“I love how natural and candid the photos are. Your style was exactly what I wanted. It just made me a million times more excited to have you fly down and shoot our wedding in April! You’re sooooo talented. I feel like you really captured our personalities as well. Easton loves them too. Thank you so much! We couldn’t be happier!” -Kailey, Bride

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Spoiler alert: She didn’t want to hire a destination wedding photographer.

Plot twist: She hired me.

Actual ending: We laughed, cried, dodged rain and reptiles, and now I have lifelong friends in Arizona.

But let’s rewind.

Vendors | Hair: The Windmill Winery | Bride’s Dress: Eddy K at Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique | Groom’s Tux: Nick’s Menswear | Hair: Gabby at Zynergy Salon | Makeup: Corey Egge | Bridesmaid Dresses: Emme Style Europe | Day Of Coordinator: Kenzie Heckmann Events | Catering: M’s Avenue Catering Grill | Spray Tan: Arizona Beauty House

The Reluctant Inquiry That Turned Into A Forever Friendship

Kailey wasn’t looking for someone like me.

Not in a “you’re not my type” kind of way, but in a “you’re not local to Arizona and surely hiring a destination wedding photographer is a logistics nightmare waiting to happen.” (Spoiler: It’s not when you hire the right one!!!)

But after weeks of searching, she still hadn’t found a photographer whose editing style nailed the crisp whites, true-to-life color (without going full desaturation station), and mix of posed and candid shots she was dreaming of.

So she posted on a Facebook group, describing my literal editing style to a tee. I slid into the comments, and it was only a matter of time before it was totally giving meant to be.

One consult call later and we were already planning her 48 hour engagement session in Arizona. 

Part One: The Engagement Session (aka 48 Hours of Pivoting and Photo Magic)

They flew me down to Arizona for a two-day engagement extravaganza that did not go to plan… but also went completely right?!!

DAY ONE: Desert Girl Era (Accidentally)

We were supposed to shoot in the mountains of northern Arizona, but Phoenix traffic said: “LOL… no.” So we rerouted to the Superstition Mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park, where Easton proposed instead. 

The sun dipped low, the desert glowed, and we ended up with this warm, golden, can’t-make-this-up-if-we-tried kind of light. We shot all the way into blue hour, laughing and playing like we’d known each other for years. 

It was romantic. It was chaotic. It was so not the plan… but it was perfect, anyway.

DAY TWO: From Pines to Pickup Trucks

The next morning we pivoted back onto our original plan, driving straight into the mountains that are Easton’s happy place. 

Big skies, evergreen pines, views for literal miles.

Kailey had this inspo photo saved of a rock ledge and was like, “I want this.” I was like, “No way we’re finding that.” And Easton was like, “Watch this.” 

Within two minutes of wandering through the pines, Easton found it— a dreamy rock outcropping overlooking the expanse of northern Arizona. King behavior, if you ask me.

We did it all: dreamy overlooks, snowy lakeside snuggles (yes, snow, because Arizona truly has it all), and romantic moments in the back of Easton’s pickup truck. 

It was like three engagement sessions in one. And I hopped back on my plane to Minnesota feeling so dang full.

Part Two: The Wedding Day (A Little Rain and a Lot of Faith)

Fast forward a few months: Hunter (my sometimes second shooter/always wedding videographer/almost husband) and I flew back down for their big day.

And ohhhh, my heart.

The Emotional Bits

First things first: Kailey’s relationship with her parents? Core memory stuff.

Her first look with her dad was one of the most emotional I’ve ever witnessed. The second he saw her—boom. Instant tears. I swear time slowed down. And I’m over here crying behind my lens like, “Ma’am, you could’ve warned me.”

Kailey and Easton chose not to do a traditional first look, but instead a first touch—reaching around a corner to hold hands and exchange love notes and a surprise boudoir album (which she crushed, by the way).

It was electric. Like, hearts pounding, voices shaking, “is it dusty in here?” kind of moment.

There’s something super magical about holding space for anticipation. When she finally walked down the aisle toward him, it was like everything else disappeared. A literal veil-lifting, vow-crying, I-cannot-believe-this-is-my-life kind of moment.

The Weather Plot Twist (and Why It Was Totally Fine)

So here’s where the universe stepped in with a little drama.

Right as Kailey and Easton sealed the deal with a kiss and walked back down the aisle: RAIN. Not a sprinkle. Not a cute mist. Like, actual wedding movie rainfall.

But guess what? Zero stress.

Because Kailey and Easton had planned an adventure session with me the next day, we knew we didn’t have to rush. No need to scramble for portraits in soggy grass or panic about wet dresses. We got what we could between sprinkles, then let everyone head to the reception while we kept the energy high and the timeline relaxed.

Why Having an Adventure Session Backup Plan Is Brilliant

Having a post-wedding adventure session in your back pocket? Total game-changer.

• It buys you time. You don’t have to rush portraits between ceremony and reception. You can be present. You can hug your people. You can eat an actual dinner.
• It’s a weather safety net. If it rains, we pivot. No stress. No mud-stained trains. Just reschedule magic.
• You get two different vibes. Wedding day = romantic, emotional, classic. Adventure session = wild, cinematic, golden-hour-heaven. Your gallery tells a more complete story of your romance.
• You wear your dress twice. Enough said.

10/10 highly recommend.

The Dance Floor Debrief

From there? Total mayhem in the best way.

There were bras strung from the barn beams. Hunter and I were running around catching every laugh, spin, and beat drop. Easton was out there like it was his Super Bowl. 

And Kailey? Glowing. Simply glowing.

Hunter and I stayed ‘til the very last song, until our camera batteries were drained and we were the best kind of tired— the kind that comes from knowing this is what we are meant to do.

Part Three: The Adventure Session at Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

The day after the wedding, we met at Horseshoe Bend—aka one of the most breathtaking places in the U.S.—for their post-wedding adventure session.

Kailey redid her hair (bless the fact that she’s a hairstylist), touched up her makeup that she slept in from the night before (literally, how), and slipped back into her wedding dress. 

The sky turned to gold. The canyon lit up. I was audibly screaming over how good the photos were turning out.

These were the exact images we had dreamed of. Big, bold, emotional. The kind you frame in your living room and pass down through generations.

Thinking About Hiring a Destination Wedding Photographer?

Kailey didn’t plan to. But she did. And now we’re real-life friends who text about life updates (Kailey and Easton are now expecting their first baby!!!) and trip plans.

So if you’re wondering if it’s worth bringing your dream photographer with you, here’s my take on why you absolutely should hire a destination wedding photographer:

Consistency from Start to Finish
One person (hi!) capturing your full story—engagement, wedding, adventure session—means no gaps in your visual narrative.

A Relationship that Goes Beyond Logistics
We know each other by the time the wedding rolls around. You’re comfy, I’m dialed in, and the trust is already there.

Fresh Eyes, Baby
Someone from out-of-state brings a new perspective. I don’t shoot your venue every weekend. I see it with wonder.

You Deserve Your Actual Dream Style
Editing style matters. If no one local is hitting your vibe, don’t settle. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

TL;DR?

Kailey wasn’t planning on hiring a destination wedding photographer. But she wanted someone who really saw her vision. So, she took the leap.

And together, we created a story across desert skies, pine-covered peaks, a barn full of laughter, and a canyon bathed in sunset.

If you’re looking for a destination wedding photographer who will hype you up, hold your train, scream over your photos, and cry at your vows like she’s known you forever…

Hi. It’s me. I’m the one.