I’m Van!

Portrait of a young woman with dark hair, wearing overalls and a bandana, standing outdoors in sunlight with trees in the background.

Drawing of a hand making the sign language gesture for 'I love you' with radiating lines around it on a black background.

Woman smiling kneeling on the sandy beach at sunset with her dog sitting beside her, leaving footprints in the sand.

Person smiling, wearing a helmet and outdoor gear, standing on snow-covered terrain with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

Climbing Mount Baker
on a team!

A dashed white arrow pointing to the left, with the arrowhead on the left side and the dashed line forming a spiral pattern.

Young woman with green hair sitting in a modern gray chair in a bright room with a large window, white walls, exposed brick, and a potted plant.

Paddleboarding at dusk (because why not?!)

Close-up of a smiling woman wearing a grey cap and black clothing, with large black earrings and septum piercing, outdoors on a foggy day.

A young woman with short dark hair, wearing a blue baseball cap, has a septum piercing, large gauge earrings, and a tattoo of flowers on her left shoulder. She is smiling with her eyes closed, wearing a black and white striped tank top, against a dark background.

White downward arrow drawn on a black background.

and I’m so stoked you’re here.

I’m not just your photographer.

A woman standing in a forest during sunset with sunlight behind her, smiling and wearing overalls, a black t-shirt, and a white scarf around her neck.

Wanna know something that’s just as important to me as leaving you with some seriously incredible photos?

It’s all about The
Experience, baby.

Sure, I’m great at my craft and have been doing it for a looooong time (my first wedding was in 2009!), but the way that you feel on such an important day is THE most crucial part of my job.

YOU are more important than any photo i could take.

So….

Are you ready to adventure with me?!

A woman crouching outdoors on a mountain road with snow, trees, and snow-capped mountains in the background, smiling while holding a black dog.

The Cliffs Notes version

My sweet girl, Fern. She’s 4, a Pitbull + Staffy mix, and her only goal in life is to fall asleep on every person she meets

Favorite being:

Favorite band:

Paramore and Boygenius are tied for my #1 faves of all time

Favorite time of day:

The half an hour after sunset feels like ✨magic✨ on a clear day

Mount St. Helens - looking down into the crater was one of the most unreal experiences of my life!!

Favorite Summit:

Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park

Favorite Place to Polar Plunge:

Favorite Quote:

“If you’re scared to do it, do it scared.”

Do we have any of the same favorites?!

A woman in hiking gear kneeling on a grassy hill, taking photos with a camera, with mountains and a lake in the background at sunset.

4 things you should know before you book ME:

Two women smiling and touching foreheads in an outdoor setting, with one wearing a green blazer and the other in a white lace dress and jewelry.

#1. This business is queer and woman-owned

Around here we support all kinds of love, respect pronouns, and don’t put up will bullshit parts of this industry that don’t accept you for who you are. I will not recommend vendors who aren’t on the same page as me, and I don’t advertise with businesses who don’t support all love. Don’t like it? Then we’re not a good fit 💁🏻‍♀️

A couple in wedding attire holding hands and walking on a wet wooden bridge in a lush, green forested area on a rainy day, each holding a gray umbrella.

#2. Getting married outdoors is a privilege

And we’re going to respect Mother Earth every step of the process. That means learning about Leave No Trace and putting it into practice on your elopement day, applying for permits through the proper agencies, and setting the precedent that we’re at the mercy of the elements like weather, wildfires, and closures!

A couple sitting on a rocky ledge in the mountains during sunset, with snow-capped peaks and a cloudy sky in the background.

#3. I spend a lot of time outdoors

Both the front country and backcountry, so I’m here to help keep you knowledgeable and comfortable while we’re out there. I’m certified in Wilderness First Aid and I’ve seen just about everything - wildlife encounters, torrential downpour and temperatures above 110°, hiking in the dark, what’s fragile growth vs. safe to walk through, and so much more. I’ve got you.

Young woman with short dark hair and tattoos, smiling with eyes closed, making a peace sign with her right hand, standing outdoors near a calm lake with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.

#4. I’m a one-woman show!

I’m a photog, editor, social media voice, website designer, timeline planner, solo hiker, professional third wheel, hype woman, joke teller, snack provider, flyaway hair fixer, boutonniere pinner, veil adjuster, mirror holder, new trail explorer, and so many other things. I’m definitely flawed, but I put everything I’ve got into this career because I truly, truly love what I do.

You probably wanna know what past couples have said about me…

Close-up of a couple smiling and touching noses, outdoors during sunset, with blurred trees in the background.

"Van was more than just a photographer – she was our guide in planning our elopement too! She was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us all the info we needed to make sure it went smoothly. Van managed to capture the true joy, beauty, and fun of the day. Her excitement about the photos was infectious!" -N&V

Wedding couple in formal attire, a groom in a blue suit and red tie holding a bride in a white dress, standing outdoors in a mountainous landscape at sunset.

"Our wedding day with Van is something we will treasure forever. It was like adventuring around with a friend who just so happens to be a magician with a camera. Working with Van was a dream - our only complaint is that we couldn’t make our day with her last forever!" -L&B

A young man and woman lying on the ground, smiling and touching foreheads, with their eyes closed and hair spread out, on a black speckled surface.

"Wow, I don’t even know where to start! Van was amazing from beginning to end 🤩 Every time she emailed or texted us, she was so hyped about our session! VAN BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER! 😍 We couldn’t be happier with our photos and the amazing GIFs she included!" -H&A