Cannon Beach Elopement on the Oregon Coast

S&P's Oregon Coast elopement at Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach

This photoshoot has been a dream of mine for a while. I have always been drawn to the Oregon Coast and not only was I looking for the most wonderful excuse to go back, I planned it. This elopement was a styled shoot that I organized with my wonderful models, Sameeksha and Tony, to encapsulate what a perfect elopement day on the Oregon coast should look like: breathtaking views, an enchanting fern-filled forest, and the iconic Cannon Beach where mountains meet the sea, literally.

I personally scouted these locations, pieced together a careful timeline, and chatted with Sameeksha for months, in order to create THIS. This gallery of photos that I hope will inspire future couples to plan their elopement alongside their photographer and embark on a fantastical journey for their elopement day. As an elopement photographer, I believe that location is THE most important aspect in how the photos turn out. This is why I insist on helping couples with the scouting and planning aspects of their elopement day. Finding epic locations is almost my favorite part of my job (right behind telling the unique stories of my fellow PNW adventurers).

S&P are a real married couple. I had the privilege of meeting them through another client when I photographed their Haldi ceremony back in September 2021. When I reached out to find an adventurous couple for a styled shoot in Instagram, Sameeksha was one of the first to reach out. Since she lives in Portland, I thought: well this gives me the perfect excuse to drive 2.5 hours to Cannon beach! I am based in Puyallup, Washington but I am dedicated to driving all over the PNW to tell your unique love story.

This cliffside viewpoint is the perfect location for couples that want an epic view for their ceremony without any hiking. It is in a very convenient spot, and not overcrowded in the Fall. The neighboring beach is never crowded because is only accessible via a moderately difficult hike. In the distance, you can see Haystack Rock, the defining feature of Cannon Beach and other intertidal structures that make the Oregon Coast one of the most remarkable coasts in the world.

The Bouquet

The bouquet includes Fall colors, forest elements, and plenty of luscious, green flora that bounce when you walk. Creating movement in photos can be a challenge for photographers. If you want a bouquet that makes a statement in photos, let your florist know that you want a bouncy bouquet. This bouncy bouquet is giving 'boho in the PNW' and I am so into it.

Photographing real moments and smiles is my vibe. No "cheese" here. I am passionate about reminding my couple to 'take it all in' for a moment- sometimes these become the best photos of all.

Following the ceremony, we took at 5-minute walk into the nearby forest: another bonus that makes this diverse location so perfect for a dynamic elopement gallery!

A 10-minute drive will take you right down to Haystack rock at Cannon Beach. If you are a fan of golden hour, the beach is the best place to be. One downside to this location is that it can be very crowded- but a skilled photographer can edit all of your uninvited guests out.

The sun has set on the horizon and blue hour has begun. I have found that the first 30-minutes of blue hour is my favorite to photograph, especially if there are some clouds on the horizon. This lighting creates the kind of photos that you'll want to print out and hang on the wall.

The day has come to an end, but the memories live on.

I am a hiking & traveling couples, elopement, and wedding photographer based in the Pacific Northwest

On this blog, I carefully compile the work that sings to my soul. Take off your dirty boots and stay a while where the water is cold and our hearts are afire. View some of my other blog posts, explore my full website, and check my instagram for recent update and announcements below.