Cinematic Minnesota Elopement Inspired Anniversary Session

When Elyse and Kaleb eloped in Vancouver, they kept things very lowkey and intimate. To celebrate their one year anniversary, they wanted to maintain the same vibe with their photoshoot with a more elevated wardrobe.  I worked with them to scout the perfect location and the photos we got were the perfect combination of romantic and cinematic. This Minnesota elopement inspired anniversary shoot is one I’m honored to have been a part of.

A Minnesota Elopement Anniversary

In the summer of 2023, Elyse and Kaleb planned a Vancouver elopement that revolved around their love for hiking, the great outdoors, and (most importantly) each other.  They kept their ceremony very intimate – just the two of them, if I remember correctly – and held a small reception at a later date. Their story is a great example of how your wedding, engagement, marriage, and/or elopement can look however you want. There is no right or wrong as long as you’re doing it for you! A year into their marriage, they wanted to celebrate their anniversary with a photoshoot that allowed them to get dressed up for professional photos that they didn’t get the first time around. That’s where I came into the picture!

A Celebratory Shoot with a MN Couples Photographer

A year after their private elopement, Kaleb and Elyse flew into Minnesota for their reception and photos. They never dressed up for their actual elopement and only had a handful of phone photos from their big day, so they wanted to change both of those things.  While this session is technically an anniversary session, it embodied an elopement vibe through and through. While photographing these two, I couldn’t help but think that their session perfectly highlights that elopements don’t need to follow a specific pattern or tradition. They did things on their terms and kept their connection at the forefront of every decision they made, including the anniversary photos, and it was beautiful.

Planning a Minnesota Elopement Inspired Session

Keeping with the theme of their original ceremony, this outdoor session revolved around the natural landscape. The little valley where we shot was not visible from the road. Flowers growing along the road caught my eye, so I decided to take the chance to see what was beyond roadside. Once I could see down the hill, it was gorgeous! The crown vetch flowers were in prime bloom and became one of my favorite things about the location. As a Minnesota elopement photographer, I always look for the overlooked or unexpected. I also encourage couples to work with someone who will scout for locations!

Intimate Photography Minneapolis

The only thing more beautiful than the hidden little field was witnessing Kaleb and Elyse interact.  During our session, they shared sweet words with each other, slow danced in the flowers, and watched the sunset together. In so many ways, this anniversary shoot was a continuation of their elopement a year prior.  There really is no specific timeline or order of events!  At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to be married to the love of your life.  Do what you want, how you want with the rest.  It’s working out beautifully for these two.

Minnesota Elopement Photographer

If you’re dreaming of photos of your and your person that are a little cinematic, a little editorial, and larger than life romantic, you’re in the right place. Hey, I’m Gabby, your creative midwest engagement and elopement photographer. Capturing intentional, emotion-packed images of couples in Wisconsin and Minnesota is my speciality. If this sounds like the photographer relationship you’ve been searching for, feel free to get to know me more here, take a peek at some of my recent sessions, or browse my midwest couples packages. Ready to pull the trigger and schedule?  Let’s dive in!