Hi there!

 I'm Melanie! I grew up wandering the woods and wetlands of Northern Minnesota. I've always been a nature girl and fascinated by the world around me. I hold a bachelors degree in Ecology and Environmental Science and my favorite job (other than photography) was working for a company restoring prairies and wetlands.

  I feel most alive when exploring secret wilderness places, watching storms come in, and finding URBEX locations. I've backpacked through Isle Royal studying wolves and moose, snorkeled off Loe Key in Florida and explored the Everglades,

 Some of my most memorable outdoor moments were walking through a moonlit birch tree forest and watching the foxes play (utterly magical!) , accidentally chasing barracudas (with a camera) off a coral reef and seeing the vast deepness of the ocean for the first time, and hiking around a lake in the moonlight to discover the ruins of an ancient church in the middle of nowhere.

 Other favorite places include St. Mary's Glacier, Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks (all in CO); Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock in AZ; and Boxley Valley in AR.

 I love elopements because it removes all the stress and distraction of a traditional wedding day. I've photographed lots full weddings and I kept hearing from couples they they couldn't wait for the day to be over. It always seemed such a tragedy to see something as beautiful as the love between two people being diminished rather than amplified on one of the most significant days of their lives. With elopements, people are so lighthearted and free. I witness moments of giggling and giddy joy, moments of wonderment and awe, and moments of pure authentic love from couples who have no pressures of judgement.

Hi! I'm David.

 I could never do an office job because I'd rather be outdoors rather than indoors on any given day. I am very active and have a hard time sitting still. I've been a bit of a thrill seeker most of my life. Hiking, fast cars and motorcycles have always been a passion. I have traveled all over the world, ridden motorcycles across the country, and climbed Mt.Whitney.

  Happiest outdoor memories include watching thunderstorms come in over the mesa, hiking through the redwoods, sitting on a beach in Big Sur CA watching massive waves rolling in and listening to the sea lions call in the misty early evening.

 Weather phenomenons have always fascinated me and I feel most alive being outdoors as storms roll in. I love anything about the ocean. I also love URBEX exploration and driving really fast cars..

 Favorite places I've been include Carmel, San Francisco and Big Sur CA, Boxley Valley AR, the desert southwest, and Phuket Thailand.

 I enjoy adventure elopements because I like the idea of taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary. I love taking something traditional and taking the experience to a whole new level; making it personal instead of cookie cutter.