Meet Van Gachnang

Washington-based adventure elopement photographer ~ (pronounced GASH-nayng)

Thoughtful planning

✨

Grounded adventures

✨

No bullshit

✨

Thoughtful planning ✨ Grounded adventures ✨ No bullshit ✨

A person standing on snow-covered ground with arms raised, wearing winter gear, with mountain peaks and a snow-capped volcano in the background. 
mt. adams summit!
A woman with a cream bandana in her hair and a blue jacket smiles while standing amongst a purple rosemary bush
A woman sitting on a log outdoors with mountains and pine trees in the background, smiling at the camera.
Woman sitting on a paddleboard on a calm lake, smiling, wearing a striped swimsuit, cap, and sunglasses with a background of trees and clear sky.
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 woman standing on a rocky lakeshore, smiling, with a mountain and dense forest in the background.
A woman crouches on grass during sunset, hugging a black dog, both looking content. She is wearing a gray Carhartt beanie, a plaid shirt, orange pants, and brown boots, with tattoos on her arm. 
fern
A mountain with snow and glaciers, green trees, rocks, and water reflecting the landscape, with a person standing near the water. 
backpacking 
mt. baker

I’m not just your photographer.

That would be pretty lame, imo. And this isn’t just about photos! It’s about the entire experience surrounding the day.

Why the outdoors matter to me

I feel the most like myself outside.

Not in a “summit selfie or it didn’t happen” way.
In a nervous system finally unclenched way.

Being outside quiets everything. You breathe deeper. Your shoulders drop. You stop performing and start actually being there. That’s exactly how I want a wedding day to feel.

The outdoors has been my reset button for years, long before it was my job. It’s where I go when things feel heavy or loud or off.

Getting married outside isn’t about chasing epic just to say you did. It’s about choosing something grounded, honest, and very you. A day where you’re not hosting or managing expectations.

Just here. Together. On purpose. Deal?

What I care about (aka the non-negotiables)

These aren’t just ~cute brand values.~
They’re baked into how I move through the world day to day.

  • 🥾 Safety comes first. Always. Physical safety, emotional safety, and the kind of support that lets you actually relax.

  • 🌈 All love is welcome. This is a queer-owned business and I’ve gotta say, queer joy is one of the best parts of being alive.

  • 🌿 Leave No Trace is not optional. Public lands deserve respect. We do this thoughtfully, responsibly, and with care.

  • 🤍 Your autonomy matters. You’ll always have a say in what you want out of your day, even if that changes last second.

If we’re aligned here, everything else flows.
Values over vibes every single time.

My vibe IRL

I’m not calm all the time. I’m calm where it counts.

Behind the scenes, I’m locked in. Planning, logistics, timelines, backup plans: all handled.

On the day itself? Different energy. I’m hyping you up, jumping up and down with you after the ceremony, and running to show you the back of my camera because you look so damn good. If you’re excited, I’m excited. If you’re emotional, I’m right there with you.

I’m the one with snacks, extra layers, and a read on the room. I know when to slow things down, when to step in, and when to let things get a little unhinged in the best way.

I care deeply and I bring the energy, but I also keep things grounded enough that you can fully let go and enjoy what’s happening in real time.

You don’t have to hold it all together.
I’ll bring the plan, you bring the joy.

All of that support and freedom that we just talked about?

It definitely doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when someone (like ya girl 😌) is paying attention to the unsexy details so you don’t have to.

Hire a local. Seriously.

A woman with short dark hair wearing a light gray hoodie, black shorts, socks, sandals, and orange sunglasses, sitting on a bed inside a small room with large windows showing a mountainous landscape.
A stylized neon sign of a chef's hat and a spoon forming a circular shape.

This is what local experience actually looks like. Park Butte lookout backpacking trip!

Outdoor weddings don’t fall apart because of bad vibes.

They fall apart because no one knew what they were doing.

When you hire a local, things feel effortless on the surface because the hard parts are already handled behind the scenes.

I know what’s allowed, how these places actually behave, when crowds spike, and how weather tends to move through specific areas. I plan for real life, not best-case scenarios or Pinterest timelines.

That means fewer surprises and way less mental load for you.

When something shifts, because sometimes it does, we don’t panic. We adjust quietly and keep the day moving in a way that still feels grounded and intentional. Most of the time, you won’t even notice the pivot.

THAT’S what local experience gives you.
I’m not guessing or winging it, which means:

Plenty of room to actually enjoy getting married.

Sketch of a pair of hiking boots with plant leaves around them.
Five gold stars in a row

5 stars by 45+ couples

“Van made our literal dreams come true for our elopement. Could never, would never, recommend anything more highly than we would working with Van. From start to finish we knew we were in good hands, she helped us find the perfect location, build the perfect timeline, and the photos she captured were otherworldly!”

- L&T
White silhouette of a flower arrangement with tall flowers and broad leaves on a black background.

“We can't express enough gratitude for Van making our elopement day truly magical. Her expertise, spontaneity, and genuine excitement turned every moment into something extraordinary. From the initial planning to capturing the day, her support was truly remarkable”

- J&C

“Van was an absolute dream to work with! From start to finish, she created an experience that was collaborative, creative, and so much fun.We trusted Van completely, which allowed us to be fully present without worrying about a thing.”

- E&L
A close-up of a black dog lying on grass in an outdoor park, with a focused expression.

You have to meet Fern.

She’s my heart dog, my shadow, and she’d crawl into my skin if she had things her way.

The way that she can sleep 22 hours a day but then absolutely crush an 8 mile hike without seeming the tiniest bit bothered is one of my fave things about her.

She finds the warmest spot and settles in for a nap (sometimes the ☀️sun, sometimes the electric blanket).

You’ll hear about her. You’ll probably see her. And if you’re a dog person, photos are already included when we work together. ✨

A black and white illustration of a dog with angel wings, a collar with a tag, sitting in front of ferns.

yeah, i had an illustration made of her

If you’re here, you’re in the right place

👉 If you read this and thought, yeah, that sounds like us, that’s usually a good sign.

You don’t need to have it all figured out yet. Most people don’t. You just need a direction, a little curiosity, and a willingness to do things differently.

If that’s you, I’m so in.

Take the next step