A couple of falls back, I signed up to be a part of a photography workshop held in Yosemite National Park. As a National Park fanatic, I knew that I needed to cross this incredible park off of my bucket list. We stayed at the AutoCamp Yosemite property and WOW, I was blown away by the aesthetics of the camp, the beautiful scenery surrounding us as the leaves began to change, and how easy it was to get to the national park from AutoCamp.

AutoCamp is a perfect place to host an intimate wedding or elopement. Your guests can enjoy the amenities of the camp and be close to the national park if they want to explore. If you want to do an elopement that is just you and your love, AutoCamp offers a romantic, getaway feel while being close enough to the park to adventure and take photos in! To elope in Yosemite National Park, you have to apply for a permit which you can do up to one year in advance. The permit is nonrefundable and costs $150.

We each stayed in an airstream that’s equipped with a shower, toilet, full bed, electricity, sink, etc as well as access to the AutoCamp clubhouse, fire pits, market, and so, so much more. It truly felt like heaven on Earth and it was the perfect "glamping" option. Each day we would wake up early and head into the park with our models to get shooting!

My jaw dropped while driving through the park for the first time. The rock faces were huge and the trees loomed large above our heads. Whenever I start photographing anything, my intention is to tell a story so that the viewer feels engrossed in the images. I’m able to accomplish this by allowing time in the day to capture the in-between moments as well as the big moments. We were able to let the models do their thing as we stepped back and created photos that encapsulated the details of their story.

We drove throughout the park stopping wherever we thought would make a beautiful backdrop for photos (which was basically everywhere). We started the day at Tunnel View where Candace and Riley read their vows to each other, then we headed to Taft Point and ultimately ended our day at Glacier Point for blue hour.

Tunnel View is a pull off where there’s a beautiful view of the valley and is a perfect spot to watch the sunrise. I recommend getting there before sunrise as it tends to fill up with tourists pretty quickly. Arriving early in the morning allows you to have some solitude and to watch the valley light up as the sun rises. Taft Point is a short, round trip hike of 2 miles with little elevation gain. Taft Point can also get crowded so I wouldn’t recommend eloping there (instead, elope elsewhere in the park and come to Taft Point for portraits!) if you want your elopement to feel more secluded and intimate. At Glacier Point, you can also drive up, park, and walk up to see a beautiful view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite's high country.

All in all, Yosemite National Park is an absolutely stunning option of where to elope and I’d highly recommend staying at AutoCamp if you’re looking for accommodations!

If you’re in need of a photographer to document your elopement or intimate wedding in Yosemite National Park, I’m your gal! Click here to inquire, I can’t wait to hear from you!

Vendors:

Host: Madison Hare

Accomodations: AutoCamp

Florist/Planning: Christina Rose Florals

Gown: A & Be Bridal Shop

Rentals: CT Event Rental

Paper Goods: Tied & Two Weddings