Today I want to tell you the story of Adriana and Maribel’s romantic Cloudland Canyon sunrise elopement. I first met them in the spring when we made their Piedmont Park engagement photos. It was during that adventure that I realized how special these two are. There’s this beautiful tenderness in the way they treat each other, and every time they look at each other, you can tell that the whole world just disappeared. When they decided to elope to Cloudland Canyon, I practically begged them to let me make the photos for them. I just knew it was going to be one of the most special days I’d ever witness.
On the morning of their elopement, Adriana and Maribel walked separately out to the rim just before dawn. The canyon was quiet, wrapped in a soft pre-sunrise glow. Adriana, in her elegant white suit, and Maribel, in her glamorous white dress, stood back to back holding hands. As they turned to see each other, tears streamed down their faces.
The spot they had chosen for their morning vows was secluded, surrounded by thick hardwoods behind us, and low lying clouds below us in the canyon. The first rays of the sun spilled over the horizon in the distance as they reached for their vow books.
They began speaking their vows. I stood a respectful distance away to give them privacy. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the way they occasionally reached out to touch each other, hold hands, and wipe each other’s tears was so beautiful. Trying to be as invisible as I could, I took each step carefully and held my breath. I don’t know why I held my breath. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
The sunrise that morning was incredible, one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in years. Shades of gold, peach, and lavender painted the sky, creating a backdrop that made me feel like I was holding a brush instead of a camera that morning.
After they finished their vows, they turned to look into the canyon to soak in the sun that was breaking through the clouds. I stood beside them in awe of the way they were glowing. They walked along the rim of the canyon bathed in that incredible light.
One of my goals as a photographer has always been to find the balance between photography and painting. This was one of those days where I am certain I found it. Their Cloudland Canyon sunrise elopement will always stand out in my memory as a perfect intersection of wild natural beauty and the kind of love that transforms everything around it.
Congratulations Adriana and Maribel. And thank you.
