SUSTAINABLE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Elopements that honor your love and the land

Environmentally-conscious elopement photography in the Pacific Northwest; Leave No Trace certified, carbon neutral, and deeply committed to protecting these beautiful lands that I call home.

let’s plan your eco-friendly elopement

Meet your photographer

Environmental sustainability was built into my childhood and has always been a passion of mine. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies, so I’m more than just your average crunchy gal! I absolutely love chatting about how we can live out our values, so whether you’re someone planning a wedding or a fellow vendor curious about going green, I’d love to connect with you!

What sustainable elopement photography looks like in practice

Leave No Trace, always

On your elopement day we stay on trail, pack out our trash, bring everything we need, and leave nothing behind. We won’t harm wildflowers, fragile alpine meadows, or wildlife. We tread gently!

Eco-friendly planning guides

In addition to the free resources I have available on my website, I also have exclusive planning guides for my couples on all the ways you can be kind to the environment on your elopement day!

High quality gear that lasts

There are photographers out there that replace their cameras, lenses, and memory cards every year… I only buy equipment when necessary and it lives a full life under my care.

Mindful location recommendations

I always take care to ensure your elopement will not negatively impact the beautiful lands you’re there to enjoy. I only recommend spots that can safely and legally accommodate groups of our size.

Sustainable vendor network

I get to work with some of the best people in the industry– not just in their skillsets, but also their values. Trust me, your wedding day is so much sweeter when you love working with your vendors!

Online operations

Except for scouting & photographing, everything for my business happens online. Your contract, invoices, planning resources, and final gallery of photos are all sent straight to your inbox!

Intentional travel

I conduct nearly all of my business within the Pacific Northwest, driving to each elopement in my (pre-owned!) hybrid car. For the few plane trips I do take, I book direct flights & prioritize locally-owned accommodations.

Responsible consumerism

When I do need to purchase equipment, I try to prioritize local, small businesses to support the local community and cut down on unnecessary shipping. Or I’ll rent what I need!

Carbon neutrality

My business is entirely carbon neutral through We Are Neutral! I track tonsss of data points throughout the year to accurately calculate my footprint– which of course, I try to keep low in the first place.

A degree in sustainability!

I have an actual, formal education in all of this! I’m not just a nature lover, I’ve also got a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies. And a minor and a certificate in the subject, too! This is all personal and important to me❤︎⁠

proudly part of:

marla manes photography is also…

Emerald Hour co-founder

Emerald Hour is a sustainability organization for wedding vendors. We’re a community of professionals who lead with their values, and our community is the largest of its kind in the US! We educate vendors on sustainable practices, create resources for both business owners and couples, and are working to make events greener.

Carbon neutral

I work together with We Are Neutral to minimize and calculate my carbon footprint, which is then offset through the non-profit’s carbon reduction projects!

Leave No Trace certified

Through the Leave No Trace organization, I completed a course created specifically for elopement photographers to learn how to do our jobs responsibly, from location scouting to attaining permits and of course, keeping our lands safe on your actual elopement day!

let’s connect

TIPS FROM THE BLOG

Zero Waste Wedding Ideas; How To Minimize Your Impact

How to Have a Sustainable Elopement – Eco-Friendly Elopement Planning

How To Leave No Trace at Your Wedding or Elopement

Common questions about sustainable elopements

Being a sustainable elopement photographer starts at home and affects how a photographer manages their equipment, energy usage, client materials, deliverables, and how they physically operate and treat the environment while taking photos. Sustainable elopement photographers should always protect the physical environment while working and help their clients do the same!

Well, you’re already off to a great start by choosing to elope! Keep your guest count low and be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles in the outdoors (stay on trail, pack out your trash, don’t pick wildflowers). Consider a low-impact diet for your meals (like going meat-free!) and as you prepare for the big day, shop local! Support small businesses instead of ordering vow books on Amazon. Intentional spending goes a long way!

Yes, thoughtfully done flowers can still be sustainable! Hiring a professional florist that works with seasonally appropriate, locally-grown flowers can add a ton of beauty to your day without devastating your carbon footprint. Make sure that they don’t use any floral foam (common in arrangements like those on ceremony arches) and that they understand the local ecology; otherwise, your flowers could end up dropping invasive seeds into fragile environments!

No, it can actually save you money! There’s a lot of wasteful printing and unnecessary gift-giving in the industry, where you could get a shipment of branded gear and candles or printed photos that you didn’t get to pick out, and the cost of those gifts would be built into your photography package. I don’t charge you for anything that you don’t ask for.

“Marla is everything you want in an elopement photographer and so much more. She has an eye for beauty, connection, and love for both Mother Earth and between you and your partner. My husband and I had the best day ever with her.”

– Melissa & Anthony, Mt. Rainier elopement