Oh Hey there...

I'm Janel

I am a Virginia based, adventure elopement and small intimate wedding photographer.

On a typical day, you can find me sitting on the couch in my pajamas with the dog curled up next to me. There’s likely an episode of Friends or New Girl on in the background while I work hard on this big dream of mine! My dreams and goals are always changing as I grow into the person I want to be.

I love hiking in the mountains and looking for new exciting adventures to go on. Really anything in nature is a win for me. The mountains, waterfall, beach I truly love it all. I could spend hours lost digging through a seashell bed looking for exciting new finds. Walking along the beach at sunrise is my favorite, before the rest of the world wakes up and its all quiet and peaceful. I love the solitude and being there first thing in the morning with the expectation of a bright new day.

I also have an affinity for travel. I love seeing new scenes, food, people. I am like a gypsy who has to keep moving because I get bored staying in one place too long. I just love to really immerse myself in the culture of a new place. I truly feel like a year is the sweet spot to really get to experience all the things fully. Then on to the next. I’m an adventurous spirit who wishes that traveling was free because I would never stay in one place. One of my favorite dreams is to build a tiny house on wheels and go travel the United States. I am also a homebody who loves the quiet and peace of being all alone.

Janel

I'm

"Always try to be better than the person you were yesterday"

Let's go on an adventure!

Favorites

sonic ice
fried foods
pajamas
crocs
traveling
natural light
oversized sweaters
laughing
clients turned friends

Just to name a few

As someone who got married in 2005 and felt uncomfortable the whole time like I was on display and moving through all these motions to complete traditions to make others happy. To be honest I'm not even sure why I did half of them other than people saying that is just what you do. I am a lover of nature it doesn't make sense naturally to get married inside when I feel more comfortable outside. I didn't know until much later that there was another way.

Years later I started my photography business and immediately fell in love shooting couples in nature. As I live in the mountains we have some of the most beautiful scenery and it was natural to have these couples in these epic landscapes. When I started photographing weddings I felt that same sense of rushing and going through all the motions trying to make sure we get everything done in the day. There is a level of stress during every wedding day where I have to tell the bride not to worry that it all works out the end and we will get everything done they were hoping for at the beginning of the day. I remember thinking there has to be a better way.

Then I photographed my first elopement that put all my favorite elements together; couples, epic landscapes, stress free wedding days, frolicking in nature...

This was the day that changed the course of my life. Finally I know there is a better way. One that aligns with how it should feel. No stress, laid-back, go with the flow, throwing away old traditions that don't mean anything to me and starting new traditions that matter. This is the way I will do it if I ever get married again. Just focused on the couple and the bond they share while not worrying about all the other things.

This is why I am obsessed with elopements and would love to help you plan yours!

“You are AMAZING at what you do! Can’t wait to see the rest of the photos!”

- Savannah Anspach

My firstborn is my son Trey. He helps me with photoshoots sometimes as he is getting into videography. He also helps me shoot behind the scenes footage sometimes and it helps him to gain knowledge of the business.

my crew

Introducing

My girl Trinity is a firecracker. She really keeps me on my toes. She is funny and has the kindest heart. She also helps sometimes at sessions making kids laugh, directing people where to go at mini sessions, and shooting behind the scenes footage. She also helps me with the surprise proposals.

Bandit is my newest addition. He is such a light in this world to everyone he meets. He just loves everyone and gets so excited to go anywhere with his humans.

This is my all star crew! Most of my long time clients have met either my son Trey, my daughter Trinity or both. They both have helped me out on photo shoots and often shoot behind the scenes footage for me. The newest addition is Bandit he is such a light to everyone he meets.

think we're a good fit?

inquire now!

I get so excited when I capture those raw and real moments (money shots) because communicating emotions through images is my jam. My incredibly supportive adult children are the reason for this business, they have always encouraged me to let my creativity serve others. So, you won’t be surprised to find that you’ll be laughing and smiling during most of your session, and, hopefully, feeling the same looking back on your final gallery. I adore those heart-skip-a-beat moments, the posed and unposed, the real and the authentic, and all of the candid and passionate parts of you.

We will likely be hugging by the end of the day and planning our next coffee date because this is so much more to me than just a business exchange. This experience is about making sure you know you are cared for through every step of the process. This is trust, vulnerability, and authenticity. I am so thankful you’ve taken the time to learn more about me. I hope you’ve found a home in some of my words here, and I am so excited to hear more about you and what you’re looking for.

it all started

How

What makes me different from other photographers?

Handicapped Hiker with knowledge of tons of locations

Empath- Meaning I am a great listener and feel what you feel

Single Mom- great at multitasking and keeping all the fires going at once

OCD- I pay attention to details naturally and am great at planning

I truly believe that these qualities make me the perfect elopement planner and photographer. I have hiked so much even before I had lung issues and I continue to do so with my oxygen tank. I am constantly location scouting looking for the next best spot for the perfect private ceremony. I have lived In Virginia my whole life and have a very large bank of location already that span all of Virginia and the surrounding states.

Being an empath gives me the unique ability to feel what other people are feeling. I know that no matter how comfortable you are with your spouse and photographer sometimes it can be hard to voice what you are feeling in the moment, especially if you don't want to mess up the good vibes of the day. That is where I come in, picking up on how you feel throughout the day and using that to redirect the day as needed. For instance, we have been walking for awhile and the temperature continues to rise, we keep passing people who keep stopping to congratulate you... I can sense that you are getting overstimulated and need a moment. So I direct us to a private spot and step away to give you two a private moment alone together and time to have a snack, take a breath and get away from people on the trail, the mood is saved. There are many instances where this really comes in handy as I am great at detecting the subtle changes in mood and anticipating the needs of others.

This also plays into being a single mom for the last 21 years. I have had to be the ultimate multitasker, keeping all the plates in the air at the same time. While I have managed several schedules at the same time and at times had to be in multiple places at once while still paying attention to all the things. I have had to wear all the hats which really helped me in running an elopement photography business where I also wear all the hats. This assures I don't get stressed out over things not working out and I work really well under pressure. I will remain calm and offer up some solutions to the problem.

My OCD which I have done much therapy to be in a healthy place from and don't take lightly. I have learned to use those traits to benefit my life and improve it instead of holding me back. My disorder makes me expressly good at planning and paying attention to all the little details. I tend to overthink which makes me great at playing out all the scenarios and having a million back up plans in the back of mind at all times. While this does make me sound rigid and strict I can assure you that I have had to loosen my grip on that from being a single mom where I really have to go with the flow. I am adaptable to the plan and that is why having a million back up plans is so helpful. Paying attention to all the details really comes in handy during the planning, actually shooting and posing, culling and editing. While it may take a little bit longer to get your images back I promise its worth it after I have gone over every little detail.

Think we are a good fit and ready to book?

I would love to hear from you and get started planning your epic day. Simply click the button below, fill out the contact form and you should hear back from me within 24 hours!

I cannot wait to get to know you!