How’d I Get Here? My Journey to Elopement Photographer

For me, the path to becoming an elopement photographer has been anything but linear — but every twist and turn along the way has shaped how I approach photography today.

My first job in the events industry was an internship with the St. Louis Cardinals during my senior year of college (2011–12). I worked in the weddings and events department, helping coordinate everything from corporate gatherings to weddings on the pitcher’s mound. That experience planted the seed — I loved the energy of bringing people together for meaningful celebrations.

After graduation, I took a sales job in Abilene, Texas, managing a territory in hospital sales. It was a far cry from weddings, but during that time, photography became a personal lifeline. Long drives and the loneliness of being in a new place pushed me to pick up my camera, and it quickly grew from hobby to passion.

When the chance came to pivot, I followed my heart and moved to Colorado to work with my cousin as a wedding planner’s assistant in the Vail Valley luxury wedding industry. What I thought would be a summer gig turned into years of learning and growth. I went from assistant planner to Sales & Creative Director at a boutique event design and floral company, overseeing floral and rental design for high-end weddings. It was fast-paced, creative, and fulfilling — until 2020, when the pandemic shut down the events world and I was laid off.

In that pause, I turned to baking as a creative outlet, which naturally led me to food photography. Photographing food, helping friends and family with small projects, and experimenting with light and storytelling eventually sparked the beginning of my own business. In October 2021, with my son Archer just 6 months old, I officially launched LCPhotostyle. Photography became not only a career but also a way to reconnect with myself creatively through postpartum.

The business grew steadily, but I knew there was more ahead. In July 2024, my husband, Jon, was offered a job in his hometown of Bozeman, Montana — where he was born, raised, and went to school at Montana State. We made the move as a family, and I’ve spent the past year listening to the community, learning where my talents fit best, and finding new inspiration in the landscape and people of Montana.

Now, I feel more aligned with my purpose than ever. With a background rooted in the luxury wedding industry, years of planning and creative direction experience, and a true passion for storytelling through photography, I’m here to serve couples who want something deeply intentional. Elopements and intimate weddings allow me to combine all of those skills in a personal, meaningful way — guiding couples through the planning, capturing their story, and celebrating beauty, love, and art along the way.

That’s what I’m here for: to create photographs that carry warmth, joy, and truth — images that you’ll recognize yourselves in for years to come.