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A Wildly Different Elopement Styled Shoot Experience

 So you want:

  • Portfolio images that feel like a real elopement

  • New content for marketing + social media

  • New connections with other artists + vendors

  • Time + space to learn from others

  • 1:1 time with a real couple

  • Real elopement schedule, details, + setups to photograph

  • Time to be creative

This is for YOU!

Feeling disappointed by past styled shoots?

I feel you! It’s so hard to know what to expect, what kind of images you’ll create, and the vibe of the other attendees. I can tell you this much though, our styled shoots are focused heavily on the AUTHENTIC. Instead of a crowd gathering at an epic location for one shoot, our styled shoots are curated to mirror a real elopement day.

 

Why a Styled Shoot?

What I love about content days is that they are low pressure, high reward. You get to flex those creative muscles without the pressures to deliver any specific images, or feeling creatively stifled by expectations. You get to freely create, experiment with new techniques, and network with other creative entrepreneurs in a collaborative space.

 

  • The opportunity to build a strong portfolio you’re stoked to share with the world. Let’s not forget you get to:

    • Create art you actually LOVE that inspires you

    • Get new, fully aligned, content

    • Direct and capture images for YOU

    • Expand + diversify your portfolio

    • Channel your inner creative

  • This is SO IMPORTANT for the success of your business. If you’re just getting started, or are specializing in something new, a styled shoot can help you build content that not only shows your technical skills but allows prospective clients to witness how you choose to document a moment and tell a story visually.

    Your website, social media, newsletters, blogs, ads, and sample galleries are all marketing. When you share images/videos you love, that speak to you, they’ll inspire and attract your ideal clients.

  • Have you ever been in a room with a bunch of like-minded creatives? 

    You may have heard the mantra “community over competition,” but, I’ll say it, the world of social media can make it hard to see other creatives as anything but. By surrounding yourself with other people that inspire, support, and encourage you—it allows you to truly become the best version of yourself.

    Content days at their best are almost like an energy source, with attendees playing off each other, helping to push through blocks, and share new techniques. It’s a rejuvenating experience!

  • Are you tired of the rush of an elopement day? When it feels like you only have time to document the important things with little to no time to really stretch those creative muscles?

    A styled shoot allows you the freedom to simply create without expectations or pressures. There’s nobody pulling you in 20 different directions, you just get to show up, be present, and CREATE SOME DAMN ART!

 

This will be as close to a REAL ELOPEMENT as it gets without the couple actually getting married!

 

Elopements aren't perfect, so why should this be any different?

This idea of “Pinterest Perfect” can give couples an unrealistic expectation of what their elopement day “should” look like, and couples who are choosing to elope do so to avoid the “shoulds” and societal traditions. So if it rains during the styled shoot, we will shoot. If things get delayed for any number of wild reasons, we roll with the punches and journey on. So, if you are looking for a wildly different styled shoot experience where you come away with a genuine elopement day experience and images/films that reflect that in an honest way, then let’s do this friend, cus I am stoked to create with you!

 

No fake cakes, no fake couples, no fake kisses, no fake bullshit! 

How can a styled shoot be authentic? Won’t it feel like we are just paparazzing the couple? Look, I get it, styled shoots will never be a real elopement experience. But, this is as close as it gets without having the couple actually elope with 6 creatives pointing lenses at their faces!

Every single aspect of the day will aim to tell this couples’ mock elopement story in a way that you can then use for marketing, blogs, etc. Your work will feel REAL!

These images will nest right into your portfolio feeling honest and a true representation of your skill and unique vision.

THE DETAILS

 

When: TBD Spring 2024
Where: Two Harbors, MN
Who: Couple TBD

 
 

Day of structure

My goal is to make this whole experience as true to real life as possible so you come away with not only a genuine experience, but images that reflect the realness of an elopement day. This will NOT be your slinging arms kinda shootout. There will be a semi-structured timeline designed to make the whole experience feel like a real elopement day with extra time for all attendees to get the shots they need.

This is a HALF DAY ELOPEMENT itinerary
6.5 hours

Unofficial timeline (official timeline + Location will be released after ticket purchase)

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022

3:00pm Meet-and-greet
3:15pm Getting ready images as a group on location
3:45pm Split into 2 groups (group A photographs couple, group B photographs details)
4:15pm Switch (group A photographs details, group B photographs couple)
4:45pm Get together as a full group and hike to next spot (10 min walk)
5:00pm Photograph the couple as a full group
5:15pm Attendee #1’s 15 mins as lead photographer
5:30pm Attendee #2’s 15 mins as lead photographer
5:45pm Attendee #3’s 15 mins as lead photographer
6:00pm Attendee #4’s 15 mins as lead photographer
6:15pm Attendee #5’s 15 mins as lead photographer
6:30pm Attendee #6’s 15 mins as lead photographer
6:45pm Snack break (15mins)
7:00pm Hike to next spot as a group (10 min walk)
7:15pm Photograph celebration as a full group
7:30pm Couple’s first dance
7:45pm Champagne pop
8:00pm Sunset photos as a group
8:39pm Sunset
8:45pm Blue hour photos
9:15pm Wrap up
9:30pm Shoot ends

 
 

The mood/inspo boards

TBD by attendees and host

All images are copyrighted Narrowleaf Love & Adventure Photography, unless otherwise noted.

