When I talk about my job throughout the summer I will occasionally mention that I have an elopement to photograph. The response is usually one of surprise – that elopements happen outside Las Vegas. The surprise continues when I tell them that most of my elopements are not only secretive, but that often a small gathering of close friends and family will be present. Bre and Wilds did it the old fashioned way, however, with only four of us (including the officiant) knowing. In fact, for the first time in awhile I was able to sign a marriage certificate!
When Bre reached out to me she expressed that her top priority was to get a wide “Big Sky” photo with them small in the frame. Mountains were essential, but so was the need for their dogs to be able to come along. This eliminated the National Parks, so after some discussion we decided we’d go back to where they’d visited and fly fished the summer before: the Ruby Valley. This is also where I hunt so conveniently I was pretty familiar with the area. We decided on Black Butte as the location for the ceremony. It straddles the top of the Gravelly Range between the Ruby River and the Madison in the Ennis Valley. After an evening ceremony the three of us (plus all our dogs!) poked our way down the divide, stopping when the light and the views were perfect. I was even able to get a couple drone photos in a big meadow and I discovered how amazing it is to shoot a couple in a burn!
