Yosemite Elopement Photographer

Elopements, Intimate Weddings, & Engagement Photos
in Yosemite National Park

Hi, I’m Carrie —

My approach to photography is personal and intentional. By taking the time to get to know you and understand who you are and what’s important you, I’m able to help bring your story to life in a meaningful way through your photos. From the intricate details of your outfits and decor, to the location you’ve carefully selected, to the relationships you have with each other and with your chosen people. I encourage my couples to prioritize their experience and stay present  — to enjoy the memories of your wedding day while you’re living them. I am a skilled observer with an eye for anticipating moments, capturing emotions, and when needed, providing natural guidance that doesn’t feel intrusive. This blend of candid storytelling and editorial direction results in photos that are an artistic yet authentic representation of your day.

Recent Elopements and Sessions in Yosemite National Park

Best Yosemite Elopement Locations

Yosemite Valley: The valley is the most accessible area of the park (usually open year round) and is the only place you can get married in the winter months. There are a variety of different locations to choose from with views of the meadows, El Capitan, Half Dome, and waterfalls. My favorite ceremony spots are Cathedral Beach and El Capitan Meadow. For portraits, I love exploring the boardwalks and trails near Cook’s meadow. 

Taft Point: Taft Point is an incredible viewpoint with views of El Capitan in the distance and the valley below. It’s most popular for sunset and the best spot to get those iconic cliff shots. Getting here requires a short hike through a forest — I love planning extra time to stop for photos along the trail to capture a variety of scenery.

Glacier Point: Another iconic viewpoint that overlooks the valley and has one of the best views of Half Dome! It’s easily accessible with only a short walk from the parking lot and is best at sunrise. There’s a designated area here that you can reserve for ceremonies with bigger groups (up to 50 people) but if it’s just the two of you or a group under 10, there are other areas nearby that are perfect for more private ceremonies.

AutoCamp Yosemite: If you’re interested in hosting a more formal dinner or reception after your ceremony but still want an outdoorsy environment, consider booking AutoCamp for your wedding. Autocamp is a luxury camping resort located about an hour outside Yosemite Valley, where you can stay in a modern airstream, cabin, or a canvas tent surrounded by nature, but with all the amenities you could possibly need to still feel like you’re at a 5 star hotel. They have a selection of spaces you can reserve for your celebration.

Airbnb/VRBO: For elopements and smaller weddings, I always recommend booking a nice place to stay that will add to your overall experience. An Airbnb or VRBO rental will provide a private space for you to get ready for the day, which is often when photo coverage starts. Your rental property may also be an option for your ceremony and/or an intimate post-ceremony dinner celebration. Always confirm any event related plans with the property owners prior to booking. You can find some great rental options in Yosemite West as well as outside the park in Oakhurst, Midpines, and Mariposa. 

Getting Married in Yosemite

MARRIAGE LICENSE

To legally get married in Yosemite you’ll need a California marriage license obtained in person at the County Clerk’s Office within 90 days of your wedding date. For your ceremony, you’ll need an officiant, at least one witness, and the signed license must be returned within 10 days.

SYMBOLIC CEREMONY

An alternative to doing the legal paperwork on your wedding day is to have a symbolic ceremony instead. Many couples traveling for their elopement opt to legally get married at their local courthouse before or after their trip to Yosemite where they celebrate and share their vows. This avoids having to plan a visit to the County Clerk during your trip.

PERMITS

If you want to get married in Yosemite National Park, you will need to purchase a special use permit for your ceremony. The application ($150) and a list of approved ceremony locations can be found HERE. If you’re getting married at a venue or private property, you will need to confirm any additional fees with the property owners/hosts.

TIME OF DAY

On your elopement day, I always recommend planning around sunrise or sunset to have the best lighting for your photos. Sunrise means an early wakeup call but fewer crowds and sunset means you get to sleep in a little bit and take your time getting ready but you may have to share the more popular spots with other visitors in the park.  For this reason, I highly recommend choosing a Monday through Thursday or Sunday date for your elopement. Fridays and Saturdays will be very crowded with weekend visitors and campers, making it harder to find an intimate spot for your ceremony (and parking, of course).

TIME OF YEAR & WEATHER

The time of year you choose for your Yosemite elopement will play a big role in your overall experience and how your day looks and feels.

Winter will have the fewest crowds, but you’ll be limited to locations in the valley since the roads to Glacier Point and Taft Point close down for winter. I generally do not take bookings in Yosemite during the winter months.

Spring is when the viewpoint road opens back up (depending on the weather that year) and the waterfalls are the fullest so I recommend this time of year if you want to get married a little earlier in year before it gets super hot or you want to visit a waterfall on your elopement day. 

Summer is the busiest time of year in Yosemite with lots of visitors enjoying the warm, sunny weather. I highly recommend a week date if you’re considering a summer elopement.

Fall is my favorite time of year for eloping in Yosemite! The crowds start to thin out, the weather cools off a bit, and the colors change in the most magical way.

Elopements & Intimate Weddings

Starting at $7500 for 6 hours of coverage and includes all travel expenses and a digital gallery of high-resolution photos. Add-ons include engagement sessions, a second photographer, and albums. 

Couple & Engagement Sessions

Starting at $2000 for a 1 hour session in one location.  Additional hours are available at a rate of $500/hour. 

“Simply put, Carrie made our wedding day what it was..”

Simply put, Carrie Rogers made our wedding day what it was. We will forever be thankful for her role on our special day. My husband and I wanted a fun-filled adventure elopement day in Yosemite National Park and Carrie made the day exceed all our expectations. We didn’t know the details of what we wanted in our day (we just knew we loved each other and wanted to be married already!), she helped us during the planning and coordination portion prior and no stone was left unturned. She communicated through the entire process and felt more like a friend than a hired photographer. By the time our day came, she made us both so comfortable in front of the camera. She facilitated the technical side of the elopement: officiating, permits, travel, etc. which took an entire load of stress off. And of course the reason everyone books her — the finished product was absolutely amazing. Her work speaks for herself. Her personality and passion for her couples however, is something you cannot find in most wedding/elopement vendors. Thank you Carrie, you have a special place in the Miller’s hearts.

— Courtney & Klayton

ARTFUL & INTENTIONAL STORYTELLING FOR COUPLES
WHO VALUE CONNECTION, AUTHENTICITY, AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! The two main areas I assist with during the planning process are location scouting/research and timeline building. I’m also happy to share vendor and accommodation recommendations and assist with permits when needed.

    I do not book any services on your behalf or do any day-of duties like setting up decor, managing guests and vendors, coordinating supply pickups, etc. If you’re looking for someone to manage those types of tasks, I can send over some amazing planner recommendations!

  • Yes, if you're having a larger wedding but resonate with my work and approach, please reach out! I'll provide a custom quote based on your wedding size and scope of plans.

  • My pricing includes all standard travel fees and I take care of booking my own flights, rental cars, accommodations, etc.

  • No, the scope of work involved for elopements, no matter how simple, is much more significant than a regular photoshoot. Plus, your wedding day deserves so much more than that! You won't get the same experience or types of wedding photos you see in my portfolio in just an hour or two.

  • After we've had an initial chat and you've chosen your date, I'll send over a contract and an invoice for your nonrefundable booking retainer. Depending on your booked coverage, this will be $2,000 - $3,000.