What you get

  • Half-day elopement experience

  • A gallery of images that represent a FULL DAY ELOPEMENT

  • Access to Cass for any posing/directing help

  • Styled flatlay, table setup, elopement details, etc. to photograph

  • A real couple

  • 15 solid minutes of personalized time directing + posing the couple

  • Tons of great new content that feels like a real elopement

$350 per person or
$550 per two person team (must be an actual branded team)

Your elopement styled shoot host!

Hey friends, I’m Cass!

I’m gonna try and keep this short — if you wanna know more about my journey check out the About or Photography Workshops pages! I’ve been a photographer since 2005, and throughout the years I have dreamt, styled, DIY’d, executed, and photographed SO many styled shoots on my own — even learned how to bake wedding cakes, make bouquets, design jewelry, craft bowties, bought dresses, did some woodworking for reception setups and tables — you name it, I probably at least tried to DIY it!

Almost daily, I see new styled shoots pop up with photographers looking to make a quick buck while building their portfolio. Often, these photographers are posting a bunch of unrealistic mood board images with photos that aren’t even possible in the area they are shooting (e.g. mountain views, but the styled shoot is at a venue in MN.) While I think pulling inspiration from other photographers and areas of the world is amazing, I think there needs to be more transparency around what really is possible and what isn’t.

So, I decided to embark on the first ever (to my knowledge anyway) HALF-DAY ADVENTUROUS ELOPEMENT STYLED SHOOT in MINNESOTA! This styled shoot will be as close to a real MN Adventurous Elopement as physically possible, without the couple actually getting married. Although, I will be photographing the couple alongside you to show some of you how I direct a couple, leverage light, and the environment, etc. THIS STYLED SHOOT IS FOR YOU! This is NOT just for me to line my portfolio with more images and make some money along the way. The intentionality behind this is to showcase how epic MN elopements really are, create some art, and meet some badasses like you to cultivate a community of MN adventure photographers!!

Leave No Trace

We will be following LNT Outdoor Ethics during our shoot and encourage you to check out the 7 principles before attending to ensure you are helping to protect our natural lands to allow us continued access to these beautiful places for generations. Plus, it helps secure our continued access as photographer + videographers to work in these beautiful natural spaces for generations. National Parks are already making it incredibly difficult, expensive, and in some places impossible to work due to the disrespect photographers + videographers have inflicted upon the land.

If you want to take the LNT for Elopement Photographers course click the button below - this is NOT sponsored, I’m just very passionate about protecting our natural lands!

The LNT for Photographers Course

 FAQs

 

  • No, there will be no official teaching sections or specific resources to take home from the event, but I will be there to answer questions, help with directing and posing the couple and will essentially be a resource for you during the shoot.

  • Nope, this is open to videographers as well!

  • NOPE! I gotchu covered with all the things, the outfits, styling, other vendors, the couple - all of it. All you gotta do is show up and photograph!

  • Be prepared for all types of weather! Just like a real elopement day, we cannot control the weather and will need to ensure we are prepared with all the proper protective equipment for our gear (link to a rain cover), our bodies (link to ponchos) and our couple (don’t worry I will have all the things they might need in case of crazy weather!)

  • Yes, the day will involve a bit of hiking. However, most couples aren't super into trekking into the woods 5 miles into the woods for photos, so we will be capping the max mileage around 1 mile to ensure this is as true to real life as possible.

  • For photo gear, my best advice is to bring your favorite lenses, including at least one tight lens such as an 85mm. Tighter lenses can be very useful for photographing alongside others without getting them in your shot. My go-to would be anything over a 50mm, if you can, but remember you get 15 minutes as the lead photographer, so don’t forget your favorite wide angle as well!

    As for other things: I recommend wearing good hiking boots/shoes as we will be wandering around and hiking in the outdoors. Sunscreen, bug spray, any important meds/epipens, charged batteries, extra memory cards, and a bag or backpack to carry everything.

    And don’t forget a light lunch/snack for break and plenty of water for a full day of shooting.

  • These images are completely yours to do whatever you want with. Some ideas: Inspire future clients, get published, marketing, social media, website, SEO, sample galleries, portfolio, etc.