Vows Out West

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Vows Out West

California elopement photographer capturing experience-focused elopements for couples inpired by nature.
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09/04/2026

S and W spent their elopement day hiking through the redwoods and making their way out to the Oregon coast.

They shared their vows beneath the trees, the forest within Jedediah Smith State Park acting as their chapel. We passed a few people, but for the most part it felt like it was just us in a remote grove. We did run into a very famous banana slug along the way.

Light filtered through the canopy in soft streams, finding them as they shared their first dance and moved through the ferns. The whole day felt unhurried, like we were just following where it wanted to go.

By the time we reached Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, the clouds opened just enough for the sun to break through and paint the sky. W popped ch*****ne to celebrate, and we ended the evening on a driftwood-covered beach with the wind moving around us and waves crashing the boulders.

Everything came together in a way that felt easy and natural - a day that reflected them perfectly, and the start of something new.

25/03/2026

A summer afternoon exploring Yosemite National Park 🌞

20/01/2026

The world is your oyster, so should you elope somewhere new or somewhere you have shared memories?

There’s no single “right” kind of place to elope. Some couples are drawn to somewhere completely new, while others want a location they know like the back of their hand. Both choices carry something different, and neither is better than the other.

Eloping somewhere you’ve never been can feel exciting and symbolic. You’re stepping into the unknown together and starting this chapter in a place that doesn’t belong to your past yet. It’s all new, and that can make the experience feel even more intentional.

Choosing a place you already love has its own kind of weight. It might be a trail you’ve walked a hundred times, a stretch of coast that feels like home, or a place tied to some of your favorite memories together. There’s comfort there, and meaning that’s already been built over time.

What matters most isn’t the location itself, but how you want the day to feel and what kind of story you want it to hold. Either way, you’re choosing it together — and that’s what makes it right.

10/01/2026

Lanterns are one of my favorite things to bring into elopements.

Not for the photos (even though I love them), but for what happens once the sun goes down and before it rises. The crowds disappear, everything gets quieter, and it’s just us moving through the dark with these soft pockets of light. That’s when couples start looking back on the day together, or settle into a deep breath for what’s ahead.

The night feels closer and more intimate. With the stars above and just enough light around us, creativity flows. We play with shadows and light, and let the moment be what it is. It almost feels like it’s just the two of you out there, in the best way.

It’s one of my favorite ways to leave a couple on their wedding day. Feeling connected, present, and fully in what you’re experiencing.

It’s the closing chapter of one adventure, and the opening of a new one.

08/12/2025

A day in Big Sur, with a beautiful blend of redwoods in and the cliffside drops at Garrapata State Park.

Every time I visit this coastline I replay Ry Cuming’s lyric over and over:

“Come back, back to me
Back to where the mountains meet the sea
We’ll build a house of driftwood
And keep it simple, ‘cause simple is good”

It’s these simple, yet big, moments during elopements that overflow our cups with so much gratitude. I love watching couples explore, be excited, and simply enjoy being present.

09/10/2025

What I love most about elopements is finding places that feel untouched — quiet corners of California where couples can explore without crowds or schedules. The kind of spots that don’t show up on the first page of Google, where adventure and spontaneity just happen naturally.

Sometimes that means a rope scramble to a hidden beach or a short detour that turns into the best memory of the day.

D and A met me in South Big Sur — the part that stays off most people’s radar, with elephant seals, hidden trails, and a secret redwood grove tucked away in the hills.

They shared their vows along the cliffs with the ocean stretching for miles. No crowds. No noise. Just the wind, the waves, and the two of them.

Afterward, we made our way to a hidden beach only accessible by rope. We each grabbed hold of the rope and scrambled our way down. They popped ch*****ne, raced each other across the sand, and laughed until the sun disappeared.

As the light faded, we pulled out lanterns and D’s veil caught the last bit of glow — the perfect way to end a wild, unforgettable day in Big Sur.

25/09/2025

To Alabama Hills we go for this multi-location desert elopement. If you haven’t heard of Alabama Hills, you’re certainly not alone.

S & N started their morning a little rocky, no pun intended, when running out of gas on their way to our first location in Death Valley. Fortunately, we weren’t visiting during the hot months nor during a storm, but still scary! Despite this mishap, AAA saved the day and they were ready to go just before sunrise.

We met at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes to run in the sand like little kids as the sun peaked out and write their vows they’d be sharing later in the day.

For their second location, they picked Alabama Hills. I’m sure you’ve heard of the funky rocks and trees at Joshua Tree, but Alabama Hills also has some alien-like finger shaped rocks. It’s also not in Alabama, it’s in California and I don’t know why it’s named the way it is! If you time it right, you can get the desert contrast with the snow capped eastern Sierra range.

We explored rock arches, Movie Road, and hiked through the trails to find a secluded ceremony location. They shared their vows and tears 🥹

To celebrate they brought their favorite sodas to cheers with. Ending a very eventful and adventurous elopement day 🥂

23/07/2025

One of the most common questions I get from couples is: What do we even do for 8 hours on our elopement day?
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It might seem like a lot of time—but honestly, the day fills up faster than you think.

Your elopement day starts the moment you wake up. Maybe you ease into the morning together and take your time getting ready. Or maybe we meet before sunrise for the quietest part of the day, when it feels like the whole world is still asleep.⁠
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Sometimes, like with A and E, the day kicks off with a first look and a deep breath before the adventure begins.⁠
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What follows is entirely up to you:⁠
A hike to an incredible view. A boat ride to a quiet beach. A picnic in a meadow. Wandering through the tallest trees on earth. Or all of the above.⁠
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Most couples choose one of two paths:⁠
→ Start with your ceremony and spend the rest of the day celebrating,⁠
→ or let the anticipation build and exchange vows later in the day.⁠
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There’s no right way—just whatever feels like *you.*⁠
⁠
I love ending the day with something romantic and dreamy. Maybe it’s under the stars or by lantern light. It’s the kind of moment where the energy shifts—you feel free, a little giddy, and completely present.⁠
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And just like that, the day ends and a new adventure begins.⁠

14/07/2025

A few years ago, I got to document J & N’s intimate wedding—and ever since, we’ve talked about doing elopement portraits just for the two of them.

For my first big styled shoot, these two showed up as models, and it felt full circle. J wore her .co wedding dress, handmade in Lebanon by Palestinian women from the Baqa’a refugee camp. N wore a traditional Indian sherwani suit. Their outfits were deeply personal, and seeing them wear them again for this felt really special.

We started the day with N making us chai, then they got ready for the adventure elopement part of the shoot.

We made our way to just before sunset, wandered through the iconic Joshua Tree landscape, and ended the night with lanterns glowing under the stars.

It was a magical extension to their wedding 🫶

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http://www.karenagurto.com/

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