Jamie + Alison | Expecting | Arches National Park | Canyonlands National Park

This adventure session is so special to me for many reasons; I've known this couple for years and watching them grow their family is nothing less than an honor. Plus, Alison's genuine honesty and vulnerability with me has never gone unnoticed. When they asked me to join them on their babymoon to document this time in their life before it changed forever, I was straight up ECSTATIC. We made the plans, coordinated the locations to match where they'd been before together, and they graciously invited me to be their third wheel.

I flew into Salt Lake City to explore the city for a day and evening before meeting up with them the next morning to make the drive to Moab, Utah for their adventure maternity session. Upon arriving in Moab, Utah we went to a Mexican restaurant they'd been to before for lunch and really liked. While there, we caught up on all the good things in life. But with the good things, the bad things follow. They are the type of people and friends to read between the lines and refuse to ignore what they're reading. There are no words to describe how grateful I was to hear Jamie say the words "can I give you a hug?" and to see Alison's face full of love and gratitude to be there with me, just sharing. The two of them also did not hesitate to share their truths, triumphs, and struggles. I could write so much more about the next dinner we shared where we all ordered the same yummy salmon plate and the drinks me and Jamie shared while Alison finished homework we all know she was dreading to do instead of talk about more life and love and loss. This trip was so much more than work, it was experience and connection and exploration.

Exploring these Arches National Park and Canyonlands locations was so much fun! We saw blooming cacti, bright blue skies, and heaps of cool rocks.

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To enter into Arches National Park, you need to book a timeframe called a Timed Entry Reservation. More information here --> Timed Entry Reservation - Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Permits for elopements are time sensitive and separate. If you are planning to elope in Moab, Utah in the lands of canyons and arches, don't hesitate to hit me up so we can start the permit process ASAP! Then begins the fun planning of shenanigans like off-roading, camping, and stargazing.

There isn't much better than a sunny morning in the Autumn of the Pacific Northwest. It is all crisp air, crunchy leaves, and the perfect amount of moisture to make my hair curl but what really makes it special is coziness; not just the coziness of your favorite fuzzy sweater, but the coziness of love. The simplest joy of life is wrapping yourself and others in love just because you can. And this family emulates exactly that! Tara + Brett came with their small crew of children and parents for a beautifully intimate elopement at Cathedral Park in Portland, Oregon underneath the iconic St. John's Bridge on a perfect fall morning, Willamette River sparkling under the sun in the distance. Forest Park across the river looking absolutely stunning with fall colors, too!
One reason couples choose to go for an intimate wedding is, the focus is solely on their union and the love they have for each other. And if that is important to you then you have to honor that desire within yourself! Plan a day with less than 15 people at your favorite place then hit up your favorite restaurant to laugh the night away. Or hike 10 miles to a mountaintop for a picnic. Either way, I am there for it!!

Let's Plan Your Unique Elopement: www.whiteoakphotography.com/contact