Alpine + Arches

Alpine + Arches Hey hey! I’m Mandie—Pittsburgh wedding + elopement photographer serving Utah & Wyoming.

I help couples skip the stress, focus on connection, and create a day that’s totally them—whether that’s hiking in, bringing your pup, or hitting your favorite brewery

Maybe it's the traveler in me, but I've never believed your engagement session or elopement should feel like a photoshoo...
06/11/2026

Maybe it's the traveler in me, but I've never believed your engagement session or elopement should feel like a photoshoot.

I think it should feel like an experience.

A slow morning together. A new place to explore. Good conversation. A little adventure. Time to be fully present with each other.

Because years from now, you'll love the photos. But you'll also remember how it felt to spend a morning together with nowhere to be, no timeline to follow, and no distractions pulling your attention away from each other.

Just good views, good conversation, and your favorite person.

As a Utah elopement photographer, those are the moments I'm always chasing. The photos come from them, not the other way around.

If you're the kind of couple who would rather spend your session exploring than posing, we're probably going to get along.

What's your dream engagement session location? 👇

For more adventure engagement session and elopement inspiration, follow along here, on IG, and find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com

06/10/2026

As a Utah elopement photographer—or honestly, just an elopement photographer in general—I don’t just show up to your engagement session or elopement and assume a trail is going to look the same as it did the last time I was there.

A few days ahead of time, I go back out and check everything again. Even if I know a place well, I want to make sure it still looks the way I remember it. This is part of how I work as a Utah elopement photographer, making sure there are no surprises when you arrive.

I’m walking it like you would. Thinking about your dress, your dog, how you’ll move through the space, and what the full experience actually feels like, not just how it photographs. I’m paying attention to trail conditions, lighting, parking, and all the logistics that actually affect your day.

And even when I’m not physically in Utah, I’m still using the same process everywhere I work. Utah, Wyoming, Pittsburgh, West Virginia—doesn’t matter. I don’t just show up to a location and assume everything is going to be fine. You shouldn’t be guessing what your day is going to look like. That’s my job.

And if something isn’t perfect or changes? That’s where backup plans B through Z come in.

This is what you get when you hire for the experience. I’m not just throwing random locations at you and showing up day-of hoping it all works out.

If you’re planning an elopement or engagement session and don’t know where to start, don’t be shy—say hi! Save this video, follow along here and on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes days like this, or find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com.

Some sessions just feel easy from the moment they start.That was John and JoAnn's engagement session at Coopers Rock.We ...
06/09/2026

Some sessions just feel easy from the moment they start.

That was John and JoAnn's engagement session at Coopers Rock.

We spent the morning exploring overlooks, wandering through the woods, and enjoying having some of my favorite spots mostly to ourselves. The views were incredible, but honestly, what stood out most was the way these two were together.

Just two people who genuinely enjoy being around each other.

The kind of connection that doesn't need much direction because it's already there.
One minute we were standing at the overlook taking in views that stretch for miles, and the next we were tucked away among the trees where everything felt quiet and familiar. It felt like stepping between two completely different worlds, and both fit them perfectly!

The whole morning felt like something out of a movie. Not because of the views (although they definitely didn't hurt), but because of how present these two were with each other. No distractions. No rush. Just getting to spend time together and soak it all in.

I can't wait to celebrate these two later this year!

06/09/2026

As a Utah elopement photographer, I've learned that asking my dogs if they want to go hiking is basically the equivalent of telling a kid they're going to Disney. 

Needless to say, they're *pretty* excited to help me scout locations.

Sometimes that means checking out new spots. Sometimes it means revisiting locations I've photographed before to make sure nothing has changed. So while they're focused on the adventure, chasing squirrels, and singing the song of their people, I'm focused on finding the best views, checking trail conditions, construction, closures, overgrown paths, parking, viewpoints, and all the little details that could impact your experience.

Because being a Utah elopement photographer isn't just about finding beautiful locations. It's about making sure there aren't any surprises and helping your elopement or engagement session run as smoothly as possible. 

Follow along for more location scouting adventures, planning tips, and appearances from my aussistants 🐶

Or find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com

06/03/2026

As a Utah elopement photographer, I completely understand why so many people choose to stay in Springdale. Being able to walk to coffee in the morning, grab dinner and drinks at night, and stay just minutes from Zion made those early wake-up calls a helluva lot easier.

That said, I don't think Springdale is perfect. As a Utah elopement photographer, I think it's important to know the downsides too. You do hear traffic throughout the day, conversations from pedestrians and cyclists can carry surprisingly far, and if you've already spent all day on your feet and decide to drive to lunch or dinner, parking can be expensive. If the restaurant lot is full, parking on the street and paid lots are anywhere from $25-$30 but are only monitored until 5pm. 

