Newlywed couple paddles canoe during their elopement in Baxter State Park

**What Adventurous Wedding & Elopement Photography Really Means**

As a Maine wedding photographer and Acadia adventure elopement photographer, I hear this question a lot: “What exactly is adventurous wedding photography?”

People often picture couples on cliffs at sunrise, hiking in their wedding clothes, or standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon with wind whipping through their hair. And yes — those moments are absolutely part of what I capture. But adventurous wedding photography is much more than dramatic locations and long hikes. It’s about creating a wedding experience that feels meaningful, intentional, and uniquely yours.

If you’ve explored my website, you’ve likely seen references to hiking mountains, embracing the outdoors, and maybe getting your dress a little muddy. When you Google “adventure wedding photographer,” that’s the imagery you’ll see — sweeping landscapes, remote destinations, bold couples, and wild, unscripted moments.

And that’s a big part of the work I do as an adventure elopement photographer. I love working with couples who feel alive outdoors, who value experiences over perfection, and who want their photos to reflect a deep connection to the natural world.

But here’s the truth:
Adventure doesn’t have to be extreme. Adventure doesn’t have to be dangerous. Adventure doesn’t even have to be outdoors.
Everyone has a different definition of adventure. Adventure simply has to feel meaningful to you.

Heart shape drawn on a sandy beach during an elopement at Flagstaff Lake, Maine

Adventure Isn’t Always Epic — Sometimes It’s Quiet and Personal

Yes, I’ve backpacked deep into the mountains with couples who wanted to elope where few people ever stand. I’ve flown across the world to photograph couples in places that hold emotional significance.

But the heart of adventure isn’t the altitude, mileage, or location. Adventure is anything that nudges you out of the ordinary and turns your wedding into an experience you’ll always remember.

For one couple, that might be hiking to a hidden overlook in Acadia National Park, for another, it might be taking a canoe out onto a quiet Maine lake at sunset. For someone else, it might simply be stepping outside their comfort zone for a moment — trying a unique idea, a fun pose, or a creative twist that makes the day feel like them.

Adventure is personal.
Adventure is relative.
Adventure is yours to define.

Couple stands on rocks during their elopement in Portland, Maine

Traditional Weddings Can Be Adventurous, Too

Here’s something important:
I don’t only photograph adventurous elopements or remote ceremonies. I also photograph more traditional weddings throughout Maine and New England, and I love them just as much as mountaintop vows.

Church ceremonies, barn receptions, family estates, backyard gatherings, historic venues — every wedding has a story worth documenting with intention and heart. As a photographer who has captured hundreds of weddings, I know that some of the most unforgettable moments happen during traditional celebrations.

But even within a traditional wedding day, a little sense of adventure can make your photos — and your memories — truly stand out.

Adventure in a classic wedding might look like:
• choosing a unique first-look location
• incorporating a meaningful place from your relationship
• sharing a private vow reading in nature before the ceremony
• sneaking away for sunset portraits on the coast
• adding a candid, playful moment like a snowball fight or a champagne spray
• saying “yes” to a photo idea you’ve always imagined

Adventure doesn’t need cliffs or canyons — it just needs intention.

Couple kisses in a birch tree grove after getting married at Maine Huts and Trails

How to Add a Touch of Adventure to Any Wedding Day

Whether you’re planning a traditional New England wedding or an off-the-grid elopement, adding a little adventure can make your day feel more personal and memorable. Here are easy ways to incorporate meaningful adventure into any wedding:

1. Choose a location with meaning

This could be a hidden trail, a quiet shoreline, a family property, or any place that reflects your story.

2. Try a unique idea or moment

That creative pose you’ve imagined? A spontaneous dance in the rain? Let’s try it. Even if it doesn’t work perfectly, it creates unforgettable moments.

3. Incorporate something you love doing together

A paddle around the lake. A campfire. A mountain overlook. A sunset walk. These small moments become the heart of your gallery.

4. Add personality to traditional elements

Handwritten vows, meaningful accessories, heirlooms, or sentimental rituals can transform a classic ceremony into something deeply personal.

Adventure is simply choosing to do something that feels like you, even if it’s small.

Mother and father walk bride down aisle in pouring rain during wedding at Mountain Top Inn, Vermont.

Adventure Is About Heart, Not Altitude

At its core, adventure isn’t defined by distance or difficulty — it’s defined by emotion. As a Maine wedding and elopement photographer, I’ve learned that the most powerful images come from couples who embrace authenticity, spontaneity, and connection.

Whether your wedding involves hiking boots or dress shoes, a mountaintop or a barn, a backyard or a national park, the goal is the same: to create and capture a wedding experience that reflects who you are.

Adventure can be bold and grand.
Adventure can be subtle and quiet.
But the best kind of adventure?
It’s the kind you’ll remember forever.

I’m excited to help tell your story. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more or check out my packages and pricing!