I’m Van!
Climbing Mount Baker
on a team!
Paddleboarding at dusk (because why not?!)
and I’m so stoked you’re here.
I’m not just your photographer.
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….
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?!
4 things you should know before you book ME:
#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 💁🏻♀️
#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!
#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.
#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…
"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
"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
"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