Erica Swantek Photography

Erica Swantek Photography Soulful weddings handcrafted in the Pacific Northwest. Intimate wedding & adventure elopement photog

On Saturday, Ally & Zach said their vows along the shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park with family & friends...
06/03/2026

On Saturday, Ally & Zach said their vows along the shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park with family & friends by their side. It was a windy but gorgeous sunny day and after almost a year of planning with these two, it was so wonderful to see it all come together beautifully. Ally & Zach are such kind hearted people and wanted nothing more than to share their favorite National Park with their loved ones. We spent the day together, getting ready at their vacation rental, then traveled to the lake for their ceremony and portraits. After that, we headed into Port Angeles for dinner with everyone before whisking them off to Hurricane Ridge to catch the alpenglow on the Olympic Range. It was a day of intention and beauty and I’m so grateful I got to work with these two. Here are some sneak peeks from their wedding day!

Lodging:
Dress:
Suit:
Flowers:
Dinner:

There’s something sacred about letting go of what a wedding is supposed to look like… and choosing what actually feels r...
05/02/2026

There’s something sacred about letting go of what a wedding is supposed to look like… and choosing what actually feels right instead.

On this foggy stretch of the Oregon Coast, these two traded traditional wedding attire for something softer. Warmer. More them. No pressure to perform. No expectations to meet. Just presence, connection, and the quiet kind of joy that doesn’t need an audience.

This is what a non-traditional elopement can look like.

Especially for my LGBTQ+ couples, who deserve a space where your love isn’t just accepted, but fully seen, celebrated, and held with care.

If you’ve been wondering:

* What should we wear to our elopement?
* Do we have to follow any rules?
* Will it still feel special without tradition?

The answer is simple:
You get to decide what matters.

And I’ll be right there to help you shape a day that feels grounded, intentional, and entirely your own.

If you’re dreaming about an Oregon Coast elopement that feels like freedom instead of pressure…
I’d love to hear your story! 🤍

🏳️‍🌈

The earth holds so much more than we give it credit for.It softens us.Slows us down.Reminds us what actually matters.The...
04/22/2026

The earth holds so much more than we give it credit for.

It softens us.
Slows us down.
Reminds us what actually matters.

The way the light filters through the trees at just the right moment…
The rhythm of waves that seem to breathe with you…
The stillness you only notice when you finally stop moving.

Nature doesn’t ask anything from us.
It doesn’t need us to be anything other than who we are.

And somehow, in its presence, we remember how to come back to ourselves.

To breathe deeper.
To feel more.
To notice the quiet, meaningful moments we so often rush past.

Earth Day feels like a gentle reminder,
not just to protect this place we call home,
but to stay connected to it.

To walk softer.
To listen closer.
To be grateful for the way the earth continues to hold us, again and again.🌿

Happy Earth Day!🌎

It’s not too late to elope this spring! 🌸If you’ve been thinking about doing something a little different, this is your ...
04/11/2026

It’s not too late to elope this spring! 🌸

If you’ve been thinking about doing something a little different, this is your sign.

There’s still space this spring for a laid-back, meaningful elopement on the Oregon Coast. Think quiet beaches, salty air, and that soft, moody light the coast does so well. It’s a beautiful time of year that feels calm, fresh, and a little more intimate without the summer crowds.

And you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or planning from out of state, I’m here to help. From location ideas to navigating any permits, timelines, and all the in-between details, I’ll guide you through it so your day feels easy and true to you.

No pressure. No big production. Just a really good day focused on what matters most.

🌿 If a spring elopement on the coast has been on your mind, I’d love to help you make it happen.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my amazing little sister and her stunning wife! I feel so grateful to have captured their speci...
03/24/2026

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my amazing little sister and her stunning wife! I feel so grateful to have captured their special day in Mexico. Celebrating early with them in Mexico last week was incredible. I love you both so much!!!

