Erica Swantek Photography

Name: Erica Swantek Photography
Address: Bend, OR, US
Telephone: +15412418776
Price range: $$$

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Erica Swantek Photography

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

10/05/2026

Alyssa & Amanda’s elopement in Olympic National Park was absolutely the dreamiest day ever! Not only did the weather deliver a totally gorgeous day, but we truly lucked out timing wise with the closure of Hwy. 101 at the Hoh Bridge. The bridge is currently closed 24 hours a day for repair work, and was only open on Wednesday, which happened to be the day of their elopement! We did have backup plans if we couldn’t make it to Ruby Beach for their ceremony, but thankfully we were able to stick to the original plan.

They got ready in their Airbnb near Lake Crescent and then met up with me in the late morning to start our adventurous day together. We hiked to the most gorgeous waterfall in casual hiking attire to start the day off. Then Alyssa & Amanda enjoyed a little picnic next to the river.

After our bellies were full, we made the drive west to the rainforest. Alyssa & Amanda changed into their wedding attire and we hiked our second trail of the day to a gorgeous spot with beautiful moss covered branches forming a natural arch. Here they read their private vows to each other. There was so much laughter, tears and joy!!!

Finally, it was time to head to Ruby Beach where family was anxiously awaiting for their ceremony. Alyssa & Amanda walked out onto the beach, hand in hand, as family got to see them for a “first look.” It was the sweetest moment! Then, their good friend Olivia delivered a heartfelt ceremony as the sun set and the clouds and weather rolled in. While we didn’t get a true sunset, we got perfectly moody PNW weather.

We frolicked along the beach as the last light of the day faded. The evening ended with a run into the ocean. It was such an incredible day and I’m so excited to share some sneak peeks with you!

Hair & Makeup: Adventure Elopement Hair & Makeup Artist | Meaghan
Officiant: Olivia Flood
Amanda’s Dress: Wisconsin’s Exclusive Plus Size Bridal Shop
Alyssa’s jumpsuit: Karen Millen

09/27/2026

I can’t even put into words how incredible Kassidy & Bradley’s Crater Lake elopement day was. We started off their 12 hour elopement day at their Airbnb where Kassidy got ready upstairs while Bradley hung out downstairs. Once she was ready, they shared a first look at their cabin before we packed up the cars and headed to Crater Lake to spend the day together.

Our first stop was a beautiful hike on a lovely fall day to a waterfall. Then we made our way around the lake, stopping at a few pull offs for photos before heading to a picnic area where they shared a picnic while Michelle, Mike & I cracked jokes and watched them eat.

After the picnic we headed to our second hike of the day, to a beautiful historic fire lookout tower to take in the views of Wizard Island and the lake. Then we hiked back down and Michelle touched up Kassidy’s hair and makeup (yes, when you hire a pro like Michelle, she comes along for your entire day making sure you still looking stunning by the time your ceremony rolls around) in the parking lot. We then hiked to their ceremony location, where we had one of the most epic views of Wizard Island and the lake, just in time for the sun to drop down behind the hill so the light was perfect on the lake behind us. Kassidy braved the chilly temperatures for their ceremony, where they both shed tears and read to sweetest vows to each other.

We headed back down to the car for a quick warm up and then caught the last of the gorgeous sunset light before day turned to night and they cut their cake and shared a laugh together. The day ended with lantern and star photos with an almost full moon rising behind them. Their day was incredible and I am so excited to share a few of my favorites with you today.

Hair & Makeup: Michelle Stoyanoff Elopement Hair and Makeup Artist
Videographer: Mike Hiatt Media Florals: The Floriographer ™
Cake: Crumb Cakery™️| Wedding Bakery | Bend, Oregon | Tara Ferrara Dress: Lulus Weddings
Suit: Bonobos
Floral Preservation: Everlasting Bloom Co.

09/08/2026

Last Thursday Chelsea & Michael married in an intimate ceremony at Sparks Lake here in Bend. We started the day at their Airbnb in Sunriver, where their dogs, Prince & The Revolution, joined us for the first look at some photos. Then we headed up to the mountains. The forecast was calling for rain all week, but never once did this seem to phase them. The day turned out lovely, with sun breaks and beautiful views of the mountains for their ceremony and celebration with family. As we were heading to our second location for sunset portraits, the rain moved in and obscured the mountains, but the dusting of snow was still visible peeping through the clouds. It was wet and chilly, but these two were absolute troopers, rolling with the weather and the moody vibes were so worth it!!

Hair: Edge Hair & Makeup
Videographer: Oregon Wedding Photographer & Videographer | PNW + Destination Oregon Wedding Photographer & Videographer | PNW + Destination.analog
Day of Coordinator: Glamour & Grace Wedding & Special Event Planning

09/04/2026

A week ago Dillon & Ben eloped under a waterfall in one of the prettiest places in Oregon. When they first reached out to me in January, their vision was somewhere lush and green, with tall trees and hopefully a waterfall. They had been to Oregon before and fell in love and just knew this is where their adventure elopement needed to be. We chatted about the different spots that fit their vision, and ultimately they settled on one of my favorite places in the state!

