This Seward Alaska elopement has been one of my favorite aesthetics to date and we had the cutest baby on board. Meet Julia and Charlie, a couple who have traveled and adventured quite a bit together. From a small Appalachian town north of Atlanta they came all the way to Seward Alaska for the biggest adventure in life, their nuptials. I was given the huge honor to photograph their special day, and as far as Alaskan elopement photography goes, this is the stuff I live for. Intimate, quiet, and the most beautiful summer weather we could have asked for. A golden sun, slight airy breeze, and perfect temperature for a bride in a thigh length dress to feel comfortable and radiant in the warmth.
The adventure begins
We began in Seward Alaska, home to Resurrection Bay and some of the most remarkable and photogenic ocean scenery. This includes coves, mini-islands, seaside cabins, and beaches abundant in wildflowers and even sometimes Alaskan wildlife. First, we toiled around Miller’s Landing, the charter office and tackle shop on the mainland. Then, we set out to sea for an unforgettable Alaska elopement experience.
There was freshly caught Alaskan halibut hanging and swaying on a log archway. This is essential to local fishermen and made to show off the catch of the day. The fish are usually arranged by size, smallest to largest. I snapped a few shots preparing for the elopement session. We warmed up under the afternoon sun with palpable anticipation filling the salty air.
Julia and Charlie’s elopement adventure included a private boat trip in what is called a “landing craft.” This is a medium-sized metal charter boat made to bank along the shores wherever the couple chose to land. Rocky beaches sprawl all throughout Resurrection Bay. The silty blue water, massive rock spires high overhead, and glacier-capped mountains in the background are idyllic. This is quintessential to summertime in Seward. To be on a boat for this Alaska elopement photoshoot was as dreamy and magical as it can get.
As we jetted across the waves, I was able to capture the couple from inside the boat. They soaked in the scenery and scouted coves and beaches we might want to stop for pictures. The actual star of the show was their adorable baby boy Ozzy. He seemed to feel the loving buzz of the day. He offered up some perfect photos of the three of them sharing moments just before the I do’s.
We took advantage of having the charter to ourselves and made our way onto the deck. I even scaled the cabin to get a few pictures of them from a higher vantage point. Then Ozzy tried his hand at steering the captain’s wheel. Afterward, we picked a few remote beaches that looked to be alluring for their Alaska elopement photoshoot. We stopped at Spire Cove and then Thumb Cove. Ultimately, we decided that the actual wedding ceremony would be at Thumb Cove.
Once we landed on the rocky shore the Alaskan scenery, as always, was unparalleled with seaside beach vibes, wisping wind, sail boats tipping back and forth in the waves, and the most joyous little family smiling ear to ear. The bride, in white Doc Martins, personified this adventure elopement session that rang out both Alaskan bride and destination wedding as they felt so natural in the landscape regardless how far they traveled for the big day. I took shots of the couple playing with Ozzy on the beach in his navy-blue tuxedo that matched his dads, and finally the intimate wedding ceremony just yards away from waves lapping the shore where the boat awaited our return.
Tinder Wins, again!
In the vows, we heard tales of their many travels as well as the story of the couple’s origins. Julia mentioned how they had met on Tinder. She let slip a secret that, although a very strange and unusual first date, it was intriguing enough to give Charlie another try. Now, after so many miles traveled together, they stood on a remote island cove in Seward Alaska getting married. They now had a new baby boy who was clearly the love of both of their lives. I was so lucky to capture their elopement photos. I also celebrated the result of the love shared and the chances they had taken on each other. These led them to me, and to Alaska for their perfect elopement.
We found a field of fully bloomed fireweed and captured some of my favorite shots beneath a towering mountain face. Then off for more beach photos at what can only be described as golden hour in Alaska even when the midnight sun barely sets, it casts a certain glow around five in the evening. The photos illuminated with a warmth from the reflection of the sun off the sea, off their skin and their smiles. A yellow almost vintage hue gave the aesthetic of both demure yet rugged and was captured with ease because the couple was so laid back and photogenic.
No Alaskan elopement is complete without a trip into some mossy woodlands for whimsical shots among the ferns, evergreen trees and light filtered by mother nature. We trekked around the coves and islands finding perfect pockets of wild Alaska, stunning mountains in the background, and beaches full of character but void of people, exactly how we like it. These quiet moments were often fractured by laughter and the intimate moments with little other distractions were as pure and serene as the landscape.
Exhausted and in a state of euphoric post-wedding bliss, we boarded the Michaela (the name of our boat) back to civilization. Now as husband and wife with a sleepy baby and smiles all around. It was a party of three (plus friends, helpers, and the officiant) and I was so proud to be there and to capture not only the photogenic couple in such a gorgeous location, but their family celebrating the love all together during their elopement.
Julia mentioned that they contemplated not bringing Ozzy along for their destination elopement but ultimately decided they couldn’t be away from their baby for too long. I am glad she changed her mind. The family photos and elopement itself would not be the same without his charismatic smile. Even more is to be said about how they began their relationship traveling the USA in a campervan. They were now headed to do the same around Alaska for one of Ozzy’s first big road trips after the elopement in Seward. This kept the family tradition of travel alive and well.
An adventure of a lifetime and a great joy for me to capture the moments that began their newest journey as husband and wife. This is Alaska elopement goals. I was smitten by the beautiful little family on the most perfect Seward summer day. This is what every Alaskan wedding photographer dreams of.
Thanks again Julia, Charlie, and Ozzy for the memorable trip and perfect day!
