Long before I was preserving love stories to the ends of the Earth, I was chasing finish lines through spontaneous storms, relentless wind, and Wyoming altitude that never failed to steal the breath from my chest. Trail running has taught me many things over the years; but mostly it’s taught me how to endure, how to adapt, and how to witness with wonder. 

You see, adventure elopement photography is more than just showing up with a trendy leather camera strap and a sturdy pair of boots. It’s about pacing with intention, reading the terrain, and knowing when to push forward and when to fully surrender to our surroundings.

Here are 12 lessons that have shaped how I photograph love stories in the wild – straight from the miles logged and the moments chased.

1. Reward Lies on the Road Less Traveled

Out in the wilds, it’s easy to stick to the most traveled trails. The adventure is promised,  the route is dependable, and the unexpected is few. However, I’ve learned that just beyond what’s foreseen, where the land is vast and the adventure is stirring, is a path that is always waiting for you. One that is just as rewarding as romantic. & those that are willing to roam beyond surface level, will always unearth an experience worth preserving; whether running in stride or promising forever. 

2. Light is Art

One of the most prominent parallels I find between my love of adventure elopement photography and my love of trail running is my curiosity for light. Where it comes from, how it moves, the way it graces everything in its path. It’s mesmerizing. As a photographer and a runner, there is nothing that consumes me more than the art of light. With hours spent studying, I have a deep understanding for the effect on its subjects; whether a rock face in the distance or your long embrace up close. No matter the time of day or location, you can trust that I will frame you in the light that is meant for the moment. 

3. Mustaches = Horsepower

Behind the lens or staring down a steep incline, there is nothing more energizing than a mustache. Not only does it catch unwanted sweat and clear a trail, but it never fails to support me in manifesting my power.

4. We’re Capable of So Much More Than We Know 

The mental fortitude required for both distance running and adventure photography is unparalleled. Both demand long hours, unpredictable conditions, and an ability to stay present when the path ahead is anything but clear. But it’s about pacing yourself through the discomfort, adjusting when the light shifts or the weather turns, and finding beauty – truth – in the in-between moments. Neither is for the faint of heart, but both are a testament to grit, intention, and an unwavering love for roaming in rhythm with nature.

5. Sunrises & Sunsets Don’t Occur Once a Day By Accident

Sunrises and Sunsets are fleeting, yet sacred. They carry a sense of romance that is hard to ignore yet easy to miss. Sunrises keep the clouds at distance as pink swells in the sky. Sunsets are more dramatic – our reminder of the blessing of another day. Whether chasing down the great unknown with your love or pacing a mountain pass with your buddies; both force us to slow down and be present with what and who’s in front of us. For good reason – there’s nothing more important. 

6. Standing On Business in Short Shorts is a Power Move 

The trail running community has ignited my passion for short shorts. So much so that they’re starting to show up in every aspect of my life. Will I wear short shorts to your wedding? I’m not as*hole. But if we have a planning session over a quick coffee, and I arrive in a pair – you’ll know. Standing on business. 

7. A Positive Mindset Breeds a Positive Life

All of my past couples will attest that in-between epic shots and adventures, I am a damn goofball. I crack jokes to calm nerves, rock neon running socks under my slacks, and show up with the kind of energy that lifts a room. But none of that is accidental. If running has taught me anything, it’s that positivity isn’t just a personality trait – it’s a practice. When we chase what makes our hearts race, when we challenge the inner critic instead of cosigning it, we grow. It’s not always fast, and the work is never really done. But it’s worth it. Every step of the way.

8. The Mountains are Grounding

There is something about being immersed in the mountains that evokes a sense of peace. From the sound of the wind rushing through the trees to the magic of the stars alive in the night sky; nature has a way of making you feel like you’re a part of something bigger. &, if you’ll let it, that groundedness can transport you to a earth-shattering sense of calm – within yourself, within your relationship, and wherever the unknown beckons you further. 

9. Nature’s Timing is Worth Trusting

I don’t say “roam in rhythm with nature” for clout. The phrase is a part of my approach to documentation and distance running, because I believe it – nature’s timing is worth trusting. The second you surrender to that truth, you’ll start to notice that everything really is in harmony. Including you. Trust the weather. Trust the land. Trust the unknown. Nature will provide, and you have a place in it all.

10. Untouched Beauty is Endless

From a trailhead parking lot or from the National Park Service wedding destination booking system in peak season; it’s easy to feel as though natural beauty is limited. However, the wild unknown is vast. Especially here in Wyoming! Sometimes when I’m running by a foreign countryside I’ve never seen before or trekking up with a couple for kickass views; I genuinely ask if what lies ahead of us has ever been touched by anything but the roaming wildlife or snowfall. Those are the kind of places I seek to be immersed in – whether gliding through the wild with my Brooks on or camera in hand as your wide-open spaces wingman. I long to learn from and capture the wildest places on Earth that are anything but bounded. 

11. Strava Scrolls Beat TikTok Doom Scrolls Anyday

If you catch me hyper focused on my phone, promise I’m not doom scrolling on TikTok. I’m exploring nearby mountain trails on Strava for a post-session party of my own! 

12. Friends Make Everything Better 

Friends make the work we do, the art we create & the runs we take better.

At the end of the day, adventure elopement photography and trail running aren’t just hobbies; they’re ways of moving through the world. Both have taught me patience, presence, and the art of surrender, no matter the conditions. Whether I’m lacing up or composing the shot, I’m chasing the same thing: something real, something earned, something worth remembering for a lifetime.

So here’s to the couples who roam freely, love wildly, and know that the best views come after a climb. I’ll be right there with you – snacking, shutter tripping, and smoothin’ out the stache for the right backdrop.

If you’re looking for a photographer to go to the ends of the earth with you to capture your love; let’s connect. I’d be honored to chase down the vision with you!