Your location is your greatest wedding photography asset

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

I love that I get to work with people who feel as drawn to these magnificent landscapes as I do. Documenting their wedding day in this kind of environment is a dream come true.

Hey there! I’m Haley and you can typically find me running around Utah’s various desert landscapes with my best friend, a basset hound named Roland. I specialize in small, wild weddings in the landscapes of the great American west- everywhere from Moab to Escalante to Zion. I love that I get to work with people who feel as drawn to these magnificent landscapes as I do. Documenting their wedding day in this kind of environment is a dream come true. I’ve been shooting for about eight years while focusing on weddings for the past four.

How did you become a wedding photographer?

I fell into wedding photography a little by accident. When I first started shooting I was really drawn to editorial and fashion work. I did a few weddings for friends and was enthralled by how powerful the images could be from weddings. I never looked back after that! The second pivotal moment for my business was when I realized there were other people who loved the desert so much and wanted to get married there. Putting the two things together felt very natural.

How would you describe your style?

My style is really driven by two things- landscape and nostalgia. It is so important to me that when couples look back on the images that we created together that they can FEEL the impact of the promises they made to each other and how sacred that is.

My style is really driven by two things- landscape and nostalgia. It is so important to me that when couples look back on the images that we created together that they can FEEL the impact of the promises they made to each other and how sacred that is. I love documenting engagement shoots where the couple does something they love- fly fishing, drinking whiskey around a campfire, rock climbing, etc. My hope is that they can look back on their engagement and wedding photos and remember how special this time in their life was, and how special it was to share those moments in the most beautiful places on earth.

Are there things that differentiate wedding photographers?

Absolutely! I think that choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions that a couple makes about their wedding. That person is going to be with you every step of the way- from planning to the day of. I think that it’s important to not only pick someone whose work you love but also whose company you love. I would recommend setting up a phone call and getting a feel for what they’d be like on your wedding day. Also- ask to see full galleries! It’s easy enough to post one epic photo from a wedding day to Instagram, but you should know how they capture an entire wedding day and make sure that’s something that resonates with you!

How important is a wedding photographer for the special day?

Most of the weddings that I shoot are either small weddings or elopements where it is either just them or a couple of people. Having those photos to share with their loved ones is even more important- sometimes it’s the only thing they have to share from their day!

Incredibly important. Most of the weddings that I shoot are either small weddings or elopements where it is either just them or a couple of people. Having those photos to share with their loved ones is even more important- sometimes it’s the only thing they have to share from their day! I think having those photographs is invaluable.

How much should a couple expect to pay for a wedding photographer?

This really depends on the area and what you’re looking to have documented. I personally believe that elopement photographers should cost about the same as a traditional wedding photographer. The value of what you’re doing isn’t any less than if you were shooting a large wedding.

What is the newest trend in wedding photography?

Some trends that I love are an increasing focus on the sweet and intimate moments that I think are the things that really matter when thinking about wedding photography.

I feel like the trends have shifted a ton in the past couple of years- some good and some bad. Obviously, it is all subjective. Some trends that I love are an increasing focus on the sweet and intimate moments that I think are the things that really matter when thinking about wedding photography.

What are the most important wedding photos on a wedding day?

I guess I jumped the gun on this question! I am a firm believer that while the grand and epic adventure shots are really cool, the most meaningful photographs are the ones between you and your loved ones. Those quiet moments before you head to your ceremony, holding your lover’s hands, etc. I think allowing plenty of time to soak in each part of your wedding day lends itself to these kinds of moments and photographs!

What are your thoughts on having second shooters at a wedding?

I’m not personally a huge fan. I think that’s partly because I shoot smaller weddings. I think if you’re having a larger wedding (75+ guests) it becomes necessary to have a second shooter to capture additional moments, especially while the main photographer is doing family photos and portraits. For me personally, I like the intimacy that comes from fewer people.

What was the most memorable wedding you photographed?

I feel lucky that I’ve had more of these than I can count- but one that sticks out recently is a wedding that I shot way in the backcountry of the Utah desert. Almost 90 people came through miles of dirt roads, hours from the closest airport. Even with a larger group of people, they kept everything very meaningful and intentional. I loved how secluded and sacred every part of their wedding weekend felt.