Andy Wickstrom

Emily and Kris were still wandering around the summit after their ceremony, stopping to taking in the incredible views at their wedding location. We had already spent the afternoon at Fonta Flora Brewing, hiked up Hawksbill, celebrated with ice cream they carried in insulated containers, and were simply enjoying the last bit of evening light. Then, almost out of nowhere, the clouds caught fire. The whole sky shifted into this incredible wash of orange and pink, and we had just enough time to make a few portraits before the sun slipped behind the mountains. This frame feels like that exact moment when an already beautiful evening suddenly became something much bigger.

James and Kylee spent a few days exploring the mountains with me, waiting for the right combination of weather and light. On this particular evening at Saint Mary’s Lake, everything finally came together. They carefully tiptoed across a line of small rocks to reach this lonely boulder just offshore, lanterns in hand, while I stayed back to take in the scale of the scene. Against the dark alpine water, rugged rock walls, and rusty fall vegetation, they looked incredible. I loved how small they felt within the landscape while still being the unmistakable center of the photograph.

James and Kylee met me at Juniper Pass for a late-October sunrise, where an early taste of winter had coated the rocks and trail in snow and ice. The conditions were beautiful, but seriously cold, so we worked in short bursts—stepping out onto the ridge for a few photographs before retreating to warm up again. As the sun began to rise, a narrow band of fiery light appeared beneath the heavy clouds and stretched across the horizon. I loved seeing the two of them so small against the snowy cliffs and enormous sky, sharing a quiet moment in the middle of such a dramatic landscape.

Bella and Kevin together at sunset in Linville Gorge, NC after their wedding with a few close family members and friends. They began the celebration at a local brewery called Fonta Flora Brewing with some light food and drink followed by the 45 minute hike up for their intimate mountain ceremony. We stayed out till dark and captured so many lovely moments together.

Shelby and Matt built their elopement around two full days in the North Carolina mountains. Day one was about slowing down with fewer than ten close family members and friends, sharing a good meal, handwritten notes, and an intimate ceremony at a modern A-frame cabin near Vilas, NC. Day two was all about adventuring together: waterfalls, film portraits, quiet trails, and a sunset hike to Hawksbill Mountain. This image was made at the end of that second day, as they watched the last light move across Hawksbill’s iconic summit and the surrounding Blue Ridge gorge outside Asheville.

Emily and Kris spent their August wedding day slowly making their way toward the mountains, beginning with an afternoon at Fonta Flora Brewing before hiking to the summit of Hawksbill for their ceremony. Afterward, we celebrated with ice cream they had packed up the trail in insulated containers and wandered around the summit making portraits as the light continued to change. Just before we headed down, the sun disappeared behind the distant Blue Ridge Mountains and the sky opened into this incredible sunset. I loved the combination of their silhouettes, the lanterns, and that last bit of warm light catching Emily’s dress.

James and Kylee goofing with me and the dusting of snow at Saint Mary's Glacier, CO. We spent 3 days exploring trails and getting some of my favorite adventure elopement photos.

A moment from Ryan and Kyra's sunrise first look and adventure session in Linville Gorge, located near Asheville, NC. They opted to make time for each other before meeting family across the Gorge for their small ceremony with friends and family.

Vicki and Chris somehow picked the only two good weather days all week and made the most of them. Before their small Asheville wedding the next day, we hiked into the mountains for sunset, where they shared private vows tucked between the pines and the cliffs. This image is from that quieter part of the weekend, before the guests and the dogwood blooms, just the two of them with the mountains holding space.