The Truth About Elopement Photography with Dawn Jarvis

Photographers will learn how to transition from traditional weddings into elopement work, including how to plan a styled shoot that tells a full story rather than just capturing epic landscape moments. They will also learn why setting boundaries with clients, including saying no to locations that damage the environment, builds trust rather than losing bookings.

Dawn Jarvis talks about her slow, natural growth from a shy high school photographer into a full time elopement and micro wedding photographer in the Pacific Northwest. She covers the practical side of booking elopement clients from scratch, the many hats an elopement photographer wears, and why she holds a firm line on Leave No Trace principles even when it risks losing a client.

About Dawn Jarvis

Dawn Jarvis is a narrative-led elopement and micro wedding photographer based in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. She has been photographing for 13 years, full time for just over seven, and also runs one-on-one coaching and a subscription education platform called Base Camp for photographers and creatives.

Key takeaways

1. Shoot the full story, not just the epic shot

When building a portfolio with styled or practice shoots, photograph the getting ready moments, the in-between transitions, and an ending to the day, not just 30 minutes of epic couple photos. Clients booking elopements want to see that you can capture a whole day, not just a highlight reel.

2. Practice in less than ideal settings before you book paid work

Dawn suggests asking recently married friends to model a vow renewal or anniversary shoot in a cabin, Airbnb, or hotel. This lets you practice tricky lighting, timeline communication, and client direction without the pressure of a real wedding day.

3. Educate couples on what eloping can actually look like

Many couples only know traditional wedding traditions and do not realise they can get ready together, skip a first look, or spend the day paddleboarding with their dogs. Getting to know your couple well enough to suggest a day that is true to them changes both the photos and the experience.

4. Be willing to wear every hat your clients need

Dawn has helped plan locations, recommended vendors, signed as an officiant, filmed video, and even Zoomed in family members for her elopement couples. She says her love language is acts of service, so this comes naturally, but she notes it will not suit every photographer's style or capacity.

5. Protect the locations you shoot in, even if it costs you a booking

Dawn sends every client a guide with pages dedicated to Leave No Trace, talks through safe paths during the day, and has turned down requests to shoot in restricted or fragile locations. She says couples end up respecting that honesty and often still book her once she offers an alternative spot.

6. Know which parts of weddings drain you and plan around it

Dawn realised large wedding receptions, especially toasts and dancing in front of a crowd, did not suit her introverted nature, while her first small intimate elopement, a 13 person gathering, felt natural and energising. Recognising your own strengths and limits helps you choose a niche that you can sustain long term.

7. Consider coaching or accountability if you want to grow faster

Dawn credits her own business coach with changes she would not have made alone, and says clients she coaches have doubled their income so quickly, over six figures, thanks to the extra accountability and soundboarding. Even informal accountability from another photographer can push your business decisions further than working it out alone.

Favourite moments

"It truly changed my entire outlook on elopements, and I was like, "Okay, this is what I'm meant to do."

Dawn Jarvis

"You kind of wear all the hats. Yeah. I definitely wear a lot of hats."

Dawn Jarvis

"I think that's what's missing for, like, booking these potential elopements, is that they don't get to see that you photographed a full story."

Dawn Jarvis

"I cannot photograph your elopement if you want it here. Like, I can't do this. But I have a list of 15 other waterfalls that you're totally allowed to get to the base of."

Dawn Jarvis

"I've never seen my business thrive the way it has until I did business coach or hired my own business coach."

Dawn Jarvis

Listen to the full episode

Watch the episode above, or listen to The Truth About Elopement Photography with Dawn Jarvis on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Keep reading:

• How to book your first elopement
• How to tackle your first elopement as a photographer
• Elopement photography: Posing styles for couples of all kinds

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