ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER + PLANNER
For the couple who wants something real — and wants someone else to figure out the rest.
No venue pressure. No seating charts. Just you, somewhere that takes your breath away, with the moments you'll actually remember. I'll handle the permits, the timeline, and all the logistics — so on your day, the only thing on your mind is each other.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - YOSEMITE - SEDONA - OREGON COAST
Est. 2018 · Gardnerville, NV - 200+ couples
37.7° N 119.5° W
TAFT POINT - YOSEMITE
7,503’
— PORTFOLIO · A FEW MOMENTS —
Real days, unrehearsed
Quiet vows. Real laughter. Wind-in-your-hair hikes. And all the in-between moments you didn't even realize were happening.
WHY WORK WITH ARMANDO
More than a photographer. Your guide from yes to I do.
Most couples come to me with two worries: "We have no idea how to plan this" and "We're going to look awkward in photos." Neither has to be true. Here's what working together actually looks like — and what I take off your plate, every single time..
01
You'll never wonder what comes next
Permits, timeline, logistics, where to stand and when — I've done this at every location I shoot. You get a clear plan built around your day, not a checklist left for you to figure out.
02
You'll know the spots nobody else does
I know Tahoe, Yosemite, Sedona, and the Oregon Coast the way a local does — the hidden ledges, the quiet pull-outs, the exact light at 6:47am. Deep familiarity beats a wide territory, every time.
03
You'll forget I'm there
You'll look like yourselves — not like you're posing. I guide you through moments that feel natural so by the time your ceremony starts, you've forgotten I'm there.
MEET ARMANDO
I came to this through the outdoors, not through weddings.
Most couples come to me with two worries: "We have no idea how to plan this" and "We're going to look awkward in photos." I hear that all the time — and neither has to be true.
My name is Armando. I'm an elopement photographer and a planning partner. I help you choose your location, navigate permits, build your timeline, and figure out every detail — so that on your day, the only thing you have to think about is each other.
What draws me to this work is simple: couples who choose to get married somewhere that actually means something to them. I photograph those days, and I help plan them — so that when the moment comes, you're not thinking about logistics. You're just present.
Armando
PHOTOGRAPHER + PLANNER, AJ PHOTOGRAPHY · Est. 2018 · Gardnerville, NV
— PROCESS · THREE STEPS —
Three steps to your elopement
No complicated process. Just a clear path forward, with me alongside at every turn.
I
Tell me what you want it to feel like
Not a date. Not a venue. Just the feeling — wild and remote, or soft and golden, or something you've been collecting on your phone for months. Reach out with whatever you have. I'll help shape the rest.
II
We turn your vision into an actual day
Location, light, permits, timeline, officiant, logistics — I take it all off your plate. What you care about stays front and center. What you don't need to think about, you won't.
III
Show up, be present, let it unfold
No stress about what comes next. No directing, no stiff poses, no rushing. Just the two of you, fully there — and someone beside you capturing the moments you'd otherwise forget to notice.
REAL STORIES
Couples who trusted us process
" What a pleasure it was to meet AJ. From the beginning he was hands on figuring out what all we needed for our big day ...We shared laughs, he took us to amazing spots in Yosemite National Park."
Rachelle + Jerome
ELOPEMENT - YOSEMITE
"We had an amazing experience working with Armando. From the beginning he was very responsive with coordinating our shoot. The pictures turned out spectacular! If I could give more than 5 stars I would!"
Lexi + Michael
ELOPEMENT - YOSEMITE
Of planning elopements across the Western US.
From "where do we start?" to "we did it."
Guaranteed, from inquiry to your big day.
Not an add-on. Always built in.
FIELD GUIDE
Four places I know by heart
Deep familiarity beats a big territory. These are the four regions where I've done the work: scouted the light, pulled the permits, found the quiet pull-outs.
Yosemite
7,503’
37.7456° N 119.5936° W
Granite cathedrals, cliff ceremonies at Taft Point, Valley sunrises. Permit required — I’ll guide you through it.
Lake Tahoe
6,225’
38.9399° N 119.9772° W
Alpine coves, pine-scented sunrises, frozen shorelines. My home base.
Sedona
4,350′
34.8697° N 111.7610° W
Red-rock spires, soft desert light, off-road vistas.
Oregon Coast
Sea Level
45.3159° N 123.9615° W
Fog-wrapped sea stacks, moody cliff walks, tide-pool vows.
SERVICES - CHAPTER 03
What I offer
Three ways to work together, from a full adventure day to a relaxed couples session in your favorite light.
SIGNATURE FULL DAY· PLANNING INCLUDED
Adventure elopements
My signature service. Full planning support plus photography — and video if you want it. Built for couples who want their day to feel intimate, real, and theirs.
SMALL CELEBRATIONS
Intimate weddings
For small weddings with close family or a handful of friends. I help you build a smooth timeline and capture the moments that matter most.
PRE-DAY SESSIONS 1 — 2 HOURS · RELAXED
Engagement & Couples
A relaxed session to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. Great if you're camera-shy and want to feel easy and natural.
JOURNAL
Planning guides & real stories
Everything you need to plan your elopement — from someone who's actually been there.
FAQ
A few common questions
Quick answers to what most couples ask first. Can't find yours? Write to me — I read every message myself.
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Yes — and honestly, this is one of the things I care most about. Planning support is built into every package I offer. That means I'll help you choose and scout your location, handle permit research and applications, build out your day's timeline, and coordinate the moving parts so nothing falls through the cracks. You don't need to hire a separate planner. From the first conversation to the moment we part ways on your elopement day, I'm your guide through all of it.
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It really depends on your timeline and location. Some couples book 6–12 months out to secure popular dates at places like Yosemite or Lake Tahoe — especially if a special use permit is required. Others reach out just a few weeks before and we make it work. If you have a date or location in mind, the best move is to reach out early so we can talk through what's realistic. I'll always be straight with you about availability.
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We roll with it — and more often than not, it makes for better photos. Moody skies, misty forests, dramatic clouds: these are the conditions that make mountain and wilderness elopements feel cinematic rather than staged. That said, safety always comes first. If conditions are genuinely dangerous, we'll talk through your
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I don't put a hard cap on your gallery. What I deliver is every image that genuinely tells the story of your day — edited, full resolution, and yours to keep. In practice, most galleries range from 300 to 600+ images depending on the length of coverage and how the day unfolds.
— START HERE —
Ready to stop stressing and start planning?
Tell me a little about your vision — where you're dreaming of, when you're thinking, and what matters most to you. I'll take it from there.