If you're deciding where to stay for your Zion trip, I'd weigh convenience against privacy. As a Utah elopement photographer, I'd recommend Springdale if being close to the park, restaurants, and coffee matters more to you than having complete privacy. It's walkable, makes exploring Zion easy, and gives you more time enjoying your trip instead of driving back and forth. If you're looking for total quiet and seclusion, Springdale may not be exactly what you're after.

I spend a lot of time scoping out locations, testing trails, and exploring Utah so you don't have to! Follow along for more Utah elopement planning advice, location recommendations, and tips for creating a day that's actually about your experience, or find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com!

Some people just make sense together.Mikayla and Owen are one of those couples.They've been together since high school, ...
06/01/2026

Some people just make sense together.

Mikayla and Owen are one of those couples.

They've been together since high school, and after watching them interact for a day, you can see the years of friendship, trust, and love woven into every little moment.

Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels forced. Just two people who are completely comfortable being themselves when they're together.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the people around them. They were surrounded by friends and family who were genuinely excited to celebrate them and everything they've built over the years.

That's what made the day feel so special. Not the timeline. Not the details.

Just the simple fact that two really wonderful people found each other years ago and have been choosing each other ever since.

Some people just make sense together.Mikayla and Owen are one of those couples.They've been together since high school, ...
06/01/2026

Some people just make sense together.

Mikayla and Owen are one of those couples.

They've been together since high school, and after watching them interact for a day, you can see the years of friendship, trust, and love woven into every little moment.

Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels forced. Just two people who are completely comfortable being themselves when they're together.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the people around them. They were surrounded by friends and family who were genuinely excited to celebrate them and everything they've built over the years.

That's what made the day feel so special. Not the timeline. Not the details.

Just the simple fact that two really wonderful people found each other years ago and have been choosing each other ever since.


05/29/2026

As a Utah elopement photographer, my location scouting trips usually start with coffee and a prayer that the caffeine reaches my single brain cell before I hit the trail 😂☕️

I know there are approximately a million and one photographers and content creators telling you to get to Zion early. Consider me a million and two. As a Zion elopement photographer, I'm telling you there's a reason people keep repeating it. 

-Parking at the visitor center is limited

-Parking in Springdale can run around $30

-Shuttle lines during busy season can start feeling a little too much like Disney World for my liking

- The trails themselves can get busy fast

The earlier you start, the more flexibility and breathing room you have for your day. Honestly, if you're up for it, an e-bike can be a game changer and one of my favorite ways to get around the canyon.

As a Utah elopement photographer, my goal when scouting isn't just finding pretty views. I'm paying attention to where the crowds go first, how they move throughout the day, and then doing the exact opposite. On this hike, it was pretty obvious a lot of people were heading toward The Narrows, which meant this trail was relatively quiet when I started. By the time I headed back out, that had definitely changed. That's the kind of information I use when helping couples choose locations and build timelines that feel less crowded and more like their own experience.

If crowds didn't exist, where in Zion would you spend your entire day?

Me? I'd be parked somewhere along the Riverside Walk with snacks, a good book or 3, and absolutely no plans for the rest of the day.

Your turn! Drop your answer below, and if this was helpful, come say hi! I share a lot of BTS location scouting adventures, Utah elopement tips, and recommendations from my time exploring places like Zion. You can see more of my work on IG or  find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com

05/28/2026

As a Utah elopement photographer, I already know the SECOND the suitcase comes out my dogs start monitoring my every move 😂

The hiking boots? Suspicious. The camera bags? Offensive.

The second they realize I’m headed out to scope out some Utah elopement spots without them, the betrayal is immediate. Bodhi and Maui act like I’ve personally ruined their week every single time I leave for Utah.

Being a Utah elopement photographer means a mix of moutain and desert roads, early mornings, backpack snacks, and two dogs at home convinced they were absolutely supposed to be included in the adventure. I get two trips for the price of one with the guilt trip these two send me on. I'm also pretty sure they start plotting their revenge when they see that they aren't coming along too 😂

So now I need to know… what do your dogs do the second you leave the house? 

Follow along for more behind the scenes chaos or find me at alpineandarchesphoto.com

Nothing like a little PNW vibe to kick the week off When Colleen and Tom told me they wanted their wedding day to feel l...
05/27/2026

Nothing like a little PNW vibe to kick the week off

When Colleen and Tom told me they wanted their wedding day to feel like the PNW, I don’t think any of us expected Seven Springs to fully commit the way it did 😂 The rain rolled in, the fog settled over the mountains, and honestly, it could not have worked out better!

From the second the day started, these two were racing off the elevators, SO ready to get to each other. They were ready for their first look, ready to walk down the aisle, and ready to finally be married.

They shared the sweetest private vows during their first look, completely locked into each other while the rain fell around them, and it felt like one of those moments where everything else just faded into the background.

The energy these two brought all day was unmatched. So much laughter, so much excitement, and the kind of love that makes every single rain drop worth it.

If this is what rainy wedding days look like, I’m here for it every single time.

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Hopewell, PA
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