Their day started slow, getting ready in their beautiful cottage they rented, enjoying the company of their close friend and their adorable chihuahua (who really stole the show in her dress made from extra fabric from het mama’s wedding gown). As they got ready on separate floors, miss A took a nap on the veil. We then headed out to the river for a first look and some tequila shots from a bottle of tequila they bought in Mexico on the trip they got engaged.

After the first look and some portraits, we drove to the waterfall and did a hike up to the base, where they exchanged vows & did a hand fasting ritual under the waterfall. After exploring the base of the falls, we hiked back out, taking photos along the way. Then we made our way back to the Inn where they were staying and caught the last light on the river while dinner was being made.

Dillon & Ben, your elopement day was exactly what you envisioned. Relaxed, go with the flow, and hike to a waterfall. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to share this part of Oregon with you and marry you two beautiful souls under the spray of this waterfall.

Creating elopement experiences like this truly fills my cup. If you’re dreaming of a waterfall elopement, reach out and let’s make it happen!

Lodging: Steamboat Inn
Suit: INDOCHINO

08/27/2026

I made it to round two, the top 20! Would love to have your vote rain. You can vote once a day. Image #1. So exciting to have my photo along with all these incredible elopement images. https://adventure-wed.com/cover-contest/

08/25/2026

Round 1 of the fall Adventure Wed cover contest is officially live! I entered this photo from Abby & Caroline’s day and it made it as a finalist. It’s now up to you to help me see it on the cover of this magazine, dedicated to adventure weddings.

Voting for round 1 is open today through Wednesday, August 26, 7:00pm MST. You may vote once a day.

My image is #11 in the contest. You can vote here: https://adventure-wed.com/cover-contest/

I am so honored to be a finalist and having your vote would mean the world to me! Please feel free to share.

08/10/2026

Last Wednesday, Jenna & Will eloped in Brookings on the southern Oregon Coast. The day started out foggy, with those moody vibes the coast is known for. Jenna & Will got ready together in their Airbnb, and then we headed out to hike to their ceremony location with Will’s parents and best friend & his partner as witnesses (and me as their officiant!).

The ceremony kicked off with a coin toss to determine who would read their vows first. Will won!

After the ceremony, we hiked the trail, taking photos along the way while their guests made their way to Twisted in Brookings for dinner. We met up with them there and enjoyed a little celebration together before heading to our next location for sunset.

We hiked the steep trail down to the beach, and while the fog prevented us from getting that golden sunset light, we still had those moody Oregon Coast vibes—and hardly anyone else on the beach. As the light faded, I broke out the lanterns, and eventually we hiked back out by the light of my headlamp and said goodnight.

Jenna & Will wanted a day that was relaxed, stress-free, and fun. I’d say their day delivered! We had such a blast together, and I’m so excited to share some sneak peeks from their amazing elopement day!!!

Hair & Makeup: Adventure Elopement Hair & Makeup Artist | Meaghan
Shoes: Converse (customized by Jenna)
Will’s ring: Staghead Designs
Jenna’s rings: MollyJewelryUS & Morgan • Storyteller • Smith
Will’s suit: Tip Top
Jenna’s dress shop: The Bridal Boutique Edmonton  Jenna’s dress design: Stella York
Denim jacket: customized by Jenna
Vow books: made by Jenna
Hair jewelry: made by Jenna
Restaurant: Twisted Steaks Seafood Pasta

08/04/2026

Natalie & Brent’s Oregon Coast elopement day was so perfectly theirs. When they reached out to me, their goal was to have a day that was relaxed, stress free and full of love and laughter. I’d say we accomplished that and more!

The day started at their Airbnb where they both got ready. Natalie changed into her dress and we did a first look and then headed to our first location where friends of theirs were waiting to witness their ceremony. After the ceremony, they set up a cute little tailgate scene to cheers (Natalie with her Dr. Pepper and Brent with his Rainier b**r) and then we took a break for the afternoon.

We met back up at Dairy Queen where they enjoyed their favorite blizzard treats. The magazines and sunnies Natalie had made were adorable! Then we headed out to one of the most iconic spots on the Northern Oregon Coast for sunset where they ran, shared a first dance and strolled along the beach as the light faded into the night.

It truly was a day about these two and their love story and I had such a great time getting to know them through this process and bringing their dream elopement day to life. Here’s a few sneak peeks from their day!

Hair: Oregon Coast Hair & Makeup
Dress: David's Bridal
Suit: Boot Barn

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! 🤍

🏳️‍🌈

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!🌎

Address

Bend, OR

Telephone

+15412418776

Website

https://ericaswantekphotography.com/

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