Hey, I’m back!!!! After taking a month off from the grind of social media, I decided I felt like sharing again today. 🫶I...
03/04/2026

Hey, I’m back!!!! After taking a month off from the grind of social media, I decided I felt like sharing again today. 🫶

I’ve been working hard behind the scenes, onboarding my 2026 clients and creating their custom location lists. I’m so excited to head to so many magical places this year. I just delivered my last list and it has me dreaming about my elopements on the Oregon Coast so thought I’d share a few of my favorite images from past coast elopement days. You never know what you’re going to get here on the coast in terms of the weather, so my advice is always to go in with an open mind. Choosing to embrace all that she has from the gorgeous sunny days to the moody Oregon vibe is the best way to roll with Mother Nature. We will create art no matter what! ☀️🌧️🌊💨🌲🌈

I create from a place of care. From what I believe people deserve. This isn’t about being loud; it’s about being honest....
01/25/2026

I create from a place of care. From what I believe people deserve. This isn’t about being loud; it’s about being honest.

I don’t separate my politics from my art.

My work is rooted in connection, care, and humanity.

Those values guide everything I create.

I believe everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to be who they are, especially our LGBTQ+ community.

I believe in compassion for immigrants and families, and I struggle with systems that cause harm in their name.

Watching what’s happening in our country has been heavy. It’s shaped how I see, feel, and show up in my work.

I don’t align with the direction of the current administration, and I won’t pretend that doesn’t matter to me.

Art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It reflects the world we’re living in, and the world we’re hoping for.

For me, creating honestly means letting my values be visible, even when that feels vulnerable.

This space is rooted in care, respect, and inclusion. If that resonates, you’re welcome here.

Thank you for being part of a community that values love, humanity, and truth.

This past week got a little busy and I took a social media break, but I’m back and ready to share the third incredible M...
11/28/2025

This past week got a little busy and I took a social media break, but I’m back and ready to share the third incredible Moab elopement with Madison & Elliot. 💖

We started their day off with a first look in front of their Jeep, then did a short hike (okay maybe more like a scramble in Madison’s boots) to an incredible arch where we watched climbers rappel down the cliff side. 🧗‍♂️

After some portraits in the arch, we headed back down to drive to a ranch in Castle Valley to ride horses and share vows before the sun set on an incredible day! 🏜️

The day was full of laughter, incredibly fun activities and heartfelt moments. Enjoy these sneak peeks from the last day in Moab! I’m ready to go back!!!!☀️

Host: Megan MacPhail /
Florist: Tangled Sage /
HAMU: Wild Brides Backcountry /
Horses: Moab Horses & Hauer Ranch /
Beer: Moab Brewery /
Models: Madison / Elliott

I can’t even begin to explain just how wonderful Alexis & Gavin’s two day elopement at Mt Rainier National Park was. We ...
11/20/2025

I can’t even begin to explain just how wonderful Alexis & Gavin’s two day elopement at Mt Rainier National Park was. We navigated some pretty crazy PNW weather, a government shutdown and all the uncertainty that comes with that, but these two were so gracious and laid back and the entire vibe was so high! We saw sunrise and sunset on day 1 and then spent a few hours wandering out on day 2 for a family session with these two and their new baby boy. Here are a few of my favorites from their first day. Happy gallery delivery day!✨

       

Narrowing down sneak peeks is one of the hardest tasks for me and day two in Moab proved the difficulty of this for me. ...
11/15/2025

Narrowing down sneak peeks is one of the hardest tasks for me and day two in Moab proved the difficulty of this for me. I tried hard to keep it to 10, but I couldn’t.

Madison & Isaac started their day skydiving, which was seriously one of the most epic ways to start your elopement day! (spoiler alert- I decided to join them so I had to rely on my friends for some images of them in the sky that I’ll share later)!🪂

After that incredible morning, we headed back to the Airbnb so Madison could get her hair and makeup done and then we headed out to hike to an incredible arch. These two shared a first look, chugged beers, read vows on the edge of a cliff, popped champagne and danced under the arch as the sun set. We hiked out with headlamps on and had such an incredible day. Swipe on through to see some@of my favs I captured.

Host: Megan MacPhail /
Florist: Tangled Sage /
HAMU: Wild Brides Backcountry /
Skydiving: Skydive Moab /
Champagne B**g: Chambong /
Models: Madison / Isaac

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