I remember sitting in a coffee shop in February when an email from Chelsea popped up in my inbox. I’ve been looking forward to this shoot ever since!
Nine years ago I started shooting weddings in one of the biggest cities in the country. I was an expert on urban backdrops, high-end venues and fashionable couples, and my business was thriving. Then about 6 years ago my husband and I decided to move our growing family back to Alaska and that meant a huge shift for my business. At that time the idea of a huge move absolutely freaked me out!  I knew Alaska was the right thing for us, but I was afraid of what the move meant for my business. When I started dreaming about Alaskan weddings and what I might shoot there I knew that I wanted to go after a total shift. I wanted adventurous couples and remote locations, I wanted to photograph a totally different kind of beauty than what I had become used to in Chicago. I remember a conversation with a wedding planner when I first moved up, telling her that I wanted to boat and hike and fly to tiny islands and mountain peaks all over the state. It makes me so grateful to look back on that time and then see where I’m at today. I also *love* seeing my city roots affinity for sparkle and glamor come through in my current work, even when I shoot on mountain tops.
All that to say…that’s why I consider this Alaska Elopement with Eric & Chelsea to be a dream shoot for me, it is exactly what I had been hoping to find in Alaska and more.
Chelsea & Eric actually eloped last year. They took Eric’s plane and a couple of witnesses and eloped on a riverbed outside of Kotzebue. These photos were taken a year later to celebrate their love and capture some beautiful images to share with family and friends. It is pretty incredible when its raining in town and you can just hop on the groom’s plane and go find some sun – What luxury!!
Eric’s Business is Arctic Backcountry Flying Service operated out of Kotzebue
Chelsea also flew Chloe Keller in from Anchorage to work her hair and Make-Up magic.