-mobile since I had my first phone with the Snake game on it and the t-9 buttons were memorized when I was 14).
For lodging, go with a rental that has seats that can lay down, or a tent attachment that comes with it. This will also save you from any additional lodging expenses and give you the freedom to park your vehicle anywhere (legally, of course) to wake up to the most beautiful views. You can also just drive through the night to see as much of the scenery as possible and keep switching drivers if you have an automatic (so you both can drive and rest equally).
For food, we headed to a local grocery store in Reykjavik for a ramen-like meal for dinner and oatmeal for breakfast. Both meals you just had to add hot water to, and it was the perfect amount of food. And from the plane experience, we already had plenty of granola and cereal bars in our bags as snacks. Ross brought the pot to boil water and we needed to find a small gas canister to heat up the local water you use or the large bottle of water you buy. One of the locals who worked at the tourist office told us to just go to a hostel or hotel and ask for one because tourists leave them half-full, since they can't bring them on planes. So you can start there to save a few dollars... or you can just buy one to save time. They really are not too pricey and the grocery store and camping store are both walking distance from Reykjavik Coffee Roasters (the original location), which is where we grabbed two cappuccinos before setting off on our long and beautiful drive across the south side of the country.
For coffee breaks, we also brought an Aeropress so we could have some of our friend's coffee (locally roasted in Edinburgh), called Obadiah. And let me tell you, no coffee tastes better freshly ground on a cold morning in front of the bluest icebergs I've ever seen.
Also, for anyone wanting to go to the Blue Lagoon, unless you are going on your honeymoon, it can be fairly pricey for the average traveler, so bring some all natural or organic face masks and enjoy them while soaking in one of the natural hot springs all over Iceland... for free. The views are all stunning at the hot spring locations that I've seen, and you'll be surrounded by way less people. And in some locations you will have the hot spring all to yourself!
The main highway is the route we took in the southern region, as there are plenty of sights right near the road to maximize your time if you don't have very long. We were able to visit all of the places in the images below with under 24 hours of daylight and driving in the dark during the other hours. And it was all worth it.
I can't wait to go back and properly explore some more. So if you only have a little bit of time or a small budget... you can definitely visit Iceland!
Can you find the little yellow jacket roaming around? This waterfall was huge.
That pipe on the bottom left is what heated the hot spring, as well as a light hot stream running off the mountain to the left into the pool. This pool is more warm than hot...unless you hang out by the pipe...like me. :)
We, or I should say Ross, drove throughout the night for hours through intense wind and rain. It was worth it to see this as daylight arose. location - Jökulsárlón
This sweater was definitely fit the surrounding. The color fit the natural tones landscapes, and the warmth was just enough to not need a jacket during midday. The lines on the sleeves are my favorite part.
Also, some may be amazed or not surprised, but the image above and the two images below this text were all taken by me standing in the same exact spot and just turning from side to side. location - Dyrhólaey
Just remember, when getting close to Skógafoss, the smallest gust of wind will have your whole body soaking wet. And you will have to change and your hair will be drenched like you just hopped out of the shower. Memories. So only get super close if you have a change of clothes.
Below is my "what would people on ANTM do" faces. Probably missed the mark, but the sunset on the black sand beach was the most beautiful one I've ever seen.
If you’d like me to capture your elopement in Iceland or see if your date is available for 2020 or 2021?
reach out below and I would love to document your love and create something beautiful together!
A Hike In the Dolomites | Val Di Fassa, Italia
Dolomites Hike | Val Di Fassa, Italia | Italy Wedding Travel Photographer
Everyone should visit Val Di Fassa, Italy. The area is one of the world's best ski-resort towns and has the most epic views from every vantage point. The gang and I went on a couple-hour hike in the mountains and the views were stunning. My favorite part was coming across an abandoned hotel. It was beautiful. There were a couple of abandoned cabins around as well. I absolutely loved these few hours of my life. Below are some snapshots of the hike. I also wore snowshoes for the first time. They are very practical for not sliding off the edge of a cliff on a small path. Highly recommend them for any hikes in the snow. Enjoy!
Also, if anyone wants to do a styled shoot at this hotel....let me know! I would easily fly back!
Thank you @visitvaldifassa, for such a beautiful experience!
The Not So Green, Greenland.
There was really no idea in my head of how Greenland was going to look. Since I was a child I had always heard that the country was huge, cold, and "wasn't very Green". All true, but in the most beautiful way. I wouldn't change a thing about Greenland. It is definitely among the most surreal and stunning places I have ever been. Everywhere we turned there was another iceberg, another glacier, and another epic mountain in the mist. Greenland's landscape is truly a work of art.
First stop. Nuuk, Greenland.
Amongst the beauty we were not able to just see the land but experience the water and the ice first hand. We slipped on our wetsuits, hopped in the freezing cold waters, and swam to go stand on an iceberg as we waved to fellow crew members on the boat. Afterwards we floated peacefully in the water as we looked at the majestic skies above.
Second Stop. Ilulissat, Greenland.
Greenland Guides Visit Greenland, Touring Greenland, World of Greenland
Lodging of Greenland.
Touring Greenland Adventure
A beautiful combination of glamping yet being far away from any civilization.
Hotel Hans Egede
The most colorful and beautiful hotel in the colorful city of Nuuk.
Hotel Arctic
The coziest hotel, where you are surrounded by icebergs and arctic snow dogs right outside of your window.
Colorful Nuuk.
Nuuk is the capital city of Greenland, with a population of around 17,000 people. The Visit Greenland headquarters is based here, as it is the largest city in the country. If you are planning a trip to Greenland (which you all should be), then I highly recommend that you contact them or visit their website for inspiration.
As much as I love the moodier weather and a darker color palette for my images, I absolutely love the pops of color that come from the historic houses that are scattered throughout the city. Each color represented a specific building in the original colony. That palette has now expanded, but you can see only the original colors in the "old town" by the waterfront.
Below is the stunning cultural center of Nuuk, called Katuaq. It is used to hold concerts, exhibits of local artwork, conferences, and it also serves as the local cinema! In the lobby cafe I was able to try a muskox hotdog and it was amazing. I love hotdogs generally, but this one was one of the best I have ever had. It was amazing to see the distinctive architecture of this center amongst the historic homes that make up this colorful city.
Up in the Air.
To get to the beautiful and remote country of Greenland you have to fly with Air Greenland. A few years ago I found out that my favorite chocolate chip cookies overseas were the "Maryland" brand, and I was so very happy to see that those were served on all Air Greenland flights. Helicopter tours are popular in Greenland but, to be honest, I can't imagine views better than the ones from the plane rides to and from each city. You fly close enough to the ground where the visibility of the vast ice sheet is so clear on every flight. When you look out the window and see the tiny "ice cubes" below you, it's crazy to think that they could weigh over 100,000 tons.
These views were so surreal and ones I will never forget.
